libri

sweet sixteen

2012-01-29T18:26:00.004-06:00

Yes, you heard me right. I've never revealed my age to you before, but now I am. Yesterday was my birthday, and I turned sweet sixteen! (If you're wondering, I was thirteen when I started this blog in November 2009.) Does this surprise you? Do I seem older? Younger? Opinions please, and now on to the good stuff.

So, I'm sixteen, and honestly, I'm wondering where the time went. Wasn't it just yesterday that I was looking up at the sixteen-year-old "big kids", thinking they were so mature, tall, smart, and intimidating? I'm growing up, and with every year comes harder challenges and greater rewards. Christ is nearer to me than ever before, and I know I couldn't make it without Him. And, of course, having the best friends in the world (in my humble opinion) helps too. Sometimes I'm tempted to compare my life to others', whether to judge them or feel bad for myself, but really, it is not worth it. God gave me my sixteen years, and I am nothing without Him.

These are the thoughts I have been pondering lately, mostly in anticipation of my birthday, since yesterday was very full. The day began at 3:36 am, when I woke up to commemorate the exact time at which I was born. This is a little tradition of mine, to wake up at that wee hour and have a nostalgic moment thinking about the years gone by and the ones to come. After going back to bed, I woke up for real at a normal hour, ate a yummy breakfast made by my mom...

...and attended a pro-life function with my family. To be honest, I was less than excited to share my special day with another event. But seriously, I have no room to talk, except in defense of those millions of babies who cannot speak for themselves. A touching point in the event was when hundreds of people released blue and pink balloons into the sky to remember those little babies.

Then the birthday part of the day really began. I went out for lunch with my dad, and he took me to one of my favorite places, a used bookstore. I'm not one for elaborate birthday happenings; this made me perfectly happy. Roses made an appearance...

...as did amazing birthday wishes from my friends. I went out to dinner with my family, opened gifts, and did a clever scavenger hunt arranged by my mom, in which I had to follow clues, in the form of first lines of my favorite books, to find my last gift:

I was struck by a thought that stayed throughout the day: How blessed I am to have people who love me this much. It's hard, on your birthday, to be unselfish and give God the glory. I learned that lesson in a stark fashion yesterday, when my selfishness got the better of me, but I also had some practice in being utterly thankful for God's provision in my life.

And so the circle came around. I am sixteen years old, and I am grateful for each one of the days that God granted me to live. Whether I feel dreadfully old or terribly young, I am who God made me to be, and these sixteen years have been unforgettable.

"I am sixteen going on seventeen..."

miscellany monday

2012-01-23T21:55:00.001-06:00

this is going to be a simple post, mainly unedited, and lowercase, because i'm tired. forgive me.

my birthday is swiftly approaching. it cometh on saturday, and i couldn't be more excited. it's just another chance to enjoy the blessings God has given me, and prepare for the year to come.

the snow comes at night, and more often than not it's mostly gone by the same time the next day. tiny white crystals, how dearly i love you.

i'm reading 'mockingjay', and i haven't decided what to make of this series. they're certainly engaging, but so disturbing at the same time.

i'm participating in ann voskamp's joy dare. three things for which i am thankful each day. how they help me grasp the joy in my life and not cling to the bad. some recent items on my list: a friend's hand, holding mine; warm winter sunshine; my church community; psalm 46:10. (visit aholyexperience.com)

i am determined to edit and self-publish last year's nanowrimo novel of mine. writing is difficult and tedious sometimes, but when the words spill onto the page and they sound perfect, every minute of writer's block is worth it.

may i reiterate my joy in the fact that my birthday is on saturday?!?! i am positively exuberant.

and now i leave you, with a promise to post more often.

ttfn, ta ta for now,

larkin

I apologize...

2012-01-06T18:48:00.001-06:00

...for the lack of posting here. Life is quickly getting busier as school and my normal activities resume. I do post daily photos at reverie, as well as short updates on life, so please check it out!

Great Is Thy Faithfulness, Lord Unto Me

2011-12-31T23:57:00.000-06:00

Well, 2011 is just about over.

This year has been incredible; I stand amazed by God's unending faithfulness and grace. Time after time this year I saw a situation that seemed hopeless bloom with new life. I was shoved kicking and screaming out of my comfort zone countless times, only to realize that the world outside was ever so much better than I had imagined.

If I could pick one word to describe 2011, it would be growth. So many things happened that I could never have anticipated. Some were very exciting: I saw Les Miserables on stage, got my ears pierced, fell in love with English Country Dancing, won NaNoWriMo, left part of my heart in Boston, bought a DSLR camera, and met the ocean for the first time. All of those have a place, and a very special place, in my heart. But the experiences that really changed me and grew me were also the ones that were the hardest to live through. They were the ones that I wished never happened, but later realized were irreplaceably important. My unborn sister died, and we named her Mercy. My friends and I struggled through a tough time. My grandpa died.

2011 was a crazy year, but God is faithful, and that's really all I can say. I could not have survived the events of this year were it not for His unending love. This is what gives me so much hope for 2012. So many people are worried that the world is going to end, but I'm not concerned about that. My God is awesome, and He is on my side. And after the events of 2011, I can't wait to see what will come to pass in 2012.

Soli Deo Gloria, and welcome, Two Thousand and Twelve!

mishmash and an announcement!

2011-12-29T21:47:00.000-06:00

I don't really have anything coherent to say (except for the announcement, which will come at the end), so I'm just going to upload my photos and say a few things about each one, because they encapsulate my life pretty well.

first.

This, my friends, was my Christmas dinner. Now to fully understand the immensity of that statement, you have to understand that I made everything on that plate with my own hands (with some help from my amazing father). And to understand that, you have to realize that I am not the cooking type. At all. Like, the only recipes I don't need any help with are cheesecake, cookies, and corn casserole (which is pictured above). Not exactly a full meal. So for me to successfully make Christmas dinner by myself was one of the prouder moments of my life. Yes indeedy. And... this is turning into a brag call... moving on.

second.

Ooh... bokeh... *faints*. I realize that this is my third holiday-bokeh-related collage on this blog... but I couldn't resist. It's just so adorably cute! And plus, this is the first Christmas I've had a manual focus camera, so it's the first time I've been able to capture bokeh properly. Pure joy it's been.

third.

This was my attempt to see the Christmas tree in a different light, literally. I think I was successful. Thoughts? (And by the way, if I could figure out how to decorate my tree like this, all lacy and squiggly, I totally would.)

fourth.

Oh my goodness, can winter sunsets get any more gorgeous? The trees blackest black against a pastel sky... this must be what heaven looks like.

and the announcement.

I have a surprise for you, coming January 1. I have wanted to do it for a very long time, but didn't have a nice enough camera (wow, that was a big hint). So without further ado, I would like to present my 2012 Project 365 photo blog, reverie! If you're not familiar with the concept, here's basically what this blog will be about: I am challenging myself to take a photo every single day in 2012 and post it on reverie. So if you're interested in following my journey, I'd love for you to check it out!

ttfn, ta ta for now!

o magnum mysterium

2011-12-25T21:45:00.000-06:00

"In our world too, a Stable once had something inside it that was bigger than our whole world."

-The Last Battle

Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad, Joyeux Noel!

Today was laid-back and lovely, but the highlights were singing the Hallelujah Chorus in church and baking Christmas dinner nearly by myself. I hope you had a blessed day!

silent night

2011-12-24T13:21:00.000-06:00

Waiting, waiting, waiting. Today is anxious, every hour waiting for the next, waiting for the moment that will carry the clocks forward to Christmas Day. And yet, amidst the anxiety, today is calm, so very calm, and still, and silent. The world is waiting for its Savior to be born, but yet it knows that He has already come. And that is the beautiful two-fold meaning of Christmas. We wait with bated breath for Christ to come, but at the same time we know that this Christmas is only a remembrance, a shadow, of one long ago. That night was not calm, or peaceful, or silent. It was busy, loud, frantic, worried. But tonight, as we remember that night, there is stillness and silence and awe as we remember that God humbled Himself and made Himself nothing so we would not have to fear death, so we might have an eternal destiny. Tonight is a silent night, but only because our hearts are too full for words.

Still, still, still,

One can hear the falling snow.

For all is hushed,

The world is sleeping,

Holy Star its vigil keeping.

Still, still, still,

One can hear the falling snow.

Sleep, sleep, sleep,

'Tis the eve of our Savior's birth.

The night is peaceful all around you,

Close your eyes,

Let sleep surround you.

Sleep, sleep, sleep,

'Tis the eve of our Savior's birth.

Dream, dream, dream,

Of the joyous day to come.

While guardian angels without number,

Watch you as you sweetly slumber.

Dream, dream, dream,

Of the joyous day to come.

{christmas eve eve} friday favorites

2011-12-23T18:40:00.000-06:00

Dear Christmas Eve Eve

(or Christmas Adam, if you prefer),

You are so full of joy, and I love you for that. I am not by any means a morning person, and yet today I woke up happy. It must be the Christmas magic in the air. Or maybe the pancakes, gifts waiting to be opened, and delightful photo opportunities. Either way, you rock.

Dear sickness

(flu or cold or whatever you were),

I really can't manage a thank you, because you did make my life miserable for two days, but I appreciate that you decided to take a Christmas vacation from torturing me. Please don't come back. I like Christmas just fine without you. No offense.

Dear bokeh

(little dancing pricks of light),

You are undoubtedly one of the best parts of my Christmas. You give me a whole new perspective - one moment I'm seeing the world through my lens in sharp, normal focus, and the next moment everything is turned to darling circles of loveliness. Me gusta. Today might well have been called "seek out the bokeh" day for me, as you can tell:

(In case you can't tell, below are grapes made out of tiny beads.)

Dear holiday food

(in all your variety and quantity),

You are so yummy that I can't help but take one more bite. Yes, I'm looking at you, chocolate, but also at your more healthful friend clementine. How can you be so cute and orange and tasty? You're like edible bokeh. Which is a very high compliment.

Dear Angry Birds
(you are completely unrelated to this post),
Would you quit wasting my time? No other words needed.

Dear thrift-store ornaments

(speckled and dirty as you may be),

Sure, you're not as perfectly shiny as other ornaments, but I like you better, because you're old, and made with quality, and you have character. I love to sit under the Christmas tree and imagine how many Christmases you've seen. More than me, I'm sure. I like to wonder to whom you first belonged, and why they chose you, and why they gave you away. I imagine how you got your speckles, and what you looked like when you were brand new. I know, I'm a little quirky to be wondering all this about plain old ornaments. But that's the point: you're not plain. And you make Christmas special for me.

Dear blogging friends

(you're awesome. but in other news),

This is my third Christmas blogging here at Libri, and I wouldn't have reached that many without you. So all you loyal followers, commenters, stalkers, and otherwise, give yourselves a pat on the back. Merry Christmas!

this is Christmas

2011-12-22T16:11:00.000-06:00

It's December 22. There are only three days until Christmas 2011. And this isn't a secret, but somehow I feel the need to post about it. You see, Christmas always seems to sneak up on me. For months I can't wait for this magical season to arrive, and then suddenly it's here, and gone. I'm in a Christmas mood from October onward, but my cheerful spirit seems to wane just before the day itself. Right now, this couldn't be more true. Here it is, three days before Christmas, and I'm sick in bed. At the time of year when I should be stuffing myself with sweets, I haven't eaten anything since Tuesday. When I should be outside, enjoying the dusting of snow and filling myself with Christmas cheer, I'm inside, sleeping. But really, should I be complaining? No. No. No. Okay, I'm sick right before Christmas, but that totally pales in comparison to the true meaning of Christmas, and that can be pondered whether I'm in bed or not. I could (and should!) repeat it to myself every day of the year, the way Athanasius said it best: God became man so man could become like God. There are so many angles to the Christmas story, so many different ways to look at it. There was Mary, the young girl who risked becoming an outcast because of the child she bore. There was Joseph, the man who chose to believe his betrothed rather than condemn her. And there was the Messiah, God's Son who came to earth not as a conquering king or an invincible power, but as a vulnerable baby. This is Christmas, dear friends. Behind Santa, presents, food, and holiday rush, this is Christmas, and I'm discovering that being sick is a great opportunity to see it as such.

More holiday thoughts coming posthaste, as soon as I let my brain rest from finals. Also, isn't the new design gorgeous?!?!

I wonder as I wander...

2011-12-12T17:07:00.001-06:00

So it's Monday again, and once again I've deserted you for nearly two weeks. Bad Larkin. Expect many more posts once this week is over and school is done! I thought some miscellany would be appropriate... enjoy.

first. The snow is melting, and that makes me sad. Yes, it snowed a week or so ago. Lovely huge flakes, deep drifts, the clean whiteness... I adore snow. Photos:

second. My friend introduced me to Pandora, and ohmygoodness, I am never going back. Right now my Howard Shore station is playing, and I'm totally loving the Lord of the Rings-esque music.

third. Oh, I suppose you might like some Christmas-related photos. We decorated the tree with little excitement, just the sweet nostalgia of Christmases gone by. And this is the last week of school... insert major fist pump here. The holiday parties have already started, and it feels so appropriate to celebrate this time of year. Not only am I completing a satisfyingly challenging semester, but hey! God became man, and that's unfathomable. The wonder of Christmas is dawning upon me in a new way this season, so expect some more posts on that topic. Back to those photos.

fourth. Being busy is such a blessing. So often we complain about having too many things to do, but really, we should be thankful for the many opportunities we have. Sure, this week and the ones after will be some of the busiest of my life, but that's just all the more opportunities to enjoy my friends, love my family, and ponder the Great Mystery. And you really can't beat that.

fifth. As you might have noticed, I'm having a hard time being myself with you guys. Sure, I can type up a blog post about any old topic, but do my personality, my thoughts, and my beliefs shine through the words, or are they empty and lifeless? I'm going to keep that in mind from now on, and I'll do my best to give you a glimpse of who I really am. It's hard, since I haven't shared my age, name, or any photos, but sometimes I think that's even better. You don't know me for who I am on the outside, you know me by my thoughts and what I choose to write about, and I really love you for that.

sixth. About the title. It's from a relatively obscure Christmas song with strange grammar, but that song perfectly captures my thoughts about Christmas.

"I wonder as I wander out under the sky
How Jesus the Saviour did come for to die
For poor on'ry people like you and like I;
I wonder as I wander out under the sky

When Mary birthed Jesus 'twas in a cow's stall
With wise men and farmers and shepherds and all
But high from God's heaven, a star's light did fall
And the promise of ages it then did recall.

If Jesus had wanted for any wee thing
A star in the sky or a bird on the wing
Or all of God's Angels in heaven to sing
He surely could have it, 'cause he was the King

I wonder as I wander out under the sky
How Jesus the Saviour did come for to die
For poor on'ry people like you and like I;
I wonder as I wander out under the sky"

um, how should I put it... I WON!

2011-11-30T23:04:00.000-06:00

I did something today. Yeah, doesn't that sound radical? But what I did today wasn't just your average, run-of-the-mill school or chores. (I did those too, but that's not the point.) The point is, for one thing, I'm really tired, so forgive me if this is terribly rambly. For another, my hands are sore from typing all month long. Is that enough clues? I hope so, because I can't hold the secret in anymore: I WON NANOWRIMO!

Yup, I wrote a 50,000 word, 114 page novel, currently titled "Inseparable", in 30 days this November. And that makes me happy. That makes me so happy that as I write this, I'm humming (very loudly) "We Are the Champions", and my feet are knocking together because I can barely sit still long enough to post this.

Now, most of you probably don't care a wink about my noveling pursuits. A few of you might be vaguely interested, probably because you attempted or won NaNoWriMo this November, but my novel is mostly interesting only to myself. But there is one very good reason why you should be excited for me: the end of NaNoWriMo signifies the return of regular posting on this here blog! (Sorry, that last bit was me channeling my inner cowboy. Yes, I have an inner cowboy.)

So, I guess that's all I have to say. To all you other NaNoWriMo-ists (and you know who you are), I send you a hearty congratulations! whether you won or not, because you rock for even trying.

Charity's Birthday Tag!

2011-11-26T16:25:00.000-06:00

1. What month is your birthday?

My birthday is in January, so it's sometimes warm and sunny, and sometimes freezing and snowing.

2. What is your birth-stone? (include a picture!)

My birthstone is the oh-so-pretty garnet!

3. Have you had a party?

Yes, I've had several parties, usually every other year.

4. What was your favorite present ever?

My favorite present was probably my American Girl doll Kirsten, whom I got for my 8th birthday. Presents from friends are special too, because they know me so well.

5. Do you know of a flower or plant that blooms in your birth-month?

No, most things are dead in January. That sounded depressing. I guess pine trees...?

6. Do you know of anyone famous who you share your birthday with?

Yes, I share my birthday (January 28) with Elijah Wood, who played Frodo in Lord of the Rings. How cool is that?

7. Have you ever met anyone who shared your birthday?

Yes, I once met a girl named Jana who shared my birthday.

8. What month and day would you love to have your birthday on?

I really like the number 28, so if I could change my birthdate, I'd make it June 28 or July 28.

9. Name three things you’d love to receive as a gift.

I really love gifts that show how well the giver knows me. And Lord of the Rings calendars are awesome too -*wink wink*, Charity.

10. Anything random concerning birthdays (or anything else) that you’d like to mention?

Just Happy Birthday, Charity! <3

longing + two questions

2011-11-26T14:57:00.001-06:00

See this?

See the two expanses of blue? See the warmth, the sea breeze, the sunshine? That's where I was a month ago (in fact, that's me and two of my brothers in the photo), and I would give anything to be back there.

I guess it's called discontentment. That day at the beach, I missed my home so much, but now that I'm home, I miss the beach. Why can't I just be content with where I am, wherever God puts me? Is it because I have a built-in desire for somewhere else, because this earth is not my home? Did I see a bit of heaven in the Gulf of Mexico, and I also see a snatch of it here at home? Perhaps. But that's not an excuse. Right now, wherever that is, I need to be satisfied, because God has given me so much more than I deserve.

Okay, off my soapbox. On to the questions.

first: Just out of curiosity, how old do you think I am? I might be able to tell you come my next birthday in January, but for now, take a guess.

second: Do any of you know sign language? I've become obsessed with it recently, and again, I'm just curious. Indulge me.

until next time,
larkin

count your blessings

2011-11-25T21:46:00.001-06:00

I know it's redundant, I know my dashboard is filled with them, but I'm going to do it anyway, because it's that time of year: a thankful post. Maybe you don't want to read it, maybe you'll ignore it because it's the millionth one you've seen, but that's okay. Maybe you'll read it, and maybe you'll like it, or see something special in it. Who knows. I need to post right now, and this is it.

My youth group leader challenged me and one of my friends to write a thankful list every day. Not for Thanksgiving, though it certainly applies. Just because we are so blessed, and we don't realize it. So the list of 10 things every day has gotten longer... and longer...and longer. I'm at 220 things today. And here are a few. Happy Thanksgiving!

I am thankful for...

uno. autumn foliage, in all its glorious splendor, brilliantly relinquishing its life to the oncoming winter. (all photos are unedited, because God's creation doesn't need editing.)

dos. getting my braces off last week! love.
tres. this year's nanowrimo. i have learned a tremendous amount about writing, and i love my twin characters, elena and marieke, so very much.
cuatro. quotes. my favorites, via pinterest: (sorry, i don't have an account, so no links.)

cinco. the gift of song, and my choir. we had two concerts last week, and oh! what lovely sounds we made.
seis. a long-anticipated break from school. my brain was about to burst. doing nothing is so nice sometimes.
siete. that unprecedented feeling of being an author, both with fingers numb from long hours of typing and with hands stained with ink. i have found my calling. this is who i was born to be.
ocho. being a student. sure, it's hard work, but i really kinda love it, especially late nights spent curled up in bed, typing away at a paper. or maybe that's just the author in me.
nueve. i couldn't finish this list without mentioning my friends and family, who bring out the very best in me. you guys rock in a big way.
diez. my great God, who pulled me from the grave of sin and brought me to this amazing new life.

Soli Deo Gloria,
-larkin

hola, el lunes

2011-11-07T17:07:00.000-06:00

Yes, it's Monday again. The weeks seem to fly by - only six more Mondays until Christmas, for goodness sakes! As you probably have noticed, time has been flying by too quickly for me to post. Part of it is a limited amount of time, thanks to NaNoWriMo and school. But another part is that I feel so substandard. My words are not as beautiful as other bloggers'. My words are just that, plain words, with no substance behind them, no thoughts invoked. Or at least that's how I feel. I need to learn that even though my words may not be as eloquent as someone else's, they are my words, and that makes them special. So I am going to post my words. They will not sit in drafts on my computer. No matter how silly or thoughtless they seem, I am going to let you read them, because they are mine. Deal?

Because it is Monday, it's time for some miscellany!

001. The rain is pattering on my window, dulling the autumn leaves but leaving sparkling reflections in every droplet. Some people would call this a dreary day - cold, windy, and rainy - but I call it beautiful. Days like this remind me of the coziness of a fire, the warmth of wool blankets, and the comfort of home. I cannot be outside today, but I can be inside, and that is lovely too.

002. Words, I am surrounded by words. In the morning I wake up and write essays, in the afternoon I settle in and write my novel, and in the evening I draft blog posts. Just twenty-six letters strung together in different combinations, words are, but their real beauty is the emotions and feelings they invoke. Love is a short word, simple to pronounce and spell, but the meaning behind it is so grand and infinite that it can hardly be summed up in a sentence, much less a single word. That is why it is my favorite word. Love. What is your favorite word, and why?

003. My mom and I bought a new camera last week. I don't need to tell you that I'm excited. The moments it captures are so crisp, so clear, so real; I can hardly believe it. Many times I've snapped a photo of my little sister, only to look at the photo later and see something in it that I did not see initially, something that I've never seen before.

' "Things don't look the same through the camera," I said. "Not the way they are in real life."
Putting the camera around his neck, he paused, then straightened.
"Sometimes." He tilted his head to one side and spoke to himself in the mirror. "And sometimes pictures show us what is really there."
"How? How can that be?" I asked.
Grandfather lifted his shoulders in a familiar way, then said something unlike him.
"I don't know, Journey. Maybe that is why people take pictures. To see what is there." '

-Journey, Patricia MacLachlan

004. Before I get back to my studies, I have a couple of photos to share, taken with my new camera, of course:

And I can't forget the cute lil' button!

adios!
-larkin

Today I Love...

2011-10-25T15:51:00.001-05:00

...Blogger's not-so-new design. I finally switched over, and the clean, minimalist look is perfect.

...ponytails that hide messy hair. Enough said.

...red, oh so red leaves. Winter is pale, spring is soft, summer is bright, but autumn is simply vivid and brilliant. Every tree a different shade, leaves that dance along the street... I love autumn.

...packages that come just when you're least expecting them. Today it was the Adventures in Odyssey Novacom saga, my favorite, and a special gift for a friend.

...scarves. I ought to post a photo of them someday - I've amassed quite the collection. From lacy white to thick and bulky, which are your favorite?

...being homeschooled. While it might not be for everyone, it definitely is the right fit for me. When I get tired of math, I can switch in seconds to English, and most of my work happens while lying on my bed. The world is my classroom, and it's such fun.

...mothers who forcibly instill the virtue of patience in me by making me wait to get that SLR I mentioned. Sigh.

...quotes. Actually, I love quotes every day. Today I'm focusing on first lines, in preparation for NaNoWriMo next week. My favorite first lines from my favorite books:

"In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit." -The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien

"It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen." -1984, George Orwell

"In the evenings my father danced." -Baby, Patricia MacLachlan

"As soon as the snow melts, I will go to Rass and fetch my mother." -Jacob Have I Loved, Katherine Paterson

"There was a boy called Eustace Clarence Scrubb, and he almost deserved it." -The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, C.S. Lewis

...bookshelves. My room is full of them, and oh, they are beautiful.

...life. Yes, I think this sums up everything pretty nicely. Today I love life. What do you love today?

-larkin

another miscellany monday

2011-10-24T19:14:00.001-05:00

Hello, dear friends, 'tis I. I'm finding it hard to compose my thoughts into one stream right now, so you'll have to accept a miscellany, straight from my head, no editing.

uno. My dear old Nikon Coolpix 5400 camera is on its last leg, so I finally persuaded my mom to go camera-shopping today. And it looks like I'll have a new SLR tomorrow! This is a dream come true - a new camera with manual focus, of all things. My heart is on top of the world.

dos. If I was in love with Spanish last fall when I first began to learn it, then what I'm feeling right now is closer to obsession. There's something about expressing the same thoughts with different words that intrigues me to no end. Besides, I think being bilingual is about the coolest thing possible. Anyone out there love Spanish as much as I do?

tres. I'm heading to Texas on Thursday to attend my cousin's wedding. I couldn't be more excited. A gorgeous wedding, the Alamo, the beach, lovely weather, and a new camera to enjoy - did I mention I'm on top of the world?

cuatro. Speaking of vacations, did I ever tell you that I went to Boston a month ago? Ohmygoodnessgracious, I am going to live there someday. From subways to the history around every corner... *sigh*... I left my heart in Boston. I honestly miss it. Let me dig up a few photos to share... they'll be at the end of this post.

cinco. And of course there's loads of school, which is quite fun this year, and NaNoWriMo. Yes, I'm attempting it again, this time with two of my best friends. And yes, I'm setting it in Boston. Why do you ask? I will try to post at least once a week, but if I disappear suddenly, at least you'll know where I went.

seis. Oh, right, the Boston photos. Here you go:

A headstone on Copp's Hill.

The location of the Boston Massacre, currently under construction.

This photo makes me happy - my first seagull caught on camera.

The North End, taken from the top of the Bunker Hill monument. The Old North Church is the white steeple.

Fairytale clouds on the way home.

siete. Well, I guess that all for now. Goodbye from your resident novelist, photographer, and Boston geek.

jo's simply seventeen blog party!

2011-10-17T18:46:00.007-05:00

{1} When you think of "old movies", what immediately comes to mind?

"It's a Wonderful Life", "The Sound of Music", and "Gone With the Wind". Okay, one of those is a musical, and I've never seen the third, but whatever.

{2} Who's one of your favorite film or literary heroes (or heroines) and why?

Ah, I'll have to divide this in two, because I'd have far too many answers otherwise. My favorite film hero is Aragorn from Lord of the Rings, because he's just plain awesome. (Next in line are Mr. Thornton and Mr. Knightley.) And my favorite literary hero is Jean Valjean from "Les Miserables", followed by Aragorn again.

{3} If you could live in a movie, which one would it be and why?

Oh boy. Living in Lord of the Rings would be amazing, as would Narnia.

{4} Music has changed a lot since 1900 - which "modern" type of music is your favorite?

Hmm, I guess movie soundtracks would win here. They never fail to absolutely delight me.

{5} Any songs you'd like to share with us?

Just this one, my new favorite:

{6} If your life had a soundtrack, what would it be?

My life's soundtrack would be disorganized at first glance, but with a strong constant theme throughout.

{7} When do you start counting down to your birthday?

Oh, about two months in advance. It's never too early to look forward to it!

{8} What makes your birthday special?

I always go out for lunch with my dad, and since my brother's birthday is the day before, we get to share all sorts of secrets.

{9} Do you ever wish you were born in a different month?

In a word, yes. I always wanted to have a pool party to celebrate my birthday, but the late January weather just doesn't cooperate.

{10} Pick five words to describe your personality.

These would be energetic, pessimistic, bossy, fun-loving, and hopefully godly as well.

Have an absolutely wonderful birthday, dear Jo! Head on over to join this party!

-larkin

I think the title goes here?

2011-10-16T19:59:00.006-05:00

Hey everyone, it's me, Larkin.

I'm just popping in to this now-unfamiliar space to say this: I've been meaning to return to the blogging world for quite some time (read: a whole month), but my internet browser wouldn't let me post from my new laptop. And then...it hit me. I switched to a different browser, and now the problem is solved!

So, to all 130 of you who have hung with me through thick and thin, I'll be back soon! I've missed the incredible fellowship and community, and now I'm coming back! Expect a proper post soon.

*Bounces with joy*

-larkin

I'm taking a break from blogging (please read)

2011-08-09T15:59:00.001-05:00

Dear blogging friends,
This is hard for me to write, but I need to say it. I hope you will understand.

Last Saturday was the best day of my life. Many amazing and wonderful and fun things happened that day, but one sticks out: God turned my life around. He showed me through one message in one day that it's easy to be kind and loving toward my blogging friends, people whom I've never met, but it's often hard to do the same for my family and my real-life friends. I've been taking the easy path for almost two years now: writing posts and making online friends quickly and easily, while my relationship with my family slowly falls apart. I've only allowed you to see the "good" side of me, while all too often what my family sees is the bad side.

But now it's time to change that. That means making a very difficult and sad choice. That means doing the hard thing ... and the right thing. That means stopping blogging and building a healthy relationship with my family, my friends, and my Savior. That means seeking the kingdom of heaven above all else, no matter the cost.

"The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting, it has been found difficult and left untried."

~G. K. Chesterton

God has put the desire in my heart to seek the Christian ideal. It will be very difficult. It already is very difficult. Giving up blogging for an indefinite amount of time is difficult. But I believe that it will be worth it. Even if you don't agree with me, I hope you can understand.

In Christ,

~larkin

where i've been

2011-07-28T16:15:00.001-05:00

(I know, I'm terrible at inventing post titles.)

Well, it's been nine days since I've posted. I haven't been out of town, my internet access didn't disappear, and I've had plenty to post about. So I really can't explain my absence, but I hope you'll forgive me anyway. In the time that I haven't been blogging, this is what I've been up to:

a. My first laptop arrived yesterday (I'm using it right now), and I'm in love. Let me just say that a good deal of time has gone into setting the settings and changing the colors on this lil' girl. I'm thinking of naming her Lia, Ria, or Gia (soft "g") to rhyme with my iPod, Nia - what do you think?

b. The City Championship Swim Meet was on Saturday (I know, bad Larkin for not posting sooner), and my team WON!!! This was our 11th straight year, and though I finally got to the point where I was okay with losing, God had other plans. Hooray!!! But now swimming is done for the year. Until next summer!

c. We got a call today from my grandma, saying that my grandpa isn't doing well. Would you be so kind as to pray for him? I don't believe he's a Christian, and this is really hard for my mom (his daughter). My family is driving to his house (4 hours away) tomorrow, so could you also pray that the trip would go smoothly?

d. Everything has disadvantages. Yes, I have an amazing new laptop that I love, but I'm also dead broke because of it. :( What do you do to earn money?

e. I went to WalMart today to get new glasses, and I couldn't help marveling at the aisle upon aisle of school supplies. Highlighters, notebooks, sticky notes... oh, the colors! They almost make going back to school worth it. Almost.

f. Today's my half-birthday!!! I should make myself one earring, or paint half of my nails, or something...

Well, that's about all! Laptop, swimming, school, new glasses... yep, I covered everything. How I love these dog days of summer. Yes, they're boring sometimes, but that sure beats school!

(One more question: when do you start school? I begin on August 22.)

-larkin

miscellany monday

2011-07-18T20:40:00.000-05:00

uno. nia cairistiona éponine. No, this is not the name of my friend, my doll, my pet, or my fantasy child. This is the name of my iPod. Call me a weirdo, but isn't it the prettiest name on the face of the earth? Nia Cairistiona (NEE-ah ka-rish-CHE-nuh) because I adore long, strangely spelt Celtic names, and Éponine because of my obsession with Les Mis. I love it.

dos. Carlotta's lovely collection of magazine clippings inspired me to do the same. Thumbing through my mom's collection of magazines, and a few of my own, I found my own inspiration:

tres. "It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live." (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone) Oh, how I need to remember that. I'm spending a good portion of my waking hours making countdowns, dreaming, and looking forward to various trips I'll be taking this fall. But more and more, I'm finding that doing that deprives me of each day as it comes. I'm forgetting to live.

cuatro. If you've read Les Mis or seen the musical, you know the significance of the silver candlesticks that Bishop Digne gives Jean Valjean. In the audio drama, Digne says this: "With this silver, I am buying your precious soul from darkness and giving it back to God." The candlesticks are a sign of redemption, of God's ability to take the least likely person into His embrace. And sometimes I need to be reminded of that. I am a new person in Christ. I am "redeemed by the blood of the Lamb". So last night, I put a pair of silver-colored candlesticks on my bookshelf, to remind me of just that.

cinco. peace love swim. That's what the back of my swim team t-shirt says, and that's what I need prayer for. The City Championship swim meet, the biggest meet I've ever taken part in, is on Saturday, and I need peace, love, and the ability to swim. Peace, because my mind is whirling with worries and doubts. Love, because it can be easy to think negatively about other swimmers and other teams. And swim, because it takes a lot of willpower for me to swim fast. Would you be willing to pray?

seis. This is the most organized and least miscellaneous Miscellany Monday I've ever written! How about including a few of my current thoughts: swirl ice cream is delicious, it's beastly hot, and it feels good to have something to blog about.

~larkin

what my summer looks like.

2011-07-13T16:25:00.003-05:00

In my summer, there is an egg. I tried to make the saying "hot enough to fry an egg" come true on my driveway... and it didn't really work. But it was FUN!

In my summer, there is a journal. I've been writing so much that if anyone were to read it (don't you dare), they'd know everything from what I ate for breakfast to my deepest darkest secrets. Okay, maybe not. But you get the idea.

In my summer there is water. Lots and lots of water. In fact, today was the 31st time I've gone swimming this summer (yup, I'm counting). I'm swum at 8:00 am, and 8:00 pm. Go ahead, call me a fish. It's true.

(Look, Teryl, there you are, swimming the 50 butterfly!)

In my summer, there are many many many many many many many many many many many books. And "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" just might be among them...

In my summer, there are dreams. Coming vacations, parties, even the forbidden word (school)... cause that's what I am. I do random things, I write, I swim, I read, and I dream. This post just about summed it up.

sometimes.

2011-07-13T16:09:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I'm discontent because most of the furniture in my bedroom was bought used. But then I remember that I'm blessed to have a bedroom at all.

Sometimes I complain about unloading the dishwasher. But then I remember that washing dishes by hand or not having dishes at all would be far worse.

Sometimes I mope around because my muscles are sore from swimming. But then I remember that I'm privileged to be able to swim at all.

Sometimes I look jealously at other, better cameras. But then I remember what it would be like without a camera at all.

Sometimes I am annoyed with my brothers and sister. But then I remember how lonely I would be without them.

Sometimes my world just seems to be going wrong. But then I remember that nothing happens apart from God's perfect will.

being me, and my independence day (plus a load of photos)

2011-07-07T18:30:00.001-05:00

Only a few hours ago, I was feeling terribly pressured and overwhelmed. I opened up Blogger with a mind brimming with ideas for posts and the photos that would accompany them. And then, as usual, I began reading the posts on my dashboard. Having been away from my computer for several days, a multitude greeted my eyes. And how lovely they were! Well thought out ponderings, gorgeous photos, pulchritudinous (that means beautiful) giveaways . . . suddenly, my great ideas didn’t seem so great compared to the wealth of inspired posts that lay before my eyes.

I had to make a decision. Would I tell myself that my ideas and my photos were worth nothing, or would I go ahead and post them? I looked through a few more posts, turned on some music, answered the telephone . . . and finally decided.

My blog is a place where I can share who I am with the world. And I don’t have to be someone else to be special. In fact, being special means standing out, being who God has made me to be, and making a difference. I might not garner any comments from my photos or writing, but that doesn’t really matter, because I am made in God’s image, and He is the only one I ultimately have to live up to.

So. The following is the post-I-decided-to-write-after-all. Enjoy.

Let me begin by saying that I am an American, and anything even vaguely patriotic sends chills down my spine. Therefore, my spine was very chilled by Monday's end.

My Independence Day began on Sunday afternoon, when my family went to our friends' home for dinner and fireworks. (Let me say here that potato salad, hot dogs, and fruit salad are some of the best things ever invented.) After a while shooting off very loud fireworks, I headed to the backyard and resorted to one of my favorite pastimes: photographing flowers. Very refreshing, it was. Especially since I've grown quite tired of the flowers in my own backyard. Besides, the evening light was delightful.

Then back to fireworks. As much as I adore professional firework displays, lighting small ones in the middle of the street with a punk is unusually special. What could be better than staining my once-new Converse with smoke bombs?

The sun never fails to take forEVer to set when fireworks are involved, but it finally did (of course), and then came more fireworks.

The real Independence Day dawned, but I didn't wake until somewhere around 10 am (shame!). Then off to the pool it was from 2 until 5. A t-shirt relay, coin dive, and big splash contest crowned the fun. Great fun, I might add, as I am of the firm belief that water makes everything better.

After wandering around a nearby small town for a few hours, dressed in way too much red, white, and blue, and searching for familiar faces (I found a few, but not the ones I was seeking), the real fireworks began. (Cue those aforementioned chills!) My camera once more came out, leading me to the realization that good firework photos are far harder to capture than it seems. Nevertheless, I took more than enough.

The soundtrack that played during the fireworks show made my day - it was composed of great, thrilling movie scores that I'd heard before but couldn't identify. It was GRAND, let me tell you.
(I heart this mini bokeh!)

Now I'm wondering how I could have possibly lived so long without discovering that firework bokeh is the best thing ever!

I adore this photo, because I'm not sure how I took it. Reminds me of an apocalyptic movie or something.
Aaaahhh, more bokeh.

So. That was my Independence Day 2011, in a rather large nutshell. Now I have a few questions for you:

-Have you ever met someone who is not American by birth?

-Do you like fireworks? Which do you prefer: lighting them off or watching a show?

-Which of my firework photos is your favorite?

~larkin

bucket lists

2011-07-07T15:35:00.003-05:00

Bucket lists. They are the epitome of dreaming. They encompass everything you ever want to do, with no boundaries whatsoever. Anyone can have one, because everyone is capable of dreaming. It doesn't matter how rich or poor you are, or how likely your bucket list is to be completed - you can still have one. And that's why I love them. Mine, in all its ridiculous entirety, is here - check it out, and tell me what you think!

(this post inspired by the giveaway linked to in the below button)

an awesomesauce giveaway!!!

2011-07-07T15:28:00.003-05:00

If it's the last thing you do before you die, click that button. If you lose your job because of it, click that button. If your mom gets mad because you've been on the computer too long, click that button. Just do it! Seriously, this is the most incredibly delicious eye-candy-filled giveaway I have ever seen. It's filled with journals, and prints, and jewelry... and it's called "The Bucket List Giveaway". It just doesn't get better than this. Have you clicked the button yet?

summer is...

2011-06-30T18:15:00.000-05:00

Summer is reading a 327 page book ("Castaways of the Flying Dutchman" by Brian Jacques) in a single day.

Summer is counting down the days until the all-American day: Independence Day.

Summer is flip-flops and worn nail polish.

Summer is buying a like-new bridesmaid dress for $5 from my church's massive rummage sale.

Summer is sweltering hot days that are good for nothing except the pool.

Summer is unexpectedly vivid sunsets.

Summer is cheery earrings.

Summer is great awe-inspiring storms.

Summer is shepherding 20-plus 5, 6, and 7 year olds for Vacation Bible School. The kids love it - the teachers are worn out.

Summer is hours of fun puppet practice for five very fun three-minute shows.

Summer is rejoicing over the big red and white tents that have sprung up in every parking lot: FIREWORKS!!!

Summer is a lovely new bookcase with a fold-down desk - my dream.

Summer is coming back from the library with piles of books just waiting to be opened and devoured.

Summer is finishing a long swim team workout, vowing you'll never come back again...and then returning the next day, and the next, and the next, just because you love to swim.

-larkin

radiance, week two

2011-06-28T18:30:00.000-05:00

And here is Nana's lovely blog party, Radiance, once more.

This week's question:

What, to you, is the most essential thing to maintaining your relationship with the Lord?

I would have to say that trusting God in every circumstance, especially trivial ones, is crucial for my relationship with Him. I am constantly having to be reminded that nothing, absolutely nothing, is beyond God's reach. No matter how unimportant or hopeless a situation may seem, it can be changed into something beyond my imagination if I only trust God.

And just because no post is complete without a photo:

-larkin

unlimited dreaming

2011-06-27T15:15:00.002-05:00

A while back, I asked for some ideas for future posts. And boy, I was not disappointed. I got multiple fantabulous answers from nine different people! So today is the first of my "Use-someone-else's-idea-because-I'm-bored" posts.

Lovely Jennoelle suggested... "Post on what you would choose to do if you had one evening for whatever you wanted and money was not a problem."

Oh my. This question sparked my imagination like no other. My mind soared and dreamed unlimitedly (is that a word?). A few answers came immediately to me:

-I would take all of my friends to see Les Misérables on Broadway, preferably by plane, because I love flying.
-I would visit the set of "The Hobbit".
-I would meet all of my wonderful blogging friends.
-I would have all of my blogging friends and real-life friends over for a massive sleepover, and we would party until dawn.

There. That is my ideal evening. Now does anyone have ideas on how to bring it into existence?

stella's birthday tag!

2011-06-22T16:01:00.003-05:00

1. If you could be born on any day of the year, what day would it be?
I'm pretty happy with January 28, but a summer birthday would be amazing.

2. What do you want your wedding dress to look like?
Big skirt, corset back, wide straps...

3. (confessions time) Tell an odd thing about yourself that nobody knows.
Oh, goodness. Umm...I'm absolutely terrified of being blinded.

4. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Physically, I would want to be taller (I'm only about 5'3"), and otherwise I would want to be a better sister.

5. Random time… tell us anything.
I have recently become the most humane person in my family, saving ants and spiders from certain death. :)

6. Mac or PC?
PC.

7. What's your favorite song right now?
I love "Javert's Suicide" from Les Miserables.

8. Do you get very tan during the summer? Doing what?
Oh yeah. Swimming, gardening, and lying around in the sun, mostly.

9. How long do you consider too long for hair to be?
Waist-length looks pretty on some people, but otherwise it's a bit much. So anything past that is probably too long. But it really depends.

10. Big earrings or small?
I prefer danglies over studs, but nothing past an inch or so.

11. Do you like lowercase?
Absolutely! But in moderation.

12. Is there anyone famous that you (or any part of you) looks like?
Not that I know of...

13. What is the weirdest thing you've ever photographed?
Well, I'm looking through my photos, and I see...baseball tickets, someone else's camera, my leg, and a pig dissection. To name only a few.

14. What is something you say more than five times a day?
Probably "Stop doing *blank*" to my brothers.

15. Which do you think is better or worse: Facebook or twitter?
The only experience I've had with either is brief looks at my mom's Facebook, so I really don't know.

16. (time for a super-typical question) What's your favorite food?
Cheesecake, corn casserole, baked orzo, chicken pot pie...

17. Do you like... Antique Stores or Thrift Stores?
Thrift stores rule!

18. What is something you've always longed to do or try, but never did?
Like Stella, I've always wanted to try acting.

19. Do you love or loathe peace signs? Why?
I loathe peace signs, because they're so common, but they don't really represent anything.

20. What's a guilty pleasure of yours?
Brown sugar, and staying up waaaaay too late.

Anyone's welcome to do this tag - just be sure to link up here!

yippee-i-a-ky-a, today is a special day!

2011-06-21T15:17:00.001-05:00

Guess what I forgot to mention in this morning's post?

HAPPY

FIRST

DAY

SUMMER!!!

p.s. - anyone else know the song in the title? Brownie points if you do...

p.p.s. - vote on my poll!

-larkin

tuesday thoughts

2011-06-21T10:36:00.000-05:00

It's raining. And I really don't want to go to swim team. And it's Stella's birthday! And I feel bad because no one should have rain and a grueling workout on their birthday.

(photo taken last night, as a glorious thunderstorm rolled in.)

dear dad.

2011-06-19T09:00:00.001-05:00

Thank you for teaching me so many things - how to drive (as of yesterday), how to read, how to love literature, how to be a lovely Christian young lady, and so many other things. I love you! <3

-larkin

nothing to say (and help needed!)

2011-06-15T16:13:00.000-05:00

So many times this past week I have logged on to Blogger, opened a new post, and… written just a few words, or more often nothing at all. Over and over again I have wanted to write something to share with you, only to find that words evade me. I have a long list of ideas, but only a couple are long enough for a blog post. I want to share the thoughts of my heart with you, but words aren’t coming to me. My life right now is sleep-read-swim, and I doubt you want to hear about it.

So. Enough of my moping. The point is, none of my ideas interest me, so I need your help. Comment and tell me something you want me to post about, and I’ll do just that. I’m sure I won’t be disappointed. :) Go on, what are you waiting for?

And thanks in advance for saving this bored summer girl from her misery.

-larkin

to cheer me up...

2011-06-06T19:00:00.001-05:00

Okay, to be honest, my last post rather depressed me. So this is a cheerer-upper for me and for any blog-readers who might be feeling rather under the weather.

I don’t often do tags or awards, but this one is really cute, and reading it cheered me up. So I’ll make an exception.

What's your favorite sweet *ahemunhealthyahem* thing to eat {or drink, ya' never know!}? I adore Skittles. Absolutely.

Have you ever dreamed that Candyland was a real place? No…but it would be interesting if it was!
If there was a flavored brand of bubbles, what flavor would you get? Eew, eating bubbles sounds gross. But I guess I would pick fruity flavors. Like Skittles. :)
Have you ever been kicked out of a bakery for smelling everything? No…I can’t even remember the last time I was in a bakery.
What's your favorite tea flavor? I had blueberry/raspberry tea the other day, and it was fabulous! Peppermint is also nice.
Strawberry or Red Velvet? Strawberry.
Have you ever poured a jar of sprinkles into your mouth? No...but I most certainly shall sometime. That sounds yummy!
Admit it: you've eaten icing straight of the jar. Yes or no? Oh yeah. Plenty of times. It’s the best way to do it, folks!
Have you ever drooled while watching a cooking show? No…but I have drooled while reading illustrated cookbooks.

I award anyone who loves Skittles! :)

miscellany monday (or "lame me")

2011-06-06T15:16:00.000-05:00

Wait, today’s Monday? With not much going on, I tend to lose track of the days. Even after going to church yesterday, I still thought it was Saturday. Yeah. I am a sad little girl. Anyway, it’s Monday, I’m doing Miscellany Monday, and I’m lame. Three facts for your day. Moving on…

Swim team started today. I love the water, you understand, but not swimming competitively since August makes for some sore arms and legs. I’m unusually out of shape, which means that I have to work unusually hard to prepare for the first meet next Saturday. Wish me luck – my arms are sore just typing this!

So, the other day I made up my mind to cut my hair six inches. I was absolutely positively sure. I made an appointment to get it cut. But now… I’m doubting myself. I need shorter hair, otherwise I will go insane with brushing it, but I like my long hair. Lame me- this isn’t even a life-changing decision!

I love summer, because I can lie (or is it lay?) around all the time. Not much work, no school, and tons of free time. Perfect for lame people like me.

Okay, enough of my lameness. On another note, I’m preparing to write a new story! Ideas are whirling around in my head faster than I can get them on paper – twins, Scottish names, blindness… “a writer writes”, the saying goes, and oh is it true.

with summer comes...

2011-05-31T19:54:00.003-05:00

- the pool opening! I’m a fish at heart, and getting back in the water for the first time since September was amazing. Swim team and dark suntan, here I come!

- a haircut? My straight hair is 10 inches past my shoulder, and it needs to be cut before chlorine turns it into a split-ended mess. The question is, how short should I go? I’m thinking cutting six inches would give me the look I want. How long is your hair, and how often do you cut it?

- a new Bible! I’ve never had my own study Bible, so I decided this was the perfect time to start. I am in love with the one I (finally) selected – it’s perfect.

- commenting problems. Yuck. I’ve discovered that I can comment on blogs if there is no moderation and/or comments are in a pop-up window. Unfortunately, that doesn’t include many blogs. Frustrating galore!

- photo opportunities! At a family reunion on Sunday, I was delighted to discover a photographer’s dream in every direction. Take a peek:

- lots of happy, happy students! Whether they’re graduating from high-school or entering middle school, summer awaits everybody, and that’s definitely a happy thought. In my spare time, I’ve been doing, well, everything in this post, plus reading and plenty of lounging. :P What are you doing with your previously-occupied-with-school time?

problems with commenting (update 5-30)

2011-05-28T18:08:00.004-05:00

EDIT 5-30

I just discovered that I can't even comment on my own posts, so Jennoelle in particular, what should we do? I'm thinking that the best alternative would be to write a post with my comments to everyone. Ideas?

Dear friends,
So many of you have had such marvelous posts lately, and I've tried to comment, but something is wrong, and I can't. Even anonymously. So I'd like to apologize to all of you. Just know that I loved your post, and here's a photo for you:

lovely photo wednesday

2011-05-25T13:08:00.002-05:00

I took this photo at a friend's graduation party on Saturday. Being a city girl, I don't often have the opportunity to watch the sun go down with no buildings to obstruct my view. So I took the opportunity of being out in the country to snap a few photos. And this one is my favorite. Clouds, blue sky, trees, water, a perfect reflection, and sun, all in one photo? That's a winner for me. :)

last week (or why I haven't been posting)

2011-05-24T19:58:00.003-05:00

Last week I fell in love with (and was scared by) “Little Dorrit”.

Last week I country-danced at midnight.

Last week I watched some dear friends graduate from high school.

Last week I became an honorary member of two of my friends’ families, due to the amount of time I spent with them.

Last week I read “Do Hard Things”, and my life is changed.

Last week I ordered a new Bible to kick off my new perspective on life.

Last week I ate way too much cake at graduation parties.

Last week I performed in a piano recital, and though I was afraid I would pass out, I didn’t.

Last week I laughed way more than is good for anyone.

Last week was one of the best of my life. Seriously, what could be better than 32 straight hours with friends and a new perspective on the teen years? It was amazing.

How did last week go for you?

a lazy day.

2011-05-18T17:29:00.005-05:00

Lazy old day
Rolling away
Dreaming the day away
Don't want to go
Now that I'm in the flow
Crazy amazing day

One red balloon
Floats to the moon
Just let it fly away
I only know
That I'm longing to go
Back to my lazy day

And how it sings and how it sighs
And how it never stays
And how it rings and how it cries
And how it sails away... away... away....

~Lazy Days by Enya

radiance, week one

2011-05-17T15:55:00.000-05:00

(click the button for details!)

Question One: When did you first give your life to Jesus? How did He reach out to you? What was your first response?

My answer: I have believed in Jesus for as long as I can remember, having been raised in a Christian home, but I officially professed my faith at age five, in front of the congregation of my church. Ever since then, Christ has been working in my heart in so many ways. He has reached out to me by pulling me from my comfort level and placing me in a position where I feel very uncomfortable. At first, I rebelled, but now I see that it's through doing hard things that we grow. I can really see how surrenduring my life to Christ has changed not only where I am now, but where I will be in the future.

today.

2011-05-17T11:21:00.004-05:00

Dear Michael,
Today is seven years since you were born at rest. Today is more than seven years since God took you to be with Him for all eternity. Today I cry at the memory of the little brother I never held. Today I rejoice that you will never have to endure the sufferings of this world. Today I miss you. Today I ask God "Why?" Today I remember Romans 8:28 - "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."
-Your sister, Larkin

Dear Chica,
Today is your first birthday, my sweet baby cousin! Today I won’t see you in person, but today I will remember you. Today I remember the beautiful day you were born. Today I remember your innocent smile. Today I remember the joy you have brought to my life in a single year. Today I love you, Chica.
-Your cousin, Larkin

Dear God,
Today is bittersweet. Today I cry over Michael, and today I rejoice over Chica. Today I will visit Michael’s grave, and today I will dance with my friends. Today my emotions are conflicting. Today I will put into action Ecclesiastes 3:1 and 4 – “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven. A time to weep, and a time to laugh. A time to mourn, and a time to dance.” Today You are sovereign, God, over all I do. Bless today, Lord.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

my crazy life- an update

2011-05-13T15:08:00.002-05:00

I am bound and determined to catch up on everything that’s been going on over the past two weeks. Wish me luck- that’s a lot to cover in one post!
Les Misérables. Oh my goodness gracious. I saw the Broadway production of Les Mis on April 30, and it was ah-may-zing. The orchestration was epic, the sets were magnificent, and oh! Their voices! In a word, it was perfect. Especially Marius and Javert, who, besides having fabulous voices, truly became their characters. It was better than any version I’ve ever seen. I could go on forever, so I want your opinion. Les Mis lovers, do you want me to write a solely Les Mis post in much more detail? I will if you want me to, so what’s it gonna be?
Choir. (Okay, this is not in chronological order, but who cares?) My choir concert was April 29, and it was the best ever. We sang a medley from Les Mis (*screams*), and seriously, I almost cried while singing it. Our director was thrilled, and so was I. I feel like I keep repeating myself, but it was one of the best times of my life, to stand in the front of my church and sing “Do You Hear the People Sing?” with all my heart.
School is over! My last day of co-op was Monday! Hallelujah! I finally have time to write, to read, and to dream to my heart’s content. It is bittersweet because I won’t see many people much, if at all, this summer. But life moves on, and I must follow. Hello, summer!
I’ve been taking loads of photos lately- here’s a few to mull over. Tell me which is your favorite!

an eye-opener. watch this.

2011-05-11T12:31:00.001-05:00

frolic! (that name rocks, by the way)

2011-05-11T11:59:00.001-05:00

It's been too long since I posted anything of depth and thought, and you don't know how I've been dying to! School ended on Tuesday (excuse me while I SCREAM!), but still life is busy, and words seem to evade me whenever I open a new post. So for now, I'm going to join in this awesome blog party, but I promise that I'll do some catch-up this weekend. Especially about Les Mis and my choir concert. Okay? Okay. Here goes.

Favorite thing about summer?
I love the carefree attitude of summer. Swim, read, and swim some more. That’s all there is to it, and boy is it lovely!
In your opinion, the best scent in the entire world?
I love the scent of rain, lilacs, and chlorinated water. But not all at once. 
An embarrassing moment:
Oh goodness. I’m getting better every day about not sweating the small stuff and laughing over my mistakes. So I really can’t think of an embarrassing moment. Hmm.
This is a bit overdone, but, what's your clothing style?
I’m usually very casual, but I do like to dress up sometimes. I love skirts and summer blouses, and I’m very modest.
Deep question time: vanilla or chocolate?
Vanilla! Chocolate is…too much.
What do you think: is the Twilight fad dying out? And if it is, are you dancing over its grave?
Yes, I think it’s dying out, but only to be replaced by Justin Bieber, which isn’t too much of an improvement. Yes, I am dancing over its grave, to be honest.
Favorite quote?
Oh, but I have so many! Look at my sidebar for my favorite four. Oh, and would you mind commenting with which one of them is your favorite? Thank you!
Best thing that has ever happened to you and why?
God chose me, a broken sinner, to accomplish His mighty purposes.
Traveling: where would you want to go?
New Zealand. In a heartbeat. Also Westminster Abbey and Switzerland.
Favorite food?
Ice cream, corn casserole, chicken pot pie… can you tell that I’m a very indecisive person?
What type of music do you like?
I adore movie soundtracks.
Canon or Nikon? (If you're not a photographer, don't feel like you have to answer this...)
Well, I have a Nikon, if that answers your question.
Are you a squeamish person? Any stories?
I’m only squeamish about pulling teeth. I’ve lost all my baby teeth, and I didn’t pull a single one myself. My dad has to pin me down before he can get them out. I’m terrified.
Flipflops, bare feet, or heels?
Bare feet rock! Flip-flops are next best, and I never wear heels.
Do you like old black and white films?
Not really. I find them quite cheesy.
Skirts or jeans?
I like both! But jeans would win in the end.
Fresh or saltwater?
Fresh.

~larkin

linking up to macro life

2011-05-06T15:58:00.001-05:00

Books. They're small, they're easily overlooked, but they mean the world to me. I couldn't possibly live without them. Words. Even more easily used and wasted, and yet I adore them. And "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader". My favorite book, without which I wouldn't be the dreamer I am today.

Macro Life- little things that mean a lot.

of summer, les mis, and the hobbit

2011-05-02T18:22:00.002-05:00

Ah, another Miscellany Monday. I'm a messy whirlwind of emotions right now, so I'm just going to write whatever pops into my head. Okay?

(by the way, I apologize for the weird spacing in this post and recent ones. I don't know what's going on...any tips?)

Being sick sucks. Besides the yearly plague of allergies that descends upon me, I also have a cold. Blech. The only good part of it is that I couldn't smell the formaldehyde in Biology Lab. But what the heck. Being sick sucks. I am glad that I wasn't sick during Les Mis...

I am so dying to do a looooooong Les Mis post, but I haven't found the time, and my brain is rather frazzled right now. So I will quickly update. Les Mis was the best time of my life. I will never forget it. The music was spine-chillingly beautiful, the sets were fabulous, and oh my! the cast! I cried and laughed and sat in awe...it was glorious.

Today was the second-to-last coop class, and I'm happy/sad. School is almost over- in a week I will have left tests, homework, and studying behind for a blessed three months! But at the same time, I won't see many of my friends at all during the summer, and that's sad. So I'm happy/sad. School is over (good riddance), but with it will go many friends. I'm feeling very bittersweet right now.

The Hobbit is finally being made into a movie! Filming has started, and it's official. I am so excited! I watched all three Lord of the Rings movies for the first time a few months ago, and I am in love. I can't wait for this new addition to the amazing story!

Ever since I saw the magnificent water shots in Soul Surfer a few weeks ago, I've been dying to get back in the pool. My family and I have been members at our beloved pool for 1o summers, and I'm so excited to go back for yet another reunion with old friends! Early morning swim meets, late night movies, and mid-afternoon good old fun in the sun - I'm ready for summer. Are you?

one day more!

2011-04-29T22:48:00.002-05:00

It's terribly late, and I am utterly exhausted from my choir concert today (it was absolutely epic, by the way- more details later!), but I just had to say this:

"One more dawn,

One more day,

ONE DAY MORE!"

There. Now I am content. Now I can go to bed knowing that my blogging friends are fully aware of the excitement coursing through my body. I am going to see Les Mis tomorrow, and I cannot believe it! My choir's rendition was perfectly splendid (my mom cried), and no doubt tomorrow's performance will be beyond my wildest dreams. Aaaaaagh! More details later, I promise.

"This I swear, this I swear by the stars!"

Sorry, I couldn't resist another quote from Les Mis. They seem to be filling my life lately. Until tomorrow, dear friends!

-Larkin

my love affair with les mis

2011-04-26T13:40:00.003-05:00

*hyperventilates* My mom and I are going to see Les Misérables on Saturday!!!!! In case you don't know, I'm hopelessly obsessed with Les Mis. I was introduced to it when Susan Boyle sang "I Dreamed A Dream" two years ago. I loved the song and her interpretation, and I knew that Les Mis must be something wonderful and iconic, but I really didn't know much else. Shortly afterwards, I listened to a radio dramatization of Les Mis and fell in love. I listened to it again and again, so many times that now I practically have it memorized. Then, at the beginning of January this year, my choir director announced that we would be singing a medley from Les Mis! I was beside myself with joy, even though I knew nothing about the story. I watched the 10th anniversary concert, and though some parts were rather shocking, I was immediately obsessed. I began reading the book (I'm still not done), and it was even better than the musical. I watched the 25th anniversary concert three times on TV, and learned the songs by heart.

So, yeah. Les Mis has very quickly become a huge part of my life, and this week the story gets even better. On Friday night, my choir will perform the medley we've been working on all semester, which will be incredible. And then on Saturday I'm seeing the Broadway musical LIVE! Yes, I've seen different version of it four times, but Les Mis is one of those things that can never get old. Besides, actually being in the room will be...priceless. Can you tell that I'm excited? EEEEEEPP!!! I'm so crazily hyper that as I type this, I'm listening to the musical in French. I can't even understand French, for goodness sakes! That's how obsessed I am.

I hope some of my joy is spilling through your computer screen...otherwise these words don't mean much. Anyway, these are the actors and actresses I'll be seeing on Saturday:

I've never heard any of them sing, but basing solely on looks, I think my favorites will be Cosette, Marius, and Eponine. Agh! I can't wait!

Okay, I'll be done now. If you absolutely hate Les Mis, then you might want to skip my posts for the next few days, because that's about all that will be in them. I have tons of drafts waiting to be published, but my heart isn't in them. It's right here, in this post, in Les Mis. Told ya it was a love affair! :)

Our Lord is risen!

2011-04-24T18:16:00.003-05:00

"What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul,

What wondrous love is this, O my soul!

What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss

To bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,

To bear the dreadful curse for my soul!

To God and to the Lamb, I will sing, I will sing,

To God and to the Lamb, I will sing;

To God and to the Lamb, who is the great I AM,

While millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing,

While millions join the theme, I will sing!

And when from death I'm free, I'll sing on, I'll sing on,

And when from death I'm free, I'll sing on;

And when from death I'm free, I'll sing and joyful be,

And through eternity I'll sing on, I'll sing on,

And through eternity I'll sing on!"

Most people's lives begin at their birth and end at their death. Jesus, fully God and fully man, was born and lived among us. When the time came for Him to die, He did so, but the story didn't end there. He conquered sin and death and rose again! Glory be to our great God!

good friday

2011-04-22T11:46:00.005-05:00

'Immediately, in the morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council; and they bound Jesus, led Him away, and delivered Him to Pilate. Then Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” He answered and said to him, “It is as you say.” And the chief priests accused Him of many things, but He answered nothing. Then Pilate asked Him again, saying, “Do You answer nothing? See how many things they testify against You!” But Jesus still answered nothing, so that Pilate marveled.

Now at the feast he was accustomed to releasing one prisoner to them, whomever they requested. And there was one named Barabbas, who was chained with his fellow rebels; they had committed murder in the rebellion. Then the multitude, crying aloud, began to ask him to do just as he had always done for them. But Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” For he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd, so that he should rather release Barabbas to them. Pilate answered and said to them again, “What then do you want me to do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?” So they cried out again, “Crucify Him!” Then Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they cried out all the more, “Crucify Him!” So Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd, released Barabbas to them; and he delivered Jesus, after he had scourged Him, to be crucified.

Then the soldiers led Him away into the hall called Praetorium, and they called together the whole garrison. And they clothed Him with purple; and they twisted a crown of thorns, put it on His head, and began to salute Him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” Then they struck Him on the head with a reed and spat on Him; and bowing the knee, they worshiped Him. And when they had mocked Him, they took the purple off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him out to crucify Him.

Then they compelled a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, the father of Alexander and Rufus, as he was coming out of the country and passing by, to bear His cross. And they brought Him to the place Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull. Then they gave Him wine mingled with myrrh to drink, but He did not take it. And when they crucified Him, they divided His garments, casting lots for them to determine what every man should take.
Now it was the third hour, and they crucified Him. And the inscription of His accusation was written above:

THE KING OF THE JEWS.

With Him they also crucified two robbers, one on His right and the other on His left. So the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And He was numbered with the transgressors.”
And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself, and come down from the cross!”
Likewise the chief priests also, mocking among themselves with the scribes, said, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. Let the Christ, the King of Israel, descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Even those who were crucified with Him reviled Him.

Now when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
Some of those who stood by, when they heard that, said, “Look, He is calling for Elijah!” Then someone ran and filled a sponge full of sour wine, put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink, saying, “Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to take Him down.”
And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last.

Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. So when the centurion, who stood opposite Him, saw that He cried out like this and breathed His last, he said, “Truly this Man was the Son of God!” '

the sweetest video ever

2011-04-20T12:39:00.002-05:00

a prayer in spring

2011-04-16T15:51:00.004-05:00

Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers to-day;

And give us not to think so far away

As the uncertain harvest; keep us here

All simply in the springing of the year.

Oh, give us pleasure in the orchard white,

Like nothing else by day, like ghosts by night;

And make us happy in the happy bees,

The swarm dilating round the perfect trees.

And make us happy in the darting bird

That suddenly above the bees is heard,

The meteor that thrusts in with needle bill,

And off a blossom in mid air stands still.

For this is love and nothing else is love,

That which it is reserved for God above

To sanctify to what far ends He will,

But which it only needs that we fulfil.

I posted this poem ("A Prayer in Spring" by Robert Frost) last spring, and I hope to do so each year. It is so beautiful... and what could accompany it better than unedited photos of God's magnificent springtime creation?

a mini makeover for libri

2011-04-15T16:56:00.000-05:00

Do come see! My lovely friend Stella from Inspire made me a new header out of the blue, and I adore it! Plus I changed my font to Times New Roman. It's a good change. I was getting pretty tired of the Century Gothic. Anyway, thanks Stella! :) You totally made my day!

today.

2011-04-13T17:07:00.005-05:00

Today I had an iced latte for breakfast. Talk about a good way to start your day!

Today I came to the sad conclusion that spring hay fever really does exist. Hello, sneezing and watery eyes. Feel free to leave as soon as possible.

Today I put a bunch of Les Mis songs on my iPod, and now I am happy.

Today I went to my friend's house to do Geometry homework and ended up chatting about short story-writing. My kind of chat.

Today I sang 'Blue Skies' in hopes that the clouds would pass, but no such luck.

Today I was nervous for tomorrow's choir concert.

Today I realized that my snowflake-y blog design is terribly out of date. :P

Today I looked at photos that I've taken over the past couple of days and realized just how magnificent God's creation is. (By the way, all of the photos in this post are completely unedited, except for the watermark.)

Today was good. I only hope tomorrow will be better. "One more dawn, one more day, one day more!"

too long

2011-04-12T12:38:00.002-05:00

Has it really been *gasp* two weeks since I posted? Amazing. I'm so sorry for leaving you hanging! First there was my crazy week, and then I got a Gmail, and of course there's the never-ending school...I simply haven't found time to post. Forgive me! :)

Anyway, I'm back now, and spring has finally arrived at my house, meaning that my camera is occupied 24/7. I'm writing a short story in English class, which means that I don't find myself having many words to spare, but I do hope to post some nice springy photos. Here's a tidbit:

i'm playing this on repeat

2011-03-29T16:30:00.000-05:00

in my weakness

2011-03-27T22:13:00.002-05:00

“And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

~2 Corinthians 12:9 I'm terribly nervous about the upcoming week. I feel so incompetent and unprepared. I feel too young, so unqualified for what I have been called to do. I feel like this week, no matter how fun, is a weakness. And then I remember this verse. His strength is made perfect in my weakness. I truly serve a great and mighty God.

the saturday morning daybook

2011-03-26T13:49:00.000-05:00

(hosted by Miss Jo March)

Yes, I'm quite aware that it's actually well into Saturday afternoon, but I'm choosing to ignore that fact. ;) Here goes!

Date... March 26, 2011
Starting time... 1:41 pm
Mood... super excited!
Outside my window... snow is falling...and promptly melting.
I'm thinking... I want another Junior Mint, and I need to do my schoolwork soon.
I'm currently reading... actually, nothing at the moment! *shocked silence* Other than my biology book, that is.
I'm listening to... my dad and grandma chatting in the kitchen.
I'm wearing... a teal sweater, blue-and-cream striped shirt, and jeans.
I'm looking forward to... possibly watching The Young Victoria tonight with church friends! Have you seen it? Would you recommend it? Comment!
I'm hoping... that I can buy some new earrings soon.
Yesterday, I... lived on the computer.
I'm hungry for... the aforementioned Junior Mints.
The song stuck inside my head is... "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables" from Les Miserables.
I love... shiny stickers and letters from dear friends.
I loathe... greasy hair.
This week, my goal is... to somehow manage to keep up with schoolwork amidst the storm of other things.
Did I meet last week's goal?... didn't have one...
Ending time... 1:47 pm.

and now comes that time of year

2011-03-25T21:34:00.000-05:00

Hmm...how to say this. Well, I have a lot going on in my life right now, and this next week will be absolutely packed chock-full with events and preparation for other events. It's crazily hectic to the point of exhaustion, but still fun. Lots of fun. In fact, next week is basically the highlight of my year. That sounds all fine and well, right? Larkin's going to have a busy and fun week. But here's the problem: for privacy reasons, I can't tell you what is going on next week. As much as I would love to post about it (multiple times), I can't. Well, technically, I could, but I won't.

Goodness - that was a long way around my point! Anyway, the point is that my mind is completely fixed on...*ahem*...something, and I'm crazy excited about it, and I'd love to post pictures and rant and rave, but I won't. In other words, I probably won't be posting much for a while, and if I do, expect pretty lame posts, because my heart and mind right now are elsewhere. Very, very elsewhere. Do you understand? I'm sorry I can't tell you more - I trust you guys (or gals, rather), but you never know who's reading my blog. Please, please forgive me. :)

Anyway...goodbye! Never fear, this madness will be over by next Sunday, and Larkin will return safe and sound (or so we hope). Adios, dear amigos!

-larkin

um...what is THIS?!?!

2011-03-25T11:18:00.001-05:00

Needless to say, I did not wake up on this fine spring morning expecting this:

A white blanket of snow is a welcome sight in, say, December, but in March...it just doesn't fit. Fortunately, I can hear a drip, drip, drip from the gutters, which means that green grass and flowers will return posthaste. Fluke storms are so disappointing...I was hoping for rain, not snow!

just a rose

2011-03-22T19:52:00.009-05:00

No, this photo isn't upside-down... it's the rose that's upside-down. I took a single rose from the bouquet at Mercy's grave and hung it in my window to dry. Dried flowers aren't as pretty as fresh ones, but they last forever, and that's what I want this one to do. Nostalgia...

(edit: linking up to one word wednesday - nostalgia. how could this week's topic be so perfect? this rose makes me smile because it's beautiful, yet so sorrowful.)

some miscellany

2011-03-21T21:05:00.000-05:00

I just can't help it. I wasn't going to do a Miscellany Monday post today; I really wasn't. I wasn't even going to do any type of post. But...then I kinda wanted to...and then I snagged the snazzy button...and thereby was I doomed. Oh well. A little miscellany is a good thing. Or so my tired brain tells itself.

(I just promised myself that I'm going to write whatever pops into my head, no matter how silly. Let's see how long that lasts.)

I wish my allergies would go away. Today was the first bad day of the spring, and it's pretty miserable. Okay, really miserable. Yuck. Runny nose and watery eyes, please leave! Pretty please?

I didn't cry at Mercy's funeral, and now I'm feeling guilty. I don't like to cry in public; I lay in bed at night and sob. The sky seems so dark at night. And then I listen to this verse in "Come to Jesus", and I cry even more.

"Sometimes the way is lonely
And steep and filled with pain
So if your sky is dark and pours the rain, then
Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus and live!"

My cute-as-a-button baby cousin came over today after the funeral, along with both grandmas, two aunts, and an uncle. It was fun, but somehow I just wanted to be alone. Cute little "Chica" just about made up for it, though.

I'm sad.

Life moves on, and I don't want it to. I want to cry for Mercy forever, I want the world to stop turning while I mourn, but life goes on. Fortunately, it's spring break. Thank goodness for spring break.

Queen Susan and Elizabeth Charles, thank you so much for coming to Mercy's funeral. It was so comforting to know that you were right behind me, there for me.

My mom bought me some new white ballet flats today, and I adore them. Unexpected gifts are always the best ones. Besides, I finally have something to wear other than Converse, flip-flops, and boots.

My eyes are starting to hurt from the bright computer screen, so I think this miscellany has come to an end. Goodbye and God bless, dear friends.

tender mercy

2011-03-20T18:40:00.007-05:00

"Hear my cry for mercy
As I call to You
As I lift my hands in Spirit
And in Truth

We cry mercy
(in the name of the Father most Holy)
We cry mercy
(in the name of the Son Who was slain)
Lord have mercy
(in the name of the Spirit indwelling)
Tender mercy Lord

You are mercy
(in the name of the Father most Holy)
You are mercy
(in the name of the Son Who was slain)
Lord have mercy
(in the name of the Spirit indwelling)
Tender mercy Lord

In Your tender mercy
Brought by grace through faith
I will lift my heart
Toward Your most Holy place

We cry mercy
We cry mercy
We cry mercy
Tender mercy Lord
Tender mercy Lord"

Have a blessed Sunday, friends. Please be in prayer for Mercy's funeral tomorrow. And thank you for your prayers! They mean the world to me.

love,

larkin

her name is mercy.

2011-03-18T17:17:00.003-05:00

(Read this post if you haven't already before proceeding, please.)

The baby is a girl, and her name is Mercy. I will not see my third little sister this side of heaven. And that will be hard. Some days I can accept it. Some days I just say "Blessed be the name of the LORD". But on other days, all I can say is "Why, God? Why did you take my little sister from me? Why, Lord?" And then I remember that God's purpose is being worked in this difficult situation, even if I don't understand or see it. Mercy's life was not cut short. God has numbered each of our days, and the fact that Mercy's days were shorter does not mean that He loves her or us less. Mercy is in the presence of Almighty God right now, and my family was blessed to have her for a few short weeks.

This is the song that will be sung at Mercy's funeral. It says what I'm struggling to say beautifully.

"Thy mercy, My God, is the theme of my song
The joy of my heart, and the boast of my tongue
Thy free grace alone, from the first to the last,
Hath won my affections and bound my soul fast.

Without Thy sweet mercy I could not live here,
Sin would reduce me to utter despair;
But, through Thy free goodness, my spirits revive
And He that first made me, still keeps me alive.

Thy mercy is more than a match for my heart,
Which wonders to feel its own hardness depart;
Dissolved by Thy goodness, I fall to the ground,
And weep to the praise of the mercy I found.

Great Father of mercies, Thy goodness I own,
And the covenant love of Thy crucified Son;
All praise to the Spirit whose whisper divine,
Seals mercy and pardon and righteousness mine!"

one word wednesday

2011-03-16T14:29:00.000-05:00

Yes, this is the same flower as the one in my Miscellany Monday post, but as it's the only flower currently blooming in my yard, I hope you'll forgive me. Besides, it's such a cute little flower! Click the button to see other fabulous entries and link up yourself!

to my mama...

2011-03-16T13:30:00.000-05:00

of spring and cats and stained glass

2011-03-14T18:43:00.003-05:00

(love the new button, carissa! quite the spiffy logo.)

I can change my earrings on Wednesday! Yippee! I've gotten rather tired of the same old earrings over the past six weeks... and I love my other studs! Besides, earring shopping is waaay too much fun. Cause they're small, and cute, and...epic!

My brother Eugene's birthday was yesterday, and my mom's birthday is on Wednesday. Happy birthday, you two! Have a great year, and enjoy your iPod Touch, Eugene. I'm ridiculously jealous.

I went out to the yard a few days ago, and what did I see? Why, wee little daffodils and tulips springing from the earth! Needless to say, it made my day. Spring is such a nice time of year, if it will decide to stay.

Then, as I was wandering to the garage to get a rake, I saw something even better! A row of crocuses (at least, that's what I think they are)! Cute little flowers...

Am I crazy, or does this photo of the above flower/crocus/whatever remind you of stained glass? It does me. Lovely...

5.
I haven't updated on the baby in a while. Anyway, since the baby was so small that gender couldn't be determined just by looking, we are awaiting definite results from the geneticist. And once we know the gender, we can name my dear little brother or sister. My parents and I came up with a girl's name that I absolutely adore...but I don't think I can post it. Unfortunately. Thank you all for having us in your thoughts and prayers! It really does mean the world to know that people whom I have never even met are praying for me and my family. Thank you! :)

6.
I generally don't like cats. In fact, I'm allergic to most of them. But this is our neighbor's cat, Lovey. And I adore her. Just like her name.

7.
Well, I really should go now. Adios, dear friends!

because anything but winter sounds good right now

2011-03-05T17:28:00.003-06:00

I'm tired of winter. I'm tired of snow. I'm tired of coats. So I decided to take a peek at some photos from last fall that never made it into a post. One thing I realized that I miss about fall is the colors. Winter is lovely in its way, but everything is white and gray. Fall - now that's a different story. Russet and copper and umber and blue, blue skies... that's the way to live.

Which taste of autumn (aka photo) is your favorite? Do tell!

~love, larkin

lots of thoughts of spring...

2011-03-02T16:04:00.003-06:00

Hi. This is me, Larkin. I'm supposed to introduce myself, so... here goes. I'm a girl who's hopelessly obsessed with Lord of the Rings, Narnia, and Les Miserables. Oh, and Christ too. I photograph, and I write, and I dream. And that's me.

How would people describe your personality? (If they could only use ONE word.) Are they right?

I think my friends would say that I'm...oh goodness, I don't know...clever? Dreamy? I guess I'd agree with whatever they decided...my friends know me awfully well. :)

What celebrity/celebrities would create a “Star-Struck” feeling if you saw them in real life? That would be these three, no doubt:

Who is your favorite blogger? Why?

I have many favorite bloggers, but two of them are Olivia at Oh, Horsefeathers and Ara at Shilah. Olivia takes fabulous photos and has an even more fabulous sense of style, and Ara inspires me to keep on writing. I love you girls!

What is your comfort food/drink?

Hmm. I'd have to say apple juice and bagels. Yum.

Be brave – tell us something very random and weird about yourself.

Sometimes (usually after watching Narnia or Lord of the Rings), I wish that had been born either a boy in the Middle Ages or a male actor. Why? They get to play with swords and bows and arrows and spears!

Do you have a strong desire to do something you’ve never done? What is it?

I've always wanted to wear either my Lucy dress or my Jane Austen dress in public, but I've always chickened out.

Movies: Action, Drama, Romantic Comedy, Documentary, Comedy? What are your favorite genres?

My favorite genres of movies, from this list, are action and documentary.

Books: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Romance, Biographies, True Stories, Self-Help, Devotional/Study?

What are your favorite types of reading material? Hmm. I like fiction, and non-fiction, and biographies, and true stories, and some devotionals, and certain types of romance... I'll just say that I like to read anything and everything. But especially classics like Tolkein and Les Mis.

Music: Funk, Rock, Country, Jazz, Classical, Film Score, Blues, Classic Rock, Crooner, Alternative, Heavy Metal, Techno?

What are your favorite types? Umm...I like Christian music, Classical, and film scores. Especially film scores *swoons*

If you inherited a million dollars, what is the first thing you would do with your money?

I'd go to Barnes and Noble and buy them out of stock. I'm not kidding.

Name one weakness of yours (confession is good for the soul).

If any type of candy is in the pantry, I can't resist it. Even if that means eating the whole bag... yeah.

If you could live anywhere at all (and take all your loved ones with you), where would you go? New Zealand. I've said this before, but it's Narnia and Middle Earth wrapped up into one. That's pretty beautiful.

Strange Talent? Can you juggle basketballs, put your legs behind your head or perform some other strange feat?

Umm...no. I am good at hitting the sides of doorways, though.

What’s something you consider yourself to be good at? (Don’t worry, it’s not bragging, it’s acknowledging a God given gift).

I think I'm a pretty good writer, and my photography is, if not very good, at least a lot better than even six months ago.

What is one of your favorite things to catch a whiff of?

Apple pie, cheesecake, or a latte. Yummolicious!

When you leave a social gathering, do you wish that you would have talked more or you would have talked less?

I usually wish that I would have said fewer but wiser things.

If money wasn’t a factor, what stores would you shop in?

Oh, Etsy. And Eddie Bauer. And Talbots. And...I'd probably keep on shopping at Kohl's and Target.

What is your greatest fear or strange phobia?

I am afraid of sleeping with my closet door open, even if it's only open a crack.

What is your greatest accomplishment?

I'm ridiculously proud of winning NaNoWriMo last year.

What are your favorite animals?

Horses and dogs.

Are you a hopeless romantic?

Umm...sometimes?

What movie or book character can you most relate to?

I can really relate to Prairie, my main character. She's very like me in some ways, and totally different in others.

And finally, a thought of spring. Aaah.

i shall be random.

2011-03-01T15:01:00.002-06:00

I want to update you all on my crazy life, but I'm finding it hard to focus on any single thing for very long. So I shall be random.

My Les Misérables tickets came today! Only two months until the big day - I am overcome with excitement and obsessiveness. The costumes, the story, and the music... it is too much. Even better - the performance is the day after my choir recital, at which we will perform a medley from my beloved Les Mis. Could the timing be any more perfect?

I watched The Return of the King last night, and wow, was it epic! It's now my favorite movie of all time. I alternately pumped my fist in the air whenever a line was straight from the book and sobbed. Such a beautiful movie. My favorite character from the trilogy? Aragorn, no doubt. Can you say epic loud enough? The costumes, the soundtrack, the sets, the actors, the script, the story itself - every bit was pure magic.

Is is really March? Last I heard, I was still in the cold depths of January. I love the four times of the year when the seasons gradually morph into each other, and this one may be my favorite. The sky is blue, the snow is melting, the birds are chirping...I'm ready for spring. I long for the days when I can wear flip-flops (or no shoes at all), pretty pastel dresses, and no coat. Sorry, lovely white down coat, but I'm tired of you. I want daffodils and crabapple blossoms and green grass. Oh, spring, come quickly!

4.

Here I am, talking (or rather, writing) about all sorts of happy, cheery things, but deep down inside I'm grieving. My mom had a second ultrasound today, and it is absolutely confirmed: my baby brother or sister has died. I have good days in which I dream about Les Mis all day, and I have bad days, moping around and crying behind a locked door. I was so looking forward to having a new little baby around the house, and now that will not be. Sometimes I dare to think "What if this baby had lived?" and then I stop and remember a quote from Betsie ten Boom: "There are no if's in God's world." It is so true.

5.

Can you believe that the above photo is the first water picture I have ever taken? Crazy. I rather love it, even though the leaf isn't in focus. And the bluest-blue sky is reflected in the puddle...

6.

I'm on Etsy now! I would like to open a shop soon, but for now I'm content with looking at all the eye candy on this fabulous site. My username is lamppostcreations - add me to your circle! I would post a link, but I'm...lazy. Yep, yo estoy muy perezoso. I guess that's why none of the photos in this post are very good, and why the writing is nothing to brag about. Oh well. It's me, and that's all that matters.

beyond my wildest dreams!

2011-02-25T21:26:00.003-06:00

Guess what musical I'm going to see this spring! Yes, my mom ordered tickets for she and I to see the official stage production of Les Misérables! I am beyond all joy and obsessiveness (is that a word?)! It's late now - more details and obsessiveness (I rather like that word) to come!

p.s. - Thank you all SO MUCH for the lovely notes you left on my last post. It is so encouraging to know that people whom I have never even met are praying for me and my family. I really have no words except thank you!

blessed be the name of the lord

2011-02-24T19:12:00.003-06:00

Job 1:21 - "The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord."

The Lord gave - On January 31, my dad told me and my siblings that our mom was expecting a baby! I was excited - a new baby, a new brother or sister! I was anxious - what would my interaction with this new little one be, me being so much older? I was worried - two of my siblings died before birth, so I was aware of the risks. For a few days, I was a bundle of emotions. I was delighted at the prospect of a new sibling to love and call my own, but, at the same time, the death of two of my siblings was still all too fresh in my mind. I don't naturally deal with change well, and this was a huge change. The hardest part was not being able to tell my friends (or you!), since my parents wanted to wait a while before making the news public. I waited, and prayed, and waited. One word that describes my feelings would be anxious.

The Lord has taken away - two days ago, on Tuesday, February 22, my mom and dad went to the doctor's office for a routine ultrasound. When they came back, my mom was crying. The ultrasound had showed a tiny baby, but no heartbeat could be found. My little brother or sister has died. We might be able to find out the gender, and we might not. I will never know my baby sibling.

Blessed be the name of the Lord - This baby's days were numbered. They lived every single day that God meant them to. Not a single second was cut short. My family and I are grieving, and sometimes my heart just aches. But I know that God is an awesome and a loving God. Our little baby is in heaven right now. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

"Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name

Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name

Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name"

a wee bit of catch-up

2011-02-22T17:27:00.001-06:00

day eighteen: a time when you felt passionate and alive

I feel passionate and alive when I sing. I don't have a stunning voice or great tone or anything, but I love to praise my great God in song. Sometimes I go outside and shout praises to the wind. It's most exhilarating. So, yeah. I feel passionate and alive when I'm standing in the snow in flip-flops singing "In Christ Alone" at the top of my lungs. Try it sometime! :)

day nineteen: a talent of mine

Oh, goodness. I really don't have an answer to this. Most of the things I might consider talents are just my hobbies, which belong in the next category. So... I guess I have a talent for looking awkward in photos. Seriously, I dislike just about every recent picture of me. If you can consider that a talent...

day twenty: a hobby of mine

I write. (see the manuscript under the iPod?) I listen to music. And the biggie: I read. I've been reading for as long as I can remember, and it's... magical, really! That's why this blog's URL is "narnianbookworm". It's a really overused phrase, bookworm, but it applies to me. I don't just read - I devour my books to get everything possible out of them.

day twenty-one: something i know i do differently than most people

Umm....I eat the frosting on an Oreo before I eat the cookie. I twist my right earring to the front and my left earring to the back. I suck the ends of my hair when I get out of the pool (gross, right?). I bite the skin around my fingernails instead of biting my fingernails (this is kinda gross too!). I have always wanted to sleep under my bed, but I've never done it (too messy under there). Is that what you wanted to know?

day twenty-two: a website

If I had to pick just one website to visit (besides my blog), it would be Narnia Web. It's a database of all the Narnia movies with all sorts of information about them and about upcoming movies. An invaluable resource, if you ask me. Which of course, you are.

how deep the father's love for us

2011-02-22T14:39:00.002-06:00

How deep the Father's love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He would give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross
My guilt upon His shoulders
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no powr's, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

day seventeen: an art piece

2011-02-17T11:06:00.003-06:00

Goodness, this is the hardest daily challenge yet. I'm not much of an artist in the typical sense, painting and drawing and all that. My form of art is in the written word and the photograph. So...what should I post? I don't have a favorite famous piece of art. I have drawn a little, but nothing worth posting. I hate painting. I'm not too good at knitting or crocheting. Wait...crocheting. That rings a bell...

Aha! I have found it! An rather unconventional art piece that I blogged about once upon a time. I present to you...

Really, I have no words. Except a huge round of applause for this Reepicheep's creator. Isn't he adorable?

days fifteen and sixteen

2011-02-16T17:17:00.004-06:00

day fifteen: a person I admire

A lady that I really admire and strive to be like is Corrie ten Boom. I'm not going to go into detail about her story; read The Hiding Place if you haven't yet. In a nutshell, Corrie ten Boom and her sister Betsie were put in a concentration camp during World War II because they illegally hid Jews in their home. While in the concentration camp, they spread the Gospel and taught others to forgive those who did them wrong. Betsie died in the concentration camp; Corrie was set free because of a fluke in the system. It's a beautiful story of God's love and forgiveness.

.........................................................

day sixteen: a song that makes you cry (or laugh)

Amazing Grace by Il Divo is absolutely fantastic- my favorite version ever. Definitely a tear-jerker. And as for a song that makes me laugh, well, it's The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything, from Veggie Tales. Yes, I still like Veggie Tales. I've listened to this song a hundred times ever since I was a baby, and it still makes me laugh. I have very fond memories of swinging on the swingset in our backyard on many a summer morning, singing The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything at the top of my lungs. *sighs* Oh, to be a child again.

(Ugh, sorry about the spacing here. Blogger is not being nice today.)

Happy Valentine's Day!

2011-02-14T18:19:00.003-06:00

{By the way, this is the 100th post of mine that I've tagged with "photos"! Hooray!}

oh, how this made me laugh.

2011-02-14T18:00:00.000-06:00

Oh, and kindly pardon the rather horrible photo. I took it through the window about ten minutes ago. Super zoomed-in. Not the best circumstances, but hey! It captures the moment, right?

days twelve, thirteen, and fourteen

2011-02-14T09:32:00.003-06:00

I know, I know, I'm a naughty blogger. This is a daily challenge, and I'm only doing it every couple of days! Bad Larkin. *slaps hand* Anyway. Moving on.

day twelve: a song that I want played at my wedding

This is easy. I didn't even have to think.

It's "You Raise Me Up". Stunning.

"When I am down and oh, my soul's so weary.

When troubles come and my heart burdened be.

Then I am still and wait here in the silence

Until You come and sit a while with me.

You raise me up so I can stand on mountains.

You raise me up to walk on stormy seas.

I am strong when I am on Your shoulders.

You raise me up to more than I can be.

There is no life, no life without its hunger.

Each restless heart beats so imperfectly.

But when you come and I am filled with wonder,

Sometimes I think I glimpse eternity.

You raise me up so I can stand on mountains.

You raise me up to walk on stormy seas.

I am strong when I am on your shoulders.

You raise me up to more than I can be."

Oh, and "In Christ Alone" would be nice too...don't even get me started.

...........................................................

day thirteen: a guilty pleasure

Okay. So I don't know how you define "guilty pleasure", but I call it "What I do when I'm supposed to be doing school". And that, my friend, is making up virtual families, complete with first and middle names and ages. Because I love names. Here's one of my favorite families so far:

.............................................

day fourteen: a vacation I would like to take

Again, I didn't even think twice about this. My dream vacation would be to New Zealand. No questions asked. Why? Because it's Narnia and Middle Earth wrapped into one. And that's beautiful, folks.

days seven, eight, and nine

2011-02-11T16:00:00.001-06:00

day seven: five things I couldn't live without

God. I literally could not live without God, and neither could anyone or anything in the universe. He is my all in all. This verse portrays one of the aspects of God that means the most to me:

ii.

friends. My friends mean the world to me. They are the ones that I laugh with, cry with, sing with, study with, and generally act nuts with. My beautiful sisters in Christ.

iii.

notebooks. My notebooks are part of who I am. I have so many, and each one is special.

I honestly can't pick a favorite. Well, maybe I could, but I won't try. :) iv.

my camera. Through my lens, I have learned to see God's creation in an artistic way. I've learned to express myself using no words whatsoever. I've learned that until blogging becomes real-life, complete with smells, sounds, and tastes, photos are the next best thing.

books. "I cannot live without books", remember? They are all made of the same paper and ink, and yet each one tells a different story. And that is magical.

........................................................................

day eight: a thank-you letter to someone who has changed my life

Dear God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit),

Thank you for choosing me, because I couldn't have done it on my own.

Thank you for living in me.

Thank you for dying for me.

Thank you for making me new.

Thank you for loving me.

Thank you for making a wretch your treasure.

......................................................................

day nine: a photo I took

{I'm so sorry that I've fallen behind on this blogger challenge, guys (and gals)! I'm not going to participate in days 10 and 11 for privacy reasons, but hopefully I'll be back with more tomorrow!}

day six: a moment i wish i could relive

2011-02-06T16:52:00.001-06:00

I have been incredibly blessed with wonderful friends and family with whom I have made some treasured memories- how can I pick just one? Ok, the moment that first comes to mind that I would love to relive is:

Tuesday, November 30, 2010, 10:28 pm

The day I won my first NaNoWriMo. I was 14,000 words behind but determined to catch up, so I persuaded my parents to let me take school off to write. I wrote down a schedule, along with some notes to myself and the time at which I should finish each set of 1,000 words. My goal was to begin at 7:30 am and write at a rate of 1,000 words per hour until 9:30 at night, taking half an hour each for lunch and dinner. The goal was to reach 50,000 words. The day began well, and I stayed on track until dinnertime, checking off each hour as it passed.

And then, at around 6:00, I began to tire. I loved my story, I adored my plot, I treasured my characters, but I had been writing all day and my hands were getting sore. But still I kept going, motivated by the three inspirational quotes I had chosen to pull me through:

1. "Failure is not an option" - from 'Apollo 13'

2. Carpe diem - "Seize the day"

3. "Not the victory, but the action; not the goal but the game; in the deed the glory."

I was supposed to finish at 9:30; it was now almost an hour later. Most of my family had gone to bed; still I kept writing. And then, at 10:28 pm, it was done.

I jumped up and ran to my mom, saying something to the effect of, "I won! I won!" It was one of the best moments of my life; the moment I proved to myself that I could write a novel under pressure, the moment that I knew that I was an author. I stayed up late that night, spelling out "I won Nano" on my closet door and bedroom wall with blue painter's tape. I was glowing inwardly for days afterward, but the best moment was at 10:28 pm, November 30, the day I wrote 14,000 words and won NaNoWriMo.

day five: a favorite quote (or three)

2011-02-05T15:51:00.000-06:00

I have three quotes that I absolutely adore, and I can't possibly choose between them. So here are all three:

Which of these quotes is your favorite? What is your favorite quote (or three)? Do tell!

day four: call me immature, but...

2011-02-04T11:55:00.002-06:00

...my favorite television show is

Yeah. It's a kids' show. But I don't care. Because I love it! Just...because.

Close second: History Detectives. The show in which you actually learn something, unlike the above. *cough cough*

jumpin' on the blogger challenge thingy...

2011-02-03T20:38:00.005-06:00

Ok. So I'm a little late, but so what? Here's the schedule:

Day 1: A favorite song.

Day 2: A favorite movie.

Day 3: A favorite book.

Day 4: A favorite television program.

Day 5: A favorite quote.

Day 6: A moment you wish you could relive.

Day 7: Five things you couldn't possibly live without.

Day 8: A thank you letter to someone who has changed your life.

Day 9: A photo you took.

Day 10: A photo of you taken over ten years ago.

Day 11: A photo of you taken recently.

Day 12: A song that you want played at your wedding(or was played).

Day 13: A guilty pleasure.

Day 14: A vacation you would like to take.

Day 15: A person you admire.

Day 16: A song that makes you cry.

Day 17: An art piece.

Day 18: A time when you felt passionate and alive.

Day 19: A talent of yours.

Day 20: A hobby of yours.

Day 21: Something you know you do differently than most people.

Day 22: A website.

Day 23: A way in which you want to be remembered.

Day 24: A movie no one would expect you to love.

Day 25: A recipe.

Day 26: A childhood memory.

Day 27: A physical feature you love.

Day 28: Hopes, Dreams and plans you have for the next 365 days

I will be able to do all of these except numbers 10 and 11, for privacy reasons. But I'm looking forward to the rest! So... here goes!

day one: a favorite song

My favorite song changes almost daily, and I almost always have more than one favorite at a time. Right now it's these two:

day two: a favorite movie

You guys could probably see this one coming, couldn't you?

It's The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, of course! Although I have many other favorites...

day three (finally to today!): a favorite book

Oh, you have no idea how hard this is! There's Jacob Have I Loved and Carry On, Mr. Bowditch and A Wrinkle in Time and... my favorite series, The Chronicles of Narnia. Can I have three favorite books and one favorite series? If I can't, then I'll have to drop out of this game.

do you agree?

2011-02-03T20:08:00.002-06:00

life is sweet because of...

2011-02-03T13:58:00.001-06:00

01. seriously bonding with my iPod. This little green thing is the best. Just sayin'.

02. listening to my little sis dancing around in the room above me. I think she's watching a ballerina video or something.

03. taking pictures of my iPod. Seriously, it is so photogenic! And adorable, and handy...ok, I admit, I'm obsessed. But being obsessed with something so cute and nifty is a good thing, right?

04. finding out that my family is going to be able to borrow a Baldwin baby grand piano for at least a couple of years! This is a dream come true!

05. sitting here at the computer with some warm winter sunshine on my back and beautiful, glittering snow outside.

06. finally getting around to editing the first part of my book. Ingredients for a successful editing session: your printed and double-spaced manuscript, colorful pens, a head full of ideas, and...an iPod. ;)07. getting my ears pierced yesterday! I can't stop playing with them...so pwetty! I see a jewelry obsession in my future...

08. I'm finally getting motivated to post more often! For the past couple of days, I've been in a blogging slump, but now the end is in sight.

09. eagerly looking forward to choir this afternoon. "Blue skies, smiling at me. Nothing but blue skies do I see..."

10. studying that horrid Geometry yesterday with my friend Teryl. Everything's fun when Teryl's there.

because these make me happy

2011-02-01T20:51:00.001-06:00

Colorful pens are the best thing in the world. Because suddenly your Geometry and English homework is all the colors of the rainbow. Thanks Ace!

p.s. - Sorry for the lack of posts lately...I've been rather uninspired. But I hope that will change soon!

p.p.s. - Happy February!

p.p.p.s. - Don't you just adore the new layout? I do! It reminds me of Candy Land. Thanks Stella!

under construction

2011-01-29T21:17:00.002-06:00

Libri is currently under construction while I install a new template, made by Stella! Please be patient and bear with me for a few days as I switch things around. I can't wait for the new look! :)

Thanks,
Larkin

it is my birthday, and God is good.

2011-01-28T16:41:00.001-06:00

(Okay. Before I begin, let me make one thing perfectly clear. I am not trying to show off in this post. I am simply very joyful and blessed, and I want to share my joy with you. So please, please don't be offended. Alright- my speech is over. On to the fun!) Yes. This has been the theme of my day. God is good. It is my birthday- a day that is supposed to be all about me. Indeed, everything that has happened today has been to my benefit. I will be honest: this special treatment usually makes me selfish. But today, all I can think about as I look at the wonderful emails, comments, cards, and gifts, is thanks. Thanks be to God! I am very blessed to have such wonderful family and friends. (The pictures in the collage are of the gifts I have received so far- all from friends.) So- thank you for the beautiful comments I received on my last post, and

SOLI DEO GLORIA!

p.s. - I would be more than willing to post a more detailed schedule of what happened today- do comment and tell me if that sounds interesting!

p.p.s. - For those of you who asked how old I am, I'm sorry, but I can't tell you for privacy reasons. Sorry, and I hope you understand! :)

something very special...

2011-01-27T21:50:00.001-06:00

(tomorrow is my birthday!)

a peek into my jewelry box

2011-01-25T20:58:00.002-06:00

I haven't taken any photos of worth for quite a while, so today I decided to change that. And where did I find colorful, shiny, and girly inspiration? My jewelry box. There is not much of monetary value in my jewelry box, but every piece has a special place in my heart. This beaded ring was given to me by a dear friend, "Glenstorm". The white beads were originally pink, but somehow the color wore off. No matter- I still love it!

This is the same photo, but cross processed. I can't decided which I like better- do tell your opinion!
This is a choker that I got at a church rummage sale for practically nothing. It probably has no worth whatsoever, but I still love it for being so girly and delicate.
The same choker, but a different angle. Such pretty beads - their color reminds me of the seaside.

A stray key that I found in my mom's jewelry box. She didn't want it, so I adopted it as a necklace charm. It has an old-fashioned air that I adore.

A beaded bobby pin given to me this past Christmas by a friend. I love how the shadow is tinted with color!

This is my favorite necklace- a symbol of my faith. No, it's not a cross, but it represents Aslan, who represents Christ. And oh, that layered bokeh is to die for! I've never captured that effect in a photo before- wow.

A pinecone charm that has yet to find a home on a necklace. A small reminder of the breathtaking pine trees in Colorado, where I purchased it.

I bought this bracelet at the same rummage sale as the choker, but this one is reserved for one day in the year: Independence Day. Red, blue, and stars- could it's meaning be more clear?

.....

Well, I hope you enjoyed this little rummage through my stash. I love photographing jewelry because of the varying texture and color, as well as the memories that accompany each piece.

i hit the jane austen jackpot!

2011-01-22T18:50:00.003-06:00

(Ok, I'll be honest, it was actually my mom who hit the jackpot. Thanks, Mama!)

Anyway. My mom went to an estate sale this morning (for those who don't know, it's kinda like a garage sale except it's in someone's house) and came back with the following:

The Jane Austen Handbook (brand new!)
Jane Austen's Guide to Good Manners
Emma on CD (full cast dramatization)
Pride and Prejudice on CD
Emma- the movie (starring Gwyneth Paltrow)

And the two I'm most excited about:

Pride and Prejudice- the movie (1996, the 5 hour version)
Emma- the movie (starring Romola Garai, BRAND NEW!)

And the best part: the total price was only $16.00! Now that's a deal!

I know some of you non-Austen fans are probably rolling your eyes, but I'm excited! I'll post more photos if you Austenites want some, so do you?

wordless...um...thursday (literally on cloud nine!)

2011-01-20T08:25:00.006-06:00

(okay, not quite wordless. YAY!)

..........

edit: linking to "on cloud nine"! The perfect linkup- I really am on cloud nine right now. :)

a little bit of everything

2011-01-19T16:58:00.004-06:00

I'm getting really impatient. I've been tracking my iPod's progress online, and it's said "on delivery truck" since 8 o'clock this morning! Come to me, little green Shuffle! Come!

I finally watched Les Miserables (the first act on Saturday and the rest today), and wow is it good! The actors are absolutely fabulous, especially Colm Wilkinson. Brilliant.

Youth group is canceled tonight because of snow, and I'm mad. If only I could assure myself that choir tomorrow won't be canceled! I don't think I can bear another whole week without practicing Les Mis. *sigh*

Ho hum. Waiting for my iPod. Waiting. I was hoping to link up to Carlotta's "on cloud nine" with photos of my iPod, but it doesn't look like it. Please come soon!

Okay, I can't stand it any longer. Gotta have a photo in this post. Let's see...grabbing camera...running outside...snapping photo...dashing back in...watermarking... AH HA!

I dare say - this was a rather pointless post. But I'm feeling pointless right now, so that is how it will stay. I'm off to stalk that FedEx truck!

p.s. - I just realized that this is my 300th post. Hmm. I'll have to celebrate sometime.

a year of thankfulness

2011-01-15T17:31:00.002-06:00

I am thankful for...

watering flowers, looking at cheese, and wondering about fruit snacks with friends this morning
my Les Miserables sheet music
Stella's playlist
warm sweaters with big buttons
fringed scarves
my little sister, who says "eye-llegal" instead of illegal
bunches and bunches of snow!
finding my new name, Larkin

(and yes, I realize that this is my third post today. I'll stop now.)

it's called ipod anxiety syndrome

2011-01-15T16:42:00.001-06:00

{via}

I ordered an iPod Shuffle last night, and I am waiting not-so-patiently for it to come. I've wanted an iPod for a long time, but for some reason I never got one. Can you guess which color I picked? And what I got engraved on the back?

(comment to guess, then highlight the space below to get the answer)

color: appley, springy green!

on the back: "how can i keep from singing?". yep, all lowercase.

I can't wait for it to come! You do know what the first album to go on will be, don't you? Yep, "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" soundtrack. By the way, does anyone know how to make the mail come faster?

one word for 2011

2011-01-15T13:29:00.002-06:00

Yes, I realize it's the middle of January. I just like to have some time to think things over. So I did, and this is the result - my one word for 2011:

I need to love my brothers and sister. I need to love my parents. I need to love my friends. I need to love people I don't even know. I need to love the unlovable. Some of these will be easy, some will be far more difficult. But I will try to do all of them. I will try to be a loving person this year, and for the rest of my life.

~love, larkin