The Writings Of A Young Woman In Christ

Aug. 31, 2009 - "Coming Attractions" by Robin Jones Gunn

Hello Everyone!!!

I have been entered into a social media tour for Coming Attractions by Robin Jones Gunn. What I'm supposed to do is read the book and write a review on it and post it on my blog. So I have read the book and here is my review...

In this book, we get to follow Katie Weldon through quite a few ups and downs. Through her last year of college, her relationship with her boyfriend, Rick, through graduation, and through tough decision-making about the future and relying on the Lord about what comes next. In the first book, I was very excited about Robin continuing the stories through Katie Weldon about all of our favorite characters. I had discovered Christy Miller when I was twelve and read the books and fell in love with everyone. And then I was able to continue on with Sierra Jensen, and then on through the college years. When it ended, I was sad. I felt like I had to say goodbye to good friends of mine that I had grown close to. Which is why when Robin started writing about Katie Weldon, I was very quick to pick up the first copy I could find. I've enjoyed reading about Katie, and I've enjoyed both books so far, but without a doubt Coming Attractions has touched me the most in the Katie series. I felt a connection. The book caused me to grow close to Katie and feel what she was feeling. I laughed with her, shed some tears and had more then one case of goose bumps! This book is amazing. Definitely the best Katie Weldon book yet in the series. Robin Jones Gunn has such a heart for the Lord and He most definitely works through her to bless us with all these amazing God-filled books for teens and woman. I highly recommend reading this book and the others in the series!!! They are very uplifting, real-to-life sort of books and I highly recommend them to any who are interested. I can't wait to find out what happens to Katie and the gang next!

--Dallas MacKay, Minnesota

If you are interested in finding out more, or getting some the books for yourself, here are some links that might be helpful...

Link to Robin Jones Gunn's site:

http://robingunn.com/

Link to Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0310276586

Link to Interviews with Robin:

http://blogtourspot.com/rgunn-tour/rgunn-interviews

And here are some others who have written reviews on their blogs! Check 'em out! Go to...

http://blogtourspot.com/rgunn-tour/rgunn-tour-stops/

Always in Christ,

Dallas

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Mar. 30, 2009 - Yes, I've been horrible at blogging!

Oh wow. It's been quite some time since I've taken the time to even come on HSB!!! I'm sure alot of my friends on here have given up on me, huh? :-) Don't think I've fallen off the face of the planet! Actually, I'm mostly writing because my friend, Rebekah told me that I'm due for an entry. So here, Rebekah, I'm blogging!

Just teasing. But yes, it's been pretty crazy around here! So I'll try to get an update posted tonight...

The biggest thing going on right now is that I'm currently in a Easter Contata that our town puts on every year. It's a choir with about 50+ people that take part in it from the different churches in our town. It tells the Easter story in song. It's really fun.

I was in it last year -- my first year in it-- so this is my second year. It's been a lot of fun to learn all the new songs and hear how amazing it will all sound once we put our voices with the orchestra! We actually have only one more practice before the big performance on April 5th. I'm so excited, yet so nervous! It's really a big to-do every year and people come from all over to hear us. Such a fun experience though! Actually this year is exciting for me for two reasons: One, is that my wonderful friend is in it with me this year. That's really exciting for me, because last year I was in it alone, and as much fun as it was (and it was an awesome experience) I wished I had someone there that I could talk to and share the experience with. You know? So it's been really nice to have her in it with me.

And also, the other reason is that it has been cause for learning a new skill! You see, we're supposed to wear all black-attire for the performance -- and this year I decided to make my own dress! Now-- my mom and I do not know very much about sewing. We know a little, but not enough to do a lot of it. We both really have wanted to learn, but we've never known anyone who knows how and would be willing to teach us (much to our dismay). But a couple weeks ago (and it was a total God-thing!) we found out that a lady from our church knew how to sew and has been doing it for years, and she was more than willing to teach us what she knew! She has just been such a blessing to my mom and I, and she has taught us so much. Now we have the dress almost completely finished -- everything but the zipper. And it is so gorgeous! I'm so excited to wear it.

I'm going to have to tell you all how the Contata turns out. But unfortunately, as short as this is, it's all I have time to share tonight! I'll try to blog again, as soon as I can...

In Christ!

Dallas

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Feb. 19, 2009 - "Happy Birthday To Noah!"

Hello to all!

It has been a while since I've been on the computer. In fact, yesterday was the first time I'd been on the computer for full week, and a few minutes was all my schedule would permit me.

But I decided that today I was due for a new entry!

We've been busily celebrating my youngest sister's birthday this week. Noah (my sister) turned six years old yesterday, February 18th. I cannot believe that it was six years ago already that we were blessed with her. It couldn't possibly be that long ago!!! She's gotten so big and learned so much. But I can remember so well the day she was born!!! And I (age ten) was so excited to be a big sister to yet another wonderful little sister.

To celebrate her birthday, on the day before her big day (the 17th) we went to the zoo. And, good gracious, was that fun!!! We took some friends of ours [they have a little girl my sister's age that we do daycare for and she and my sister simply adore each other.] with us, and we were able to spent the entire day at the zoo looking at all of the different animals and having a blast. I really did have so much fun! They have this spot at the zoo where you can go and look at this huge aquarium of fish and sharks, and another aquarium of dolphins, and..well, all of the sea creatures. And in one spot, there's this pool where there are these types of sharks (they're small and brown...not sure what they are called though) and quite a few sting-rays (although, they must be a different type of sting-ray, because I don't think they were the type that sting. Maybe a relative Ray? haha...Part of the Ray family, I guess. haha! Sorry. Getting a kick out of my own joke...). And you are able to pet them! I've done it quite a few times before, but I never tire of it. It was DEFINITELY my favorite part. We spent quite a while in that part of the zoo at my request. :) I have a sort of "weird" interest in sting-rays -- they are so neat! And would you believe that they are extremely friendly? They will purpousfully swim up to the surface of the water and let you pet them. And their cute little "Smile" on their underside -- I love them! But okay, I'll stop rambling on now.

Anyway, it was great fun. By the end of the day we were all so tired. :-) But it was a good sort of tired. And the Lord gave us a beautiful day to go to the zoo. It was really nice out, so we were able to look at the outside animals and be outside with a simple light jacket. How wonderful it was! We were very blessed.

And then yesterday, my sister had a small birthday party and we invited her three friends. It was so adorable! They had so much fun. It was a small "princess" party, so we had punch, and little treats and cupcakes, and we made little "tiaras" out of headbands, beads and pipecleaners. They looked like this:

Not exactly professional, but the girls liked them! And they looked so cute!

Then we played a couple of games and opened her presents. She said she had a lot of fun. :-) And I think even my dog, Truly, liked the party...

Or....then again...perhaps not so much.

But all in all, I think that Noah had a good birthday, and I'm glad! =) Next up is my Dad's birthday on the 21st! Then we're done with family birthdays again until October.

Well, I'm sorry to say, this is all I have time for today. I hope you all have a blessed week!

In Christ,

Dallas

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Feb. 12, 2009 - I saw "Fireproof"!

Hello There!

Well, I have finally seen the movie "Fireproof". I know a couple entries down-- in a tag-- I said I was going to see it the next day, but that fell through, so I had yet to see it. But Monday evening I watched it for the first time with my family.

I thought it was absolutely amazing. Anyone who has not seen it yet, should run out and see it immediately. ;-) I cannot believe I waited this long to see it! It is one of those movies that touch you deeply -- no matter what your marriage status is.

I cried on and off throughout the entire movie, and then at the end I couldn't stop crying -- even after the credits were rolling!!! It made me feel so happy that everything worked out for the good. I love happy endings. But, oh, It was so very, very good. Now I can see why everyone is talking about it. :-) And you know what's so awesome? Kirk Cameron (the main guy in the movie who is also a Christian evangelist) refuses to kiss any woman other than his wife. It made me so happy to hear that. That is the way everyone should feel!!! I looked up the movie on a web-site (The internet movie database website) and I found out that in order to film a scene in which his character in the movie kisses his wife, "...The filmmakers had to dress Cameron's real-life wife, Chelsea Noble, as the wife character (played throughout the rest of the movie by Erin Bethea) and shoot the kissing scene in shadow so the difference between Noble and Bethea would not be as evident on screen."

I thought that that was wonderful. :) Doesn't that just make your whole being happy? Maybe not. It could just do it to me because I'm a hopeless romantic. But yes.

I thought the movie was amazing and extremely touching. So I thought I would share that with you all. =D

God Bless!

In Christ,

Dallas

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Feb. 4, 2009 - If you can believe it...

Once again, I am doing another tag! This time I was tagged by Anna93. Thanks, Anna. :) This is an Acrostic Poem tag. I am supposed to pick a word (or short sentence) for every letter in my first and middle initial. But I have two middle names, so in my case I'll do them both. :-)

D - Diligent

A - Always learning

L - Loves the Lord

L - Loyal

A - Active

S - Sings often. ;-)

M - Mature

A - Accomplished

C - Calls upon the Lord often

K - Kindred Spirit

A - Accommodating

Y - Youthful

M - Modest

C - Caring

L - Loves my family

A - Amiable

R - Ready to serve

E - Ever faithful to God

N - Neat freak

So there you have it! Some of them are kinda silly, but they are all true. I had a hard time figuring out what to put down sometimes, and whenever I would ask my family what they thought I should put for a letter and whatnot, they would say something like, "Adorable" or "Lovely" so I just stopped asking them. I had to say, "Okay, thanks for your help, but I'm not going to say that about myself!" [haha] So they did try to help, but I did better on my own. ;-) Thanks Mom and Raechel!

NOW I'm going to post who I'm tagging.... (Drum roll please)

Susannah (Farmgirls)
Rebekah (FarmGirlAtHeart)
Kris (BeautifulSomehow)
My sister, Raechel (pony)

Have fun you guys!

In Him,

Dallas

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Feb. 3, 2009 - Yes, I've been tagged yet again!

Well, I've been tagged by Susannah (Farmgirls). The rule is that you're supposed to go to the fifth photo file in your computer and pick the fifth picture in that file and post it and explain it. Well, I only have three photo files in my computer (so that part wasn't perfect) and picked the fifth photo. And that is...

My horse, Promise, as a baby! This photo was taken a couple of days after he was born. His birthday is May 27th. He'll be three this year!!! Now he's sooooo much bigger, so to see this little horsey is so different. I have so many memories of watching as Dolly gave birth to him, and then training him as he grew up...sigh. He's my little baby.

Well, I was going to try putting a recent picture on here, but when I went outside to try to get a picture of him, he apparently knew it and therefore wouldn't allow me to get any decent shots of him. So I'm sorry. It's cold enough to get horrible frostbite outside, so I only tried for a while until my fingers went numb, then I decided to give up and come inside. So no recent picture of him! But I'll try again sometime, and I'll post a pic of him then.

So there you have it, that's my horse!

Always,

Dallas

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Feb. 1, 2009 - Gracious, I'm not very good at blogging...

Well, here I am again. Apparently, I'm not a very good blogger. I thought I would be on here daily, with entries all the time...but instead I haven't really had time enough to breathe--let alone get on the computer and blog! My journal has also suffered miserably. I just wrote last night. So I have decided to write an entry today, and that way I can feel as though I have accomplished something --even if it's a small sort of something. (I am so sorry to those of you who are waiting for emails from me!!! That's my next project. Even before cleaning my room, so feel special! )

All right, well. Lately we have been doing a lot of this, that and the other thing-- nothing truly fun or exciting, but enough to make it hard to have the extra time to sit down at the computer.

Today we went over to a friend of ours to help her out, and visit as well. She is a mother of eight children, all under the age of twelve, and her husband has a job that takes him away frequently so she has a lot on her hands. We went over and I watched the kids while my mom and sister helped her with house chores a bit. She really does do an amazing job considering how much work she has taking care of eight children -- one of which is only six weeks old. And oh, wow, is he is absolutely precious! It was such a joy to see and hold something so new and tiny. God is amazing! I cannot wait until a little bundle of joy is my own. But I will patiently until it is the Lord's will and time for me. I have a while yet, that's for sure!!! But I still look forward to that day...

Yesterday I went ice skating with some friend's of ours. In answer to your question: yes, my ankle is doing much better. It's still weak, unfortunately, so I am hesitant to try out any jumps or spins that I would normally not think twice about doing. But it has healed.

Anyway, yesterday was an absolutely BEAUTIFUL day. The sun was shining, and the sky was wide and blue, with soft clouds. There were even some birds out, believe it or not! We have had nothing but below-zero weather, (which is very typical for Minnesota weather in January and Febuary...and even March) but yesterday it was fourty-three degrees out, and it seemed wonderfully warm...for winter, that is. You didn't really even need a coat, just a warm sweater! That's foreign, for this time of year, practically. But then again, do any of you ever notice that after adjusting in below-zero climate (which you can only do to a point), you think anything above zero is warm?! Because, really, it does seem warm. But then after summer and you're used to ninety-degree weather, you go into Autumn and you're about ready to pull out the big parka. (haha) I guess it's really just the mind-set.

But it really felt like a little taste of spring. :-) I know not to get my hopes up, however, because we can't expect spring to happen until at least April, and even then we get surprise blizzards! You are never safe in Minnesota. haha But going skating yesterday was very fun and I enjoyed it a lot. I tend to get cabin fever at times. All throughout the winter months, I just yern to go for my beloved walks. But it's all together too cold -- that wind can be just horrible! So when nice days do come, I want to take advantage of them.

But here I am, sounding as though I am complaining about how cold it is! I do like it when it's cold-- it's a blessing at times! It sets the perfect mood for tea and a good book; Or for talking quietly with your family around the fireplace; Or for a good movie with a warm blanket... doesn't it?

Just imagine...The snow is softly falling outside the window, and you look out to a beautiful blanket of sparkling white, draping the bare branches softly. And the Ever-Green trees' branches are also draped, but you can still see glimpses of green needles poking out. And you look around at the soft blue of the sky in contrast to the white of the ground...don't you want to grab a cup of something hot (tea, cocoa, or coffee for those of you who like it...) and sit and enjoy the view? It sets the mood perfectly! And even for how little that actually happens, (us and our busy lives!) I love imagining it. It can pull you out of a dark mood pretty quickly. And I love when you look at the window and you see the frost lining the glass with the intricate designs. Only by God's hand does that happen. So winter is a blessing! It's a time for things to die so that they can become re-born in the spring! So I don't mean to complain about it. It is a blessing in a lot of ways. Just cold. ;-)

My goodness, that took up a lot of my computer time! I do get carried away. I should probably go now.

Blessings to you all!!!

In His Grace,

Dallas

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Jan. 19, 2009 - My poor, sad ankle...

Hello to all!

Well, it's been quite a while since I've written an actual entry. It's just been kinda busy with all of the wonderful and fun comments and PMs that I have been getting lately. That's about all that I have time for in the day. ;-) And I am sure this'll probably be short, since I still am not sure of what to blog about.

But let's see...right now I am on the computer when I would normally be at another figure skating lesson. But tonight, I while I was there (For only about ten minutes or so) I tried to do a jump that I have been working on, and I landed wrong on my ankle, and twisted it. So now I am at home, on the computer with an icepack. =) Fun, huh? I've wondered if maybe I should stop lessons because of my weak ankle, but never truly wanted to. I guess I'm one of those people who wait for something bad to happen before actually realizing what they should have realized before. I'm not too proud of that fact!

~My goodness, this thing is cold!!!~

Gracious, that really is all I can think to say. I have no interesting topics to blog about, so I guess this'll have to be it for now. At least I wrote, right?

Always in Him,

Dallas

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Jan. 17, 2009 - I have decided...(*"To follow Jesus!"* You guys ever heard that song? It's what I always think of when I hear "I have decided." Long story. And long title.)

....I have decided to tag my friend Kris! (Her username is BeautifulSomehow. She just joined so I think she deserves a little tag...heehee) So since I said I wasn't going to tag anyone-- which made you all under that assumption-- I wanted to tell you that I have now changed my mind. Go Kris! Love you, my friend.

Always His,

Dallas

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Jan. 16, 2009 - I've been taged!

Hey everyone! Well, I've been taged by my little sister, Raechel (pony). So here we go...

1. What time is it? 9:00 am

2. Whats your full name? Dallas MacKay (my mom doesn't want the rest of my name out there for the world. ;-)

3. What are you most afraid of? Afraid of? Milk. I hate milk. I don't know why...it's one of those uncommon fears that just do not make sence. I just don't like milk. (it does sound funny, but I'm being serious, unfortunately.)

4. What is the most recent movie that you've seen in the theater? I don't remember that far back...but tomorrow we're going to Fireproof!

5. Place of birth: Shouldn't say.

6. Favorite food: I don't have a non-favorite food. Besides like...uh...I'm not coming up with anything right now. I'll get back to you if I think of something. (my sister thinks that this is some sort of joke...)

7. Whats your natural hair color? It's actually been three different colors (that's not including the year I tried highlights!) but it's growing back into it's natural color (and I'm going to keep it that way! I'll never dye my hair again!) which is just a boring brown. I love brunette, but I don't think that my hair deserves that title. So it's just brown.

8. Ever been to alaska? I wish!

9. Ever been toilet paper rolling? Ummm, well if I knew what that was, I would probably have a better answer for you. As of right now...No. Is it like TPing?

10. Love someone so much it made you cry? Of course. :-)

11. Been in a car accident? No I have not. And I don't really plan to.

12. Croutons or bacon bits? I'm not actually a fan of either. But I guess I like bacon moreso.

13. Favorite day of the week? Saturday.

14. Favorite restaurant? We don't go out very often...But I guess I would choose Devani's (it's a very yummy restaurant that acutally closed down by us. =( I was so bummed!)

15. Favorite flower? A white rose and (another one that I can't remember the name of. Sad, huh?)

16. Favorite sport to play or watch? I don't really care to watch sports. And I don't really play either. I'm totally un-athletic. I do enjoy games that we play when friends are over and such! Just as long as they don't make fun of my clutzy-ness. haha :-)

17. Favorite drink? Good old water.

18. Favorite ice cream? Chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate!!!! Mmmmm. =)

19 Disney or the Warner Brothers? Disney all the way.

20. Ever been on a ship? Nope. I definitely wouldn't mind to try one though! Anyone got any free ship rides out there?

21. What color is your bedroom carpet? Wood flooring. We actually don't have carpet anywhere in the house. It makes for very cold feet in the winter!

22. How many times did you fail your drivers test? Umm, well I'm terrified to try, so I'm sure I will fail miserably quite a few times. (My sister is sitting next to me, and she says, "Think possatively!" Easy for her to say!)

23. Before this one, from whom did did you get your last e-mail? My last email? Besides "homeschoolblogger?" Ummm, I think it was from my (same as before) wonderful friend, Kris. (is it okay that I gave out your name?)

24. What do you do when you are bored? I love to read (lots!), write, sing, and play my harp. Oh, and go one here, of course. :-)

25. Bedtime? Gracious, that depends on how much I have to write in my journal! haha. Umm, I guess the usual time is 10:30.

26. Who will do this tag the quickest? Definitely not me. (okay, I know that's not what the question meant). So I don't know!

27. Who is the person you taged that is least likely to do it? Do I really need to put this kind of presure onto poor, unsuspecting people?

28. Who is the person that you are most curiouse to see their answers? I don't know again.

29. Favorite TV show? I don't watch TV. I don't have a favorite TV show.

30. Last person you went to dinner with? My family.

31. What are you going to do when your 31 or 32? Have a family of my own and be a Godly wife to a wonderful husband! I can't wait...=)

32. What are your favorite colors? I've never really understood the whole, "Favorite color" thing. It changes all of the time! I like the color teal blue. And I like the color maroon.

33. How many tattoos do you have? Three. Soon four.

Oh my goodness, I'm just kidding! I don't have, nor will I ever have a tattoo. Thank you for asking.

34. How many pets? Lots.

35. Which came first the chicken or the egg? Ah, the question we have been asking since the begining of time. Well, it'll now be answered...the chicken of course! Why would God just stick an egg on the earth and expect Adam and Eve to hatch it?

36. What do you want to do before you die? Bungy jump. Okay, I'm kidding again. I just really want to be a mommy and wife before I die. But whatever God has planned for me, I will follow.

37. Have you been to hawaii? No I have not.

38. Have you been to countries out side of the US? No again. I would like to go to Scotland and see where my ansesters lived though! And I want to go to England and stay in a castle. :-)

39. How many people are you sending this to? I don't think I will keep this up. Is that allowed?

40. Time this survey ended? It's now 9:39 It's been fourty minutes!

All right! I'm finished and I hope I didn't bore you all to death! (although, I suppose non of you are obligated to read any of this.)

In Him Always,

Dallas

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Jan. 12, 2009 - It's past my birthday...I'm now sixteen!

Hello to all!

Well here I am! It's now two days past my birthday. I was so busy on my b-day that I was not able to write. But now I'm here and I will try to actually say something interesting and intelligent (though nothing comes to mind right now!).

Let's see... I spent my birthday doing...well, nothing! Nothing that remains to discuss, anyway. It was a somewhat un-eventful day to tell the truth!

It was definitely not the exciting day that I thought it would be! I mean, (beware... my immaturity might shock some of you) I have always just imagined that my sixteenth birthday would be one of those days that's life-changing --where suddenly you're all grown up and you feel it and look it and everybody makes a big deal out of it! Granted, the realistic part of me realizes that that is not at all reality and it won't be like that -- but that has always been my imagining of one's "sweet-sixteen" birthday. My birthday wasn't like that at all (but like I said, I knew it wouldn't be...). In fact, even though you don't want to let yourself get taken away by one's imaginings (which happens FAR too much with me! I wish I could have my feet planted a bit firmer in reality. But I am all heart and imagination. I am working and praying about that...) but yet, I was rather disappointed with what my sixteenth birthday really was. It was real.

It wasn't bad necessarily, just not what I was expecting. I don't feel any different than I did when I was fifteen (big surprise after only two days, I know). In fact, I feel as though perhaps more problems come with age then excitement. But I know that isn't completely true. Problems come, but we get to strengthen our relationship with the Lord, and learn to rely on Him more when they come. And we have to do this more often the older we get-- far more so then we do when we are younger. But the bible says to "Glory in tribulations..." (Romans 5:3) and more tribulations come when one is older and more mature. At least for the most part.

I just didn't get to do the few things that I wanted to do on my birthday (one of which was blog!), and that kind of upset me. And then the other things that upset me a bit more is that after all of my waiting and excitement about getting a hope chest...I don't have one. Let me explain... We went to the antique shop on Friday and paid off the rest of the money we owed on it. Then we brought it home and I was absolutely floating on a cloud. After all of my waiting, I am finally going to be able to start filling it!!! We arrived at home and then my dad got to look at it. And here is where my feelings of disappointment come it.....he said that it wasn't an antique. It isn't even any older than five or maybe ten years! It was made to look old, but it doesn't have any value. And it was (in his words) "Definitely not worth how much you spent on it!!!" So that really deflated my cloud.

As I was just telling my wonderful friend in an email this morning: I wanted something that was loved and cherished at one time, and has been around for years and years. Something that will be meaningful and I know that it has seen things that I have only dreamed about. That was my whole plan behind getting it at an antique store! If I just wanted an old chest that didn't mean anything to anyone else, I could have found one just about anywhere! But I wanted it to have a history.

But then again, I know that God knows exactly what I'm looking for with my hope chest. And I know that He will help me find it. Unfortunately, we cannot take the chest back to the store that we got it from, because they don't allow returns. So we just bought something that I'm not sure I want. Well, I know I don't want it. And I cringe when I think about how much money we lost out on... I know that money doesn't come easily to my family. BUT I also know and believe with all my heart that God will provide for me and my family, and He will supply the money and the hope chest when He sees fit. So I'm not too worried. It was just a bummer. I wanted one so badly!

But that is the update on my birthday. On Sunday we got together with my family (grandparents and cousins) to celebrate my mom's and my own birthday. I had fun being able to talk to my cousin and she gave me a really sweet card that made me feel special. So that was fun.

And today nothing has happened that is terribly exciting. We had a big snow storm and there are so many snow drifts outside our driveway that we can hardly get out! (Our house is surrounded in trees, however, so we didn't get as many drifts around the house as we got out on the road.) So that's kinda fun. I love sitting in my warm house with a blanket and a cup of tea when it's snowing. In fact, I very well might go do that now. Although it's now starting to get dark, so you can't see the snow falling... Oh well, it's the knowledge that it's falling outside that's special, I guess!

Love in Christ to all!

-Dallas

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Jan. 6, 2009 - A Short Week's Update

Hello once again,

My goodness, days seem to go by fast, don't they? Today is my dearest, most wonderful Mother's birthday. Happy birthday, Mom!

Now a birthday is supposed to be spent with one's family, having cake and ice cream and doing whatever you would like to, right? Well my self-sacraficing mother spent her birthday a little differently...Cleaning the chicken coop!!! Our chickens are usually free range, and they are allowed to do as they please. But they have been taking that freedom for granted a little too much, and aren't giving us ANY eggs. We have probably more then thirty chickens out there and yet there are never any eggs -- morning, noon or night! Why, you may ask? Because they are laying them ANYwhere but in their egg nests. They are laying in the hay stacks, behind vehicles, out in old sheds... anywhere but where they are supposed to be laying. [Sound familiar to anyone who also has chickens?] So we have been meaning to get out to the barn and lock them in the pen (which involves cleaning the gross old coop and laying down fresh shavings), but the freezing weather has not permitted us to do that.

But today, God blessed my Mother with a gorgeous day to have a birthday on, (which we all thanked Him for!!!)....but that meant that we had to do a little dirty work. It took us about two or three hours to get it cleaned out and ready for them to finally become caged. You should have seen us trying to chase down those ungrateful birds to stick them in the pen!! I never knew that chickens could run so fast!!! =D And we came in smelling like you wouldn't believe. haha

But hopefully now we will have eggs. And having to buy eggs (organically, of course. Thankfully we've been able to get them from some wonderful friends of ours -- we're so grateful!) when you have chickens right outside your door, is not exactly thrilling -- so we will be so happy to not have to buy eggs anymore! =)

So that is my account for the day. Mom turned a year older (Unfortunately, I'm quite sure she won't allow me to say how old...) and we spent a happy day --even though it was cleaning a coop--on the sixth of January. Only four more days until my birthday!!! I am so looking forward to being able to start putting things in my hope chest.

Yesterday, I took a really good friend of mine to the ice rink in town (where I've taken figure skating lessons every winter for about six years now) to skate with me up until my lessons started. We had fun being able to skate around with each other --she hadn't been on ice for two years up until yesterday! But she did beautifully in my oppinion, and afterwards, on the car ride home, she gave me a present for my birthday. It was a muffin pan to put in my hope chest. Isn't that so sweet of her? I'm so blessed to have such wonderful, sweet friends. =)

Well, I think that that is going to have to be my update for this time.

I'll blog later, so goodbye for now...To God be the glory for ever and ever!

In Him, Dallas

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Jan. 4, 2009 - Kids In Church...(just a forward)

I got this email not too long ago. Thought it was too cute not to share...

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Three-year-old Reese:

"Our Father,

Who does art in heaven,

Harold is His name.

Amen."

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A little boy was overheard praying:

"Lord, if you can't make me a better boy, don't worry about it. I'm having a real good time like I am."

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After the christening of his baby brother in church, Jason sobbed all the way home in the back seat of the car. His father asked him three times what was wrong. Finally, the boy replied,

"That preacher said he wanted us brought up in a Christian home, and I wanted to stay with you guys!"

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I had been teaching my three-year-old daughter, Caitlin, the Lord's Prayer for several evenings at bedtime. She would repeat after me the lines from the prayer. Finally, she decided to go solo. I listened with pride as she carefully enunciated each word, right up to the end of the prayer:

"Lead us not into temptations," she prayed,

"But deliever us from E-mail."

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One particular four year old prayed,

"And forgive us our trash baskets

as we forgive those who put trash in our baskets."

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A Sunday school teacher asked her children as they were on the way to the church service,

"Ans why is it necessary to be quiet in church?"

One bright little girl replied,

"Because people are sleeping!"

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Six-year-old Angie and her four-year-old brother, Joel, were sitting together in church. Joel giggled, sang, and talked out loud.

Finally, his big sister had had enough.

"You're not supposed to talk out loud in church!"

"Why? Who's going to stop me, Angie?" Joel asked.

Angie pointed to the back of the church and said,

"See those two men standing by the door? They're hushers."

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A mother was preparing pancakes for her sons, Kevin, 5, and Ryan, 3.

The boys began to argue over who would get the first pancake. Their mother saw the opportunity for a moral lesson.

"If Jesus were sitting here, He would say, 'Let my brother have the first pancake. I can wait.' "

So Kevin turned to his younger brother and said,

"Ryan, you be Jesus!"

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A father was at the beach with his children when his four-year-old son ran up to him, grabbed his hand, and led him to the shore where a seagull lay dead in the sand.

"Daddy, what happened to him?" the son asked.

"He died and went to Heaven." the Father replied.

The boy thought a moment and then said,

"Did God throw him back down?"

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A wife invited some people to dinner.

At the able, she turned to their six-year-old daughter and said, "Would you like to say the blessing?"

"I don't know what to say," the girl replied.

"Just say what you hear Mommy say," the wife answered.

The daugher bowed her head and said,

"Lord, why on earth did I invite all these people to dinner?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

--Hope you enjoyed!!!

-Dallas

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Jan. 2, 2009 - Beliefs, Personal Convictions and Some Thoughts

Hello to all!!!

First and foremost I just wanted to say (since I neglected to before) that I am leaving my blog open to the public in hopes that perhapse thoughout the course of this next year (and hopefully more years to come) I will be able to find like-minded girls that think the same way, and we can grow in Christ and learn from one another. I pray that Christ shines thought me daily, even on this blog, and that--with His constant help--I will become the Godly young woman He has designed me to be.

So, with that said, I thought that perhapse for today I would write about my beliefes and convictions (as you saw as my title...)

I'll say right off the bat, I believe that Jesus Christ is God's Son. That the Lord is the creater of everything, and He's the Truth and the Light, as well as my Savior and Redeemer. I've always been labeled a Christian, since I've grown up in a "Christian" familiy. I invited Jesus into my life when I was really young. But I don't think I really GOT IT until about two or three years ago. Not that I have it all now-- I really don't! But I am learning and wanting to know more, instead of stagnent in my faith as I was before. I was baptised on July 29th, 2007.

I also want to say that I believe that the bible is 100% true, that it is fully God's word, and it's Perfect and Holy.

As for personal convictions, I am fully commited to courtship as God's plan for me (which I do realize that some of you may not even know what courtship is, but if you have any questions, I'd be happy to try my best to answer them for you.).

I believe that God has the perfect husband out there for me (well, of course he won't be PERFECT -- we all have our faults--but he'll be made for me), and I am going to wait for the Lord to bring us together according to His will and plan for us. But I also believe that if His plans for me ARE to remain single, than He will help me to be joyful and do His work still. Because, honestly, that is something that does scare me a little. That is the area that I have the hardest time commiting to Him. I want so badly to grow up and have a family. To become a wife and a mother. Sometimes to think of a life of singleness...well, it is something that has the tendency to scare me. I even get scared once in a while NOW --at just fifteen (okay, soon to be sixteen)! And then there's the doubts "Will he ever come?"

BUT I also know that God's ways are perfect. He has a plan for me, if I just listen and obey Him. And if it is His will to bless me with a life of singleness (yes-- I do mean bless!), it's because He knows that there is something even better in store for me than marriage. And you know what? God gave us girls the desire to get married and have a family (not all of us, I guess, but a lot of us) and He does expect us to have these desires and thoughts. The thoughts in themselves aren't bad-- It's when they become the biggest thing in your life-- the first thing on your mind-- and you forget to trust in God about them. Then we need to take a step back and examine what it is that we need to be putting first. Always and forever the Lord. Single years are a gift from Him (Which was my big insparation last year!). And I want to know that I used them wisely-- not wasted them away, dreaming for the day when I'll be married. And I hope I learn as much throughout this next year as I have in the past year.

Last year I taught a bible study on courtship and waiting for the right one, (as a guide, I based it off of the book, "Waiting for Prince Charming" by Sarah Mally. All of you girls out there who are interested in waiting for the right one and preparing yourself for the day that he comes, I really suggest reading this book!!!!) and it was REALLY, really inspiring. I almost wish I could do it again. I loved being able to prepare for it, and it seemed like God had His hands in it heavily as well. He seemed to give me testimonies for every week on the subject that the girls and I would be studying. And if you can just believe it, the year before, I SWORE up and down that I would never teach a bible study (too scary and hard for me!) !!! It was such a God-thing!!! =]

So yes, I have really learned a lot this past year and I really hope that I keep right on learning (I'm sure I will. God never leaves us. And it seems to me that He has a sense of humor!) and finding out more as I grow in Christ. I pray the same for all of you out there!!!

All my love in Christ,

-Dallas

"For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come; Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." --Romans 8:38

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Jan. 1, 2009 - A little "Get to know me" for a moment

Hello there to whomever is reading this. It is the first of the year, and I'm doing something I've never done before! I am starting a blog (which you can already tell by now, of course. Just stating the obvious here.) But I am new to the blogging thing. My sister had a blog a year back, but just the other day she decided to start it back up. And, well, listening to her talk about it kind of made me want to start one. I love to write, and this could be a way to express my writing needs somewhere (besides my ever so wonderful journal!). So here I am. And, to tell you the truth, I'm not all that possative of what I should say. But I think I will start with the basics so you all can get a feel of my life and what I do each day and all that good stuff.

Let's see... I have two younger sisters, who I love very much. I have a quiet homelife that I wouldn't change for the world. I adore my family and home.

My family and I live on a small-ish farm out in the country. It's about three miles out from the town that we live in, which is somewhat small as well. Our animal collection is nothing amazing, and it's purly for our family's enjoyment and pleasure. We have horses and dogs, barn cats, and bunnies, as well as our ever-so-present chickens and turkeys (which, though sometimes get old, I don't know what I would do without them.) but no big bussiness. We do butcher chickens every year, but just for our family. Usually about 50-100. Which, in our first years of doing it (we've been doing it for about seven years now) I simply hated it. But now I view it as a way to feed our family and I help with the butchering -- and truly, I actually have fun on butchering day. And afterwards, to see a full freezer is such a wonderful feeling. Though, I have to say, killing them won't ever be something I am able to do. My father does it, and I don't think that is ever something that I will be able to say that I've done. But that's enough on that grusome subject!

One small fact is that I am turning sixteen on January 10th, and for my birthday my parents are getting me a hope chest. I'm really excited. I got to pick it out at the local antique store and I absolutely love it! :-] I don't think I'll have any sort of a party. But that's just fine. Quietly turning a year older is very much okay with me.

I play the harp, and I simply adore it. I have only been playing for about four months, but it's coming along very nicely and I really am enjoying being able to play songs for my family and friends.

Lets see, I know there is more, but for now I'll be done. I will write again sometime. Maybe post my poems or something like that. Thanks for reading!

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