Where'd She Go?!

Yes, so I have been absent for two weeks. Where did I go and what have I been up to?

I normally don't post stuff like this. Usually it's stuff worthy of you reading. But oh well.

I have been finishing up my school work like any normal senior in high school. I'm really looking forward to being finished with school. Yes, I love learning, but I'm ready for this season of my life to be over. It's time to move on! :)

An update on my health issues:
I saw a new doctor on Monday and he does indeed believe that it's my gallbladder. (the tests I had showed that there was nothing wrong) He put me on a gluten-free, dairy-free diet, basically a torturous diet in my opinion! lol. I'm on it for about three weeks before I go back to the doctor and we assess whether or not it has worked. Also I'm taking a few supplements, and drinking ginger tea.
I'm still in quite a bit of pain, but I'm accepting it as daily life. :) Life lessons are never learned the easy way.

I passed the second World piano competition audition! I was so excited about that. I play at the University of Cincinnati Ohio the fourth week of July. I'm looking forward to that. :)

I will be starting an Etsy shop soon. Be on the lookout for that announcement!

This past weekend my family traveled three hours north and spent the weekend at the Barnard's house. That was a blast! :) Can't wait to see them again.

Ummm...nothing else really exciting. I try to stay out of trouble as much as I can. :P

I certainly hope and pray that all of you who are reading this are having great lives right now. That sounds really cliche too...and maybe a bit cheesy...
Remember: no matter what trial you are going through God will get you through it. Just look up to Him. He is always there and will never leave you nor forsake you. :)

Chazak Amats!
Haley

Another Choice

Hello!
I would like to thank each and every one of you for the awesome criticism that you have provided me with. And the back up. :) I am an aspiring writer and I'm grateful for the criticism you have graciously given me. All of it will help me grow as a writer. Thank you!

Yes, I admit, my story is shallow, and is full of mistakes. I'm not perfect. I'm human, so naturally I'm going to make mistakes.
I didn't do all of the extensive research that I know I should have done when I wrote this short story, but I had a few hours until I was supposed to present it to my family. The idea popped into my head and I didn't think twice about writing it.
I wasn't planning on sharing my story with anyone, but my family suggested that I share it on my blog to coincide with Roe Vs. Wade. So I did.

The reason I failed to respond to your comments is because you guys seriously are intimidating. But thank you all the same for the life lessons that you have unknowingly provided me with. :)

The reason I pulled the post, The Choice, is I realized the story is poorly done and I would like to do it over again. I will do my extensive research and post the story when it is polished and refined. :)

God bless each and every one of you! May you have a blessed day. :)


  For my real online friends who love me in spite of my mistakes...here is a video that I came across yesterday. I thought you might find it quite humorous. :)

This was a very timely video that Ophelia just posted yesterday.

A Random Update Followed With a Poem of Mine

I haven't really posted anything from what's going in my life. And most of you dear readers are probably wondering what happened to the real Haley! Well here are a few things:

I've been busy with preparing for the World Piano Competition for several months now. But here recently things have been getting a little more hectic due to the fact that the second audition is this Saturday. Exciting,  yet a little terrifying at the same time.

School has been another big thing for me. I'm planning on graduating in May/June and I'm going to take the SAT test in May. That has me busy with tying all of my 'loose ends' up. :)

Another huge thing that has effected my life a bit more than I would like, is health issues. A few little details on that subject....
Ever since December 4th I've been having problems with being able to eat and not feel sick. Most days I just eat enough to get by. I know that is not the smartest or wisest thing to do, but when you have hardly any appetite at all and you are just plain scared to eat...yeah...food just isn't my favorite thing right now.
Turns out after I had a HIDA scan it revealed that my gallbladder is barely working. That's a problem. I've done two gallbladder cleanses and each time I felt awful afterward. I've been laid up for about two months and due to the fact that I'm not eating I've lost some weight. That's OK. I did have weight to lose. Anyway, I'm not complaining and I'll get to that later.
I went to a gastrointestinal (GI) specialist earlier this afternoon. The doctor told me that my gallbladder is more than likely diseased and will need to be surgically removed. He joked with my mom and said we would plan the surgery unless she had another way of removing it. :P The appointment with the surgeon has not been set yet. Anyway, next Friday (February 8th) I have a gallbladder ultrasound in the morning and at 1:15 that afternoon, I will have a scope done. What will happen during the scope is I will be put to sleep and they will slip a small camera type thingy down my throat and into my body and take pictures of my gallbladder. What happens from there I don't know.
So if you wouldn't mind sending up a few prayers for me I would really appreciate it.

Now I don't want to sound like I'm complaining over my current situation/illness. Oh no. Not me. Yes, it does get tiring and old just having to sit a lot because I don't feel good most of the time, but the Lord is teaching me a ton through all of this. I'm learning patience. That's one of the first lessons the Lord brought to my mind when I asked Him what He was doing. A sure funny question to ask the Lord, but I was curious and desperate.
Don't ever underestimate the power of patience. Patience is a wonderous thing, but that's a whole other blog post. But yes, the Lord is teaching me patience, endurance, long-suffering, determination, and joy in suffering. Tracing rainbows through my rain. Yes, the Lord wants us to joy in our suffering. He gives us the strength we need every day to endure it if we only ask Him for it.
My word of encouragement to you is this:
If you are going through a hardship in your life at this time, look to the Lord for the strength you need. He will willingly give it. He wants you to rely on HIM. And Him only. Search the Scriptures. His promises to you are overflowing in that blessed book. Don't give up. Press on! This is for a season and the Lord will get you through it. He has a reason and a plan for everything. He allows things to happen and whether they are good or bad He will turn them for our good. (Romans 8:28)

Now, that I've rambled on long enough....here's a poem, more like a song that I wrote. I was feeling a bit down the other night. Here are a few more of my thoughts for you to read. I hope I haven't been too...long-winded. :)

Safe In Your Arms

When my fears threaten to seize

My heart in a cold clenching grasp

I know You are watching over me

When my mind fills up with doubt

And I can’t seem to take control

I know You are within and without

So please take me in Your arms

Hold me close and don’t let go

Reassure me I’m safe from all harm

Oh, Lord Jesus, You’re my Father

I’ve no reason to doubt You

Safe in Your arms, You love like no other

As I plead and cry to You

Satan tries to discourage me

And convince me I’m not getting through

But through the clouds of my storm

Your loving voice falls on my ear

And tells me, “Come, you’re tired and worn.”

So please take me in Your arms

Hold me close and don’t let go

Your love is greater than the world’s charms

Lord, I trust You completely

My life is safe in Your hands

I bask in the knowledge that You love me

Your love dispels all my fears

And brings me to tears of sheer joy

For I know I’m loved by One who cares

Lord, I can never recount

All the blessings You’ve given me

I can never repay this amount

Oh, Jesus, Friend and Savior

Great and Mighty is Your name

You are the ultimate love giver

You are always here for me

I’ve no cause to doubt at all

I’m safe in Your arms for eternity

Oh, Jesus, I’m safe in Your arms.

The Sound of Abortion

A video that you must see. A horrifying realization when you watch this.

God Spared My Life!

I should be dead.

Or at the very least in the hospital right now along with my older sister Steph. But I have a miraculous story to tell. One that bears Spiritual Warfare at the very heart of it.

Yesterday, Steph and I went to Panera Bread for dinner with some friends. I had changed my mind at the very last moment to actually go. I had planned to stay home, but decided against it when I realized I needed to pick up some things from the store before Friday.

We weren't planning to stay at Panera Bread past seven-thirty. We had music to practice for our parent's 25th vow renewal ceremony/celebration on Saturday. But we stayed later and then at the last minute decided to take one of my best friends, Rachelle, home after we had hit T.J. Maxx (another last minute decision) the library, and Walmart.

These details may seem trivial, but it all played a part in the story. In order for Rachelle to ride in Steph's car we had to put three heavy-duty card tables, for the party, in the trunk. It was tricky fitting them in there, but we managed to get them in the trunk.

We spent more time in T.J. Maxx and Walmart than all of us had anticipated. I couldn't find the particular gift card at the 'old' Walmart in Columbus that I needed. Frustrated, I told Steph and Rachelle that I'd just get it at the newer Walmart out by the highway.

We dropped Rachelle off at her house and then headed to the newer Walmart. We met up with Mom there and almost took Samuel  home with us. Once again, it took me a while to find the gift card, but I finally found it and we left for home.

During the drive, I worked on Christmas gifts while Stephanie practiced her speech for Mom and Dad's party. We had found it interesting that every time she came to the part of sharing the gospel she always blanked out. This continued all the way to Columbus and back. She told me, "Haley, Satan does not want me to share this."

The road from Columbus to our house is a dangerous one in the winter. Especially on a particular stretch known as Beck's Grove. We had come through there before just fine. Yes, there were patches of ice, but we had made it safely the first time.

While we were on this road Steph was practicing her speech once again. She was at the part of sharing the gospel when all of a sudden we began fish-tailing. Now Stephanie is a safe driver. I feel safe whenever I am with her.

But whenever the car started twisting, it seemed to go berserk. Steph said, "Don't worry, Haley, I got this," remembering Dad's instruction.

No matter what she did it was worthless. The car was headed for the left side of the road where a deep, wooded ravine seemed to be our destined doom. All of a sudden the car was turned around and the next thing I see is a white embankment and a tree coming at us. Stephanie shut her eyes through the whole thing, but I kept them open the entire time.

I remember screaming and hearing Stephanie scream. We slammed into the embankment and I thought that would be the end of it. I remember thinking, "God, I'm going to die today." But next thing I am being flipped upside down. I hear a loud crunch and screaming. I remember hitting the door, but I didn't feel it. While flipping, both of us felt like someone was holding us in a tight, comfortable embrace. We had our seat-belts on, but it was a stronger grip. Even when we were rolling we felt as though we were swaddled with soft pillows or something. There were angels holding both of us, I am sure of it.

All of a sudden I was suspended in midair by my seat-belt. I suddenly realized that I was repeating, "Oh my God" over and over again. I couldn't figure out where my seat had gone. My door looked odd and I couldn't figure out how to get out. All I could think of, was my sister dead?

I unbuckled my seat-belt somehow and softly landed on the 'floor'. I later figured out that it was the cracked windshield that I was sitting on. The first thing that Stephanie thought when we stopped was, "Shut the car off." Then she thought of me. She thought she had killed me or impaired me and I was in a bloody mess. The first thing I said was, "Are we still alive?" She assured me we were very much alive. We were both turned around mentally. I grabbed her arms and she grabbed mine. I said, "Steph, we need to pray!"
She started praying and I interjected, "Thank you God for saving us!" She stopped me and said, "Right now is not the time to pray. We can pray later. We need to get out of the car." I collected all the necessary belongings and placed them in a Walmart bag. That is, after I found my shoes.

We crawled out and heard a man's voice asking if we are all right. Steph answered "I think so. I don't feel hurt, but I need to call my dad."

I looked at the flipped car and thought, "There is no way we just made it out of there alive. No way."
The man's phone didn't get signal in the spot where we were. He told us we needed to call the police.
A county water utility truck stopped and the couple both had cell phones. The man used his to call the police and the woman let Stephanie use hers to call dad.

The couple from the water utility backed up and sat farther down the road with their flashers on. Dad would be at the crash site in roughly thirty minutes. The man who had first stopped told us, "Why don't you come and sit in my car where it's warm?"

We numbly got in. It was a good thing we did because I was starting to slip into shock.

Aaron was the man who let us sit in his car and he told us some of his crashing experiences. He didn't even live in the area. The only reason he had been down here was to get his birth certificate for a job in another city where he lives. We told him that God had orchestrated the timing perfectly.

The first volunteer policeman got there and we got out. He asked skeptically if we were the ones who had been in the car wreck and if we were hurt. Steph told him, "I don't think so. I don't feel hurt. I'm just shook up."

The policeman shined a flashlight in her eyes and asked, "Are you sure?" She reassured him.

Dad showed up along with more policemen. We went through the whole process of registering the car and all that. Nobody could believe that we were the two who had been in the car wreck.

Those tables I mentioned that we had put in the trunk? I shudder to think what could have happened if they had been in the back seat!

Stephanie's huge glass water bottle had landed above her head and all that had happened to it was the lid came off and the water spilled out. I later reached into my coat pocket and pulled out a Starbucks Mocha glass jar. It was not scratched or cracked. I could hardly believe it.

Mom arrived and charged up to us crying. We put our arms around her and reassured her that we were okay.

We were all heartily astonished when after the wrecker had turned the car over, the car started. Then Dad drove the car all the way home! Stephanie fell apart at that point. She could not believe it. I put my arms around her. I felt like giggling. I didn't feel like crying at that moment. I wanted to laugh exultantly because my God had conquered the demons who wanted us dead. I told Stephanie that I was going to mention what had happened before she gave her speech on Saturday. There is no way I can't. We all agree that what had happened to us was a direct attack from Satan, but God had intervened and had an army of angels all around us.

Fuzzy picture taken from Mom's cell phone camera

We are both sore and I found out I had a minor concussion and a cut on my foot, but other than that and being traumatized I am extremely glad that I am alive. I honestly thought that my life was going to end last night. God spared my life. I cannot tell you how grateful and humbled I am to know that the Lord has a specific purpose for me. I have come to the realization through this whole situation that God has me in the palm of His hands. Life is precious. Value it. Don't squander away your days. Enjoy them. Live them to the fullest. Fill them with things that have an everlasting purpose.

Note: To read Mom's account, read the post The Car Wreck on her blog.

Another Set of Eleven Things...

I have been awarded the Liebster blog award once again! This time, by Jonathan over at Jonny's Unofficial Blog!

So..... I will state eleven more facts about myself...oh dear this will be very hard!

1. I am training for a 5K race in March
2. I am currently memorizing the book of James
3. I get headaches if I am on the computer for very long, (so this blog post is more than likely going to be full of mistakes and typed out as quickly as possible without having to look at the screen)
4. I am the fourth born of ten children.
5. I am not a social introvert *laughs*
6. I have at least fifteen pen pals
7. I am writing four novels all at the same time and on paper
8. I stand with Israel!
9. I am a coffee and hot chocolate addict. *blushes*
10. I am a senior in high school.
11. I love the Lord God, my Savior Jesus Christ.

Ok, to answer the questions that Jonny asked...oh boy. I can definitely tell that a guy asked these. Haha! :)



1. If you could, which one of the following would you eliminate from the face of the earth: Pride, Lust, or Murder?  Why?
Umm...this is a hard question to answer. I guess I would say pride. Why? Because God hates pride. It is the root of all sin.
2. If you could go back in time to assassinate one person, which of the following men people would you assassinate: Joseph Smith, Joseph Stalin, Adolf Hitler, the Prophet Mohammed, 'Other' (pick someone not mentioned), or none of the above?  Why?
I would pick none of the above. Because assassinating someone is against God's law. I would be committing murder if I could assassinate any of those evil men.
3. Do you believe Salvation is by faith, works, a combination of the two, or something else altogether?  Why?
I believe that Salvation is asking God to forgive you for every sin that you have committed against Him and accepting Jesus into your heart.
4. What is your favorite kind of cheese and why? (switching gears here...)
My favorite cheese is Mozzarella! Why? Because it is soft, a little bit salty, and has a very good flavor to it.
5. What is your favorite kind of food and why?
Umm... right now, I don't have a favorite food. All food sounds repulsive right now.
6. What is your favorite firearm and bullet caliber?  Why?
Um a 9mm. Luger. Why? Because it's an awesome firearm, that's why! :P
7. If you had to be in a tank, which position would you choose: commander, gunner, loader, or driver?  Why?
Ummm. Never had to imagine myself in this position before. I guess I would like to be the driver. Why? Because I would just have to drive. I wouldn't have to kill anyone.
8. What is your favorite armored vehicle, and why?
Ummm.....I really don't know.
9. What is your favorite fight/battle/conflict/war to study in history?  Why?
World War Two. Because it is so interesting. (in my opinion)
10. What's the closest you've ever come to dying?  What happened and how?  What was your reaction afterward?
I really don't think I have ever come very close to dying. I take that back. I was almost dropped out of an upstairs window when I was a baby. I think I screamed. lol. I'm not sure. I can't remember.
11. What's the worst thing your best friend has done to you, and why?
Well I have several best friends....and there's only one who I can think of who has done something really terrible to me. That was my sister Emily. She called me the Missing Link. Why...I don't know. I think it was because I climbed trees and cause according to her I looked like a monkey. Thankfully I no longer have that nickname! :P

Now.....I have to come up with eleven more questions.....

1. Would you rather be a firefly or a butterfly and why?
2. If you could, which Apostle would you spend a day with?
3. Who is your favorite person in world history?
4. Would you rather be a missionary to a head-hunting tribe, or to a tribe that considered all white men Foreign devils?
5. Depending on your voice and personality what instrument do you think you would be?
6. What is your favorite holiday?
7. Who is your favorite prophet in the Old Testament?
8. If you could, would you rather live during the Old Testament time, or the New Testament time?
9. What are your five favorite movies?
10. What is the song you listen to the most?
11. What was the last movie you watched?

And the people I awarded......

Sophia
Lauren
Cindy Saul
Julia

And a little bit of an explanation as to why I haven't really been around much.....
If I am on the computer for very long, like 20-30 minutes I get a bad headache. So I have hardly been on the computer at all. That's where I've been.

So long peoples!

Eleven Things....

So I have been awarded the Liebester blog award by dear Gabrielle, over at The Ink Stained Parchment.
Now I  have to state eleven facts about myself. (which isn't easy)

1. I'm a bookworm
2. I'm a passionate music-lover
3. I'm saved by the Blood of the Lamb
4. I prefer hot drinks over cold ones
5. I'm an aunt three times
6. I thoroughly enjoy writing even though most of the stuff I write isn't necessarily good...
7. My favorite book in the Bible is Jeremiah
8. I love the color purple
9. I'm saving my first kiss for my wedding day
10. I'm fascinated by WWII history
11. I'm memorizing the Sermon on the Mount with my family

So now I am supposed to answer 11 questions that Gabrielle asked...


1.  How do you outline?  Can you share with us how you do it?
   I usually 'create' my characters, fill out their 'profiles', figure out what this and that character's objective in the story is. Then I use the One Year Adventure Novel worksheets to figure out what my main character wants to achieve, what the villain's main goal is and basically figure out the roles of key characters. After that is all written out I write out the chapter skeleton. When  that's finished I start writing the first rough draft.

2. Twilight or Harry Potter or neither?
     ew...neither
3. Author(s) that has inspired/influenced your writing the most
     Joel C. Rosenberg, my pseudo older brother Josh
4. What is your ideal place to write?
     In a quiet cozy place
5. If you could hop on a plane and go anywhere in the world, where would it be?
      Europe, but just for a visit.
6.  If you had a time machine, which author would you love to be able to talk with?
      I would love to talk to talk to Joel C. Rosenberg, but I wouldn't need a time machine for that.
7. If you were given the chance of having your book turned into a movie, would you say yes or no?  If no, why?  If yes, did you agree to it with certain conditions in mind?
     I might, but with certain conditions in mind.
8. Tea or coffee?
      Coffee definitely!
9. What time of day do you write the most?
     The morning
10. Do you listen to music while you write?  If so what genre?
        Yes, I do. Genre: Classical
11. Have you ever gotten inspiration for a novel while watching one of your favorite TV shows/movies?
         Yes

Now I've got to come up with 11 questions to ask the 5 people I tag.

1. How often do you write?
2. Do you prefer being indoors or out?
3. What is your favorite drink?
4. Are you shy or out-going?
5. Favorite book genre?
6. Do you have pen pals?
7. Bookworm or not?
8. What do you enjoy writing the most?
9. If you could, which person(s) from history would you want to talk to?
10. What legacy do you want to leave?
11. Early bird or night owl?

The people I've tagged:

Katie
Ellie
Rachelle
Olivia
Anna


Have a good evening!