Science Fair Winners

My mom's 11th year of sponsoring the St. Joseph Homeschool Science Fair. My grand finale was a chemistry experiment with a Bunsen burner. Using $10 worth of Copper Sulfate and granulated Zinc, I was able to produce about 4 grams of copper flakes and win 2nd place in the high school division. Dorito's experiment practically burned down the church. "Boys like to blow things up!" Dorito said, after he got 3rd in the high school division.

100 Years

I'm considering this song for my senior slide show. I would use the first minute and a half of music, and then it would fade out for my speech and time to say thank you. Let me know what you think!

The Other Boleyn Girl

After three weeks of this movie sitting on my desk, I finally found a free block of time which I could use to watch it. My senior year history studies covered this time period, and my mother approved of me watching this "big girl movie." They did an excellent job choosing the actors and actresses for this film. The parts were played wonderfully, and the story line was easy to follow. As far as accuracy is concerned, it was on and off. But for Hollywood, I suppose it wasn't too bad. As a Catholic, it was interesting to view the other side of the story. Kolbe tends to be slightly prejudiced when it comes to topics of the Catholic Church (not that I'm complaining!), but it's nice to have a rounded view point. It clearly depicts the seduction story, so I can't safely recommend it. If anyone has seen the movie, I am interested in if the ending is what actually happened to Anne Boleyn?

Senior Song

Being home schooled, I get to have my own slide show at graduation with pictures of myself and a song. However, this is going to be a long, painful process; so I'm letting you all know now. Music is one of my favorite things in the world, and therefor picking just one song, is going to be a huge problem. I want a female singer, and would like something with piano. Since it is graduation, it should probably be a somewhat happy song (another problem). I'm all for crying, and I like a well-written love song; but that doesn't work so well for this event. Let me know if you have any ideas!

Joy Williams

http://www.youtube.com/user/joywilliamsmusic#p/u I have completely fallen in love with her. She's also in another band called "The Civil Wars." Both ep's are on iTunes and they are worth every dollar. So far my favorites are "Poison and Wine" by The Civil Wars and "Sunny Day" by Joy Williams. (Senior song?)

Trustful Surrender

I was on a great roll with Theology today. This year's course is extra (as well as History) because I already have enough credits. Thankfully Kolbe understands that this is true with all their students, and has put together something special for seniors. The last year of high school is filled with decisions and busy times, and your prayer life is an easy thing to let drop off. They started us off with reading St. Francis de Sales' book "Introduction to the Devout Life," and this week we're reading "Trustful Surrender to Divine Providence." These are some of the notes I drew from the reading:

The Lord says: you would have no power over me if it had not been given to you from above.
We trust doctors to cut us open, and even pay them to do it! But yet we don't trust God?

The Lord says to Zebedee: You know not what you ask -- O blind of heart, your ignorance saddens me. Let me manage your affairs and look after your interests. I know what you need better than you do yourselves. If I paid heed to what you think you need, you would have been hopelessly ruined long ago.

Us not trusting God is crude after all He's done for us, and continues to do. When the pain seems like too much, it's because God was meant to carry that cross, not us.

Giving everything to God is the ultimate freedom. Fear no longer exists for us. We will be constant, unchangeable, and endless.

The Holy Spirit says "Blessed are those who suffer." Whoever asks shall receive. God has promised us, so why do we doubt? We can ask God for anything, but the request will effect the answer He gives. Solomon asked for wisdom, and this was good in the Lord's eyes. Do not be shallow, but bold in request. Never stop asking or praying. God is outside of time. What if someone prayed for the same thing every day for their entire life? That would please God greatly! Christians have become apathetic. We pray "God give me patience," but instead we should pray "God! Let me detest with my entire being losing my temper!"