Wait for the Sun- a Tribute to Haiti

Weeks ago, the small island of Haiti was hit with a disaster that shook the world...a 9.1 earthquake, centered at Port-au-Prince, the nation's capital. In a single day buildings crumbled, the national palace, and, in the words of the first lady, Port-au-Prince was "...completely destroyed."

More devastating than the loss of the city, however, was the loss of life. Conscious and unconscious, living, breathing people are trapped beneath the rubble. Amputations of trapped limbs is becoming a common practice. 200,000 people are suspected dead, thousands are wounded, and with the collapse of a hospital? The Haitians are in need of much medical help.

Thankfully, the world rose to their rescue.From all over the world, doctors are flying into the country with medical supplies, orphan children received expedited passports to come to the United States and either meet their families or be put in foster care, and even ordinary people leapt at any chance they got to raid their medicine cabinets for anything they didn't use and/or donate money.

And yet, because of her previous financial afflictions, Haiti will take a long time to rehabilitate. We must remember to always keep the Haitians in prayer, that God would protect them and be with them, and shine brightly in the midst in their darkness.

It was with this mindset that I wrote Wait for the Sun, which emphasizes our need to hold out for the better times ahead during hard times, and the assurance that God will be there for us. Enjoy!

When the earth shakes,
And your whole world breaks,
Will you be crushed by the insanity?

When the bright day ends,
And the darkness begins,
Will you surrender to reality?

Well, don't give in,
At least not now.

There's a day ahead,
Without any clouds.

Chorus

Just wait for the sun,
For it will shine,
Upon the earth anew.

And it will smile,
With the sweet sign,
That God has not forgotten you.

So hold on now,
Though the day is done,

Hold on now,
And wait for the sun.

When the four walls,
You're livin in,
Slowly give way,
Will you cave on in?

When the way's unclear,
Will you live in fear?
Or will you take your life,
In stride?

Chorus

When you can't see,
Your destiny,
Will faith be your only guide?

Or in your despair,
Will you not see it there?
In the darkness will you hide?

Chorus

'Cause this day ain't done,
Wait for the sun.

A Song that I Wrote

Hey, guys! So I feel I need to do a little explaining on this one because it is kinda different than my usual songs. I wrote it completely without a story to back it up, but it's about a girl who just broke up with her boyfriend but can't seem to get him quite out of her mind. So please don't think that when I say the term "haunting" that I mean actual ghosts and spirits...more of an image as to how she's feeling.

In this song, I wanted to capture a bit of the feeling of Daughtry's Ghost of Me twisted nicely with the echoing, poppish break-up sounds of Kelly Clarkson's Already Gone. I love both of those songs immensely, so I was a little skeptical in attempting to make my own. By the grace of God, I got through it, however.

Well, here is my latest song, "Haunting Me Tonight". Enjoy!

When we said goodbye,
Didn't think I'd try,
To get you back one last time.

I tried to find,
Some peace of mind,
To spare me from my memories.

Chorus

So why does your stare,
Still haunt me,
With the way you looked in my eyes?

I can feel you there,
Beside me.
Why is thin air your one disguise?

Baby, you're haunting me tonight.

I look around,
And all I see,
Is the shadow of your memory.

You're in my heart,
And in my head,
Like you're just another part of me.

Chorus

I must be insane,
For calling your name,
And tryin' to ressurect the past.

I don't know what to do,
Can't live without you.
I'm trying to let this feeling pass.

Chorus

Giving Thanks to God

We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks, for Your Name is near; men tell of Your wonderful deeds. Psalm 75:1

Let's not deceive ourselves, we have a lot we can be unthankful for. The market crashed last year, many of us don't have jobs, money is precious, our families and freedoms are threatened by belligerent Islamic radicals who would rather see us dead than the world at peace,friends and loved ones dying, uncertainty as the government tries to "ameliorate" our situation with a much-debated healthcare plan...the list goes on and on. But God never meant for us to fixate ourselves in what we don't have. Rather, we were made to honor and glorify Him with everything we DO have, even if it's very, very little.

Despite the good intentions of our well-meaning citizens, I am certain that God must chuckle at our inconsistency during the holiday of Thanksgiving. To demonstrate what I mean, take the example of the average American family. Bobby and Josephine sit down to enjoy an elaborate dinner with their two children, Billy and Suzie. After a quick prayer that usually mentions the things they forget to be thankful for save for once a year, they proceed to make their way around the table as each individual verbalizes that for which he or she is most thankful. Following these traditional ceremonies, they indulge in the vast feast set before them, filling their already contented stomachs with yet more food, commenting on the dishes, and topping it all off with a generous slice of pie. Oh, and come midnight? Josephine and Suzie will forget that just a few hours before they had all they ever wanted and hit up the mall for some earlybird deals, which, of course, is furnished by the money God has put in their pockets. Thanksgiving has now become Thanksglutton.

Tell yourself no falsehood...we often fall short of the grateful, contented human beings God made us to be. Just as it is our nature to resist God in every aspect, it is our nature to constantly want more. This nature is also boistered by modern American Materialism, which has effected every United States citizen in some way. It is only through Jesus Christ that we can be truly content. We must learn throw our full selves upon the cross, and surrender our lives to Him. Only then will He be enough for us, and the things that He gives will be all we need to do His will.

It's not that I'm determined to forever oppose and antagonize the aforementioned indulgences of Thanksgiving. I realize that most are just trying to have a good time with friends and family. The harmless fun that occurs should not be shunned, and indeed if I were condemning such activities, I should be sorely guilty. But I also believe there is a point to be made here; a very fine but very important line that must be recognized. The joys of any time of year, or even any day, should never overshadow our priority to praise and give thanks to our Creator. Much has changed since the pilgrims bent their knees in thanksgiving, but that doesn't mean that our sentiments have to. The Creator we were born to glorify, and we can do this by reminding ourselves, day-after-day, of everything He's given us.

As a little tributary to God, I would like to include the things I'm thankful for:

1. God's love, mercy and salvation, without which we would have no hope.

2. My loving parents who have cared for me and loved me since my very first breath.

3. My three wonderful siblings for the laughs and good times.

4. My three best friends, Katie, Ellen, and Bekah for accepting me and loving me just the way I am.

5. My new friends at Harvest Fellowship church.

6. The opportunities I have been given.

7. A house, our safety, that I was born in America where I am free to worship God, free to be homeschooled, free to have opinions (and free to have a blog on which to post those opinions!).

8. That English has a Bible printed in its language!

9. My gifts and talents.

10. All of my earthly possessions.


Now, I challenge you to write down today at least ten things that you thank God for, even if it's just little things, and be sure to let Him know how truly privileged you see yourself as for being blessed with these things. Keep it where you know you'll see it, and every time you think of something you wish you had, remember your list and everything God has given you.

May God be with you this holiday season!

Day 18, June 23rd, 2009

*

My alarm went off bright and early this morning (5:30, to be exact) to awaken me from the realms of slumbering night into those of dawning day. It being already in my hand, I pushed its little button and arose. Packing and preparing myself for the day, I managed to get everything ready before seven, when Arvid had demanded we be down at the church for breakfast.

We ate a hasty meal, went into the kitchen to thank our cooks and their helpers, and then went out in front for group photos. This was it. The time was approaching....

I embraced Ester, her arms about me as well. We hugged for a few moments, both very well knowing what this meant. Finally, I let go of her, farewelled a few more people, then took my place with those who had finished their good-byes.

As we were turning to go to the gate, we spotted Ester. Her eyes were red and swollen, and she swiped at them hastily as she hurried to her next task. I felt so incredibly sorry to be leaving her, but did I have a choice?Her place is here, with her people, and mine, for now, is with my people. It saddens me that I shall most likely never see her again on this earth, but we can rest assured that our loving Father is One and the Same, and that He has a perfect plan for our lives. And, in the end, we shall be gathered to Himself, and there see each other.

I would also like to pray a blessing over the children of Guatemala. Such sweet, innocent little things they are. I pray that God would bless them abundantly, put His guardian angels over them, bind the devil, and prosper their lives. I also would lie to bring forth in prayer the falsities of ancestor worship. God, please make these people realize the Truth of Your Word minus the extras they add to it! Oh, and the witch whose house we passed on the road, help her to find you.

That being said, I shall proceed with the events of the day. After breakfast, Hannah and I walked to the tortilla factor, but there was really nothing of interest there, so we went back to the hotel to get a few last minute things ready. The vans were here at 8:05, and got us all safely to Huehuetenango, thanks to God. We checked in the hotel quickly, then made our way to the Zaculeu ruins- which are remnanats of the ancient Maya! Upon rich, green grass rose temples, a ball court, quarters for priests, and the like. We were shown what is thoguth to be the bowl where they placed the hearts of their human victims, walked up the very steps the victims did...and lived to come down. We also saw the museum and did some shopping where I got a notebook for myself and a bookbag for my mom.

At 4:30, we gathered downstairs in the hotel and made our way to the dining room, where we met Jeff and Marille Nelson. They shared a bit about what they do- mostly train people to share the faith with others here in Guatemala. Some are trained as storytellers to go around telling Bible stories and then eliciting from their audience a few questions that probe into the story. Others are trained as pastors, etc.

We ate a long inner with them and then decided to have a pool party. More like a fool party- the water was too cold and everything much too miserable make us want to remain longer than thirty minutes.

Thanks be to God- they have internet here! That meansFacebook! I posted two status updates!

In Christ,

Brittany Goodrich

*I'm having a hard time capturing these, but in case you're wondering, the reason I took a pciture of just the sky was because it was right over where the Mayans were thought to have placed the hearts of their human sacrifices (which is pictured above it). We weren't sure where exactly the sacrifices actually took place, but I wanted a picture of the sky because it is the last thing many of my fellow human beings saw.

You are Great, My God

So, this one I wrote just because...well, why not? Today is just as good as any day
to praise the Lord! And indeed, this all His work. Definitely not mine because, usually, songwriting doesn't come this easy to me. But, in our weaknesses, God is strong, and today He must have wanted me to write Him a song, so He gave me the words. It's as simple as that, guys. If God wants us to do something we know we fall short on, He will guide our words and actions so that He will be glorified and we will succeed.

This number is very slow- almost like a hymn. The ideas presented are simple...and yet I hope they embrace the broadness of our God's glory. I also believe that, as Christians, simple awe as the point at which we should always be, for God requires nothing other of us in worship than to come before Him as we are.

Here is the song:



There’s a calm, sweet surrender,
At the break of day.

Dark skies are torn asunder,
With dawn’s first ray.

And I,
Can only wonder,

Chorus
Why You gave it all,
To me.
Clothed in majesty?

To think Your greatness far succeeds,
Everything the eye can see!

Oh, You are great,
My Lord and God.


There’s a great, brand-new promise,
Upon my every waking hour.

Because Your forgiveness,
Astounds me in its power.

So let me wondering be.

Chorus

And with the twilight of the old day,
Not yet wakened ‘pon the new.

I find another reason,
My wonderings to renew.

Chorus

Oh, You are great,
My God.

Oh, You are great,
My God.

Introspect- My First Nonfiction Work

The public is basically unaware of a potent yet oftentimes missing ingredient in the world of teenage factual literature. This market is strewn with would-be bestsellers written by adults who get what it's like because they've "been there". While doubtlessly any person who has grown and matured past the age twenty can truthfully say they have been through the teenage years, it does not exempt them from the question whether or not they recall it clearly enough to properly present it to the younger generation.

Above, I labeled books by such individuals as would-be bestsellers. Why do I coin this perhaps cliche term in relation to the inadequacy of their comprehension of the true subject matter? The answer is simple. It's that teens will be able to tell whether or notthe author understands what they are writing upon the same level as they do themselves. Frustrated, then, the reader is more apt to discard the book with disgust than apply the virtues to his or her life. After all, teens aren't generally expected to obey adults in the ordinary world, so why should they be expected to do so in respect with their reading?

The need for teenage authors is evident, and upon that basis I begin my first work of nonfiction, Introspect: a Look at the Inner You and Who You Were Made to Be. Introspect will be a Godly, Christian view on the inner qualities of a God-honoring, successful teen. I plan on writing it for a an audience ages 13-19, the majority of which will be Christians, but it will not be exclusive to non-Christians. It will work through issues such as confidence, inner beauty (and, for guys, the superiority of inner beauty over outer beauty), being right with God, purity,what God really says about the teenage years, diligence and hard work, the pursuit of dreams, etc.

I am extremely excited to embark on this newfound adventure God is laying before me. Being a teen myself, I have lots of questions that I often mull over in my room. Through the reading of my Bible, other books, and my own reflections on life, I have developed what I trust are considerably sound answers. With God guiding my hands, I hope to present these questions along with their answers to my peers, who, perhaps for the first time, are experiencing the same things I am.

Star Spangled

Eight years ago today, one of the most barbarous atrocities commited upon American soil shattered our world. It left us grieving, bereft of the citizens we will never regain. Some of us lost loved ones- others showed a universal love by shouldering the weight of each other's sorrow. For the weeks, months, and years to come, we recalled the first blood shed from those front-line soldier- the unmerited warriors of freedom- who were not so by choice, but rather just everyday people who happened to be there. It could've been you, and it could've been me.

But it wasn't. God allows nothing to occur by accident. Even the devil has to ask His permission before setting out on his missions. We might never know why so many had to die that day, but we do know this: that God opted to let us live for a reason. With every passing second we linger upon this earth, we may rest assured that He has laid a path before us; we are not finished here yet, and He won't take us to be with Him until we are. Please, keep that in mind as you pray for the victims of 9/11 today. Pray also for yourself, that God will show you His will in your life, for, just as those innocent people arose that dark morning with no premonition of their fate, so we as well, have no idea whether or not this our last day, hour, or even breath.

The cataclysmic events of 9/11/01 catalyzed a comparatively dark lapse of time as compared to the last few decades. Within a day, President George W. Bush officially declared to the world what had been crying out of our hearts- war. And here we are today, still sitting the ruins of a war that has proved catastrophic indeed.

Since 9/11, many have argued hotly against the battles occuring overseas, saying it was too much of a loss. Others still fervently defend it, because, even though they agree upon its monstrous severity, they deem it necessary that terrorism is confined.

Whichever side you happen to take, however, I think I can rightfully say that we all look upon 9/11 as a day that should've never happened. We all feel various degrees of sadness, pity...and, yes, a tinge of patriotism and perhaps even wounded pride. In commemoration of that bitter day, I made an album that I think sums up ever Christian's view on the past eight years of our history. The song selections begin with a reminiscience upon the above stated events, and move through melodies which dramatize sorrow that has stung so many. And, finally, through it all, we pick our tattered flag, set our eyes to heaven, and, knowing everything's in God's hands, loudly proclaim, "In God We Still Trust."

Where Were You (Alan Jackson)

If You're Reading This (Tim McGraw)

Just a Dream (Carrie Underwood)

In God We Still Trust (Diamond Rio)

I have named the album Star Spangled.