Incredible Quotes #10

“There are two books laid before us to study, to prevent our falling into error; first, the volume of the Scriptures, which reveal the will of God; then the volume of the Creatures, which express His power.”

~Sir Francis Bacon, developer of the scientific method

AND (on the title page of the Origin of the Species, no less)

“To conclude, therefore, let no man . . . think or maintain that a man can search too far or be too well studied in the book of God’s word, or in the book of God’s works; divinity or philosophy; but rather let men endeavor an endless progress or proficience in both.”

~Sir Francis Bacon also

Bridge Across Forever

I picked up a book the other day and on the page after the title page (does that page actually have a name?) it had the lyrics to this song. I thought the words were so pretty I had to look it up and listen to it. I like it a lot!

I started school back up again today. I'm pretty excited about this quarter. Working on the school newspaper looks like it's going to be a lot of fun. But I'll be super busy.

Kombucha on My Happy Day

I am feeling very happy right now. A number of things contribute to this happiness.

One of the things is the kombucha I am drinking. It's a drink made using a flat, pancake-like bacteria colony.

Ewwww

 You put it in a large, glass bottle (like the kind you get with pickles) with some very sugary black tea and letting it sit for a couple of weeks. Then when it's done you get this fizzy, healthy drink. (It sounds alcoholic, but I think the alcohol level is so small that it doesn't count - like 0.02% or something like that.)

That is exactly what my mom's looks like

Anyway, I have a strong aversion to this drink. It's no wonder. I call it fungus juice. In fact, I actually made up a short song about it, to the tune of "My Country Tis of Thee," or "God Save the Queen."

Kombucha, tis of thee

Sweet mushroom ecstasy

Of thee I sing

Fungus beyond compare

Mold without any hair

Drink it, O, do you dare?

That bacteria thing

Enough said. It was late. I have a bad habit of spontaneously coming up with rhymes, alternate wordings of songs, etc. when it's late at night. I once dreamed up a poem based on the snoring of a friend I was staying the night with. And another time I woke up singing "What Do You Do With a Pumpkin's Headache?" to the tune of "What Do You Do With a Drunken Sailor?". 

Yeah, I don't like it. Except the other day, when my mom brought home a store-bought kombucha with grape juice and chia seed. I like that. I'm drinking the rest of it right now, which is one of the things contributing to my happiness. The only annoying thing is the chia seeds are about the size of flax seeds and they get stuck between your teeth.

Another source of my happiness is that spring quarter is beginning next week! I'm not looking forward to the school part so much (although it will give me something to do so I'm not so bored) but it hails the approach of several other exciting things. 

For one thing, spring quarter is the last quarter before summer. That's pretty cool. Once this quarter is finished, then comes Gleaning for the Hungry and weddings and garage sales and all those wonderful things.

Then on Monday I'm giving blood for the first time. You might think that it's odd for me to be excited about giving blood, but I am. When I was little I used to go with my mom when she gave blood and I always wanted to myself. Finally being old enough to do it is pretty amazing. I'm not scared of needles. I have never minded getting shots or my blood drawn. In fact, I want to be a nurse. I'm looking forward to being able to watch closely what they do for future reference. Plus I'd like to find out my blood type.

Next Friday, the13th, I'm going to a folk-dance given by a beautiful friend of mine. We've only known each about six months, but she's very sweet and I like her a lot. Unfortunately, she lives a while away, so I haven't been able to see her very often. I went to her last folk-dance and it was a lot of fun. I like to dance. So I'm very happy that that is coming up soon.

Lastly, I want to dedicate a moment to say that another reason for my happiness today is that it is Good Friday. When I was little I used to wonder why we called it "Good" Friday. I think this cartoon, despite being a comic strip, illustrates why pretty well.

There's a lot of truth to that. Plus we know what happens on Sunday. Hell is conquered and the dead are raised to life. The ultimate win.

I can't help but grieve when I think about what a terrible, awful day that must have been. The anguish my Savior endured for me, and all those like me.

And it hurts me to think of all those who will never know Him. I'm a very compassionate person. That's one of the reasons for me becoming a nurse. To think of those who despise the kindest, most wonderful Person in the universe hurts me. I think about how much God loves His creation, and I know it hurts Him much more. And then I realize that it hurt Him so much to think of His people's fate - MY fate - that He made this sacrifice today.

I am overwhelmed by His grace, His tender mercy and His love.

Thank you, Jesus!