A lot has been happening lately. Youth started last Thursday, and I went again last night at 7:00pm. I really like it; it is a lot of fun. James, my 11-soon-to-be-12-year-old brother has just started Junior Youth (I'm in Senior) last week as well. He and a friend are going to each other's churches, trying them out. I think James likes our church's better, while his friend likes his better. I wonder if they are having loyalty issues . . . ?

     Quizzing has also started! Yay! I'm memorizing 1 Corinthians 1 and 5...and my two best-ish friends at church have the same as me. My one friend, Josh, purposely got the same as me and Bethany. Oh joy. He and Bethany are . . . competitive. Deadly competitive. ' ' Here are pictures of my quiz book, before and after--sorry they are sideways:

Before . . . .

And after . . . yes, that is Snoopy dancing

on the front. If you want it clearer, click on

the picture and it should open a new win-

dow . . . .

     So those are the pictures of my quiz book. On the back of the 'After' one, I stamped (I stamped everything on it) "With God all things are possible - Matthew 19:26". I really like it. After the picture was taken, I added a five-strand-braid bookmark which I taped in the front so it can be used anywhere in the book and won't get lost. I especially like the Snoopy stamp. : ) Here are the first three of this week's verses, 1 Cor. 1:7 - 12; tell me if I'm right!

7 - Therefore, you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.

8 - He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

9 - God, who has called you into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.

     Am I right? Please leave a comment! By the way, I'm memorizing with the New Internation Version--the NIV.

     My birthday was also this past Monday, on the 14th--I turned 14, so it was my 'Lucky Birthday', according to a recently-made-up family tradition. :D I got:

- A Scientific calculator (from my parents and Tante Wilma--I'm not really sure who payed for it, etc.)

- A little decorative tin flower pot(from Tante Wilma--I'm using it to keep my MP3 stuff in)

- Enough money to buy myself a Sony MP3 (from Mom and Dad and my brothers)

- A 60-pack of pencil crayons (from Tante Wilma)

- A new watchband--my old one was literally falling apart (from Mom and Dad)

- One my grandpa's old pure silver Dutch cufflink made into a necklace (from Grandma and Grandpa)

- A knitted doll that looks like me (from Grandma and Grandpa)

     I think that's the bulk of it; I also got a new recipe book from Melissa (K.) when I went to her house this past July. I can't believe it's soon going to be October! Well, in two weeks . . . .

     Also, it's my friend Bethany (Anneke)'s birthday this Monday, so if you could wish her a joyful birthday, I'm sure she would appreciate it.

     I think that's about all my news for now; I can't believe how long it's been since I last posted! It seems like just a few days. I guess it's 'cause I've been rather busy.

May God be with you,

..emily..sue