Happy New Year, everybody! It's been a while since I updated, so forgive me if this is a little long.

 

   My week went well. Grandpa and Grandma came to our house on Thursday night. We went shopping at Kohls on Saturday, and Grandpa thought that the deals were really good. He wanted to get me something, but I declined and asked Mom if we could go to the thrift store on Saturday.   We went, and I got a couple things.

   Yesterday morning we went out to eat. We were headed to IHOP, but when we got there, a couple was just coming out - and they told us that there were only 2 servers, who were not doing their jobs very well. They suggested a place across town called Billie's. It was awesome! I don't usually like eating breakfast out, but this was an exception for sure.

   My friend Erin was able to come over yesterday... I don't know if she'll ever want to do it again, but I had fun!  Of course, I don't mean to give ya'll the impression that my family is embarrassing or anything, we just have ..... problems.

   We had our white elephant gift exchange at pastor's house last night. That was fun. I got a curling iron and a pad of paper. This is the first time I can remember actually getting something I'd use!  Here are some pictures:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=13976&l=bc326&id=626984352

 

Dear Friends,

     What an amazing year this has been! God has worked in my life in so many ways! I hope that he has worked in each of you as well.

     Last winter was the best we’ve had since we moved down here. It snowed like crazy, and being from Steamboat, I was thrilled! In talking to several of our neighbors, I gathered that their feelings were the exact opposite, but not everybody can win all at the same time! I regret that I didn’t get out into the snow more, but it’s fun to watch it from inside, too. I hope that we can have a white Christmas again this year.

     One of God’s major blessings on me this year was the opportunity to help with a Joy Club that is held on our street. ‘Mrs. B’ is an older lady who lives on the corner of our street and has been serving God for many years. I have been helping her with her weekly Joy Club since April, and God has really done some wonderful things. I’ve had the opportunity to talk to several children about Christ, and I’ve been able to be a witness to some of their parents as well. I think that we’ve had around a dozen accept Christ as their savior this year. I was able to lead some of them to the Lord myself!

     Towards the beginning of the year, Pastor announced at church that we were invited to join the Rocky Mountain Youth Conference. I really wanted to go, but it seemed impossible for things to work out. I didn’t even talk to Mom and Dad about it. I prayed that I would be able to go, but the registration deadline came and went. I forgot about the whole thing until two days before the Conference when Dad asked if Erica and I would be interested in going. Was he kidding? But registration was over! Well, technically it was, but Erica and I were still able to go. What a blessing! The speakers were Rand Hummel and Morris Gleiser. Both were really good, and I learned a lot. The conference took place on the weekend, and the following week, Tri-City Baptist Church had revival meetings with Tom Farrell. My family was able to attend most of them. Wow! So much preaching in one week was really good for me. Mr. Farrell’s messages really encouraged me and made me want to get out and be a better witness.

     In May Uncle Brian asked my family if we’d go up to Steamboat to get some of his horse tack and stuff. It was really nice to go back and see old friends. The only bad part about the trip was when we went to the old site of The WILDS of the Rockies. I really couldn’t believe how many changes have taken place there. At first I was angry, but then I realized that - somehow – this all fits into God’s perfect will. I certainly don’t know how, but it does.

     Just a couple weeks after our visit to Steamboat, Erica and I headed off for camp. The speaker was Brother Rich Tozour, and he was amazing! I made a decision almost every night, and God has helped me to keep up with them. I was really blessed by the people that God placed in my cabin. The fellowship was very sweet. Another blessing was that some of the girls in my cabin had brought extra jackets. I somehow managed to leave mine at home – so of course it snowed! The snow was gorgeous, and my camera was kept busy all throughout the week.

     We had the opportunity to go up into the mountains several times this year, which was wonderful! I’m still a country girl, and being stuck in the city during a hot, sticky summer is certainly no picnic! My family and I hiked up to St. Mary’s Glacier with our pastor’s family, had a picnic in Rocky Mountain National Park on Labor Day, and drove through Guanella Pass on Dad’s birthday. Uncle Brian took us girls and our cousins, Ethan and Jacob on a hike up Mt. Evans. It was a

gorgeous day and the hike was pretty good. (I was reminded that I need to work out a little more frequently!)

     Another highlight of the year was that I got to see my friend Erin Doherty several times. After being pen-pals for 4 years, we finally got to meet in ’06, and this year (now that she has her driver’s license) we were able to see each other several times. We went to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science together towards the beginning of the year. I never get tired of the museum! (Especially if there’s a volunteer around whom I may be able to debate with!) Erin and I also spent a day together at Southlands Mall in September. Of course, being teenage girls who love to read, we spent most of our time in Barnes and Noble. I wouldn’t mind doing it again! Last, but by no means least, we went ice-skating at Southlands the day after Thanksgiving. I’d never been skating in the dark, but it was lots of fun! (Not to mention C-O-L-D!)

     School has been going well, and I’m learning a lot. I still fail my science tests a lot, though, which is my most constant source of frustration. I can comprehend everything, study it, feel good about it – and not be able to remember much by the time I take the test. Math is going really well, though. I find myself enjoying it when I finally comprehend what I’m doing! (We’re using VideoText Interactive to learn Algebra, and I don’t see why some people hate algebra so much! All you have to do is pay attention!) The one major problem that I find with math is noticing that little dash in front of a number that makes it negative. But I’m learning!

     I’m still writing a lot. I’ve finished two books, written tons of poems, and started three other books. Yeah… I should stick with just one book at a time, but I don’t. I would like Bob Jones to publish one of my books, but I’m too chicken to send it in. I’ll do it some day, though!

     Our house is off the market, and I don’t know whether I’m happy or sad. I really wanted to move out to the country again, but I also see that God has a ministry for my family here. Dad leads the music at church; Mom and I are the pianists. I help with Joy Club. God needs us where we are, and it’s important that we stay in His will.

     Looking to the year ahead, the things that are most important to me are to keep growing in my walk with God, to be a witness to those around me, and to prepare myself for my future as a wife, mother, homemaker, and helpmeet. The best way to do this is to serve my own family right now. Is that easy? No. But it gets easier with practice. God has blessed me with parents who have a vision for my future and who want to help me in every way that they can.

     I hope that God has blessed you this year my friends, and I pray that He will bless you throughout 2008. Keep your mind focused on Him, and nothing else will matter.

     Soli Deo Gloria,

     Emily

Here's a tag I received - I don't know 8 people to tag with it, so I guess I'll tag somebody later!

8 Things I'm Passionate About

   1. My relationship with God

   2. My family

   3. My friends

   4. Creation/Evolution debate

   5. Reading

   6. Writing

   7. Camp

   8. Movies vs. the books they were adapted from

 

8 Things I Want To Do Before I Die

   1. Be married

   2. Have lots of kids

   3. Have a book or two published

   4. Meet my friend Naomi in person

   5. Visit Pemberley (Chatsworth House)

   6. Go on an Alaskan cruise

   7. Get a dog

   8. Get my pilot’s license

 

8 Things I Say Often

   1. "Aw, man!"

   2. "Seth, did you know that I love you?"

   3. "You hurted my feelings."

   4. "Stupid cat.”

   5. "Yeah, right."

   6. "Just a sec."

   7. "Cool."

   8. "Are we going to the library today?”

 

8 Books I've Read Recently

   1. The Bible - God's Word

   2. George Mueller - by Faith Coxe Bailey

   3. The Little Woman - by Gladys Aylward

   4. Danger Follows - by Goerky Smith

   5. The Red House Mystery - by A. A. Milne (Hey, this guy did more than Winnie-the-Pooh! You should read his adult-level fiction!)

   6. Julie Monroe and the Secret in Raccoon Valley – by me --- I’m editing it

   7. The Booklover’s Cookbook - by ????

   8. The Apprentice: My Life in the Kitchen – by Jacques Pepin

 

8 Songs I Could Listen To Over and Over

   1. Press On - The WILDS

   2. The Everlasting God - Steve Petit Evangelistic Team

   3. Pride and Prejudice Theme - Played by Melvyn Tan (This is the 1995 version of Pride and Prejudice)

   4. Baby Elephant Walk – Henry Mancini

   5. Tickle Bug – Patch the Pirate (Ron Hamilton)

   6. Hawaii Five-O theme – Morton Stevens, I think

   7. Mission: Impossible theme – Ack! I can’t remember!

   8. Joy to the World – The arrangement by Kit Walker

 

8 Things That Attract Me To My Best Friend

   1. Loves God

   2. Is faithful

   3. Has time for me

   4. Encouraging

   5. Puts up with me when I’m in a zonky mood

   6. Good sense of humor

   7. Cares

   8. I can tease her without offending her :P

   9. Almost everything, really!

  

 

8 Things I've Learned This Year

   1. I can’t just tell God, “I want to be close to You” and let Him do all the work. I have to spend time with Him – a relationship takes two. (Yeah… I seriously should’ve figured that out before now!

   2. I can make a difference in my world.

   3. There’s actually a large community of teenagers who want to serve God (Need proof? Try this site.)

   4. It’s possible to stop hating people. – Pray for them.

   5. It’s best to submit to your parents without any hard feelings; it makes you happier.

   6. People who love God can still hurt other Christians – and believe that they’re in God’s will.

   7. It’s possible to be a good witness by what you DON’T do as much as by what you DO do.

   8. Don’t drag your little sisters into whatever your most recent escapade is: Your parents know that it’s all your fault, so you’re the only one that’ll get in trouble :D

 

More later!

Emily

 

   Hey, everybody! How’re ya’ll doing? I’m doing awesome! Today we’re staying at home because we’re having car trouble. That’s okay, though. I don’t know what it was I wanted to do, anyhow!

   I didn’t realize how longs it’s been since I posted a picture of Seth! I’m glad you enjoyed the picture of him. I’ll prolly have a lot more after Christmas. :D

   Grandpa and Grandma are going to be here in just a few days. We have to pick them up around 8 in the morning on Thursday. I haven’t been this excited about Christmas for a long time. I don’t know what the difference is, but I’m really REALLY excited!

   I have wanted to play two particular Christmas songs for a few years now, and I’m finally giving up on finding music for the one. There’s a piano arrangement of Joy to the World on one of my favorite Christmas CDs, but although I’ve Googled everything I can think of in order to find the sheet music, I’ve finally determined that it’s hopeless. So I’m teaching myself to play it. I’ve always learned best by hearing things, so that helps. I’ve figured out the whole first verse – at least the treble clef – but I just can’t figure the base clef! It sounds so incomplete without the right notes, but I can’t get it. In the mean time, I’m almost done figuring the treble clef for the second verse. It switches from the key of C to… whatever key has three flats in it. Anyhow, ya’ll are really interested, aren’t you?

   Does anyone have any ideas where to go on the web to find cheap fabric? I finally got a pattern for a Civil War dress, but now I need to get some fabric. If you have any ideas, please let me know. I’m keeping tabs on eBay, but none of the fabric looks like it would work. It’s either a bad print or not my color. RATS!

   There’s a guy here to look at our car right now. I hope that he can figure what’s wrong with it. I don’t like the idea of not being able to go places for a while!

   Well, I guess I’ll get going. I probably won’t post ‘til next week some time. When I do post, though, I’ll post my Christmas letter.

   Have a great weekend!

   Emily Rose

 

   ~Hello, everyone! Yesterday went really well. We had a record of 19 kids in Joy Club! It was really wonderful. I hope that everyone can continue to come.

   Sorry I haven’t gotten around to changing my profile picture. I’ll do it some day.

   School is going well. I’m done with history! I’m finishing math tomorrow! I’m finishing science soon, too! (By ‘finishing’ I mean that we’ve hit the half-way mark, so I don’t have to do any ‘til after Christmas.)

   I finally got my Christmas letter written, but I won’t post it on here for a little longer. I’m going to mail it to folks, first. :D

   That’s all for now, folks! Please remember to drop by and join the Inklings Book Club if you want to!

   Emily

Hey! I have had a book club in the past, but it died, so I decided to revive it here on the web! If you're interested in joining, go to http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/InklingsBookClub . I can't wait to hear from you!

Emily

 

I saw this on someone’s blog and decided to do it just for the fun of it:

GUYISH:
[  ] You like being sweaty
[  ] Love hoodies and jeans
[*] Dogs are better than cats.
[*] At times, it's funny when people get hurt.
[*] You've played with/against boys on a team. ~Does this really make me guyish?
[  ] Shopping is torture.
[  ] Sad movies stink
[  ] You own an Xbox
[  ] At some point in time you wanted to be a firefighter.
[  ] You own a PSP ~A what?
[  ] You own a DS, a PS2 or Sega (my bros have a ps2 as well :P )
[  ] You used to be obsessed with Power Rangers.
[  ] You watch sports on TV
[  ] Gory movies are awesome.
[  ] You only go to your dad for advice.
[  ] You own like a trillion baseball caps.
[  ] You like to football.
[  ] You used to/do collect baseball cards.
[  ] Baggy pants are cool.
[  ] Fire is cool.
[*] You don't baby-sit ~I don’t think it’s ‘cause I’m like a guy, though!
[  ] It's kinda weird to have sleepovers with a bunch of people.
[*] Green, black, red, blue, or silver are one of your favorite color(s).
[  ] You love to go crazy and not care what people think.
[  ] Sports are awesome too.
Now add the numbers up and multiply it by 5.
I am 25% Guyish.


GIRLISH:
[*] You wear lip gloss. ~Burt’s Bees… mmmm
[*] You love to shop. ~Depends where
[  ] You wear eyeliner.
[  ] You have many of the same shirts in different colors.
[  ] You don't like shopping at hot topic   ~???
[*] You wear the color pink sometimes. ~Sometimes, but almost never
[  ] You consider cheerleading a sport.
[*] You hate wearing the color black.
[*]You like hanging out at the mall.
[  ] You get manicures and/or pedicures often.
[*] You like wearing jewelry. ~Sometimes
[*] Skirts are a big part of your wardrobe.
[*] You take a long time doing your hair.
[  ] Shopping is one of your favorite hobbies.
[  ] You don't like the series of Star Wars. ~Never seen it, so how would I know?
[  ] You are/were in cheerleading, gymnastics or dance.
[  ] It takes you around 1 hour to get dressed and put on make-up and accessories.
[  ] You have more than 10 pairs of shoes.
Now add the numbers up and multiply it by 5.
I am 40% girlish.

Oh, no! 35% of me is missing! :D

Well, not much is happening around here. I’m writing a Christmas letter to send to my wonderful friends… and I’m having a dreadful time being concise! ACK! Oh, well, I’ll get it eventually.

Please leave lots of comments!

Should I stay on homeschool blogger or not? I don't get a whole lot of comments, and it's also a lot harder to stay connected with people than it is with other sites. What should I do? Just use my xanga, or stay with both? Thanks for your input!

Emily

Hey... I'm going to be gone all of November. See ya later!

Emily

Here's my spur-of-the-moment attempt from yesterday. Don't worry... I'll be revising it!

 

On this day six years ago,

Many people died

Just because Islam’s made-up god

Must be satisfied.

 

The Muslim pilots

Did their best

To fulfill their

“god-sent” test.

 

Yet the failed

In one small part

Because of the brave

American heart.

 

In a plane above

A Pennsylvania field

The American spirit

Refused to yield.

 

Rather than give in

To natural dismay,

The people chose to fight

That day.

 

We will never forget

The sacrifices that were made,

The lives that became shattered,

Or the parts our heroes played.

 

Though life is such a precious thing,

It’s a gift that many will give,

Just to hear the simple cry,

“O, that freedom might live!”

 

 

Yeah... definitely doesn't flow. But now ya'll will get to experience the dramatic changes my poems go through! When I repost this, you might not even think it's the same poem! lol... that's the way it goes for me.

Here's a link ya'll should visit: 9/11 remembered

Six years ago today, I woke up miserable because of my own problems. I was nine years old at the time - and was thinking only about myself. I got a major wake-up call, though. It's the first time I recall having ever paid any attention to the news. Or thinking of anyone outside my immediate circle for so long. I couldn't get it out of my head for days - maybe weeks - following. I realized that there was a world out there that needs help. A world that needs God. I'm out of time, so I need to go. I apologize for the shortness of this. Maybe I'll post a poem tomorrow.

Emily