Growing in His Amazing Grace

A Much Needed Post

2011-01-15T18:22:00.000-08:00

Hello my blogger friends! I have to admit, I totally forgot about the blogging world for a few weeks in this past month. It's amazing how life can go from total peace and calm to absolute busyness and craziness. :-) Ahh, it is good to be typing again. Especially to my blogging buddy's! I'm not sure I have a whole lot of interesting stuff to type about. Your probably wondering how I could be gone from posting this long and not have anything of importance to talk about. (Also considering that I'm a girl and we have an unusual and peculiar tendency to talk quite a bit.) This past month has indeed been, to say the least, bizarre. Although it has been bizarre, it hasn't been anything out of the ordinary Christmas season. I planned, shopped, wrapped, cleaned, decorated, baked, undecorated, redecorated, and somewhere in the middle I managed to sleep. :-) Yes, this has been a bizarre yet comfortable and enjoyable Christmas. In fact, I find that I'd rather be busy instead of not doing anything at all. Although I have nothing of importance to talk about at present, I feel that will change in the next few months. A whole new world of possibilities are opening up to my whole family this year. I believe I can safely say that 2011 will be a good year for my family and I. Oh, by the way....Happy Really Belated New Year. :-)

Until next time...

Life of Late

2010-11-20T13:43:00.000-08:00

It's been quite a while since my last post and for that I'm very, very sorry. I don't have a lot of time to post but I'll try to squeeze in what's been going on in my life lately.
Since my last post I've been extremely busy with school and such stuff. Such stuff as in choir, house cleaning, and other anonymous things. Amidst the school, choir, house cleaning, and other anonymous activities my brother had dental surgery and my mom had knee surgery. So as you can imagine my family and I have been pretty busy. :-) (By the way, my brother is up and moving now.)
My mom on the other hand is still down. She had been doing really well after the surgery but unfortunately yesterday afternoon she started having major pain and is still having lots of pain in her knee. If you could keep my mom in your prayers we would really appreciate it.

Until next time...

No, I've Not Forgotten

2010-09-04T11:26:00.000-07:00

What I mean is, I've not forgotten about my blog and all my wonderful followers who have been so patient with me, in the sense that I've not posted since July 27th. That being said I would like to post about what's been going on in my life these past two months.
A few weeks after my last post my family and I headed off to THSC. THSC is a home school conference where Moms and Dads can get curriculum for the upcoming school year, Moms and Dads (as well as teens) can also go to seminars on certain topics, and children can go to an awesome program call CMT (Children's Ministries of Texas), and that is precisely what I did. Well, I didn't attend CMT. Rather, I worked as a teacher for two days. For approximately half of the first day I had eleven kids. For the rest of that day and the following day I had around twenty kids. It was a very fun yet exhausting weekend but I'd do it again in a heart beat.
Here's the miracle about my going to THSC and actually working as a teacher in CMT. About a week before my family and I were going to embark on our THSC journey, I came down with strep throat. So, my Mom took me to the Doc and he gave me a prescription for a brand new strep medicine. Thus, my Mom and I walked out of the doctors office with the confidence that I would be my normal self in a few days. Unfortunately, that was not the case. I had been on the new medicine for about a week and was progressively getting worse and I then had a sinus infection.
So, my Mom and I once again darkened the doors of the doctors office with an excessively bad case of strep and a grim sinus infection. The Doc then gave me med's for strep and sinus infection's that he was sure would work. Fortunately, they did and I was on my feet in a day or two. The big question then was would I participate in CMT or would I drop out. Though I was on my feet again I was still very weak from a two week strep sickness. I seriously considered dropping out quite a few times but something kept nagging at my heart. So, I started praying and asking the Lord to show me what he wanted me to do. All the while I kept feeling a need to participate in CMT despite my still being weak and exhausted. I talked to my parents and they agreed to let me stay in CMT as long as I was feeling up to it. I had my worries but I knew that God, for some reason, wanted me to be there. Thus, a few day's after my strep sickness I was talking to one of the girls that was in my class. She had shared with me that she had never accepted Jesus into her heart and that she was ready to do just that. She then accepted Jesus into her heart for the first time. I am exceedingly glad I was there to pray with her and help lead her to Christ.
I didn't write this to glorify myself but to glorify the One True God. He healed me and gave me the strength to be in CMT and through CMT and myself, He lead that little girl to Him. To God be the glory!

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When we got back from THSC my brother and I started school. This year I'm a freshman, and my brother a senior, in high school. I'm around two weeks into school and am finding it to be very interesting and I must admit fun at some points. By far, my favorite subject is literature and my least favorite is science. I have also started choir and music lessons. I am taking piano and violin lessons. (I'm teaching myself to play the harp) Thus, school goes on. Never ending yet never really starting for is everyday life not full of learning.

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We, my family and I, went to Oklahoma a few weeks ago to visit my sister and brother-in-law. We had an extraordinary weekend. I will save all the details for an up-coming post. (Ah, the suspense of it all :-) )

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September 2nd, I must tell you, was my birthday. Indeed, it was and I am now officially fifteen years of age. On my birthday, my mom took me out to lunch at one of my favorite tea rooms and afterwards we went shopping together. I then went to at&t where I got my very first cell phone which is a blue Pantech Impact. My parents and I then went out to dinner at Cheddar's (which is one of my favorite restaurants). I also received the entire Kingdom Series books written by, what I believe to be, one of the greatest authors ever (Chuck Black). I had a wonderful birthday and I am very thankful to my parents for providing me with such a stupendous day.

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Well my friends that draws my post to a close. I hope to soon post some pictures of the events that have taken place in my life these past few months.

Until next time...

Skirt Week-Last Day

2010-06-27T19:07:00.000-07:00

Hello my friends! Today is the last day of my skirt week series.
Today was Sunday so naturally I got up, got ready for church, went to church, came home, and spent pretty much the rest of the day with my family. (Sorry this is such a short post.)

Skirt Week-Day Six

2010-06-26T16:59:00.000-07:00

Aloha!

Today I got up, got ready for the day, went out to eat with my Mom and Dad (my brother hung out with friends all day), and hung out with my family, etc.etc.

I hope you have a wonderful day! :-)

Skirt Week-Day Five

2010-06-25T22:20:00.000-07:00

Well, yet another day has passed. Everything went well with my Mom's surgery. I don't have a lot of time so let's begin;

Let me see, today I got up, got ready for the day, cleaned, and helped my Mom. It seems that I didn't do much but I spent a lot of time on the things I did do. :-)

Until next time...

Skirt Week-Day Four

2010-06-24T17:05:00.000-07:00

Hello! Today has been a long day. Tomorrow my Mom is kinda having surgery. She's been having a lot of neck pain so the Doc has prescribed shots. Tomorrow she will be getting shots in her neck. What does that have to do with today being a long day, well during the shots the Doc has you on a twilight (no, I don't mean the movie) sleep. When my mom comes home she may still feel a little drowsy and she's supposed to stay down for a few days. Long story short, we have been cleaning the house today so that she won't get up and clean when she's supposed to stay down and rest.
Let's get on to the picture shall we;

Today I got up, got ready for the day, did my devotions, played the harp, read, cleaned, read some more, cleaned some more, helped prepare dinner, worked for my dad (he owns his own business), read, and hung out with my family.

I hope y'all have a wonderful day!

Skirt Week-Day Three

2010-06-23T17:05:00.000-07:00

Hi! I'm very sorry for not posting this yesterday. I was in the middle of posting it when I was called to do family worship. For lack of a better introduction...let's begin;

Well, I must say that today was a rather unproductive day. I got up, got ready for the day, did my devo's, read, played the harp, read, watched a movie (Mansfield Park), cleaned, helped with dinner, did family devo's, and watched a movie with my family (The Last of the Mohicans).

See ya later!

Skirt Week-Day Two

2010-06-22T15:31:00.000-07:00

Hello again! Yes, another wonderful day has flown by, which means it's time for a picture or two and a run-down of my day. So let's begin;

Their is a story to the latter picture. No, I don't live where this pic was taken, rather I live near it. Anyway, my Mom and I had to go to the store. We both knew we needed to take a picture so we decided to do it while out and about. This pic is actually in a store parking lot. The first picture is right in front of an indoor rock-climbing place. :-) (good times...good times)
On to what I've done today. Well, I woke up, got ready for the day, did my devo's, played around on the piano and my harp, finished the Return of the King, went to the store, came home, went to another store, and spent my evening with my family, etc. etc. :-)
Have a blessed day and see ya tomorrow!

Skirt Week

2010-06-21T17:42:00.000-07:00

Ah, it seems like centuries have past by since I posted last and for that I'm very sorry. Since I haven't posted in 'centuries' I will indulge you with a series were I will post every day for a week. Yes, you heard..well..er..I guess read right, every day for an entire week!
Now, onto the series. In the past I have done a skirt week were I wore a skirt every day for seven day's. During these seven day's I would take a picture of myself each day. At the end of the week I would post all the pics. Long story short, I'm going to do a skirt week but instead of waiting to post the pics I'm going to post them the day they are taken. In addition to posting pic(s) I will tell you what I did that day. So, shall we get started...

Day 1 of skirt week. Well let me think, I woke up (obviously), did my devotions, got ready for the day, read, cleaned, watched a movie, went to the store, prepared dinner, did family worship, and then hung out with my family. Yup, that pretty much sums up my day.
I hope y'all have a blessed day and I can't wait to talk to y'all tomorrow! :-)

Sewing Project

2010-05-24T14:16:00.000-07:00

Yes, I've learned how to sew and have discovered that I absolutely love it. Here is one of my sewing projects.
My Mom and I were in Hobby Lobby looking for fabric to make a skirt for Easter Sunday. We found this and thought it would work. Then we found some other purple fabric that we both thought would be even prettier Easter skirts. In the end this fabric was pushed back to a spring skirt instead of an Easter skirt. :-)

The completed product! Of course, I am the person on the left and my Mom is on the right. :-)

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I have to give a big 'thank you' to my wonderful Mom who has spent her time teaching me how to sew. So, thank you so very absolutely much Mom! ;-)

The pattern was Simplicity 4138. If you haven't ever tried sewing, I recommend that you do. It is a lot of fun and you feel so good when you have completed a project.
Until next time...

Choir

2010-05-05T21:45:00.000-07:00

Yes, this is our director in case you were wondering.

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The pictures above are of my homeschool choir group. These aren't pictures from our concert but of a ministry day that we do twice a year. On ministry day we go to a nursing home and a state school. I really enjoy ministry day for two reasons 1) We are proclaiming to all in the room that God is good 2) I love to see the smile on the people's faces when we walk up to them and talk to them! :-) In these pictures we are singing the following songs;

Proclaim the Goodness of the Lord
Know my Heart
Praise His Name
For All that Is

My Life This Past Week

2010-04-12T08:00:00.000-07:00

I know I haven' posted much in the last few months. (Hopefully that will change soon!) In this post I'm going to let you see a little bit of my life at present. Maybe, just maybe it will explain why I haven't been posting much. I'm going to show you my schedule from Arpil 4-10. Let's begin.

Sunday April 4-
As you probably well know April 4 was Easter Sunday. My Mom and I had been working on some skirts that we had one week to sew. Thankfully they were both done by Sunday! :-) I woke up and pulled myself out of bed, did my morning responsibilities, got dressed for church, did some last minute refinements in my room, and left for church. After church we had a family over for fried shrimp. :-) (That's why I did a few refinements in my room!) We had lots of fun and the food was great.

Monday April 5-
Monday is always a hard day for us especially in the Spring. On Monday morning my brother and I go to piano class just a few minutes from our house. So, yet again I yanked myself out of bed, got ready for the day, did my morning responsibilities, and practiced my piano before class. Then my brother and I loaded into the car and drove to class. (My brother has his driver's license now. So cool!) After an hour of piano we came home, ate lunch, and did schoolwork. That's pretty much our average Monday.

Tuesday April 6-
Tuesday was a normal day. Wake up, get your school work done, do your chores, eat three meals when you find the time too :-), hang out with the family in the evening, and go to bed. As I said, it was a normal day.

Wednesday April 7-
Wednesday was a race against time. (Guess who won...if you guessed time you're correct!) I woke up and it seemed like it was going to be our normal Wednesday. The only thing different from most of our Wednesday's was the fact that we had a WoG (Woman Of Grace) meeting at our church that evening. About thirty minutes to an hour after I woke my Mom received an e-mail from a friend asking if I could baby-sit her 22 month old why she went to run some errands. After a ten minute discussion my Mom replied saying that I would love too. To make a long story short I baby-sat at somebody else's house, by myself for the first time! :-) Once I got home a did some school and got ready for our ladies meeting. It was an eventful Wednesday.

Thursday April 8-
Thursday was like Tuesday. If you want to read about what I did on Thursday re-read what I did on Tuesday! :-)

Friday April 9-
As I have mentioned in previous posts I am in a homeschool choir. This choir is held approx. an hour away from our house. My mom scheduled family pictures to be taken of us in the late morning and our choir meeting is in early afternoon. We went to the picture place, :-), and were done in time to gulp down some lunch and head for choir. It was a fun and exhausting day.

Saturday April 10-
Saturday's are our "work on the house day". When we woke up in the morning we were all exhausted from our hectic week. So, we took the day off! It was a much needed rest day. Ahhhhh!

I'm proud to report that I will be baby-sitting the same 22 month old every other week! :-) I'm so excited! If you couldn't already tell! :-) I will post the pictures of the skirts my mom and I wore Easter Sunday as soon as possible.

Books

2010-04-01T15:05:00.000-07:00

I know I've been posting about books quite a lot lately. I promise I'll post about something else soon. :-)

In my last book post I was reading Simple Secrets to a Beautiful Home by Emilie Barnes, The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien, Before You Meet Prince Charming by Sarah Mally, Sir Kendrick by Chuck Black, Love Comes Softly by Janette Oke, A Young Woman's Call to Prayer by Elizabeth George, and Ida Scudder by Janet and Geoff Benge.

Since then I have read The Inheritance by Louisa May Alcott. Now I'm reading;

The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis. I've read all but two of The Chronicles of Narnia books. I hope to finish the Chronicles soon. :-)

I finished Before You Meet Prince Charming and will be starting So Much More by Anna Sofia and Elizabeth Botkin. I've heard that So Much More is really good. I can't wait to start it!

I also finished Ida Scudder and have started Rowland Bingham by Janet and Geoff Benge. I really like biographies and this one sounds very promising! :-)

The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien. I have been reading The Lord of the Rings for a curriculum called Literary Lessons from The Lord of the Rings. It's by far my favorite subject! I am almost done with The Fellowship of the Ring.

A Young Woman's Call to Prayer by Elizabeth George. I read A Young Woman's Walk with God and enjoyed it very much so I could resist reading A Young Woman's Call to Prayer.

Sir Bentley by Chuck Black. My Mom and I finished Sir Kendrick and have started Sir Bentley. We have really enjoyed reading these books together!

Raising Maidens of Virtue by Stacy McDonald. My Mom and I have also been reading this book together. It is very good! :-)

Love Comes Softly

2010-03-14T21:34:00.000-07:00

As the title and the picture to the left may hint this post is about the book Love Comes Softly written by Janette Oke. As I have mentioned in previous posts I was reading Love Comes Softly under close speculation. Reason being I didn't want to be reading romance novels that would awaken love in me before its time. I am pleased to announce that Love Comes Softly is a winner on my book list. I didn't really find it to be much of a romance story. Instead it was more like a biography.
My criteria for books:

~Understandable
~Interesting
~Glorify God
~Clean
~Good plot
~And of course, a happy ending! :-)

Understandable- Love Comes Softly was very understandable but I must say that the characters in the book could use a little refining of their speech. Here is an excerpt from the book.

On the way home Marty got up the nerve to voice a thought that had gradually been taking shape. She was a bit hesitant and hardly knew how to express it.
"Do ya s'pose-I mean, would ya mind iffen we had the Grahams come fer Christmas dinner?"
"All of 'em?" Clark's shock was evident.
" 'Course, all of 'em," Marty rejoined stoutly. "I know there be thirteen of 'em an' three of us; thet makes sixteen. The kitchen table, stretched out like, will hold eight. Thet's the four grown-ups an' the four youngest of the Grahams. Missie'll be in her chair. Thet leaves seven Graham young'uns. We'll fix 'em a place in the sittin' room an' Laura an' Sally Anne can look after 'em."
(Chapter 18, Christmas Preparations)

Like I said, they could use a few English lessons. :-) Janette Oke was a genius though, to write the characters speech the way she did. It really adds to the story.

Interesting- How could Love Comes Softly be interesting? It is excessively interesting! There are fires, deaths, close calls, etc. I really enjoy books that keep my attention, this one did!

Glorify God- Often in Love Comes Softly, Clark prays and relies on God to provide for their needs.

Clean- What do I mean by clean? What I mean is no bad language or inappropriate actions. Love Comes Softly meets this criteria as well. Except for the use of the word, at least I think it's a word, dad-blame.

Good Plot- Love Comes Softly has an outstanding plot. Here is a woman from the East that moves to the West with her husband. When they arrive in the West her husband tragically dies, which leaves her in the middle of nowhere on the verge of winter with out a penny to her name. Then a man who attended her husbands funeral proposes for only a few purposes. 1. So that she will have a roof over her head. 2. So that his little girl will have a 'mama' for a little while. 3. So that she can return to her family in the Spring. I won't go any further for I don't want to give the whole book away should you chose to read it.

A Happy Ending- I won't talk much of this criteria or I would have to give the ending of the book away. In fact, I won't talk about it at all. I wouldn't want to spoil the ending should you chose to read the book.

Unfortunately, the movie is significantly different from the book. All in all, it was a fantastic book. I am now reading Love's Enduring Promise which is book two of the Love Comes Softly Series. I will give a book review on Love's Enduring Promise when I complete it.
I pray you'll have a blessed day and happy reading!

Hello

2010-03-12T18:15:00.001-08:00

Hello strangers! :-) I know I haven't posted in a long time. I don't have time to do an actual post right now but I will (hopefully) post one soon. One reason why I haven't posted in a while is because I've been busy and I've also been sick. Anyway, I will try to post in the next few days! :-)
Oh by the way, I did a poll and I would love it if y'all would vote! Thanks.

Awakening Love Before Its Time

2010-02-20T09:22:00.000-08:00

What does it mean to awaken love before its time? How can I be awakening love? What can I do to stop it? What's so important about it? This post goes along the lines of purity except instead of liking someone you are awakening something. Don't get me wrong, awakening love can eventually lead to liking/loving somebody prematurely. But lets go back to the first question, what does it mean to awaken love before its time? It simply means that you are letting emotions take hold of your heart and life before you should. The world has told us that it's alright to like a guy when you're in kindergarten. Thus, it spirals into a premature love when in your teen years. Okay, on to the next two questions. How can I be awakening love? What can I do to stop it? Awakening love is an easy thing to do. You can awaken love by watching TV, reading a book, talking to friends, listening to music, and so on.
Watching TV can awaken love in the blink of an eye. If you are watching a romance movie or chick flick you can pretty much guarantee that a piece of love will awaken. Reading a book can also awaken love very quickly.
Reading romance novels is very dangerous!! They will build discontentment in your heart over time, and soon you will be asking yourself why you haven't experienced that kind of love, or what's so bad about a little kiss? Be careful! Don't fall into the enemies temptation. Resist discontentment. I am reading Love Comes Softly, but let me assure you that it is under a microscope. :) I have talked with friends and family about Janette Oke books. I have a very good friend that is a few years older than me who has read them. She liked them and said that they didn't bother her in awakening love before its time. BUT, let me warn you as she warned me. Every girl is different, just because they didn't awaken love in her doesn't mean they won't in me, so keep it under close speculation.
Talking to friends and listening to music can also be dangerous. There is a saying that says, choose your friends wisely. That is what you need to do. Don't hang around friends that are always talking about how cute he/she was, or spreading the boy friend/girl friend gossip of the neighborhood around. Music is another powerful tool that Satan can use against us. I really like music, but I need to guard what music I listen to. Love songs can awaken love before you know it. Avoid these types of music! Listen to music that glorifies our Maker! :) Prayer, reading God's word, and reading books that will help you grow spiritually will help you a lot in your fight against awakening love prematurely.
What's so important about it? What this question means is why do I have to keep this love asleep? Well, you are special and precious in God's eyes. He wants you to save yourself for who he has for you! Wouldn't it be awesome to look into your spouses eyes on that special day when you say "I Do" and be able to say with a clear conscious and a clean heart that you saved everything for him/her! :) What an amazing thought!

I Witnessed a Murder

2010-02-16T14:55:00.000-08:00

At around 2:30 this afternoon, in a small southern town, a tragic event took place! As I walked out my door with my dog on her leash I looked to my left to see the tragic incident unfolding. A baby mouse who moments ago had been frolicking in the sun, unaware of the impending danger, was now the victim of a cat wanting to play with a possible afternoon snack! It was a cute innocent mouse minding its own business before my cat, Delilah, spotted it. Of course, I instinctively rushed my dog to the safety of the indoors and turned quickly to get back to the scene. At first, I wanted to help the poor innocent mouse but then I saw it biting at my cat. So, I decided to let nature take its course. The unfortunate mouse was tormented for half an hour before my cat decided to slowly devour it! The horror of it all!!!
I will spare you the horror of seeing the gruesome pictures of this tragedy, but I would like to show you a picture of the murderer so that you might know what the killer cat looks like.

Name: Delilah
Weight: Approx. 9 lb.
Color: Gray with black stripes.
Gender: Female
Eyes: Green
Location: Last seen on the front porch of a house.

Beware of this killer cat! Please keep all possible snacks in safe keeping. You never know were this merciless cat might be lurking!

Okay, this is my cat and this did happen. I might have dramatized it a bit to much but I couldn't resist the temptation! I hope I didn't scare you to much! I just thought it was too good of an opportunity to pass up! ;)

Books Yet Again

2010-02-10T13:37:00.000-08:00

Yes, books again! It seems that I'm always talking about books. If I am posting about books to often, and you are getting sick of reading about this subject on my blog, please let me know and I will try to refrain myself from posting about them! Well, that being said, here are the books that I am currently reading:

Simple Secrets to a Beautiful Home by Emilie Barnes. I have really enjoyed reading this book thus far. I'm reading this book for a program, RUTH, we are doing at our church. Emilie Barnes reveals all of the simple ways you can make your home, and spiritual walk with God, beautiful .

The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien. Right now I am reading The Fellowship of the Ring. I'm reading this book for school through a curriculum called Literary Lessons from The Lord of the Rings. I am enjoying this book so much that words can't describe it!

Before You Meet Prince Charming by Sarah Mally. I am reading this book as an assigned book from my Mom and myself. Sarah Mally writes about saving your heart for the one God is preparing for you! I have really enjoyed this book and I can't wait to read more of her encouraging words of wisdom.

Sir Kendrick by Chuck Black. I have been reading this book aloud to my Mom and we are both enjoying it immensely! We hope to finish it tonight. If we do we will be starting Sir Bentley.

Love Comes Softly by Janette Oke. I am reading this book, since I have finished Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. This book is on trial. Why is it on trial, you may ask? Well, my parents and I don't want to awaken love before its time in me. What I mean by that is that I don't want to read, watch, listen, etc. to things that will make me think about marriage, romance, etc., etc. Not that those things are bad, but they are not what I need to be thinking about at this time in my life. That being said, I will be reading this book and will be carefully observing how I react to it.

A Young Woman's Call to Prayer by Elizabeth George. I am doing this as a devotional, since I finished A Young Woman's Walk with God, and I find it very helpful! I'm not that far into it so I can't give you very much information about it at this time, but I hope to give very good reports about it when I've completed it.

Ida Scudder by Janet and Geoff Benge. I am reading this book, and other biographies, as my Histroy for school. I just finished Loren Cunningham, which was really good! I can't say anything about Ida Scudder yet though, because I haven't started it, but I will be starting it tomorrow!

Those are all the books I'm currently reading. Happy Reading y'all!

A Recipe

2010-02-09T08:48:00.000-08:00

Spaghetti Casserole

Ingredients:
- 1 package (16 ounces) angel hair pasta
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
- 1 jar (26 ounces) spaghetti sauce
- 2 cans (8 ounces each) tomato sauce
- 1 can (10 3/4 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom, undiluted
- 1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream
- 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded Colby-Monterey Jack cheese

Directions:

1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Stir in spaghetti sauce and tomato sauce, Remove from the heat.

2. Drain pasta. Combine soup and sour cream. In two 8 in. square baking dishes (or one 13 x9), layer half of the meat sauce, pasta, soup mixture and cheese. repeat layers.

3. Cover and bake the casserole at 350 degree's F. for 55-65 minutes or until cheese is melted.

4. If you freeze one of the casseroles, thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Bake as directed.
(It can freeze for only 3 months)

I really enjoyed this casserole! It is fun to make and good to eat!

I'm still alive, just very busy! I will try to get an actual post up as soon as I can, but for now I only have time for a delicious recipe, of which I can't have. ( Thanks to my absolutely wonderful food allergies! :-/ ) Anyway, enjoy!

A Young Woman's Walk with God

2010-01-26T15:04:00.000-08:00

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Growing More Like Jesus....what does that phrase bring to the forefront of your mind? When I hear the phrase "Growing More Like Jesus" I think of my walk with Him and how I could improve it. A Young Woman's Walk with God by Elizabeth George has indeed improved my walk with God. Through this book, God has touched my heart and has really started to make me think about my walk with Him, and my role as a young woman. Do my words, actions, beliefs, cloths, attitudes, etc. glorify God?
In this book Elizabeth George goes through the Fruits of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control) and studies Jesus and the fact that He had every one of these qualities in abundance. She also talks about the fact that we, as young christian woman, should also be a shining example of these virtues. Here is an excerpt from the back cover of the book;

"Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are qualities Jesus possessed--and He wants you to have them too! Bestselling author Elizabeth George takes you step by step through the Fruit of the Spirit to help you get the most out of your life. By paying attention to your journey with God, you'll be able to...be positive as you interact with your family and friends, have peace regardless of the pressures of school and relationships, experience joy even when facing difficulties, find the strength to come through on your commitments, and get control over bad habits. As you walk with Jesus your life will be more exciting and fulfilling every day...in every way."

My walk with Jesus has been more exciting and fulfilling every day and in every way since I've gone through A Young Woman's Walk with God. In fact, I went through it with a friend and we corresponded over e-mail about what we had read that week! It was an edifying experience and I very much so enjoyed it!

Books

2010-01-21T16:58:00.000-08:00

Goodness, it seems like ages have passed by since I last wrote! I have been extremely busy with school and activities that I've completely forgotten about my blog(s). There are many things I want to post about but to post about them all at once would require a long post so, I guess I'll just post about what books I'm currently reading.
Simple Secrets to a Beautiful Home by Emilie Barnes. This is, so far, a really good book. It talks about some interesting tips to create a welcoming, peaceful environment in your home.

Loren Cunningham by Janet and Geoff Benge. This book has been very interesting. I don't really know how to explain this book without typing the chapters out! :-)
Before You Meet Prince Charming by Sarah Mally. This book is absolutely amazing! I recommend it to all young ladies!

Sir Kendrick by Chuck Black. I'm reading this book aloud to my mom. We are both really enjoying it!

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. All I have to say about this book is that Jane Austen was a talented author!
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien. I am reading The Fellowship of the Ring and as I explained in the post below this one, I immensely enjoy every word!

Well, I believe that's all the books I'm reading right now!

Literary Lessons from The Lord of the Rings

2010-01-11T18:08:00.000-08:00

Wow, that's a mouth full! :) One of my recently added subjects is Literary Lessons from the Lord of the Rings by Amelia Harper. This is, I believe, a high school course, but since I am fascinated with Tolkien's work my Mom thought it would be great if I just did it along with my brother! She was right. These are my subjects;
~Math
~Spelling
~English
~Science
~Music
~Reading
~Literary Lessons from The Lord of the Rings
~History

Out of all the above listed subjects, Literary Lessons from The Lord of the Rings is my absolute favorite!
It is my most time consuming subject and with the exception of Math, my hardest. (My hardest because of the time consumption) This is my third day doing it and I've enjoyed every moment! Tolkien's work is literally enthralling! When I'm reading his books, my mind is no longer in this world. I sit amazed at his excellence in writing! I can finish a whole chapter and feel like I've only read two pages. If any of that makes sense?
This is, so far, an amazing course! I would recommend to all literature fans! Or, especially Tolkien fans.
I believe Amelia Harper also wrote work books for the Narnia series, Anne of Green Gables series, and Little House on the Prairie series.
Come and get 'em book worms!

A Belated Post

2010-01-10T17:06:00.001-08:00

In my Christmas post I told you that I would post about my Christmas morning. I know its been a while since Christmas, but here it goes......
Of course, in order for Christmas morning to progress I had to get out of bed. So I got out of bed, got ready for the day, and walked into the living room. We weren't able to open gifts right away because we were taking care of some friends' goats and dogs. While the men were off to take care of that responsibility, the women were at home cooking breakfast and answering all the "Merry Christmas" phone calls. When the men finally returned we opened our gifts. My parents insisted on my brother and I opening first. This Christmas wasn't like normal Christmases. My brothers gift and my gift were in the same box. So, as we tore into the paper we began to realize what it might be!!!! My brother had been saving for a djembe for quite some time and I had been wanting a beginner harp. To our surprise, a djembe and a harp were in the box! All my brother could say was "NO WAY...NO WAY... NO WAY!!!!!!" I was completely speechless! We love our gifts and will be eternally grateful. Next were my parents. I gave my mom a scrapbooking thingy she had been wanting, and I gave my dad a Home Depot gift card inside of a Malt Ball Candy box. (Yes, the malt balls were still inside the box....minus a couple ;) ) I gave my brother some money, by his wishing, inside of a series of boxes that keep getting smaller and smaller! Mwhhhaaa!!
After gifts we read the Bible, and watched the Nativity Story. We then got prepared for some friends that were coming over.
THANK YOU SO MUCH MOM AND DAD FOR MY BEAUTIFUL HARP!
Here is a picture of my harp!

Purity -- Part Two

2010-01-04T18:04:00.000-08:00

In the last Purity post I left you with an un-answered question. How can a commitment to Purity be a freedom? What I mean is a freedom from the bondage of sin, and a freedom from the ungodly ways of the world. I have explained my commitment and why I made the commitment, now let me explain additional things.
I love the fact that I am saving my first kiss etc. for the man that God is preparing for me, God willing. I have been to a few weddings and know a few people who have done the same and their wedding was richly blessed and was a testimony to others. This commitment is pleasing in God's eyes. Words cannot express my overwhelming joy in thinking that I am pleasing God with this commitment! But my brothers and sisters in Christ, others may not understand why you would even think about entering into such a commitment. I have been asked many, many times if I have a boyfriend and my answer remains the same. 'No, I am not ready to get married and therefore I don't need a "boyfriend" and besides I am waiting on Gods timing.' And trust me, Satan will do everything in his power to break down your commitment, but you must stay strong. Rely on God and pray. Stay the course!
Don't think for a second that your commitment means nothing. It mean everything! Besides you never know when God may call upon you to share your commitment with others as He has done with me.

A Change of Plans and A Recipe

2010-01-04T13:20:00.000-08:00

First off, thank you for your prayers! It turns out that my Mom and I won't be going to California. :( She is still feeling ill and we don't want to take the chance of her getting worse on our way there, getting anybody else sick, or me coming down with when we get there. (I have a tendency to do that when we go on vacation etc.) At first I was very disappointed, but I have prayed and asked God to give me contentment, and He has. My Mom reminded me yesterday that God is sovereign. If He doesn't allow us to go, it's because He has a purpose. Please still be praying for my Mom's healing.

Crunchy Onion Chicken

Ingredients:

- 2 cups French's original french fried onions
- 1 egg for each breast, beaten
- (5 oz.) boneless skinless chicken breasts

Directions:

1. Finely crush French fried onions.
2. Beat egg(s). For each serving, dip chicken breast into egg; then coat with onion crumbs. (The more onion crumbs the better! :D)
3. Bake chicken in a 400 degree F. conventional oven for 20 minutes or until 165 degree F. internal temperature.

This is my favorite dish! It is so good, you really need to try it. It's easy to prepare and quick. It says that it takes 20 minutes ti bake but it usually takes 40. If you have to bake it over 20 minutes here is a tip; after the first 20 minutes lay a piece of foil over the chicken so that the onion crumbs don't burn!
Trust me this is delicious!

Miscellaneous

2009-12-28T18:51:00.000-08:00

Well, I have quite a few things to tell you, and I couldn't come up with a good title, so miscellaneous will have to do. Now...were to begin.....
I'll start out with the worst news of all. A few months back my mom got an food allergy test done and then my dad did the same thing. So, about a week ago, my mom made Zac (my brother) and I go get tested. So, we went to the doctor to get tested, which by the way was rather painful for me because I have such small veins. Well, to make a long story short, we got the results today and it is okay for me, but really bad for my brother, Zac. Here are my allergies; cantaloupe, egg, rye, sunflower, wheat, and baker's and brewer's yeast. I don't think the brewer's yeast will be an issue, ;) but I am a bread lover so, the baker's yeast, wheat, and rye is definitely going to be an issue. If you want to see my brother's allergies check out his blog, he is going to post them soon.
The other thing I wanted to share is....my Mom and I are going to California next week to visit my sister, brother-in-law, and my two nephews, one of which was born a month ago. They live an hour away from San Fransisco. I am very excited, but the flight is going to be dreadful. It's an eight hour, give or take a little, flight to San Fransisco. Unfortunately, I may have to delay my Purity Part Two post, but I may be able to post will is California. Please be praying that our flights will be smooth. My Mom is really afraid of flying.

Christmas

2009-12-24T20:19:00.000-08:00

Christmas. What a wonderful time of the year. My Mom and I have been noticing that our house looks, well..dull. All we had for decoration was a few fake pionsettias, that was it! One of the reasons we didn't have any decor up was because our house is too small. So, we were't able to put our manger scene up, or a tree, or well.....anything. So, I was going to surprise my Mom by putting my 4ft. lime green christmas tree up in the living room for a few days. You see, she was at the store. So, as I was putting it up I was thinking about the importance of it. Why on earth is a fake tree so important to us, when really Christmas isn't about a tree? I was thinking about the true meaning of Christmas. It isn't about a christmas tree, or a man who comes down chipneys, or even an adorable snowman, it's about Jesus! So, this Christmas I'm going to focus on the important meaning of Christmas, Jesus!
Well, MERRY CHRISTMAS everybody! Later on, I'll post about my Christmas day experience, but for now I just wanted to say, Merry Christmas!

A Recipe and A Farewell

2009-12-17T13:29:00.000-08:00

Reese's Squares

~Ingredients~
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 lb. confectioners' sugar (3 to 3 1/2 cups)
1 1/2 cups peanut butter
1 cup butter, melted
1 (12 ounces) bag milk chocolate chips

~Directions~
Combine graham crumbs, sugar, and peanut butter and mix well. Blend in melted butter until well combined. Press mixture evenly into a 9x13 inch pan. Melt chocolate chips in microwave are in double boiler. Spread over peanut butter mixture. Chill until just set and cut into bars. (these are very hard to cut if the chocolate gets "rock hard.")

As for the farewell, say aurevoir to my recipe blog. I can't seem to have enough time to post on three to four blogs, so I am deleting one of them, my recipe blog. Don't worry, I will be posting some recipes on this blog every now and then. I love the design you made for A Gift from the Kitchen Emily! Thank you for your hard work, I'm very sorry to delete it.

Purity -- Part One

2009-12-14T19:21:00.001-08:00

Purity. I have been thinking about this topic for quite some time now, and I haven't really been able to think of a way to communicate it, but I will do my best and pray that it is communicated well.
Their are many different definitions for the word purity. I like the definition of cleanness, spotless, and freedom. What do I actually mean by purity though? Well, let me share a story that, hopefully, will clear things up a bit.
How does that introduction go...ah..yes...Once upon a time, there lived a young girl who loved both of her parents very much, and her parents loved her, so much so that they decided that the mother of the young girl would take her on a weekend called, Passport to Purity. When the young girl heard this wonderful news she was overjoyed! So, she waited and waited for the weekend with her mother, until one day it was finally time. She packed and said her adieus (farewells) to her father and brother, and headed out the door with her Mother. She thought she and her mother were going to stay at a hotel, but she was very much mistaken. A few hours later, after the sun had set, she and her mother were pulling into a magnificent Bed and Breakfast called Roses and the River. The young girl was absolutely stunned by the grandeur of it all, but she had only seen the beginning. As soon as they walked in the door they were welcomed by the owner of the Bed and Breakfast. After their salutations, the owner led the Mother and Daughter to their room which was called Rainbows End. Astonishing, marvelous, divine, and all the words in the world could not describe the beauty in that one room. Their were roses everywhere, and it was quite feminine. The young girl was speechless. Compared to a hotel this place was like a castle. It was getting late so the Mother and Daughter decided to snuggle up in the cozy bed that was beckoning to them. The next morning they began their study of purity. It all seemed a bit odd to the young girl. They were talking about saving your affections and your first kiss for the man God has prepared for you, if God has called you to be a wife. They were talking about choosing your friends wisely, and not running with the worlds ways. Going against temptation, and the world. And yet, among all the oddness the girl felt a peacefulness, that what she was learning pleased God, and so she listened intently. The more the girl heard the more she began to realize that she needed to make a commitment to God and her parents that she was going to be pure for, God willing, the man God was preparing for her life. So, at the end of the weekend with her mother, after making a commitment to purity, she was given a ring that would signify her commitment to all that saw it. She wears this ring on the finger that will, God willing, someday possess a wedding ring. And so, the young girl went home to her father and brother and to this day is still wearing that ring on that finger. So, you see my friends, she has not yet lived happily ever after, but she knows that she will follow Gods "happily ever after" for her life.
Now, you might have already guessed, but that young girl was me, and that father, mother, and brother are my father, mother and brother. I am and will always be eternally grateful for that weekend. You might be wondering why on earth did I make a commitment such as that? And, what commitment did I really make? Well, let me answer the latter first. I made a commitment to save my love for the man, God willing, that God has prepared for me, including my first kiss. Yes, I will save my first kiss for the day I will stand at the alter and say "I Do" to the man God has called me to be with. Why did I make the commitment of purity? That is an excellent question. When I am married, I don't want to be married to a man that has shared his love with other women. I want to be married to a man that has waited to share his love with me! So, if I want a man who has waited for the woman God has prepared for him, shouldn't I wait to share my love with the man God is preparing for me.
Early in the post, I mentioned the word purity as a way of freedom. What do I mean by saying a commitment can be a freedom? You will have to wait for the next post. To explain all of this would take a very long post, so I am going to put it in different parts. I would very much enjoy answering any questions, comments, or concerns that you may have! :) Stay tuned for part two on Purity.
By the way, this is a picture of my purity ring! Let me leave you with a verse about purity. 1Timothy 4:12 Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers, in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

My Life

2009-12-09T17:57:00.000-08:00

What's been going on lately? Glad you asked! Well, I've been rather busy with school, piano, and other things like that. This Friday we are having a garage sale and we also have choir. Thus, one of our really good friends is going to drive us to choir! (That's going to be really fun!!!!) Ten day later, on December 19th, we are going to run/walk at the Dawson Eagles Run For Toys in Pearland. Then later that day we are going to a Christmas Party in Sugar land. The next day we are going to church, which right after church we will be leaving for my great grandma's birthday party. Five days after that, is Christmas Day! So, among all the other activities we will be preparing for Christmas, which includes baking, shopping, cleaning, decorating, wrapping, cooking, and then after all that's done, sleeping! :) Merry Christmas, and A Happy New Year.
One other thing that I have to share.......my sister, who lives in California, gave birth to a handsome baby boy! He is 21 inches long, 7lb. 14 ounces, and he was born at 5:39 p.m on December 3rd. His name is Aiden Peirce Paone!
Oh, I finally posted on A Gift from the Kitchen.

A Party

2009-12-08T16:40:00.000-08:00

No, I haven't skipped three birthdays! This is my brother's birthday cake and presents! On November 28th we headed out the door for a party! My big brother's party. No, we weren't going alone. We invited a few families to join us! We were going to a local park to play soccer and have hot dogs for my brother's 17th birthday party.
This is my dad grilling some hot dogs.
The birthday boy, himself!
Worn out!
It was fun to have a few dad's and a mom playing!

Taking a break and getting some Gatorade.
Come here ball!
Sorry it's a bit blurred.
I think I'll try to take it.
Take it! Get it! Do something, somone!!!
Zac has the ball.......
Oh, Leah's trying to take it......
Yay, Leah was victorious and got the ball!!!!!!! Go, Leah, Go!
This is Josh, one of our really good friends, he is the goalie in this picture.
Zac's homemade birthday cake.
This is me playing with the lighter. mwwwaaahhhaaa!!!! My friends were staying away from me, because I had a mischievous look on my face.
Here is a picture of the birthday boy! 17 years old.

Do You Really Know Me?

2009-12-04T14:36:00.001-08:00

I made this quiz that's actually pretty cool! Here is a link. I would love to see your answers!

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas

2009-12-04T08:57:00.001-08:00

Seriously, I am! And for now my dream is coming true. Yes, it's snowing in south Texas today! :) My dad came bouncing in my room this morning declaring that it was snowing. So, half awake half asleep I forced myself to get out of bed and go see the snow. Although it's not sticking, it's snowing! Right know the snow has stopped but it's supposed to snow again. Merry Christmas!

A Forty Question Tag

2009-12-01T13:10:00.000-08:00

1- Have you been asked out? No
2 - Where was your default picture taken? University Blvd.

3 - What's your middle name? Gabrielle

4 - Your current relationship status? Single. I'm waiting on God's timing.

5 - What's the first thing you do when you wake up from a nap? I'm fourteen, not four. I don't take naps.

6 - What is your current mood? Energetic in a weird kind of way.

7 - What color shirt are you wearing? Gray

8 - Missing something? My book!

9 - Current Favorite Quote? "My own plans are made.While I can, I sail east in the Dawn Treader.When she fails me I paddle east in my coracle. When she sinks, I shall swim east with my four paws. And when I can swim no longer, if I have not reached Aslan's country, or shot over the edge of the world in some vast cataract, I shall sink with my nose to the sunrise and Peepiceek will be head of the talking mice in Narnia." *Reepicheep in, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.*
10 - If you could go back in time and change something what would be? More people on fire for Jesus!

11 - If you must be an animal for one day, what would you be? Some kind of bird... I'd have to think about what kind though.

12 - Ever had a near death experience? Yes, but it would take to long to explain.

13 - Something you do a lot? Read

14 - The song stuck in your head? White Christmas

15 - Least favorite household chore? Sweeping

16 - Name someone with the same birthday as you. Many people... I just don't know them! :)

17 - When was the last time you cried? I cried the other day, and I knew that I would be asked this question sooner or later! Awkward.

18- Have you ever sung in front of a large audience? Yes, in our choir and and our church.

19 - If you could have one super power what would it be? ????

20 - What's the first thing you notice about the opposite gender? Weird question. Hmm. I would have to say hair and eye color.

21 - What do you usually order from Starbucks? Tall caramel frappachino extra caramel sauce

22 - What's your biggest secret? if I told you it wouldn't be a secret know would it!

23- What's your favorite color? If I had to pick one I would say................

24 - Do you still watch kiddie shows or TV shows? No

25 - What's on your walls? Lots of Eiffel Tower pics.

26 - What are you? A child of the King of kings.

27 - Do you speak any other language? I'm learning Spanish.

28 - What's your favorite smell? An old book.

29 - Describe your life in one word! Saved!

30 - Have you ever kissed in the rain? No, No, No, No, No a million more times!

31 - What are you thinking about right now? The stupid question above this one.

32 - What should you be doing? Doesn't really matter. I just finished School.

33 - Who was the last person that made you upset/angry? Don't remember.

34 - How often do you talk to God? Not often enough. I'm trying to get in the habit of talking with him every morning.

35 - Do you like working in the yard? I like being outside.. most of the time. Depends on the day.

36 - If you could have any last name in the world, what would you want? I have no clue.

37 - What is your natural hair color? Light brown with natural highlights.

38 - Do you have many friends? Yes.
39 - Who is your role-model? Jesus.

40 - Do you like your life? Yes.

I tag,

Taylor
Celede
Eldarwen

Books........Again

2009-11-18T19:21:00.000-08:00

I finished Sir Dalton, by Chuck Black!!!! It was very good, but unfortunately it's a cliffhanger.... for those of you who don't know what a cliffhanger is, it's a book/movie/etc. that leaves you in suspense or leaves you with no clue as to what's going to happen yet. A cliffhanger and a bookworm do not go together!!!
Fortunately, I don't have to wait a whole year for the next Chuck Black book to come out, only 5 months... It will seem like an eternity though! I have thought about it everyday since I finished Sir Dalton, that's about 5 or so days! :/ Lady Carliss is the next book, after Sir Dalton.
Meanwhile, I'm reading Twice Freed by Patricia St. John. Twice Freed is about a slave boy named Onesimus. So far it's been pretty good...who knows what will happen???????

*Happy Reading!*

Maiden Moriah

2009-11-16T13:38:00.000-08:00

The dress is soooo flowy!
The water is so blue in this pic!
Well, I said I'd post pics of me in my dress that my amazing Mom made! There are a lots of 'em!!! This pic was taken right after I was spinning.
While I was spinning.
Smile for the camera! I love my dress!
Running......
Actually, I was getting ready to jump right at my brother in this pic! :)

I like these!
Look to the sky!
I love the mischievous look on my face! Priceless!!!
Spinning...
About to spin.....

Now I'm a wood elf..... yippie!
Hello!
You don't see me! No, you don't!!!!
I was hoping my Mom wouldn't see me so that I could jump out and scare her, but that didn't work out! Love ya Mom!
I really like this one.

Well, that's all the wood elf pics, back to the maiden one's.

My Mom wanted me to do some peaka boo pics so that's what this pic and the pic above are.

This one looks medieval to me!
So does this one.
And this one, except for the houses in the background.
This one was actually rather interesting. The medal globe thing that I'm in was really dirty so it was difficult to keep my dress some what away from it. My Mom suggested that I stand in the back and pretend I was shooting a bow, as Susan Pevensie. That's a big arrow.
The blasted sun was right in my eyes!
Walking.....
Posing.....
This was on accident. I was supposed to have my eyes open. Oh well, I like how it turned out!
I actually started getting wet from the over spray of the fountain. Oh, what we'll do for good pictures! Sorry about the freeway in the background. Just imagine it's not there.
I look so sad! :(
The grass was a bit wet that afternoon!
I'm trying not to laugh at my Mom in this pic.
Zac and Mom said something about me in this one, I forgot what, though.
Looking at Mom....
Laughing at Mom.....
Aw......
Sitting around....

Nature, Concrete, Girl in medieval dress...
My photographer brother, Zac, took most of these pics, including this one, and he almost fell off the narrow thing he was standing on.
Hi!!!!
We..eee......
Serious.... Zac kept telling me to look serious and Mom kept telling me to look happy. *SCREAMING*
Many thanks to my Mom for making this gorgeous dress, Zac for taking the pics, and the many bystanders who stared at a weird girl walking on the sidewalk, in a medieval dress, in the 21st century, good times, good times!!!!

Awards

2009-11-15T18:25:00.000-08:00

Thanks Calico Zak for awarding me! Okay unfortunately this one comes with rules! *Great*

Rules:

1. Do a post about the person who awarded you, and their blog.

2. Give the award to 5 of your favorite blogs, give a reason, and leave a comment telling them they have been awarded.

3. Answer the 10 random questions.

1) Okay, um...... His blog name is a piratey name, Calico Zak, his motto is, Roimh Rabhadh Roimh Aratha, which means 'Fore Warned, For Armed' in Gaelic, and his blog is interesting to read. I suggest you check it out!

2) Kristen is a person that everybody loves to hang around with, including me! Her blog is also a joy to read. Taylor is a good friend I met while in Arkansas. It's been a joy to help her with her blog and it's a joy to know her
Lucie is a Narnia Fan!!!! She is also a book person. Reading her blog is really fun too! Earwen
has a lovely blog and it's really medieval! Unfortunately, she is sick right know so please keep our sister in Christ in your prayer's! Elrania is a horse loving girl! Her blog has horses all over it, and is a joy to read!
1. Have you ever ridden an elephant?

2. Have you ever eaten squid?

Yes

3. What is something crazy you have done with your best friend?

I rode a Carousel and then told the person operating it that it was the best ride at the amusement park!

4. Have you ever held an alligator?
Yes!!!!!

5. Have you ever let a snake slither through your fingers?
No, and never will!

6. What is your first and foremost dream in life?

I might get back to you on that one.......

7. What is your dream vacation?

Don't get me started!!!

8. What is the funniest movie you have ever seen?

Hm.....

9. What is your favorite song?

Amazing Grace (Hint: my blog name.

10. If you could change the world in one way, what would you do?
More Christianity!

First, I want to thank Calico Zak, again, for awarding me with this award! I award, Zac, Taylor, and Maiden of Purity.

What's Been Going On

2009-11-14T13:41:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted in a while so I'm going to tell you what's been going on lately!
Where do I begin?!!
~Most of my time is spent on school, and outside activities. School has been going really well, and we added Spanish! *yeah* We have had this Rosetta Stone Spanish program for three years and we finally started it! *Cheers* Choir is going really well too! We have our Ministry Day next Friday. We are going to go to two places and sing. (Go figure) I really like the semi-formal I get to wear! I'm so excited to see Zac, my brother, in a tuxedo, but he won't be wearing the jacket!
~When I'm not doing school you can find me in my room reading, or at the piano. The last time I posted about books I told you that I was starting The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, well I've finished that and four other books! I've started/finished Sir Kendrick, Sir Bentley, Jim Elliot, and Do Hard Things. I am now reading Sir Dalton, Before You Meet Prince Charming, A Young Woman's Walk with God, and Gladys Aylward. I have also really excelled with the piano this year! I'm starting to take on harder songs instead of the easier one's.
~We, my Mom, brother, and I, went to the Narnia Exhibition in Sugarland this Wednesday! It was really cool! The wow factor was when you step into Narnia! :) We were able to see some of the actual costumes and props they used, which was also a wow factor. We bought some Turkish Delight at the end of the exhibit and it was disgusting! I think that in the movie they used Jello covered in powdered sugar! After the exhibit Zac, my wonderful photographer brother, took pics of me in my medieval dress! I'll try to get those posted ASAP.

Reformation Day

2009-11-07T20:08:00.000-08:00

Let me explain this one! After the play we went outside, and saw the field!!! We thought it would be awesome to link arms and skip down the field, so that's what we did. It was very interesting..... thank God nobody got hurt! Although we almost had a couple of falls, none of us actually fell, I don't think! :)

Just encase you don't know what I mean by play, let me explain. Our church celebrates Reformation Sunday. Caleb, who you will soon see, and his Dad decided to write a play for us to do. So.... we ended up doing a play on Reformation Sunday with awesome dresses... including the guys. *Laughing*
This is my brother, Zac, and me in our costumes! My brother's name for the play was Viret, and mine was Elegant Young Lady. My Mom worked soooo hard on this dress and it is absolutely beautiful! Thank you so much Mom!
I love this picture!
This is Wilson, Jean Tandy in the play! He was a Roman Catholic.
This is Josh, John Calvin in the play! I think we all know who he was!
This is Caleb (I mentioned him earlier), Farel in the play! Someone who supported Calvin.
This is me, the Elegant Young Lady in the play. Actually, one of our friends said that I could be in a Narnia movie because of my dress! It made me so happy!!!!!!
This is a group picture of the cast and more!

Reformation day was really fun! I really enjoyed wearing the dress that my wonderful Mom made! I will try to get some better pics of it up soon!

Can You Believe It

2009-11-02T12:34:00.000-08:00

Wow, when I first heard/saw this I was completely shocked! Who plays Gimli? John Rhys-Davies does! Who is John Rhys-Davies? Well, if you've ever seen Princess Diaries 2 or One Night with the King you've seen him! He is the uncle of Lord Nicholas in Princess Diaries 2, and Mordecai in One Night with the King, but he is also Gimli in The Lord of the Rings!

There's Gimli and there's John Rhys-Davies! It's amazing what make-up, fake hair, and a little editing can do to a person!

Finished and Starting

2009-10-28T14:04:00.001-07:00

I zipped through this book! The Redemption of Sarah Cain by Beverly Lewis is really good! Although, it's nothing like the movie, it's a must read. Here's a little bit of info on it, "Athoroughly modern woman, Sarah Cain had ridiculed her sister's choice of a Plain lifestyle, which served only to intensify the lifelong rift between them. Now, twelve years later, Sarah is stunned by news of her sister's death and baffled by Ivy's choice of a guardian. How can Sarah sacrifice her successful career and her life in Portland to raise five Amish orphans?"

My next book is The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis. I would like to read it before the movie comes out, which should be December 2009, so that I can see if there's a difference between them.

Blog Awards

2009-10-27T13:26:00.002-07:00

The Coolest Blog Award goes to: Taylor, and Kristen.
The Most Beautiful Blog In the World Award, say that five times fast, goes to: Taylor, and Bria
The Coolest Blog Award, for guys, goes to: Zac, and Calico Zak. (Go figure, two Zac(k)'s)

Two Tags

2009-10-26T18:55:00.000-07:00

This first tag is from Eldarwen. Thanks Eldarwen. I think I'll really enjoy it, so let's get started....

Here are the rules:

List seven songs you are into right now. No matter what the genre, whether they have words, or even if they're not any good, but they must be songs you're really enjoying now. Post these instructions in your blog along with your seven songs.
Then tag seven other people to see what they're listening to.

Here I go...

(in no particular order)

1) Revelation Song by Kari Jobe

2) Slow Fade by Casting Crowns

3) Narnia Battle by Harry Gregson-Williams

4) The Uruk-hai by Howard Shore

5) Deliver Us by Stephen Schwarts

6) Amazing Grace by Chris Tomlin

7) In Christ Along by Keith and Kristen Getty

I Tag:
Zac
Leah
Josh
Kristen

This tag is from TJ. Thanks!

List twelve characters from any fandom, and then answer the following questions.

1. First off, I'm a fan of Jesus!

2. John Wayne. (The best western actor EVER!)

3. Elizabeth Bennet (Preferably the BBC Elizabeth.)

4. Susan Pevensie

5. Lucy Pevensie

6. Edmund Pevensie

7. Peter Pevensie

8. Reepicheep

9. Pippin

10.Arwen

11. Aragorn

12.Legolas

1. Who would make a better college prof, 6 or 11?
Edmund Pevensie, considering the book/movie's mention him going to school, while Lotr doesn't mention Aragorn in school at all!

2. Do you think 2 is hot? How hot?
John Wayne..... he's awesome..... not hot! I don't look as people as hot..... in my opinion it's stupid.

3. 12 sends 8 out on a mission. What is it? Does it succeed?
Absolutely! Between a pointy eared Elf Princling and a mouse knight of Narnia how can it fail!

4. What is or would be 9's favorite book?
Probably, How To Get in Trouble for Dummies!

5. Would it make more sense for 2 to swear fealty to 6, or the other way around?
Edmund should if he's going up against John Wayne!

6. For some reason, 5 is looking for a roommate. Should (s)he share a studio apartment with 9 or 10?
Lucy should share with Arwen. It would be more appropriate!

7. 2, 7, and 12 have dinner together. Where do they go, and what do they discuss?
John Wayne, Peter Pevensie, and Legolas. Hm... John Wayne would want Mexican, Peter would want apples and Legolas would want Lambas (Or how every you spell it!) bread, so they would probably argue over were to go!

8. 3 challenges 10 to a duel. What happens?
Elizabeth Bennet versus Arwen, Arwen would defiantly win!

9. If 1 stole 8's most precious possession, how would she/he get it back?
Sorry Reepicheep you won't get it away from Jesus!

10. Suggest a title for a story in which 7 and 12 both attain what they most desire.
Swords in Fantasy

11. What kind of plot device would you use if you wanted 4 and 1 to work together?
Susan and Jesus. Susan wouldn't have to do a thing!

12. If 7 visited you for the weekend, how would you get along?
I guess good... I don't know and probably never will! :)

13. If you could command 3 to perform any one task or service for you, what would it be?
I don't know, stay at my house for a while I guess.

14. Does anyone on your friends list write or draw 11?
What?

15. If 2 had to choose sides between 4 and 5, which would it be?
I think John Wayne would choose Susan over Lucy.

16. What might 10 shout while charging into battle?
Arwen would speak something elvish!

17. If you chose a song to represent 8, which song would you choose?
I don't know.... Narnia Battle I guess.

18. 1, 6, and 12 are having dim sum at a Chinese restaurant. There is only one scallion pancake left, and they all reach for it at the same time. Who gets to eat it?
Jesus would let the others have it, Edmund and Legolas would fight over it.

19. What might be a good pick-up line for 2 to use on 10?
"Howdy!" I don't know!

20. What would 5 most likely be arrested for?
Entering into another world without government permission.

21. What is 6's secret?
Edmund....hm.....even though his brother and sister don't want to follow Aslan, he does.

22. If 11 and 9 were racing to a destination, who would get there first?
Aragorn by far.

23. If you had to walk home through a bad neighborhood late at night, would you feel safer in the company of 7 or 8?
I don't know which I would feel better with......

24. 1 and 9 reluctantly team up to save the world from the threat posed by 4's sinister secret organization. 11 volunteers to help them,
but it is later discovered that s/he is actually a spy for 4. Meanwhile, 4 has kidnapped 12 in an attempt to force their surrender. Following the wise
advice of 5, they seek out 3, who gives them what they need to complete their quest. What title would you give this fic?

I lost ya after one of the numbers........

I tag:

Anyone!!!!!!!

My Reformation Day Costume

2009-10-19T19:16:00.000-07:00

Our church celebrates Reformation Day, so this year I'm going to have a costume! Medieval was right before reformation. This is what my costume will look a bit like.
Yes, my costume will look like one of Eowyn's dresses! This is the pattern.
Mine will be the one farthest to the right. The brown/gold one! Although it won't be that same color. Mine is a bit more brownish. I will post pics when it's finished and when I'm wearing it! I'm so excited!!!! :)

Harvest of Friends Blog Party

2009-10-19T18:33:00.000-07:00

Okay, this is my first time to do a Harvest of Friends Blog Party so hang in there with me. This look really fun! Let's get started. Here is a bit about me:

1. What is your favorite thing to snack on while you're blogging?
Hm.... that's a hard one...... I like chocolate, and chips.
2. What is one thing you wouldn't want to live without?
Jesus!
3. Beach, Mountains or Farm? Where would you live if you had a choice?
Ugh, beach or farm.... hmm.. I would like to live on a farm near the beach! lol
4. What's your least favorite chore/household duty?
Sweeping
5. Who do people say you remind them of?
Well, a few days ago I asked my friends who I most resembled in Pride and Prejudice and they said Maria... go figure.
6. Prefer parties and socializing or staying at home with the fam?
Hmm, I would like to go to parties with the family!
7. What's your all time favorite movie?
I can't pick one! Narnia (both) and The Lord of the Rings are my top two favorites.
8. Do you sleep in your make up or remove it like a good girl every night?
Well, right now I only wear powder, so I'm a bad girl and most nights I don't take it off.
9. Do you have a hidden talent or a deep desire to learn something that you've never had a chance to learn? What is it?
I would love to be an actress. I have taken lessons but right now I don't feel like God is leading me in that direction. I have a passion for it though!
10. What's one strange thing you're really good at?
Well, my family says I'm really good at using my wit.
11. What first attracted you to your spouse?
I don't have a spouse. Waiting for God to send the one, although I think it will be a while. (If you haven't read my profile I'm 14.)
12. What is something you love to smell?
Hmm... Sharpie (I know I'm weird.), Sweet Pea, etc.
13. Tell something about you that you know irritates people.
I'm usually ready to do something! It drives me crazy to sit and talk... most of the time.
14. When you have extra money (HA!) what's the first thing you think to do with it?
Buy and book, buy something whether it be for me or someone else.
15. Are you a silent laugher or a loud laugher? What makes you laugh the hardest?
Loud, I'm working in toning my laugh down! When people stare at me and make faces or raise there eye brows!
16. Where is your favorite place to shop?
Hm.... Mardel, Ross, etc.
17. What's one thing you'd do more often if you had more time?
Read, watch movie series, crochet, etc.
18. Are you a big spender or frugal?
Big spender, although as I've "grown up" more I've cut back on the things I buy.
19. Who is your favorite character of all time (from a movie or book)? (Can't be real)
Oh, that's hard. The Pevensie's, Arwen, Eowyn, The Fellowship of the Ring(the actual fellowship, ya know Aragorn, Gandalf, Frodo, Legolas, Etc.), most Pride and Prejudice people. Etc.
20. Would you want to be famous?
Yes and no. Like I said, I'd love to be an actress, well really just be in a few movies, but I don't want a certain life style that comes with most acting career's.

That was fun!

A New Book

2009-10-19T10:37:00.000-07:00

The Redemption of Sarah Cain by Beverly Lewis. I just started this book today. No, I didn't finish Pride and Prejudice. I've been reading P&P for way to long. I will get back to it later, but for now I need something different. I have seen the movie, Saving Sarah Cain, and loved it. So, I shall read the book!

Oh, have any of you read the Left Behind series? I think I'll start those after this.

What's Going On and A Tag

2009-10-13T10:59:00.001-07:00

Well, I haven't really been telling you what's been going on in my life, so that's what this post is about!

Let's see.......

~ This week we've been going to a revival/conference in Pearland. It's been really good so far. We will be going tonight and tomorrow night.

~ I have been a busy bee with school and outside activities.

~ Tomorrow my mom and I will be going on a field trip with our homeschool group. We will be going to Dewberry Farm's. What's really cool is Good Morning America and channel 11 News is going to be there. I have no clue why.

Know for the tag!

Thanks Elrania for tagging me!

What kind of a car do you want when you're older?

Jeep Cherokee

Where do you want to live when you're older?

I would love to live in Wyoming, but I will live wherever God put's me.

Do you want to go to collage?

If it's God's will. If I do it will more than likely be at home.

How many siblings do you have?

Three

How many children do you want to have when you're married?

Whoever many God gives me.

Boys or girls?

God's choice

This or that?
WHAT?!

City girl or country girl?

Country. I live in the city, but my heart is in the country.

Gourmet meals or steak with salad?

Steak and salad.

Flying or driving?

Flying

Bike riding or swimming?

Swimming

Sports or no sports?

Sports

Books or movies?

Don't ask me that! Both!

School or chores?

Ummmmmm..........

Inside or outside?

Depends.

Wednesday or Sunday?

Sunday.

Friends or Family?

Both... even better!

This or That?

WHAT!

Fried or scrambled eggs?

Fried

Pancakes or cereal?

PANCAKES!

Big meal or something small?

Big.

Movie or TV show?

Movie

FAVORITES

Thing to do outside?

Horseback riding, swimming, soccer, volleyball, etc.

Favorite meal?

Onion Chicken with mashed potatoes and some sort of vegetable.

Pass-time?

Read, Tv, Etc.

Place to read a good book?

Outside by a tree or in a hay loft.

What is your favorite vegetable?

Broccoli. I know weird.

NEXT QUIZ....

Where do you want to live when you graduate?

HOME! Unless God has other plans.

What time or day do you like the best?

Sleep time!

What is your favorite flower?

Rose or Sweet Pea.

What is your favorite weapon?

Medieval Swords.

Do you like sports? If so which is your favorite?

Yes, horseback riding, swimming, baseball, soccer, volleyball

Do you like writing?

Of course. Why else would I be writing a book.

What is your favorite month?

April and December.

Do you not like adventure?

Adventure+Danger= Moriah

Do you collect anything? What do you collect?

Yes, journals, patches, post cards, penguins, etc.

Do you live near your grandparents?

Yes!

Are you bored of this?

A bit

Well, it's over how did you like it?

It was interesting and fun!

I tag:

Zac

Taylor

and

Everyone else!

Eowyn and Arwen

2009-10-10T15:16:00.001-07:00

I haven't done a Lord of the Rings post in a while so I will post my thoughts on Eowyn and Arwen. Please remember that this isn't an argument... I'm simply stating what I think.

I'll start with Eowyn.
Eowyn is a strong, courageous, beautiful, stubborn, kind, loving, and so much more type of woman. Here are the things I like about her.... I like her modest clothing. I like her courage. I like her kindness. Here are the things I don't like about her..... I don't like her feminist role. I don't like that she doesn't know how to be a keeper at home. I don't like her impurity.

Now for Arwen.
Arwen is a loving, beautiful, kind, gracious, brave, pure, hopeful, willing, and so much more type of woman. Here are the things I like about her. I like her gracious, kind, pure, and feminine spirit. I like her hopeful outlook. I like her bravery and willingness. Here are the things I don't like about her. I don't like her immodest clothing. I don't like her crybaby kind of attitude.

I like both Eowyn and Arwen. There are things I like and dislike about both. Please share your opinion in a loving Christlike manner. I would love to hear your thoughts.

The Books I'm Reading

2009-10-10T06:17:00.000-07:00

A Young Woman's Walk with God by Elizabeth George. I love the books written by Elizabeth George. I recommend them. This is really good one. I'm actually going through it with a friend.
Do Hard Things by Alex and Brett Harris. This book is amazing! I really enjoy reading it every day. I absolutely recommend it.
Before you meet Prince Charming by Sarah Mally. This book is really good. I recommend it!
Tirzah by Lucille Travis. This is a story of the Hebrew slaves in Egypt. It's really good so far.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. I've been reading this book for a long time! It's really good though. The BBC version matches it a whole lot better then the (as my mom and dad would say) Keira Knightley version. Anyways, it's really good.
This book is a biography of Jim Elliot written by Janet and Geoff Benge. My parents bought a whole series of biographies at a homeschool conference .

Well, those are the books I'm currently reading! Later on, I'll be adding The Lord of the Rings to the list. We are going to go through a curriculum called Literary Lessons through The Lord of the Rings. It's going to be really fun. They also have curriculum for Narnia, Anne of Green Gables, and more!

Daughter's with Vision

2009-10-01T13:07:00.000-07:00

This is a really good article for young women. The world teaches us against these standards, but God desire's otherwise. This is from Visionary Daughters.

"Many girls have told us they struggle with keeping their hearts and minds pure for their future husbands. It is a difficult task, as God has wired the sexes to be attracted to one another, but also commanded “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)

We’ve been asked so often for advice on this that we briefly addressed it in our message “What Our Father Taught Us About Boys,” last week at the Vision Forum 2009 Father-Daughter Retreat. Below are some of my remarks from the message.

Our travels, our work, and especially the fact that we have five brothers and a father who loves to disciple young men, has pushed us into company that is often male-dominant. Here are some practical things our father has taught us to keep our hearts secure and our focus on the things of the Lord.

1. Pray for the young men… and their future wives.

This really helps keep relationships in perspective and facilitates the right kind of sisterly interest in them. We need to look past this season of singleness and see the eternal perspective. We need to see the young men as more than “marriage material,” but as comrades and co-laborers in Christ’s Kingdom, and we need to pursue the kind of friendships that will outlast this season of “singleness” and continue into eternity.

2. Don’t assume that every attention paid you by a young man is a mark of intention.

If a young man looks at you, opens a door for you, greets you, smiles at you, etc., it might have just been a brotherly gesture. Not only is fantasizing and speculating dangerous, reading too much into young men’s kind deeds also is a great way to discourage gentlemanly conduct.

3. Avoid influences that stir the heart prematurely and tempt you to fantasize over men who are not and will not be your husband.

Music, movies, novels, or just our own sinful imaginations can be dangerous. Robert Burns wrote a great poem about this:

Oh, leave novels, ye Mauchline belles.
Ye’re safer at your spinning wheel;

Such witching books are baited hooks
For rakish rooks, like Rob Mossgiel.

Your fine Tom Jones and Grandisons,
They make your youthful fancies reel;

They heat your veins, and fire your brains.
An’ then ye’re prey for Rob Mossgiel.

I am not issuing an ultimatum here banning all movies, music and literature. You know down inside what influences arouse your passions, tempt you build false expectations, and make you feel discontent. Matthew 5:29 warns, “If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.”

4. Keep interaction with young men within a family context. Avoid private or very personal interaction (this includes online!).

This is something you need to talk to your parents about and ask them to make guidelines for you.

5. Last but not least, keep the lines of communication with your parents wide-open.

Notice that I said “parents”. Elizabeth and I have put a special emphasis on the father-daughter relationship because this is a father-daughter conference, but most if not all of these principles apply to your mother as well. We have made a habit of sharing everything with our parents, and this includes personal struggles, concerns, and our personal observations and opinions of the young men we know. We have discovered that the more faithfully we do this, the easier it becomes — it can really be the best way of relieving the burden of pent-up anxieties and fears that many girls feel during their singleness.

A lot of girls have confessed to us that they have a really hard time talking to their dads about personal things. Sometimes they complain that their dads don’t come and talk to them enough. We can’t always wait for our fathers to initiate and draw us out — men are never going to be as good at this as we would like them to be. Sometimes we need to take the initiative and start the conversation. Deuteronomy 32:7 says, “Ask your father and he will show you, the elders and they will tell you…” It doesn’t say “Wait for your father to remember to come talk to you.” Fathers need to tell, but daughters need to ask, and demonstrate to their fathers that they want their council and wisdom.

Some girls confess to us that whenever they try to go to their fathers to unburden their anxieties or concerns they always end up dissolving into a puddle of tears on the floor before they can get to what they wanted to say. What makes it worse is that most dads really don’t appreciate this. When girls tell me this, I have a pretty good guess what the problem is — it’s that they wait until there is an emotional crisis to talk to their fathers, instead of making a habit of talking to them often, about everything that is in their hearts. Some of you younger girls might feel like you are too young to be having these serious discussions about young men and marriage with your dad, but I would like to personally implore you to start talking to your father now, about everything that is on your heart, laying the foundation for your relationship, and establish good habits of communication, so that when you are my age (23), and things are more complicated, it will be a whole lot easier."

Twelve Things

2009-09-29T16:51:00.000-07:00

I've been tagged by Eldarwen. Thanks Eldarwen! With this tag I'm supposed to tell you twelve things that I enjoy doing or things that I enjoy. So, lets begin....

~1~ I enjoy spending time in books that help me grow spiritual. Example: The Bible, A Young Woman's Walk with God, Do Hard Things, etc.

~2~ I enjoy singing. I started choir a few weeks ago. It has developed a whole new love for singing.

~3~ I enjoy writing. I am writing a book about a virtuous daughter right now.

~4~ I enjoy horseback riding. This is a true passion of mine.

~5~ I enjoy going to our family integrated church. Learning about God, and spending time with your family and friends, what better thing is there?

~6~ I enjoy spending time with my family. Family worship, playing Wii, talking, riding amusement park rides, shopping, you name it!

~7~ I enjoy going to the beach with family and friends. Going to the beach with some church friends and with your family is really fun!

~8~ I enjoy baking and cooking. I personally think that being in the kitchen is really fun!

~9~ I enjoy being around animals. Being around God's creatures is so cool. My favorites are a dog, cat, and horse.

~10~ I enjoy going to tea rooms with my mom, going on date's with my dad, and driving to piano class with my brother. (My brother has a license.)

~11~ I enjoy being out in the country.

~12~ I enjoy sewing.

I now tag:

Taylor

Bria

Moriah

Fort Rock Trip

2009-09-28T14:06:00.001-07:00

The first stop we made was at Buc-ees! That place is awesome.

Seven hours later we made it to Arkansas!
Opps... I put Arkansas before Oklahoma. Sorry!
Fort Smith is almost right on the border of Oklahoma and Arkansas. We made it to Fort Smith at 12:30 P.M. on Friday. We would be really early to Fort Rock, so we decided to spend some time at Fort Smith Historic Site which turned out to be a lot of fun!
My dad and I at Fort Smith still.
Me in front of Judge Parker's court room and jail house.
Jude Parker's Court room and jail house! It was really interesting. Judge Parker was known as the hanging judge. He sentenced 92 people to hang 'till dead. I think he lived up to his nickname!
On Hwy. 23. This is the road to Fort Rock!
There she is! Fort Rock!
When Dad and I got there we were early still so we decided to go on a walk down the horse trail. We ran into so many spider webs.
A creek we found while walking.
Ah...... this place was gorgeous!
Ending our walk with a picture in front of the fort. This is my dad.
This is me.
This is Saturday morning! When I woke up and looked outside I saw the mist and the sun and thought 'What an awesome picture that would be!'.
Sitting on the front porch in the morning.
This is me horseback riding. My horses name was Jinger/Ginger. I don't know how they smell it.
This is my dad. His horses name was Angel.
My dad doing archery.

Me doing archery! Susan Pevensie and Legolas make it look a lot easier than it really is!
At first I was a Gwyn/Susan, then my luck ran out and I started to do horribly! This pic was taken in my Gwyn/Susan time. Actually, one of the girls started calling me Gwyn and Susan!
Annie Oakley! That's what my dad started calling me when we were at the rifle range. I did better there than at the archery range.
Getting harnessed up for the zip-line!
Sitting down and getting ready to jump off and fly!
I believe I can fly!!!!!!!
Weeeee........!!!!!!!!..........eeeeee......
This is how tall it was.

We actually went canoeing down the Mulberry River, but I didn't get pics of it! Even though I didn't get pics of it I can tell you about it.
We rented a canoe and on the first rapped we flipped over. I was so scared, but of course I lived with only a scratch on my knee from all the rocks. The second rapped came and yet again we flipped. I lived through it too, but I lost my flip flops, my camera got wet, and I got more scratches and bruises. Then we finally figured out that my dad needed to kneel in the back in order for us to stay in the canoe! We didn't flip for a while but one time the current was so strong that we ended up flipping! I lived through it again, but today I am sore! The third time was the last time we flipped, thank God! My dad hurt his wrist and his toe, and I just got a lot of bruises and scratches. That is our canoeing experience. Even though I have a bunch of bruises and scratches I would do it again!

My dad and I had a wonderful time! Fort Rock is an amazing place! I really recommend to take a trip there.

Leaving for Fort Rock

2009-09-24T07:27:00.000-07:00

We, my Dad and I, leave for the Fort Rock Father Daughter Retreat today! (Thursday)
We will go canoeing, horseback riding, rifling, archery, zip line, and more. This camp is all the way in Arkansas so we have a long drive ahead of us, but it will be worth it and fun! We will get back Sunday afternoon/evening. Until then, Good bye!

Trials for a Purpose

2009-09-21T16:28:00.000-07:00

"Trials for a Purpose". What does that mean? What are trials? Why do trials happen? What is the purpose behind a trial? How should I act when in a trial? Were do trials come from? In this post I will answer the following questions using scripture and other resources.

~What does 'Trials for a Purpose' mean and What is the purpose behind a trial?
James 1:2-4
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have it's full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

When we meet trials it is a testing of our faith. Trials are "tests" that challenge faith. When trials occur, one should count it all joy- not meaning mere worldly temporal happiness, but rather spiritual, enduring, "complete joy" in the Lord who is sovereign over all things, including trials.

The purpose of a trial is to test our faith. To help us grow stronger in the Lord our God. Testing of your faith defines the meaning of a trial for the Christian: as Jesus was "tested" in the wilderness, so believers are tested.

Proverbs 19:21
Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

What are trials?

The act of trying, testing or putting to the proof.

When we are in a trial it is God testing us to see if we will trust in Him. The story of Abraham and Issac is a wonderful example.
God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac, on Mt. Moriah. Abraham did as God asked of him, but when Abraham was on the brink of sacrificing his son, God stopped him! God was testing Abraham's faith. It was a horrible trial for Abraham, but he trusted God.

Why do trials happen?

James 1:2b
For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

Trials occur to test us! To see if we truly trust in God. They also occur to help us grow in Christ more.

How should I act when in a trial?

Acts 16

Paul and Silas are another perfect example! They were beaten, thrown in prison, and put in stocks, yet they praised God! WOW! We lose a pair of socks and we go ballistic! Paul and Silas' life was on the edge of a knife and they prayed and sang to God. So how, my friends, should we act when in a trial. We should be calm, and trust in God. From losing a pair of socks, to losing a loved one we should trust in God, knowing that He has a purpose.

Were do trials come from?

James 1:12

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him.

God places trials in our path! For the purpose of growing and trusting in Him. James 1:12 goes back to all of the questions in this post.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.

Prayer Chain

2009-09-21T15:57:00.000-07:00

A girls', Izori, father has cancer and is going to start Chemo treatment. If you want more information click HERE. We are going to do a prayer chain for her father and his family. If you would like more information on how the prayer chain is going to work click HERE. Our God has wonderful plans for our lives. He will put trials in our lives to help us grow in Him. Now matter the trial keep your eyes on Him. Join the chain and please pray for Izori's father. Thank you and God bless.

Awards

2009-09-21T13:33:00.001-07:00

Against the Flow Award! I award this to: Zac, Leah, Josh, and Michelle.
Cowgirl At Heart Award! I will award this to: Leah and Michelle
I Ride Western Award! I award this to: Leah
I Love Mammals Award! I award this to: All my mammal loving followers.

Random Things

2009-09-21T06:52:00.000-07:00

Okay, I'm not that great at doing random posts so you'll have to tell me if I did good or not.

~ Father Daughter Camp is this week. It will be in Arkansas. Tops a thirteen hour drive for us.

~ We watched my five year old cousin last week. Her mom is in the Hospital so we had to watch Breiana (my cousin) Monday-Friday. As most of you know we are homeschooled. She, however, goes to public school. So, we were, as my mom would put it, 'tied to the public school schedule'. Then she got sick Thursday.

~ I have started Piano.

~ I have started Choir.

~ I sprained my shoulder. I have a mild sprain to the AC joint. (I think that's how it's spelled.) It will hurt for six to eight weeks, but it will be gradually getting better in that time. I'm SO glad it's not a break.

~ We went to see The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry. You HAVE to go see it! It awesome.

~ I have started Math, History, English, Science, Reading, and Wordly Wise in school. Still to come is, Spelling, and Literary Lessons through The Lord of the Rings. (There may be more to come, I'm not sure.)

Well, that's it for now.

Oh, one more! My brother got a drivers license and today we (My brother and I) went to our piano lesson. He drove. My mom and dad decided to let us go alone (for the first time)! It was AWESOME!

Pics of My Fourteenth Birthday

2009-09-19T08:13:00.000-07:00

Okay, I just got up when these pics were taken so I look horrible... sorry! I had a pancake cake.
Blowing the candles out! YEAH. Oh, I actually did get both candles in one blow! mwahahaha.
GIFTS! Pride and Prejudice! AWESOME!
Nikon Coolpix Camera! AMAZING!
Looking at it. I had been guessing that that's what I would get. My mom can't hide presents from me. I always guess them.
My birthday cake at Woman of Grace.
Hahaha! One of my friends decided to switch the candles... very funny!
Cutting the cake!
Another celebration at our friends house! Cake decorating.
Rachel (right) and me (left).
Opening gifts!I got a package of cake decorating tips! THANK YOU!
Opening gifts.

More pics to come!

A Tag and an Award/Tag

2009-09-17T14:47:00.000-07:00

Thanks Calico Zak for tagging me!

Do you like Blue jeans or black jeans better?
Well, define blue. If you mean dark blue jeans I wouldn't like either, but if you mean light blue jeans I would say blue. If you mean blue in general I guess I would say blue! Confused...good!

Do you like Casting Crowns or Jump 5 better?
Casting Crowns by far!

Do you like change?
Well, it depends on what's changing as to whether I like it or not.

Do you like Math or Science better?
SCIENCE!!!
I AM HORRIBLE AT MATH!

Do you like this Random tag?
Sure

Do you like Random stuff?
OF COURSE

What kind of internet browser do you use?
Firefox

Do you like it?
Definitely

This should be over soon- it's not that hard, right?
Not at all

Do you like the title for your blog?
Growing in His Amazing Grace! Of course I do.

Do you enjoy chatting?
Yes, most of the time.

Happy now? Because it's over!
I guess I don't mind that it over.

And now I tag:

Merilwen

Lucie Manette

Marissa

And now for the Award/Tag!

1. Say thanks and link to the person who gave you the award. (Thank you, Hannah!) :)

2. Share ten "honest" things about yourself.

3. Award this to seven people who's blog design/content you admire or who have encouraged you, and inform them of their win and of the rules of this award.

Thank you Lindsay for awarding me!

1. I'm a country girl not a city girl.

2. I've broken my arms five times! Twice on the right and three times on the left! Fun.

3. I've never (repeat) never been stung by a bee or wasp.

4. I love to act.

5. I have made a commitment to purity. My heart is for the man who God has for me.

6. I think everybody who knows me knows this but, I LOVE to read.

7. Horses= AMAZING I really like horses. Though sometimes I'm afraid of them.

8. I have never crashed a 4-wheeler, but I'm sure I will someday, but hopefully not.

9. I actually have naturally curly hair. I'll have to post a pic of my curly hair.

10. Why is the last one always the hardest...... I used to hate jeans. Now I really like them.

I award/tag:

Maiden of Purity

Katie

Allison

Leah

Callie

Haley

Michelle

Well, that's it for now.

Giveaway

2009-09-15T15:26:00.000-07:00

One of my friends is doing a giveaway in honor of her 100th post. Here is a link to her blog.

It's a cool giveaway!

Awards

2009-09-12T08:44:00.001-07:00

Queen Lucy Fan Award! I award this to: Lucy
Queen Susan Fan Award! I award this to: Lucy
Horses Freedom Award! I award this to: Elrania

September 11th

2009-09-11T20:53:00.000-07:00

WOW! It's been seven years since many moms and dads lost there daughters and sons, since many grandparents lost there grandkids, since many uncles and aunts lost there nieces and nephews. Since daughters and sons lost there moms and dads, since grandkids lost there grandparents, since nieces and nephews lost there aunts and uncles, and since husbands lost wives and wives lost husbands.

James 1:2-3 'Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.'
Trials of many kinds also applies to 9/11. There were men and women who ran out of that building covered in dust and just shocked at what had happened! There were also men and women who walked out in the same way but had given there heart to the Lord more so or for the first time. How can this be possible?! God places trials in our path to help us grow in Him. To help us trust, love, and obey Him and His commands. Paul was beaten, mocked, and thrown into prison, yet while he was there he praised and sang hymns to God. Paul's love in the Lord developed as the trials came along. As did some of the men and women who came out of that building!

This morning I did devotions and they were on trusting in God through trials. Our family devotions tonight were on trusting in God through trials. (All of this was totally unprepared.) It dawned on me that we had had two devotions of trusting in God through trials on September 11th. WOW!

Always remember that NO MATTER what trial it is it didn't catch God by surprise and He is always watching over you. He will not leave you nor forsake you. Also remember that those trials were placed there for a reason, although you may not see it's purpose.....God does!

Challenge

2009-09-08T19:04:00.000-07:00

I've decided to do the cooking this week. Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner! Monday was an exception because we had lunch and dinner out. Today we had cereal for breakfast, Lunch was fried fish and crawfish no I didn't cook it. My dad was supposed to fry it last night but we had unexpected company so we had it for lunch today. Dinner was homemade meat loaf, homemade mashed potato's, fried okra, and zucchini and squash. I can't wait to see how everything goes. Do Hard Things!

The Government Can

2009-09-08T10:35:00.000-07:00

Tim Hawkins is hilarious as is this song. You've got to listen to it! :)

An Award and A Tag

2009-09-08T10:25:00.001-07:00

Thanks Zac for awarding me with A Child of the King Award! I will award: Katie, Caleb, and Callie!

Piano or Violin? Well, since I don't know how to play the Violin yet, Piano.

Puppy or Full grown dog? Definitely puppy!

Cat of Kitten? Kitten although Cat's are fun to.

Milk chocolate or White? Way to hard, both!

Blogger or Gmail? BOTH!

Chicken or Ham? Chicken

(for the girls) Washing the dishes or Washing clothes? Clothes.

English or Math? English.

Tomato's or Potatoes? Both

This one is weird. Shot in your mouth or on your arm? Hm... i have to go with mouth because a shot in the mouth doesn't hurt as bad a shot in the arm, but neither are that bad!

I tag:

ANYONE!

FINISHED

2009-09-08T08:12:00.000-07:00

Kingdom's Dawn book #1
Kingdom's Hope book #2
Kingdom's Edge book #3
Kingdom's Call book #4
Kingdom's Quest book #5
Kingdom's Reign book #6

I have finished Kingdom's Reign thus finishing all six Kingdom books. These books are AMAZING! (I'm not exaggerating) There's suspense, excitement, loyalty, sadness, joy, love, good, evil, and well if you like swords and medieval type stuff these are the books for you! These are by far MUST READS! I HIGHLY suggest you read these wonderful books by Chuck Black.

Awards

2009-09-07T10:12:00.001-07:00

Thank you Eldarwen for the thinking outside the box and the creativity awards!
I will award these awards to:
Katie

Finished

2009-09-05T08:33:00.001-07:00

I've finished Kingdom's Quest and have started Kingdom's Reign! Kingdom's Reign is the last one. I can't believe I've gone through five, soon to be six, books this quickly. These books are must reads. Happy Reading!

Birthday

2009-09-05T08:20:00.000-07:00

Boy was I in for a surprise. I thought I was just going to get fabric for a skirt, but my Mom had other idea's. She surprised me by taking me to a tea room, then to a resale shop to find some skirts or jeans, then to Hobby Lobby to get fabric, and then to Wal-Mart to look for jeans. It was a very fun day. That evening we had my favorite dish Onion Chicken. After dinner I got ready to go to a woman's meeting at our church. My mom bought a cake and they all sang 'happy birthday' to me. It was a special day and I really enjoyed it! Sorry I haven't gotten the pics up yet I'll get them up soon!

It's My Birthday

2009-09-02T08:39:00.000-07:00

As the title said it's my birthday, and I'm turning 14. I don't have any pics yet, but I will soon. I woke up this morning to my mom singing happy birthday and my brother playing the guitar. It has been a tradition that my dad makes pancakes from scratch on my birthday so we had homemade chocolate chip pancakes this morning. After our delicious breakfast I opened my presents. (I can't believe what I got!) I got the Pride and Prejudice BBC version DVD's and a Nikon Coolpix Camera!
I'll have some pics up soon. In a few minutes my mom and I are going shopping for some fabric to make a skirt. (There will be pics of that soon too.) See ya then!

Finished

2009-09-01T11:28:00.001-07:00

I finished Kingdom's Call and Have started Kingdom's Quest! These books are amazing. There is one more book called Kingdom's Reign. I can't wait to read it.

A Rather Interesting Tag

2009-09-01T07:05:00.000-07:00

Pick three characters from three different books you love, pick one picture of each character to post and add three interesting facts about each character. Then tag at least three people.

Thank you Elrania for tagging me!

I'm going to tag:
Merilwen

Lucie

Echo of Mercy

#1 Tess from Kingdom's Dawn. 1. She is brave. 2. She is/was a slave more than once. 3. She knows how to handle a sword! (No pic)

#2 Mara from Mara Daughter of the Nile. 1. She is/was a slave. 2. She is very sneaky. 3. She is brave.

#3 Anne Shirley from Anne of Green Gables 1. She can't stand being teased about her red hair. 2. She is intelligent. 3. She loves making Kindred Spirits.

Finished

2009-08-28T09:41:00.001-07:00

I finished Kingdom's Edge and have started Kingdom's Call! Kingdom's Edge was really good, of course. I don't want to give anything away so I won't say anything about it! Happy Reading!

Weird

2009-08-27T09:02:00.000-07:00

One day we were having BBQ sandwiches. I was putting BBQ sauce on my bun, not paying attention, and I made a bat out of the sauce. Honestly I wasn't paying attention. I showed it to my mom and she's the one that recognized it as a bat. Then my whole family wanted to see so I decided to take pics and post it! It's labeled BBQ sauce art.

Tagged

2009-08-27T08:43:00.000-07:00

Thank you Eldarwen for tagging me!

I must ask this one, are you obsessed with LoTR? No, I am a fan but not obsessed.

~VS~
Elves vs. Humans?
Elves

Elves vs. Hobbits?
Elves

Elves vs. Dwarves?
Elves

Elves vs. Ents?
Elves

Humans vs. Hobbits?
Hobbits

Humans vs. Dwarves?
Well, if you were talking about Gimli alone I would say Dwarves but since you mean all Dwarves in general I must say Humans.

Humans vs. Ents?
Humans

Hobbits vs. Dwarves?
Hobbits

Hobbits vs. Ents?
Hobbits

Ents vs. Dwarves?
Dwarves

Arwen vs. Éowyn?
Way to hard I like both!

Aragorn vs. Legolas
Aragorn

Arwen vs. Aragorn
Both

Frodo vs. Sam?
Sam

Merry vs. Pippin
Pippin

Elrond vs. Galadriel
Galadriel

Faramir vs. Boromir?
Faramir

Éowyn vs. Éomer?
Eowyn

Sauron vs. Saruman
Sauron

Rivendell vs. Lothlorien?
Way to hard again, both!

Gondor vs. Rohan?
Both!

Mordor vs. Isengard?
Mordor

I tag:

Celede

Merilwen

Elrania

God Bless America.. Can we really say

2009-08-25T19:27:00.001-07:00