What's an award between friends?!

            Whew! Another week of school done. It's hard to believe that I've got only three weeks of school left. It stresses me out to no end. Finishing assignments, projects due, finals, packing up the dorm, finding a job and somewhere to live for the summer. I hate being grown up! It all looked so grand when I was little and now I see it basically sucks! Still God is good and He will get me through all of this (remember Leah you decided your going to trust Him from now on).

          Anyways the comments on my last post really brought joy to my week. I can't believe how supportive everyone's been. Can I tell you I've got over $3,000 in support now? It completely wreaks me in a good way. This little lady, Megan just started following me last week and already she nominated me for the Liebster Award. Thanks so much Megan. She has a charming little blog, and is a sister in Christ. Really she said the nicest things about me and I am honoured! As in accordance with the rules I am now obligated to pass on the complement to others, because what's an award between friends?!

        So this is how it works.

1. You choose five blogs to pass on the award to that have 200 followers or less
2. Link back to the lovely person who gave you the award in gratitude
3. Do what I'm doing and post the award on your blog
4. List the five people that you're giving the award to, link to their blogs and tell everyone why you think their great. Oh and message the people to let them know that you've nominated them.
5. Share five things about yourself that others might not know

So here are my picks

Liz is one of my old buddies from my CBI days. I lived with her for a year in a tiny little trailer and it was quite the experience! Liz is a crazy EMT who listens to Jack Johnson, looks at life with her tongue in cheek, and goes on very many exciting adventures. Did I mention she pranks like a boss? Do NOT cross this girl unless you're prepared to reap the consequences! Check out her blog Little Did She Know

Michelle is one of my lovely roommates this year at Northland. This classy lady writes devotionals, takes cute pictures, and is in love with New York City. She has been a great friend to come home to at the end of the day this year, she is loyalty itself! Also she like to steal my clothes and make posts about them! Check her out at Step by Step

Aryn is another CBI friend. This beautiful lady is studying to become a teacher. She is one of my shoulder to cry on, laugh until our sides get sore friends. She is also an up and coming photographer. Find her at Little Life Moments

Jeanine! Can I say enough things about Jeanine? Doubt it! She loves books, and period dramas, and taking beautiful pictures. She's a paramedic which makes her hardcore! I always look to her to shine the light on the newest costume drama. Jeanine is also a sister in Christ and is a great encouragement to me considering I've never met her in person. I can't fathom why she doesn't have more followers so follow her at Wayfaring Girl on a Mission

Bekah is yet another CBI friend! What can I say we're all into blogging these days! This girl is my rock! She is on fire for God, and we have through so much growing up together. Plus she has the brightest, happiest, smile in the world! Find about what God is doing in her life at My Ebenezer.

Five Random Facts about me

1. When I was little I wanted to be a marine biologist, then I found out that life as marine biologist was more than going on boat rides and swimming with dolphins and that was the end of that!
2. I am super insecure about my feet (I have a crooked toe)
3. I don't have my driver's license yet (due to the fact I can't seem to make up my mind about which country I live in)
4. I love waking up in the middle of the night and knowing that I've been sleeping and I have x amount of hours left to sleep!
5. I am deathly, terrified and petrified of moths! They are Satan's butterflies!

Ok so that's it! Enjoy poking around on these girlies blogs! Spread the love and follow!

In Christ, Leah

The Peace of God

             Hi all. As you know last weekend was Easter and I have an amazing Easter story to tell. As I mentioned before in my last post I am going on a trip this summer. As I mentioned before, I can't tell you where I'm going but it's big and exciting and scary all at the same time. In preparation for this trip I've had to do quite a bit of fundraising and up until this point I hadn't been doing so well. People have been incredibly generous and giving, but it hasn't been coming in as fast as our deadlines have. It's been so frustrating knowing I've been missing deadlines, and being behind my teammates ( I should mention I will be on a team).

            Last Friday one of my supervisors informed me that I would have to have all my funds (I had still to raise $1200) in by the Monday after Easter, or I wouldn't be able to go. I couldn't believe it! What was going on? I had felt so strongly that God wanted me on this trip. He had been directing me, opening doors for me, and now this?  How was I supposed to raise $1200 in one weekend? I looked at my supervisor with what I hope was a calm, serene, and indifferent stare, but I was really screaming inside. He just smiled at me and assured me that he wasn't worried so I shouldn't be either.  God would provide because God was in this. Crazy man! Of course I was worried!

          I started off my weekend wondering how I was going to cope this summer, having to change my plans, start afresh, adjust my thinking towards not going on this trip that I had prepared for all semester. My friends assured me and said they were praying for me, I sent out letters to my supporters, and my family asking for their prayers, I was praying too. Really though, I don't know if I truly believed God would come through. In my mind this was God shutting the door. I had to brace myself for Him to put a halt to it all.    

         It's funny though, I felt closer to God over this weekend then I have in a long awhile. That kind of happens when you're literally helpless on your knees before Him, knowing that He is the only one who can change the situation you're in. Also being in such close communion with Him was a factor. I felt like all day Saturday I was stopping to pray, not just about the trip but about other things too. I've always been lax in my prayer life and it was a good reminder of how rewarding prayer can be.

          I was talking to my Mom later this week and she reminded me that trusting God is something that I've always struggled with. I had to think about that for a moment because she is so right. When things don't go the way I plan I freak out about it. God's plan's are never in mine. Instead I try and make my plans God's. Trusting God is difficult because it means rendering control over to Him, control that I would much rather have myself. Sometimes I need weekends like this to remind me that I'm not controlling this trip, God is. He will give me the resources, the strength and the ability to do it, it is HE that supplies these things. 

          I come to Sunday to find that $900 had been sent to my account from supporters with promise of more on the way. I literally cried! God had been so good! I went skipping off to find Easter eggs in a hysterical exuberance, my mind on His great provision. Why do I so often doubt the goodness and care of my Lord. He has never failed me before so why would I doubt Him? Yesterday I went to check my account again and I find that my entire bill is paid for with $90 left over! Again why do I doubt my God? Why did I think that $1200 dollars was such a stretch for the one who hung the stars? Turns out I'm the crazy one!

         I came across this verse the other day which really tied all this together for me;

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Phillipians 4:6-7)  

          I've come across this verse before and I always think about the first half of the verse which talks about not worrying and instead coming to God with our prayers and concerns. But I started to wonder about the latter half where it talks about the peace of God. What does that mean the "peace of God"? In Christian circles we talk about peace as this feeling that comes over us when making hard decisions "I had peace about it". But what if the peace of God means something more? The next sentence talks about this peace guarding our hearts and minds in Christ. I've been learning lately that for the Christian, the gospel means more than just salvation, but it the foundation for every change, growth and experience within our lives and walk. The peace of God is the assurance of our position and our standing with God. It is the gospel. That is why it is so important to pray, and to trust God with out requests; because it keeps us from doubting our salvation, and who we are in Christ. When God answers our prayers it should cause us to mediate on the gospel. That's what Easter is all about right!

Spring Break and Summer Plans

            This past week was Spring Break and as I am a poor little orphan missionary kid, my friend Heather Jerome took pity on me, and took me home with her to Water Town. It was a most joyous time  full of coffee houses, art museums, random trips to Milwaukee, going to see the Hunger Games (twice!!), and in general just lying around like lazy butts in the eighty degree weather. It makes me wish I was still on Spring Break and not up to my neck in papers, reading and preparations for my summer trip (which I will elaborate on in just a moment). Anyways I won't post all the pictures of this past week here because there are way too many (and I make a habit of making posts cluttered with too many bad pictures as it is), so I will just post the pictures of our photo shoot in the park. We were supposed to be there catching up on homework but that was never going to happen! So here's what we did instead!

          Thanks Heather for a wonderful week away from it all. Heather has been such an encouragement to me this semester. I am seriously in awe of this girl. She is one of the most spiritually sensitive girls I have ever met, and so on fire for God. Not to mention a whole load of fun. 

         In other news I am making preparations for a trip this summer. I'm trying to keep in under wraps because of security reasons which is why I haven't mentioned it before now. I can't tell you were I'm going or anything, but I can ask you to pray for me and for raising funds. I would seriously appreciate the prayer support of all my bloggie friends. I need strength and wisdom for this. 

I hope you all have a great week everyone! 

I had fun?

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           Single Awareness Day has arrived and almost gone in all it's glory. It has been spent spreading very much awareness of single peoples and announcing the follies of valentines day. If you want my full opinion on the ridiculousness that is this day read last year's post.

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          Actually today was kind of fun. For pretty much the first time in my existence I got gifts for valentines! My roommates were determined to break through my cynicism and bitterness and as was my hall leader Reagan, and so I got gifts!!! Hurray! Michelle Wingreen gave me a whole cup of stuff. It somewhat lessened the dark cloud that typically surrounds this time of year. And this evening the Northern Lights (Northland's smaller choir) gave a performance of classic love songs in our on campus coffee shop. So dare I say it...I actually had...fun! Hope you had a happy love day!!!

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And now a tune you can add to your valentines playlist!

  

The shameless acts of a poor college student

http://bit.ly/vZHjl5

I'm mainly posting this in order to enter a Ruche giveaway. Sorry, but I'm not above using my blog as a means to get free stuff!! Still with Spring coming, I can't say this isn't helpful!

I am now back at college, and am looking forward to a new semester of classes. But I have to say though, I'm really missing home right now!

Who Adapted it Best...Emma

  

          Time for another period drama review! I was going to do Pride and Prejudice next, but I was inspired by Jeanine to review Emma instead. She always gets me in the mood to watch a good period drama! I just had to go and watch Emma as soon as I read her post! 

         When it comes to adaptations of Emma we Austen fans are blessed with abundance. There have been two movie versions and one TV series, and I suppose we will have to mention the modern teen flick, Clueless, inspired by Austen's novel ( and I use the term "inspired" loosely). Lets face it Emma is  that timeless story that every movie director salivates over. So let me break down the adaptations for you.

         The newest version to date is the 2009 BBC version, directed by Jim O' Hanlon. This is a real gem. I can't even count the number of times I've watched this. This is a true adaptation of the book. Instead of stringing together scenes from the book, this version seeks to lay out the story as it happens in the novel. 

        Romola Garai is perfect as Emma, and I don't know if anyone could do better. She effortlessly balances Emma's snobbishness and whimsical girlishness. Emma is young, energetic, mischievous, and fiercely strong willed; she is a lady, but still a whole lot of fun. Okay girls, now lets focus on Jonny Lee Miller! Mr Knightly is my absolute favourite of Jane Austen's male leads. While all the rest of the girls were drooling over Mr Darcy, I was dreaming of a banter session with Mr Knightly! Mr Knightly is my man, I'm admitting it right here, right now on the internet. Oh heaven help me! I'm in love with a fictional character! And I'm in love with Miller's portrayal of him! Miller is kind, gentle, principled, down to earth, yet still approachable. Garai and Miller have great chemistry. Their relationship comes across as very natural and informal, and so it should be with two people who have supposedly grown up around each other. They joke, tease, scold, and spat with relative ease. 

        What I loved most about this version was that the supporting cast were not made redundant by the leads. What's special about Emma is that it's all about the characters and their interactions with each other. The Westons, Mr Woodhouse, The Eltons, Harriet Smith, Miss Bates, Frank Churchill, Jane Fairfax are a comical company, and are not to be separated from each other. This adaptation really highlights this and there is really strong chemistry with the whole lot of them. 

         The supporting cast are brilliant. Mr Elton is delightfully smarmy, Harriet Smith is adorable, Frank Churchill is the lovable scoundrel, Miss Bates is funny and yet surprisingly well developed (there is a particularly touching scene between her and Emma), and Jane Fairfax is a delight to watch. Also I should mention Dumbledore is in it! That is to say Michael Gambon plays Mr. Woodhouse and may I say he is fantastic. Mr Woodhouse definitely comes into his own in this one. The soundtrack is amazing, the scenery is a real treat, ( I want to live in Emma's house!), and I also want wear every single one of her dresses. To sum up this adaptation gets a big thumbs up!!

          The next adaptation came out in 1996, directed by Douglas McGrath, and stars Gwyneth Paltrow and Jeremy Northam. This is a delightful version. The mood and look of the film is so light and airy. There are so many pretty details in the sets and costumes that just scream charming. This sumptuous feast for the eyes is definitely going to lift your spirits on rainy day for sure.   

        The cast in this version doesn't seem to have the same togetherness as in the previous; the spotlight is all on Gwyneth. She is undisputedly a talented actress, and the director takes full advantage, however with all the focus on Emma, the supporting characters do suffer.  They just can't keep up with her. Gwyneth herself is a perfectly snobby, and refined Emma, but lacks warmth and spirit. 

           Jeremy Northam is an oh my gosh, hot Mr Knightly! He is a dish! I just wish he was in more scenes than he was!

         I should also mention Toni Collette as Harriet Smith and and Phyllida Law as Miss Bates. These two are hilarious  and give brilliant performances! All and all this edition of Emma is nothing remarkable but it definitely a good time.

         You have to love Andrew Davies because he truly does amazing work. He and Austen novels were made for each other. This adaptation which also came out in 1996 stars Kate Beckinsale and Mark Strong. It may not be much to look at as far as cinematography, but the script is iron tight and the acting is spot on. Kate is amazing as Emma. She is the picture of the blue-blooded heiress, but is still the mischievous girl with a lot to learn. Harriet Smith played by Samantha Morton is the perfect shy and insecure friend of Miss Woodhouse and Frank Churchill is every bit the cad. I especially loved Emma's hilarious day dream sequences in this version, it's fun to get into the ridiculous parts of Emma's mind.

        Now what didn't work? Well for a start Mrs Elton was sporting a mysterious American accent and  I was completely distracted during her scenes, and probably more annoyed than I needed to be with her character. 

The other issue I had with this version (and now this is the big one) was Mark Strong's performance as Mr Knightly. This was a total deal breaker for me. One might think he was trying to be Mr Darcy rather than Mr Knightly. He is far too cold, severe and aloof and is definitely NOT the Mr Knightly I fell in love with. Join that with the fact that Kate Beckinsale, despite her attempts, cannot conjure up chemistry between them, and you have story that fails at romance, but ticks all the right boxes in other areas. So sad!

I think you can probably guess by now that my favourite of these versions has got to be the 2009 Emma!!

          This version is very near perfection (the issues I have with it would just sound like petty nit-pickery). This version was nominated for 3 Emmys (it won an Emmy for Outstanding Hairstyling; who would have thought it!) and 2 Golden Globes nominations, and it's not hard to understand why. This  truly adapted it best!

Home

          You might remember me posting about Gabrielle Aplin before. Today she officially releases Home; her new EP on iTunes. This girl's songwriting just keeps getting better and better. I can't wait until the day she releases a full length album because five songs are just not enough. I was so sad to hear that she'll be giving a concert in Dublin while I'm away at school. I just love her new video for the title track. The song Home is incredibly insightful and surprisingly relatable.

PS: You can turn off my playlist below to listen to the video.