18 February, 2016

Tagged Times Three

Firstly, a big thank you to Esther, Abbiee, and Lydia for tagging me! You guys make me feel so blessed. Actually every single person who even notices this place blesses me so much. Each comment, and follow, and kind word, like throws me into a mental spin of ‘Woooooow!’, ‘I can’t believe it!,’ ‘I’m so blessed,’ ‘Praise God!’ So yeah; know that you are thought about and appreciated, and used of God. :)

Anyway, moving on to the tags… I’m going to combine them, so firstly Abbiee and Lydia’s questions:

Best childhood memory? Hearing my father say ‘I love you.’ And I remember staying over at my grandparents place with my siblings. At night, I would go to the bookshelf, grab a few books, go sit on my Grandad’s knee and read them to him as we sat in front of the fire. I got to be too big to sit on his knee (as Grandad would say, ‘I sure grew-some’), but we still have chats about books, poems and stories. Maybe that’s where I got my enjoyment of quality literature and history from. 

What is your opinion of Tumblr? Well, to be honest, I’ve barely explored Tumblr, so I don’t really have an opinion. Am I missing out on something or not?

Current favourite song? ‘Go Light your World.' The lyrics inspire me to be bold about what I believe, and dare to share. I’ve been reading lately about the responsibility that rests on us. The golden rule - 'whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them' - goes the other way too: if we were lost without hope, wouldn't we want someone to share God's love with us? So that's what's been on my mind; if we believe we have life and soul saving information, we have a responsibility to share it.

What is the thing, that when you do it, you feel ALIVE? Canvassing. There’s nothing like working for God, and doing what you know you’re meant to do.

Are GIFs life or annoying? To me, they’re annoying. No offense to all those who deem them a necessity.

Do you stare at them forever just to read lips with the caption? Yes.

Was that last question confusing? No, I knew exactly what you meant. I just thought I was the only who did that.

Dream job? Well, I’ve had fantasies of opening up a bookshop/cafĂ©, and I even have it all planned, and named, and I've even thought up a small way to start without going straight into a shopfront. But I don’t think I want to do it enough to make it happen.

Who is your greatest spiritual influence? My family. I don’t follow anyone particularly, or look up to one person. My mum, siblings and friends all influence, and encourage me, but I like to think things out and discover things for myself. I guess not having consistent fellowship over the years has made me a fairly independent thinker, and, hopefully, more dependent on God.

If you had access to a time machine, where would you go? Wow. Maybe it would be good to just zoom through all of history – from the beginning right up until now. But I’m reading through Acts at the moment, and I have to say, I would’ve liked to have been there when like three thousand people believed all at once.

What is your biggest hobby? Well, if you call music a hobby, that’s the one I’m spending most time on at the moment. Next in line comes reading, writing, emailing, and sending letters, other creative stuff, and cooking. Oh, and taking photos. I have too many hobbies. 

Who is your biggest inspiration? Um, I honestly can’t think of anybody particularly. Pretty much everyone I know inspires me though, just in different ways, to do different things (including not to do the things they do). Does that count for an answer?

What is your favourite piece of music? Oh, this is hard. I like rich, beautifully haunting music, especially played by cello… Stuff like ‘Theme’ from Schindler’s List, ‘The Swan’, and Jewish melodies. I wish I could find more of it.

What is something you wish you knew more about? Human behaviour, and what makes people think and do the things they think and do, and how the brain works, and all those fascinating things. And then how to help people using that knowledge; I see so many hurting people, and I just want to help them, but I don’t know how to. 

What is your favourite quote? I’m hoping that means current favourite, because I’m constantly getting new favourites. So: Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire. I have this stuck on my pinboard, and it stands out to me every time I glance that way, and makes me ask myself, ‘What is it that sets me on fire?’, and ‘What’s stopping me from doing it?’ 

What is something you look forward to doing each day? Eating, if we’re going to be honest, and really just thinking, processing, mining for those ‘wow, that’s truth’ statements in whatever I’m reading, seeing, or thinking about. 

What is your favourite way to get exercise? An early morning walk spent talking with God. And canvassing as well, because you’re focused on more exciting things, but you actually get a lot of exercise.

Describe yourself in three sentences. I’m a student. I’m still figuring stuff out, messing stuff up, making silly mistakes, getting excited with each new find, and hopefully at the end of each day, learning. I’m also super blessed. (Or you want like my bio? I actually have one. Here: Jessica believes everyone has a story worth sharing, and is enthusiastic about helping people. She enjoys making music, pursuing creative ventures, and chasing sunshine. She lives out in the country, with her family and three pet sheep. How lame is that.)

What has been your biggest life achievement so far? I like these questions that make me think, except… yeah, I don’t always have answers. Finishing school is quite something, one of those things I never thought would actually happen, but it doesn’t seem like a big life achievement. Maybe one of bigger life achievements, which is still ongoing, is pushing myself outside my comfort zone to be a blessing to others. It’s been worth it, every single time. 

What is something you learned recently? That God is still in the business of doing miracles, that no one ever asked if I wanted to grow up, and that time and opportunity wait for no one.

Where is the most interesting place you have ever gone? It depends how you define the word ‘interesting’, but as far as culturally different and interesting it would be Cabramatta. I live out of town, and we shop in a small town with few foreigners, and then we spent a day shopping in a busy, dirty, city suburb where we were some of the only Australians, and everyone was speaking a different language, some of the writing on the shopfronts was in a different language, everything was crowded, and most shops were smoky from burning incense. But, the shop owners were friendly, everyone was probably a trifle more real, and the ladies were well dressed. It was interesting.

And now, Esther and Lydia both tagged me to share some facts about myself, but I feel like I’ve already talked enough about myself, so I shall break the rules, and share eleven facts regarding you:

God’s love for you is everlasting. (Jeremiah 31:3)
His kindness and peace for you will last even after the mountains depart, and hills are removed. (Isaiah 54:10)
Nothing – not tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, sword, life, death, angels, principalities, powers, or things happening - can separate you from God’s love. (Romans 8:35-39)
God set plans in place to save us all, even when we don’t deserve it. (Romans 5:8)
God is preparing for you, something you could never even imagine. (1 Corinthians 2:9)
He gave everything up just for you – to give you an amazing, everlasting future. (John 3:16)
He has plans for your future – plans of hope and peace. (Jeremiah 29:11)
God calls you His child. (1 John 3:1)
He’s there to comfort you. (Psalm 71:21)
He’s able to do for you more than you could ever ask or think. (Ephesians 3:20)
He says you’re precious. (Isaiah 43:4)
God will be with you always. (Matthew 28:20)

I shall tag  Niv, Katie Grace, Vanessa, Bailey, Joy, Erudessa, Sarah, Janie, and, Esther, Abbiee and Lydia. Here are the questions:

Which sense, (smell, tough, taste, etc) do you value the most?
What are three things you’ve learned recently?
What book (aside from the Bible) has majorly impacted your life?
Which is your favourite Psalm?
Are you more the cook or the eater in your home? (Tell me if you’ve heard this question before. :D)
How do you pick yourself up if you’re having a not-so-good, down, or slow day?
What is your favourite time of the day?
What are four of your current ‘happy’ things (songs, pictures, products, etc)?
What is something that is outside your comfort zone, but you want to do it?
What are a few of your (current) favourite words?
Try this recommendation by Ernest Hemingway: "All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence you know."

Wow, this is hugely long. Thanks again to Esther, Abbiee and Lydia for tagging me, and thinking up those excellent questions. And if I didn’t tag you, please, do the tag anyway and let me know; I’d like to hear your answers! :)

What are your answers to the questions I was asked – your favourite childhood memory, something you wish you knew more about, your favourite song or quote, something that makes you feel alive? Does it awe you, everything God offers, and wants to do for us? How’s your week going so far?

16 comments:

  1. What fun to read Jessica! And what a lot of questions you had to answer! There were so many I don't even know where to begin commenting on them. :D
    I'm going to have to look up some of the music that you mentioned. I bet it's lovely!
    I think we could be friends if we didn't live, you know, on opposite sides of the world--your hobbies are very similar to mine. Except for the cooking. I do a lot of it but I don't ENJOY it. ;)
    Oh, and I have wanted to open a bookstore/tea shop for several years now. I wanted to call it "Novel-Tea" but sadly there are already a few places with that name here in the US so I guess maybe I won't follow that dream after all.

    Also, thanks for the tag back! But since I just did this tag do you mind if I just answer your questions here in the comments?

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    1. Thanks Lydia! (I always look forward to your comments. :) Yes, there were a lot of questions, and I was hoping it wouldn't be too overwhelming to read through. :)

      It gets annoying - this opposite-sides-of-the-world thing, doesn't it?! It'd be great to be able to meet you sometime - maybe we'll have to wait until heaven! It makes me very grateful for the internet though. :)

      Oh, 'Novel-Tea' is so appropriate! I think my name may have already been used as well, but anyway. I'm definitely not seriously considering making it happen at the moment!

      You can do the tag however you like - in the comments, or sometime later on your blog, or whatever! I don't mind if you choose not to do it either, although I'm pretty curious as to what your answers are! :)

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  2. So fun and interesting- I love hearing about the people behind the posts. Thanks for sharing Jessica!
    -Elissa // letters-to-jayna.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you for reading and commenting, Elissa! I always enjoy finding out more about the people behind blogs too. (So, I'm definitely going to skip over to your blog, as soon as I can!) :)

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  3. UGH MY COMPUTER ATE MY COMMENT. *wails* Anyway, TAGGSSS. love dem tags. ♥ EEEP I'M SUPER EXCITED TO READ YOUR ANSWERS TO MY QUESTIONS. *jumps about* (Also that intro was perfectly beautiful and I just want to give you hugs and scones, kay!??! kay. cool.) THAT CHILDHOOD MEMORY THO. it is so warm and fuzzy and GAH. it is like childhood goals oh my word. eh, you're really not missing out on anything in the Tumblr world -- unless you're secretly a huge part of a secret fandom THEN you might be able to find fellow fangirls on Tumblr. (but it's kind of a slippery slope XD) YAY YOU READ LIPS OF GIFS TOO. i was beginning to think that i was quite alone there haha. BOOKSHOP/CAFE SOUNDS PERFECT oki I would commmmmee. ♥

    "I have this stuck on my pinboard, and it stands out to me every time I glance that way, and makes me ask myself, ‘What is it that sets me on fire?’, and ‘What’s stopping me from doing it?’" < GIRL THIS IS DEEP. YOU ARE DEEP. You are going places, okay? YOU ARE. You're going to do amazing things. I can feel it. YOU HAVE PET SHEEP TOO. omg. that's awesome. and wow, those facts about us -- wow. I'm like tearing up that is beautiful thank you for that my dear ♥ thank youuu.

    Not sure when I'll do a tag again, but I do want to answer your fabulous questions. So I shall do that right here please and thank you. ;)

    1. SIGHT. I don't know what I'd do without my precious eyeballs. XD (although sound is very important to me too.)
    2. That I don't suck at writing, that it's okay if I don't workout like a beast everyday, and that everything is going to be alright.
    3. Love Wins by Rob Bell or The Happy Gospel by Benjamin Dunn. Or both of those actually haha.
    4. UGH THAT'S A HARD ONE. 22, 23, 91, 139. (I accidentally put those in the right order HAA)
    5. definitely the cook.
    6. early morning. because nothing is pulling on my clothes and demanding my attention. yet. xD
    7. Pinterest, new brush font, Twenty One Pilots, and my Billabong hoodie.
    8. TOUR THE WORLD.
    9. Slow. Transendant. Spectacular. Warm. Soft. Story.
    10. You are going to be okay.

    THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THIS. you're brilliant. ♥
    love,
    abbiee

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    1. Oh, I'm sympathizing with you: it's so annoying when computers do that. (And it always happens when I write an especially long, or thought-out, comment. :P )

      Yes, we have pet sheep. :) They make really good pets, and they all have such strong personalities! It's funny, and entertaining.

      It's great to read your answers to the questions; thanks so much for doing it. :) Those books you mentioned: I'm definitely going to look them up (they sound good and interesting), despite the fact that if I add any more books to my to-be-read pile, it will fall over. I'm looking forward to checking out those Psalms too - there's so much in the Psalms. You are the cook too! You should blog about your cooking adventures sometime. And 'transcendent' - I like that word; I'll have to add it to my vocabulary.

      Thanks for your wonderfully long comment, Abbiee, and the scones, and kind words. And, if that bookshop/cafe does ever become reality, I'll be sure to send you an invitation to take up your word. :)

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  4. These are such good questions and answers!
    The Swan is one of my favorite songs too! I find a lot of John Barry's songs have that haunting feel, especially Somewhere in Time and Hanover Street. What instrument do you play, if you don't mind my asking?
    And I'm glad I'm not the only one who looks forward to eating! I mean, we have to eat every single day, and I'm just so happy it can be such a wonderful experience.
    That's sooo neat that you have sheep! When I was little I really wanted to have sheep :)
    I like the two quotes you have here! I love quotes, so I always have new favorites, but one that comes to mind is this one by Walt Whitman - “Happiness, not in another place but this place...not for another hour, but this hour.”
    This was such a neat post to scroll through, Jessica! :)

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    1. Thanks Mary! I'll look up those songs you suggested; I need to find more of that kind of music! I play/am learning violin and piano. Do you play an instrument?

      Haha, yes: eating. It's making me hungry just thinking about food...

      Sheep are seriously one of the best pets, they're just cheeky and lovable. You should revive your childhood desire. :)

      I like that quote you mentioned - it's so true. Happiness is a state of mind.

      Thanks so much for leaving a comment, and brightening my day; I'm glad you got something out of this post too. xx :)

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    2. Both violin and piano! Wow! Do you like one more than the other?

      I play the harp, and I love it :) Especially, similar to what you said, the rich, cascading type of songs. Although I've played ragtime too, and that was fun! :)

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    3. You know, I don't really have a preference, because they're so different. (I only wish I could play them at the same time, so I could accompany myself!) I've been playing violin for way longer than piano, so I play more of those rich, expressive pieces with it, but then piano is more relaxing, and it's still kind of new and exciting to me.

      Wow, you play the harp! It looks like it would be a hard instrument to play. It sounds nice though, the few times I've heard it. I was part of a small group playing for a wedding recently, and there was a harp, and it added so much to the music, especially to the climaxes!

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  5. These are great questions and answers! I'll have to find the music you mentioned, it sounds amazing. And I love that quote! Be fearless in pursuit of what sets your soul on fire. That is awesome. That is very awesome.

    Thanks for visiting The Endless Oceans of my Mind!

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    1. Thank-you! Yes, that quote gets me every time I read it; glad you liked it too. :) And it was my pleasure to visit your blog! :)

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  6. Hey, I responded to your tag. http://theblogofjanie.blogspot.com/2016/02/apples-of-gold-blogging-tag.html Thanks for tagging me. I really liked the questions.

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    1. Wow, thank you for answering it - I'm keen to go and read your answers now! :)

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  7. Gifs are SO ANNOYING. I love what you said about people inspiring you, I wholeheartedly agree (same goes with the eating). Also, I LOVE the song Go Light Your World! It's timeless. Jessica, I just wish we could go out for coffee or something (internet/distance problems!), because you inspire me so much and I so much enjoy soaking up your words. Have a wonderful Tuesday! =)

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    1. Oh, I'm relieved to hear someone else is not fussed by gifs. And, you know the song 'Go Light Your World' too!

      I know, this distance is a real problem, because it would be great to meet you! If I do open a bookstore/cafe one day, I'll have to host a live blogger reunion, or something...

      Thanks for your encouraging comment, Anne Marie - you inspire me a lot too. :)

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When you comment:

1. My day will be brighter, my face smiling, and my heart blessed.

2. I’m likely to immediately go and explore your blog (if you have one) to find out more of your amazingness, and return the blessing.

3. I will then attempt to craft a response to you that will somehow fail to convey how much I truly appreciate your thoughtfulness and kindness. I’m grateful for every word of encouragement you give, and don’t be afraid to share some constructive criticism also; there’s always more to learn. In short: thank-you! :)