Hello Everyone,
Thank you all for the sweet messages and comments you've sent us since we landed in the U.S. Some things have been difficult or us, but we've had a lot of support and encouragement from many people and that has really helped. Thanks, you guys! I know for myself that I've pretty nearly got over the culture shock by now. There are still lots of weird things about America that I haven't quite got adjusted to yet, but lots of the differences in this country are positive. Did you know that America has some of the cheapest gas in the WORLD? We pay about seven or eight dollars a gallon over in Turkey. And it's not just gas that's cheap over here - practically everything is cheaper! And, of course, Americans have also been blessed with the best standard of living in the world. Yesterday I was thinking about this and realized that most Americans don't even realize how much they have and how little so many other people in so many other countries have. We take so much for granted, guys! In these first weeks of being here, I have decided one thing for certain - Americans have absolutely nothing material to complain about.
Yes, there are horrible things going on in our country - just a ten-minute conversation with a highschooler attending a public highschool reminded me of that- but, at the same time, right now in the U.S, if you make the right desicions, and work hard, you CAN succeed. If you are willing to study, you CAN go to college. If you are willing to work, you CAN get a job. If you are willing to save, you CAN buy a home. This doesn't apply in many parts of the world. Let's not forget how blessed we are!
That said, I must admit that I still miss Turkey and, given the chance, I'd jump on a plane and fly right back:)
Seize The Day!
-StrongJoy
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visitors since July 2007
"Up through an empty house of stars, Being what heart you are, Up the inhuman steeps of space, As on a staircase go in grace, Carrying the firelight on your face, Beyond the loneliest star." G.K. Chesterton
About Me
- StrongJoy
- I have been saved by grace and blessed beyond compare. All things are mine since I am His. How can I keep from singing?
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- Art (6)
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- Book Notes (10)
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- Great Poetry (11)
- Heroes (4)
- My Poetry (11)
- Reminders (9)
- Smile A Little... (16)
- Song Lyrics (5)
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My Artwork -- (available for purchase at FineArtAmerica)
Followers
This Week's Quote
"I have committed myself to joy...we must not be afraid to announce it to refugees, slum-dwellers, saddened prisoners, angry prophets. Now and then we must even announce it to ourselves. In this prison of now, in this cynical and sophisticated age, SOMEONE MUST BELIEVE IN JOY." -Richard Rohr
Poetry
THE GREAT MINIMUM by G.K. Chesterton
It is something to have wept as we have wept,
It is something to have done as we have done,
It is something to have watched when all men slept,
And seen the stars which never see the sun.
It is something to have smelt the mystic rose,
Although it break and leave the thorny rods,
It is something to have hungered once as those
Must hunger who have ate the bread of gods.
To have seen you and your unforgotten face,
Brave as a blast of trumpets for the fray,
Pure as white lilies in a watery space,
It were something, though you went from me today.
To have known the things that from the weak are furled,
Perilous ancient passions, strange and high;
It is something to be wiser than the world,
It is something to be older than the sky.
In a time of sceptic moths and cynic rusts,
And fattened lives that of their sweetness tire
In a world of flying loves and fading lusts,
It is something to be sure of a desire.
Lo, blessed are our ears for they have heard;
Yea, blessed are our eyes for they have seen:
Let the thunder break on man and beast and bird
And the lightning. It is something to have been.
It is something to have wept as we have wept,
It is something to have done as we have done,
It is something to have watched when all men slept,
And seen the stars which never see the sun.
It is something to have smelt the mystic rose,
Although it break and leave the thorny rods,
It is something to have hungered once as those
Must hunger who have ate the bread of gods.
To have seen you and your unforgotten face,
Brave as a blast of trumpets for the fray,
Pure as white lilies in a watery space,
It were something, though you went from me today.
To have known the things that from the weak are furled,
Perilous ancient passions, strange and high;
It is something to be wiser than the world,
It is something to be older than the sky.
In a time of sceptic moths and cynic rusts,
And fattened lives that of their sweetness tire
In a world of flying loves and fading lusts,
It is something to be sure of a desire.
Lo, blessed are our ears for they have heard;
Yea, blessed are our eyes for they have seen:
Let the thunder break on man and beast and bird
And the lightning. It is something to have been.
Good Books and Movies I Have Written About
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For The Babies
Do Hard Things
5 comments:
I'm glad that you're surviving America. :) It does have a lot of great things which it is (unfortunately) extremely easy to take for granted.
Warning on Hitchhiker's Guide: It has a lot of great, and very quotable parts, but it also has a lot of extremely questionable material, as well as having been written by an atheist. Other than that... well... yes.
And we haven't watched National Treasure yet. Maybe we'll have to do that... quotable movies are always in high demand here!
You are right StrongJoy, we Americans do have more than we realize. That is the problem with our "great" nation.
I know you must miss Turkey. I am sad for you, dear friend. GI know God has a purpose for you here, at least for now. : )
Love you lots!
Miss Jocelyn
Strongjoy,
I had a lot of fun with ya'll on Thursday. I hope we can get together again soon!!!
~Faith B
Ps: The floor guys did come after all!!!(They're here right now putting in tile)
OUCH! I think your comment about "most Americans" is a harsh and unfair generalization. Our standard of living didn't "just happen" and it exists today because of the hard working Americans that DON'T take so much for granted.
Maybe after you have settled into your SIX bedbroom house you will take the time to go meet the other America living the simple Godly life (the real majority that makes me proud to be American).
Like your mom always says- one step at a time...
Kelly (just a 12yo American girl)
Kelly,
I should have probably said "many" Americans, not most. But I don't think you understood the tone of my post. I was praising America AND reminding us to be thankful for this great country. Reminding us not to take our blessings for granted in no way implies that Americans don't live simple Godly lives. And your remarks about our new six bedroom house reveal a critical attitude. Now you are judging someone you don't even know. Did you know that we lived for many years in tiny rental homes with no clean water or enough heat to stay warm? We were sick from worms and had cows and chickens living in our basement? I haven't even begun to tell you what living conditions we have experienced or the persecution we faced for being followers of Christ. The six bedroom house, God graciously gave us for the price of a 3 bedroom home. However, it is filthy inside with much work to be done. We are so grateful for the blessing. I think the Lord would prefer to see you rejoicing with us rather than criticising.
Seize The Day!
-StrongJoy
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