Recently I have just finished a new series called: The Mark Of The Lion trilogy, by Francine Rivers.

To be honest with you, I think that this series is by far, the best series that I have read so far. I would like to share my reviews. I will post a review on the first book first:

Book One: A Voice In The Wind

Book one tells the story of the life of a young christian girl called 'Hadassah'.  Hadassah was fifteen, when her family made the journey to Jerusalem during Passover so her father can minister to the jews there. However dangerous the journey might have been, since war was brewing, what was to come was far worse.ing shield leather from dead Roman soldiers.

Once in Jerusalem, everything goes well, until Hadassah's father leaves the house one day to minster, and never returns. Fom then on, everything goes wrong; or so it seems.

After a while, Titus, a Roman, lays siege over Jerusalem, and the people of the city begin to starve; reduced to eating shield leather from dead Roman soldiers. Hadassah, and her family, are no exceptions.

A few weeks later, Jerusalem is invaded, and Romans pillage and plunder, killing, and taking captives, everywhere. Hadassah is taken captive as well, and though she is spared from crusifixion, a life of slavery still looms ahead of her.

Hadassah is taken to the hous of a Roman family to serve their daughter, Julia Valerian, who is a high-spirited, strong-willed, passionate, and bad tempered fifteen year old girl, who has an obscession....Gladiatiors, and the arena. 

Serving Julia is a struggle for Hadassah at first, but after a while, she is able to serve Julia out of the love Christ has given her. Even if Hadassah's faith was weak before she came to the Valerians, her faith is totally changed, and she sees everything in a new light.

Besides Julia, there is another Valerian to worry about. Marcus Valerian, Julia's brother, has fallen in love with Hadassah, and his interest in her is more than she wants....Although her heart tells her differently.

The story goes on, and Hadassah strives to bring the Valerians to God. Even if it costs her, her life, Hadassah means to succeed.

Described as: 'not very pretty'. by the Romans in this novel, the rest of this book clearly says otherwise. Hadassah may not be beautiful on the outside, but her inner beauty, which is what really counts, is radiant.

This is a truly inspiring story, and I believe, highly influential. It encourages Christians, morality, and even you. I will warn you of some inappropriate content, since this is an adult-level book. The reason for the inappropriate content is this: The story takes place during the Rule of the Roman empire. During this time, the Roman people were obscessed with themselves, and pleasure. Homosexuality was also very common during those days. Even though some of these things will appal you, hopefully you will understand how truly evil the Roman culture really was.

~Kylie~ 

Hey everybody! I just can't believe that it's actually 2010! Wow, this year really has gone by fast.....It seems like only yesterday it turned 2009....It's crazy. How was last year for you? It's been a really good year for me. I've been really blessed, and I have been happier than I've ever been in my life! Comment!

~Kylie~

Psalms 108:3-4

I will give thanks to you oh Lord, I among the peoples; I will sing praises to you!  For your steadfast love is great above the heavens! Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds!

Well today it's been really cold and dreary, we didn't have any hot cocoa mix on hand so I made up my own recipe! It turned out really good1 And everyone in my family liked it! Here is the recipe if want to try it:

Rich Hot Chocolate:

(Makes 1 serving.)

1oz semi sweet chocoalte.

2 tsp sugar.

1 tbsp butter.

1 tbsp wipping cream.

1 cup milk.

A dash of cinnamon.

A dash of vanilla.

2 tsp of chocolate syrup (if you want it rich and thick)

10 or 12 marshmellows. (optnl)

Directions:

Melt butter in a saucepan on medium heat; stirring constantly. When melted, add chocolate, cream, sugar, vannila, cinnamon, and chocolate syrup (optnl). Mix well. Then slowly add milk until throughly blended in. Bring to a rolling boil. Remove from heat and pour into one mug. Add marshmellows if desired, and enjoy!

I just found the most amazing song ever! It's hard to understand the song's meaning though. And for those of you who haven't heard it, it's about childhood, and fireflies. Enjoy, and tell me what you think!

"Fireflies" By "Owl City"

I was tagged! Here it goes:

The Random Tag:

What's your favorite color?Red, or black.

Favorite animal? Um, either Rabbits, or Siberian Tigers.

Do you like coffee? Definitely! I love it!

What's your favorite kind of music? Anything really. Mainly rock though.

Do you have a favorite band? Yes. Reliant K.

What's your hobby? Writing, or raising Rabbits.

Do you have a favorite author? Yes. Several actually. Jane Austen, Emily Bronte, Rick Riordan, Eoin Colfer, Alexandre Dumas, Charles Dickens, and Francine Rivers.

What's your favorite book ( you can only pick one :-)? Oh gosh, um, probably Wüthering Heights by Emily Bronte. I have so many though!

Do you like rainy days? Yes, they make me feel, gloomy, and happy at the same time (weird rght?) Rainy days are great for writing!

Are you a christian? Yes!

What's your favorit Bible verse? Psalm 108: 35-36, or Luke 6:2-6.

What's your favorite kind of food? Asian.

What's your favorite food? Sushi, or Chinese Noodles.

Do you live in the country or city? Country :-( (Yo ho, yo ho! A city life for me!)

What did you dream last night? Wow, that is random. Uh, I dreamed that I was in a limo figuring out a rubix cube, and singing 'Never Going Back To Ok' by The Afters. Yeah, ah, really wierd. All of my dreams are like that...I don't know why though...

Do you like this tag? Yes.

What is your favorite blog on HSB? All of my friend's blogs!

Who are you going to tag? Uh, RoseofThorns, preacherskid, hersheylover12, and DizneyFan1!

~Kylie~

Today I would like to post my thoughts on a very touchy subject. Miley Cyrus. (aka Hannah Montana)

Some of you might be thinking.."Oh no, I hate that girl!" But if you read the rest of my post then hopefully your mind will have been changed, that is, if you read it with an open mind.

I have seen far too many posts on different blogs, that go on and on about how ugly, stupid, or annoying Miley Cyrus is. To tell you the truth, that's kind of upsetting for me.

Personally, I don't like Miley Cyrus much myself. But there is an enormous difference between hate, and dislike. The reason I'm not very fond of her is her  music. I'm just not into her kind of music, it's not something about her, or the way she looks, it's her music. I'm not saying any names, but I have seen quite a few posts on people's blogs, about how much they hate Miley Cyrus. Sure she's made mistakes...But haven't we all? At least she admitted to them, instead of going on as if nothing happened, right? I don't know about you, but this seems like hypocrisy.

Going on and on about the bad things she's done in the past, and acting like you're the perfect one, simply because you're a christian, or because you've never done those things, are not the things you should be doing. ***News flash!*** You're a sinner too! Just because you've never made the exact same mistakes as Miley Cyrus doesn't mean that you're a good person, or that you haven't sinned.

Another thing I have a problem with, is the issue of calling Miley Cryus "ugly" or "stupid" or anything else similar. If you're a Christian who has posted something like this about Miley Cyrus then I have two questions for you. How can you post about God, and his love, and be so kind about other people, and then post something so hate-filled? And if God read your blog what do you think He would say? Laugh and comment, agreeing with your statement? Or reprimand your cruel words? One more thing for those of you who have posted pictures of Miley Cyrus, and messed them up to make her look 'ugly'. If someone took a picture of you and messed it up, posted it on their blog, and said something rude like: "She is sooo UGLY!" or "If I were her I would do something about my face!" (actual quotes taken from someone's blog) Would you be so happy that they did that? Or would you be angry and hurt?

See, it looks different when the hate is directed at you, doesn't it?

In Luke 6:35-36 it says:

"But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of The Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful, and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful."

It might be a good idea to keep this verse in  mind when we are posting critiques on someone.

Anyway, those are my thoughts. Opinions would be very welcome!

~Kylie~

Well what can I say? I post weird things when i'm bored!

Anyway....I've just been thinking, I was on the phone with my cousin the other day, and we were talking about how, after seeing Titanic, we have been extremely emotional when it comes to movies with the slightest bit of sadness! It is totally insane. I mean, I watched Titanic a few weeks ago (And I cried my eyes out hours after the credits were gone.) And ever since then every movie I have seen since that one, If it has anything sad in it, I cry! Like Gladiator for instance. Sure the movie was sad, but i\I've never cried when i've seen it. But last week I watched Gladiator and I cried THREE TIMES. Am I crazy or what? Maybe it's the tragic romance or something. I'm such a hopeless romantic =D.

Well, was that random or what? =D.

~Kylie~

Well, now that NaNoWriMo 2009 is over this week I have been a little bored lately. I planned next year's NaNoNovel, I wrote a few short stories, and I hung aroung the house just sighing, and wishing I had something to do...Until yesterday of course.....IT SNOWED!!!!!! IN TEXAS!!!!! Crazy right? Yes, but awesome! We actually had snow at our house! It was awesome!We had a whole wopping three inches! We were outside all day long, having snow ball fights, and my little sibs even made a mini snowman! But of course i'm now regretting playing outside ALL day because I have now contracted a deadly case of *drumroll*....The common cold! Complete with coughs, and sore throat! Oh well. anyway... It's twelve am here right now, and I'm babysitting...Well sort of...Everyone's asleep except for me =D I'm having a great time updating my playlist...I love music! oh, check out my sidebar. I have a link to a christian website that plays christian music online..It's pretty cool. Well, I'd better be going. I'll post more soon!

~Kylie~

Well I got bored so I created a Chrismas time tag! Here it is!

What's your favorite holiday? Christmas! ( I love the Chhristmas trees, lights, songs, and everything else! It just makes me feel so happy!)

What's your favorite part of Chrismas time? Christmas eve. I love the anticipation. (and of course staying up all night!)

What do you do for Christmas? Stay up all night Christmas eve, and in the morning we read about the birth of Jesus Christ and open presents!

Do you have a special tradition you celebrate at Christmas time? Yes, a few actually! We stay up all night  on Christmas eve, (Or at least I do anyway:-) And on Christmas eve we eat a bunch of snacks, and watch Elf, and The Christmas Carol! On Christmas morning we get up and read the story of the birth of Christ and then we open presents!

What do you want for Christmas this year? A Japanese Cherry Blossom Bath and Body Works set , and An Ipod touch, (but i'll be buying that myself!)

What do you do on Christmas eve? Stay up all night...Eat snack food...Watch The Christmas Carol...Watch Elf.

Christmas morning? Read the bible story about the birth of Christ and open presents!

Christmas day? We usually mess with our new things, and if we get tired we take naps. Around noon we eat Christmas dinner. (And then I do dishes with my siblings :-P) 

And I tag Dizneyfan1, preacherskid, and RoseofThorns! And anyone else who wants it!

~Kylie~

(I made this tag because I was curious about what everyone else does for christmas, a little weird....But anyway....)

I have finally hit 50,00 words! I AM NOW AN UNVERIFIED NANOWRIMO WINNER!!!! WOOHOO!!!!

Ok that's all I have to say! Goodbye!

~Kylie~

Hey everybody!

I'm just here to post about something that's really been getting on my nerves lately... (It's my own personal opinion, I don't have anything against you guys.)

The title saysl "LOTR" which is exactly what I am going to post about.

I only have one question......Why is everyone so crazy about it? I mean, there's got to be more to life than lord of the rings, right? (Don't answer that question).

I myself want nothing more to do with lotr, I am totally sick of it, and I never want to see the movies, or read the books again! gah!

Why why why do you all like it so much?

Ok now that my ranting and raving is over, goodbye!

~Kylie~

I just recently found this song called Travelin' Thru by Jason Castro (A guy from 'American Idol' who made it to third place then was voted out.) It is amazing!!! I have it on my playlist by the way ;-) Here are the lyrics:

Travelin' Thru

By Jason Castro.

Well I can't tell you where I'm going, I'm not sure of where I've been
But I know I must keep travelin' till my road comes to an end
I'm out here on my journey, trying to make the most of it
I'm a puzzle, I must figure out where all my pieces fit
Like a poor wayfaring stranger that they speak about in song
I'm just a weary pilgrim trying to find what feels like home
Where that is no one can tell me, am I doomed to ever roam
I'm just travelin', travelin', travelin', I'm just travelin' on

Questions I have many, answers but a few
But we're here to learn, the spirit burns, to know the greater truth
We've all been crucified and they nailed Jesus to the tree
And when I'm born again, you're gonna see a change in me

God made me for a reason and nothing is in vain
Redemption comes in many shapes with many kinds of pain
Oh sweet Jesus if you're listening, keep me ever close to you
As I'm stumblin', tumblin', wonderin', as I'm travelin' thru

I'm just travelin', travelin', travelin', I'm just travelin' thru
I'm just travelin', travelin', travelin', I'm just travelin' thru

Oh sometimes the road is rugged, and it's hard to travel on
But holdin' to each other, we don't have to walk alone
When everything is broken, we can mend it if we try
We can make a world of difference, if we want to we can fly

Goodbye little children, goodnight you handsome men
Farewell to all you ladies and to all who knew me when
And I hope I'll see you down the road, you meant more than I knew
As I was travelin', travelin', travelin', travelin', travelin' thru

I'm just travelin', travelin', travelin', I'm just travelin'
Drifting like a floating boat and roaming like the wind
Oh give me some direction lord, let me lean on you
As I'm travelin', travelin', travelin', thru

I'm just travelin', travelin', travelin', I'm just travelin' thru
I'm just travelin', travelin', travelin', I'm just travelin' thru

Like the poor wayfaring stranger that they speak about in song
I'm just a weary pilgrim trying to find my own way home
Oh sweet Jesus if you're out there, keep me ever close to you
As I'm travelin', travelin', travelin', as I'm travelin' thru

~Kylie~