Posted By Taylor the Hobbit and Cowboy

i'm tired....*sighs* ... *doesn't feel like capitalizing anything* ... *long silence* ... *gets up*...*comes back with a mini tootsie pop* ...*starts chewing on it* ... *mm...grape flavored* ... *wakes up a little* ... *looks around the room* ... *crunches on the tootsle* ... *gets to the tootsie center* ... *chews it* ... finishes it and throws the stick away* ... *wonders if her ipod is done charging* ... *looks* ...*almost* ... *closes out a tab that popped up* ... so how's your day been? mines been fine. ... i have an annie moses band song stuck in my head. it's called "blush". i like it. ...*gets tired again* ... do you want to know the chorus line to it? okay, and i'm finally in the mood to capitalize things.

 "When hands were gentle, and words were kind, and love could wait a long, long time, and private matters held their hush, when grooms were gallant, and brides would blush."

Now my theme song is stuck in my head. Do you want to see the words? Okay.

"Early one morning, just as the sun was rising,

I heard a young maid sing in the valley below,

'Oh, don't decieve me, oh, never leave me,

how could you use a poor maiden so?'

Gay is the garland, and fresh are the roses,

I've culled from my garden to place upon thy brow,

Oh, don't decieve me, oh, never leave me,

How could you use a poor maiden so?

Remember, remember, your vows to Mary,

Remember, remember, your promise to be true,

Oh, don't decieve me, oh, never leave me,

How could you use a poor maiden so?

Thus sang the maiden, her sorrows bewailing,

Thus sang the pretty maiden in the valley below,

Oh, don't decieve me, oh, never leave me,

How could you use a poor maiden so?"

the end.

Posted By Sarah Cambell

Ok,I have decided that I will put the songs "Burn for you" "Monster" "Hey Hey" "Quiet Streets" "I'm For You" and "Hero" on the playlist,because those are the songs that helped me realize. ^_^

Posted By Alex in Main Page

Over the last century, and especially recently, countless people have predicted that the world is going to end due to some catastrophe.  Some predicted aliens; some prophesied that overpopulation would lead to massive incurable famines; still others proclaimed that the end would come by disease, permenant submersion of all habitable land, a super volcano, an experimental accident, global warming, a nearby supernova, superintelligent computers, or grey goo nano-technology that would dominate the universe. All these scenarios have been seriously put forward, but few as much as one: that earth will be hit and destroyed by a giant asteroid.



Now serious people usually brush off all these scenarios off, calling them "alarmist" and "apocolyptic." Those who trust in science say that man could ward off any of these threats that might actually be possible. For example they say: 'We can detect astroids years before they come near earth and a well guided missle sent from earth could end an asteroid's life far out in space.'

Well, theses people sound much more credible and believable. And they are, but neither side has things completely right as was proved this past week.

Science was proved faulty last Friday when an asteroid nearly struck earth and was not detected until 15 hours before it made its closest approach. (Click here for article). Fortunately, the asteroid was only 23 feet in diameter, and would have been much reduced in size by the time it hit earth. Still, it could have exploded in the atmosphere and caused severe damage.

Several historical events show the damage that can be done even by small asteroids or meteors:

1. In prehistoric times a 54 yard long meteor hit in what's now Arizona. It caused a 4,000 ft long crater that is 570 ft deep. See the picture below.




2. In 1490, in China, historical documents tell of 10,000 people being slain by "falling stones." Astronomers believe these "stones" to have been the result of an asteroid that exploded in the atmosphere.

3. The most recent impact catastrophe was the Tunguska Event in Russia in 1908, when a 4-6 mile wide meteor blew up in the atmosphere directly impacting 830 sq miles.

 Fortunately it happened above an empty part of Siberia populated only by extensive evergreen forests. The damage was still tremendous. The explosion was 1000 times more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb, and produced the effect of a level 5 earthquake.

There are many eyewitness accounts from Tungus villagers and Russian settlers living many hundreds of miles away on the shores of Lake Baikal. They report seeing a massive blue column, as bright as the sun, descend from the sky and immediately after, a massive explosion that knocked people off their feet, broke all the windows, and severely damaged crops.

This was all hundreds and hundreds of miles away. The influence of the explosion was felt even in Europe. There was no night in either Europe or Asia for several days afterward due to the explosion. People in London could read their newspapers at night in its light. It was generally assumed to be the beginning of the end of the world.

In Siberia itself, where the explosion actually happened, a new lake was created 80 million trees were felled as seen in the picture below.



If that asteroid on Friday had hit earth and if it had been as big as the Tunguska asteroid, our world would be drastically changed. And scientists didn't even see it coming until hours before the event. If an asteroid like Tunguska hit the US, China, or Europe, the world as we know it would truly have been at an end.



 

Posted By Taylor the Hobbit and Cowboy in Important

Why is it, when I have such a great life: an indescribable relationship with the Lord, a wonderful family, fantastic friends, a house that fits our needs, enough food, the amazing blessing of being homeschooled, a loving church, that I can still complain? Why do I still fight with my sisters because they won't let me on the Xbox, or they're plunking on my piano? Why is it that even though I am so thankful to be homeschooled, I still whine and sulk over having to balance chemistry equations? I mean, that is probably one of the most childish things I could do. Homeschooling is the oportunity of a lifetime for me, and I'm thanking my parents by complaining about science. Being homeschooling is one of the greatest things that have happened to me, it's making me smarter each day, shouldn't I be thankful that I have to do chemistry? My sisters and I have the greatest times with each other, talking and laughing about who knows what, and singing to the top of our lungs, and I show my appreciation by arguing when they won't move on the couch? Oh boy, God and I have some work to do.

God Bless You,

 Taylor

Posted By Sarah Cambell in The Characters

(Captain Falcon)Hey,Hey,what's going on??? Where is everyone?

(Samus) I think they're all asleep...

(Ridley) Too bad..

(Olimar) This is a good number,no?

(Captain Falcon) I suppose so,Olimar! ^_^

(Samus) I do love it that Sarah is happy again...

(Ridley) Yes,she was dancing in her room tonight like a maniac...

(Olimar) *Starts dancing,humming 'Keep it Real' by The Jonas Brothers.

(Captain Falcon) I do say,those songs are quite catchy.

(Ridley) I think I like 'Burn for you'..

(Samus) I like 'Monster'!

(Ridley) Check that! I like 'Monster'---CAUSE I AM ONE!!! *Evil Laugh*

(Samus) *Rolls eyes*

(Olimar) I do like that one..umm...'Hey Hey'?

(Samus) Yes,that and 'Quiet Streets'. Those are two of Sarah's favorite songs!

(Captain Falcon) I also like that one..'Viva La Vida' By Coldplay?

(Ridley) And 'I'm For You' By the Tobymac human.

(Olimar) I think I like 'Hero' By Superchick!

(Samus) HALT!

(All) *Stops*

(Samus) I think we're boring the children..

(Ridley) Who cares?

(Samus) T_T

____________________________

Signed By;

Captain Falcon

Samus Aran

Ridley

Captain Olimar

Posted By Sarah Cambell in Our Adventures

Sephiroth threw his head back and chuckled. "You can't defeat me,you pitiful Rement of mine!" Kadaj waved his arms around as he was trying to go after Seph. Loz and Yazoo merely shook their heads and watched him do so,while Zexion rolled his eyes and read his book on the couch. I walked to Seph. "Sephiroth,do you know where Kamek and Ridley are?" "Yeah,they're in the bathroom..." I blinked. He looked at me. "Would I lie?" "Yes." I answered,blankly. He made a small 'O' with his mouth and looked to his bottom right,then looked back at me. "Harsh...but very true...." I sighed. He grinned. "In the Kitchen." I smiled. "Thank you!"

~~~~~~

Sakura rested her legs atop the coffee table and read a book,while she was humming 'Hey Hey' By Superchick. I walked to her,with a rolled up paper in my hand. "Sakura,we need to talk." "Hmm?" She mumbled. I sighed and rose the paper up. "What is THIS?" She glanced. "What is what?" I sighed and unrolled it,showing it infront of her face...

"It's a drawing of Seph and Gannon FIGHTING." She grinned and looked back down. "How do you know it's from ME???" I huffed and flipped the page back. It read; 'Drawing By Sakura'. She bit her lip. "Well,surprise!!"

~~~~~~~~

"'Ello,Sarah!" Cheered Alex,while walking through the door,equipment strapped everywhere on his body and all of PFC was behind him. "We're BACCKKK!!!! School has let us out early! We can now come back to you all!" He had a rather excited face on him,but I only mumbled. "Heikdnvnvv......" He blinked. "Pard my french?" "Gljdkkhahfahhakdef...." His eyes popped open and he walked to me. "I didn't catch that sentince of English.." "HJGHGGJGJJHJJHHJH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" "AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" He screamed,throwing himself backwards and crashing into all of God's creation. I threw my head back and laughed. "YOU IDIOT!! I KNEW YOU WOULD FALL FOR IT!!"

~~~~~~

"Sarah,I hate this sauce..." Calvin grumbled as he stared at his food,his nose laying on the table as he hung his body from the chair. "Too bad,Calvin,cause you're eatin' it." He grumbled,took his fork and scooped up a bite of pasta,but spit it out and made strange faces. I laughed. "I KNEW YOU WOULD DO IT!!!" He growled and jumped from his chair. "I'm going to bed!" He called,as he walked to the hallway. "But,it's only 7:30!" Aerith told him. He disappeared into the darkness. "I'm gettin' old!"

~~~~~~

I sighed as I watched Aliens and rested my head on Zexion's shoulder,while I scratched Kadaj's head. They both smiled and closed their eyes,almost enjoying my attention,when the doorbell rang. I then started grumbling and violently sprung from the couch,stomping to the door and opening it,quickly. I then made a chilling shout; "AUNT MICHELLE!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Posted By GraceElizabeth in Reflections

Last week I was very alive.

You just read that short sentence and raised your eyebrows at me, because you're thinking, 'Grace, you are pretty much always alive. I hope.' Well, I hope so too. ;-) But I believe that you will understand what I mean when I draw your attention to some of those times of your life when you felt so bursting with happiness that you were... more alive than ever. If you can't recall any, I pity you. Because life is made up of times like that. Moments. Days. Most recently for me, it was last week. I was tremendously blessed to be able to attend a Communicators For Christ (CFC) conference in Corpus Christi. The motto for the organization is; ‘shaping culture through authentic communication'. Generally, people equate public speaking with communicating. But although public speaking is an important part of communicating for Christ, the biggest part is simply how you interact with the people around you. And even those of you who aren’t big about the whole ‘command the platform’ can't tell me that you don't interact with people. Not even homeschoolers are that unsocialized. =D So read on a little further, as I try to relate a little of what I've learned this week.

I competed in the National Christian Forensics and Communications Association (NCFCA) last year. And I had gone to a CFC conference before. And I was never a shy person. It's actually pretty funny to listen to all the accounts my friends give of how their mom made them go to the conference, or whatever. Because my parents didn't tell me I had to go. I told my parents they had to send me. =D Anyway, nothing I learned at this conference was new to me. Anyone could have asked me about it, and I would have agreed. But not until last week were these truths really cemented in my heart. The theme for this year's tour conference is 'Lead the Escape'. It’s not talking about escaping from your problems or from the world- on the contrary. This is an escape from artificial to authentic communication. And an escape from Self. The goal is to throw aside everything that would hinder you from sharing the Truth of the gospel, and equip yourself to go into the world in order to change it. And isn't that all our lives are about?

I'd like to briefly share four things with you that specifically stuck out to me while I was at the conference. I've put them into a handy little bullet list for you. (I love those things!)

 

• Not only is it totally awesome to know how to talk to people and communicate your beliefs, it's necessary. We do not have a choice. Let me repeat that, because the truth of it still hits me like a bomb: we do not have a choice. Either you will be able to converse with people and share Life with them, or you will be showing them through your insecurity that you don't know the answers. Everyone communicates. Through your glances, through your body language, through your words or lack of them. You will either communicate your beliefs, or you will communicate your unbelief. It's that simple.

• Value the relationship above the argument. Those of us who don't have problems with shyness often struggle with forcing our beliefs on others. We've got to remember that only God can change the human heart, and we are only his instruments through which He channels the Truth. Once we plant the seeds, our job is now to tend the ground gently and pray for the rain. And after all, if you are willing to lay the argument aside in order to keep your friendship with someone, you will have another chance. Once you sever ties with a person, you can never go back. There's a quote I heard this week by Phillip Yancey. It says, 'No one ever became a Christian because they lost the argument.'

• Being a competent cultural communicator means being willing to risk yourself. That scares me, so I know it probably scares you too. But life is so not about us. If we are willing to risk looking 'weird' or being in awkward situations sometimes, or simply willing to give other people the time of day when we're busy, we will be able to reach farther into people's lives. We've got to be engaging and real and joyful and trustworthy. Then people will connect with us, and we can touch their lives through Christ. We can't wait on the sidelines for the world to come to us. We must go to them.

• For those of you who compete in speech and debate, let's remember that competition is only a way to hone our skills. Our goal is never to win rounds, but to win people. How many people do you think you're going to win by speaking to a bunch of homeschool parents? Sure, there may be a few 'community judges', but most likely they are Christians as well. Unless we're taking the skills we learn out into the community, all our moving rhetoric is for nothing. I know we've heard this before, but NCFCA is a game. A means, and not an end. Let's actually use what we've learned by impacting people who need us.

I can't tell you everything that I learned at this conference. But I felt that those four points were very important, and I hope you think so as well. I'd like to remind us of one thing, though. And that is, we can't do it. Yes, I know I just took several precious minutes of your time explaining to you what I've learned and how to do it. But all of that knowledge is useless. We can't do it. The only one who can is Christ. And He has chosen to use US! It's so, so important to remember that Christ is the only one who can light a fire under our rhetoric. He is our answer. One morning of the conference we were beginning the day with prayer, and my friend praying said this- "Let us realize that there's no possible way to communicate FOR Christ, unless we communicate WITH Him." I feel that every day. Let us always realize that we are nothing without Christ in us. He must lead us before we can Lead the Escape.

In final (I promise, this is the final) conclusion, I wrote a poem:

Dream of an Escape

If this was all a dream,
Spun from silver moon reflections on the water,
And fanned by firefly wings.
Or tossed from wave to wave, in tempests worthy...

Then when I wake up, I will laugh with the sky,
And everything will be more real, and more right.
I'll grasp for the pillow and sing for pure joy,
Because this dream has changed my life.

Sometimes our dreams are more real than our lives,
When we are not willing to live them for Christ.
And sometimes our dreams are our way of escape
When we are too frightened to risk for His sake.

But sometimes life seems like a dream
And everything exudes a golden gleam.
And I know that it's real, more real than I am.
Though it's bound to my heart with a velvet band.

And I realize that, escaping this way,
I'm delving in, not fleeing away.
The care isn't that I should save myself,
But help to lead the escape from Self.

For Christians may all sit and babble away,
And be very smart and have things to say,
But what have we done for the kingdom of Christ
Unless we go into the world and speak Life?

There is no higher calling, and no greater care
Than to reach out to others and simply be there.
If we can love in a world full of hate,
We are called to Lead the Escape.

 

{For more information about the Communicators for Christ nation-wide tour, visit http://www.instituteforculturalcommunicators.org. or http://www.theiccblog.com/ }

Copyright © GraceElizabeth

Posted By Sarah Cambell

I should really stop this whole crying thing I have been doing lately. Ya know,about all these problems that are thrown into my hands,all of these people dying (Which is still upsetting) and everything else. Ya know why? I just got done dancing in my room,spinning around while I was listening to Burn For You,Monster,Hey Hey and Quiet Streets and then,it hit me. I stopped and stared at my room. I thought of all the good things that happen to me. All of the friends I do have and all the crazy family members that always keep me busy. And that's when I thought; I like who I am. I have the greatest friends ever,the coolest family ever,the greatest God ever and I like what I do everyday. My life is one crazy life and it has it's moments,but I still find lots of good in it,which is filled with laughter and fun. And I will continue to be me--For as long as I shall live.

Posted By Emily94 in Music

Yesterday I got to go to a really cool orchestra rehearsal! ;)
I didn't play this time, but I'm going to join in January! *smile*

“Musicians own music because music owns them.”

Posted By Sarah Cambell in Sonic The Hedgehog

(Knuckles) Knuckles,here. I would like it if you would answer these five questions...

1. If you were to be in Sarah's position,as far as finding all us Characters,what would you do?
2. What kind of Leader would you be to us?
3. Your choice of a home for us?
4. Would you ever,EVER give us away for fame or money?
5. Would we drive you crazy?

And that's it. Please copy these questions and answer them in a comment.