Aspire to Inspire

Nothing is impossible, the word itself says 'I'm possible'!
     ~ Audrey Hepburn


When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.
     ~ Helen Keller


And in the end it is not the years in your life that count, it's the life in your years.
     ~ Abraham Lincon


Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.
     ~ Mark Twain


Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are.
     ~ Marilyn Monroe


You'll never find a rainbow if you're looking down.
     ~ Charlie Chaplin


God allows us to experience the low points of life in order to teach us lessons that we could learn in no other way.
     ~ C.S. Lewis

♫ How Deep The Father's Love For Us ♫

If I was listening to music and you were to ask me who I was listening to, most of the time, I would say Owl City -- I'm addicted to it!

" My prayer is that the music of Owl City serves as a bright light in a very dark place, a ray of hope in this haunted house of a world. I want the Lord Jesus to use my music to do WHATEVER it is He wills."

~Adam Young in an interview with The Christian Post

The Canary List

The Canary List by Sigmund Brouwer

Summary: 

Jamie Piper is a twelve-year-old foster child who wants a normal life and family. But she can't feel safe when she can sense the evil in people around her. So on one June night, she turns to her teacher, Crockett Grey for help.

"...the feeling of Evil was still so real she couldn't shake it. She wanted -- no, needed -- to talk to someone about it. Wanted -- no, needed -- to feel safe. Somehow."

But Crockett never wanted to be a part of the mess and never imagined how quickly things take a turn for the worse.

"Surely the man had to be exhausted, but he wasn't showing it. And most surely, the man had to be bewildered. A week ago, his life was that of a schoolteacher at the beginning of summer break. Now he was in Rome, Thrown into events far beyond his comprehension."

My Thoughts:

"The Canary List" was definitely a fast paced and suspenseful novel but it wasn't very gripping. It was a bit confusing and I found myself more than once having to re-read parts because I felt so lost. Also, the story followed many different characters (some of them only playing minor parts) and so it was hard remembering who they were later on.

Most likely, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. It was nothing like I expected and I wasn't really able to get into it. I was pretty disappointed (especially in how much it was focused on Satanism) and only give it two out of five stars.

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Disclaimer: I received this book free of charge from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group in exchange for my honest review. All expressed opinions are uncensored and uninfluenced by them.



Right Now

By Annie P. from resting resting


i find myself wanting complete directions
before i take a step.

but sometimes God asks us to take
a step of faith and simply trust
as he guides.
he will open doors
and he will shut them
when the time is right.

so right now
{i need to} simply trust
and start walking.

The Fab 50's

I doubt that in fifty years people will want to have 2010's themed party where they can dress up in bright skinny jeans and listen to electropop music.

But we have 1950's parties and I think it's because we're still in love with that golden era.


Misc. Facts:

• In 1954 the words "under God" were added to the pledge of allegiance.
• Credit cards were introduced.
• In 1952, 3D cartoons made their debut.
• Barbie and Hula Hoops were some of the most popular toys.
• McDonald's was founded in 1955.
• Alaska and Hawaii become the 49th and 50th US state.
• Minimum wage was 75 cents per hour.

The Trends:

• drive-ins and diners
• having a television (the average kid watched it 6 hours a day)
• going steady
• rock and roll
• cruising the boulevard
• hanging out at the malt shop
• sock-hops

The Lingo:

• actor - show off
• agitate the gravel - to leave
• ankle biter - a child
• cast an eyeball - to look
• cat - a hip person
• cube - a normal person
• cut the gas - be quiet
• fat city - a great thing or place
• in orbit - in the know
• radioactive - very popular
• royal shaft - badly/unfairly treated

The Movies:

• Roman Holiday
• Titanic
• Father of the Bride
• Sabrina
• Old Yeller
• Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
• The Shaggy Dog

(And of course) The Look:

• Men wore gray flannel suits and women wore dresses with pinched waists and high heals.
• The teenagers wore what we remember most though. Poodle skirts, crew tops, and saddle shoes.

It's so vintage - I love it!