December 24, 2009 - merry Christmas.

The gifts have been finished...

...and now we will spend time with good friends, eat some delicious (despite being gluten-free) homemade Christmas cookies, and then in the evening we will go to church.

And we will hear one of my favorite stories.

There's some pretty crazy stuff going on in the story of Christ's birth. Men making a trip on camels across countries because of just a star and a prophecy, a choir of angels appearing before lowly shepherds, the King of kings being born in a barn. There's even an evil king. It sounds a little like a Disney movie. Only it's better. Because it's real and is the beginning of the greatest story ever.

I have to go get ready for my friends to come over, so, as Judy Garland would say, have yourself a merry little Christmas now.

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Dec. 23, 2009 - Merry Christmas

Luke 2:1-20

1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when  Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed,  who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

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December 22, 2009 - Multitude... Tuesday 003

Because it's almost Christmas & everyone's feeling all cheery and giving, here's some of my favorite charities/causes that I'm thankful for:

23. Grace Centers of Hope (which is where my youth group & I were yesterday, which is why this is being posted a day late)
24. Amazima Ministries
25. Heifer
26. To Write Love On Her Arms
27. Operation Christmas Child
28. Henri Denis School in Monrovia, Liberia (which doesn't have a website, but there's some fantastic photos of the students there & their neighbors here) (and that is one of my church's ministers playing the bagpipes in picture #22; we're pretty hardcore at SPUMC)
29. Red Bird Mission
30. National Adoption Day
31. Dinosaur Hill

What are some of your favorite causes?

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Dec. 22, 2009 - Movie Review: Little Dorrit

Here is a movie review on the 2008 version of Little Dorrit, based on the Charles Dickens novel.

The Characters

Amy Dorrit

Arthur Clennam

William Dorrit

Mrs. Clennam

Rigaud/Blandois

Mr. Meagles

Mrs. Meagles

Pet Meagles

John Chivery

Mr. Chivery

Fanny Dorrit

Edward "Tip" Dorrit

Fredrick Dorrit

\

Flora Finchling

Mr. Merdle

Mrs. Merdle

Edmund Sparkler

Mr. Pancks

Tattycoram

Affery Flintwinch

Jeremiah Flintwinch

Henry Gowan

Miss Wade

Mrs. General

Maggy

What's it About?

This movie is about a young woman named Amy Dorrit, who was born in the Marshalsea Prison for debt. She meets a man named Arthur Clennam, who's mother is keeping a secret that involves both Arthur and Amy.

Positive

~Because it is a Dickens novel, the characters and plots are so complex and intertwined. It keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

Negative

~There is one part in Episode 2 that absolutely should be skipped, a (what we call it in our famliy) "boy-girl" part.

~There are a few deaths that are rather gruesome that I would suggest that parents look at if you have children 12 and younger or ones that are sensitive to that sort of thing.

~Very very very mild language

I very highly suggest this movie, it is so suspenceful and exciting, you won't want to look away!

God Bless You,

 Taylor

22.12.2009 - A Recent Blessing From The Lord. :)

My cup overflows with blessings.  Surely Your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever. // Psalm 23:5b-6

God is SO good! :D

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Dec. 20, 2009 - He says he wants to KNOW.

Dies ist Hailey! C strings on violas are kewlness. Arthur is Arthur!! ! I don't like "the twelve days of Christmas". Taylee's List goes like this 1. Adam 2. Arthur 3. Alex 4. Woody 5. Sam 6. Mr. Darcy Poor Alex was in second place for just one night, but then we finished Widdle Dorrit and then Arthur took his place, poor guy!! Taylee just said "oooooh ARTHUR......" and "swooned". I think she loves him more than Adam, but she says it's not true. POOR JOHN!! AMY BROKE HIS WIDDLE HEART BUT SHE DIDN'T MEAN TO!!! Cashews taste good. REAL GOOD. :-) Oranges taste better. The Boogy man in nightmare before Christmas is FREAKY. 0_________0 I don't know where Lichtenstein is. It's in Europe somewhere unless it's in Asia, which it's not. I'm an electrician from Cahson Citi. I 'lectrcute houses. There ain't no hosses in Cahson Citi. They're all up in..... Lake Tahoe New Yowk. JUST SETTLE DOWN. DON'T SHOOT I THOUGHT WE WERE FRIENDS! We were Joe. Bang. I AIN'T GOIN. My cowboy hat is kewl and I turn it to a..... TRIANGLE at the end...... LIKE A CUTE WIDDLE TRIANGLE TURNED UP NOSE! Garden hoses are random. Really random. Like the most random thing in the world probably. Alex sings coolness. Not the Alex on the list, the other one. The one on the list don't sing. :-) His brother does, his youngest brother. But not like Alex does. ;-) Alex's brothers don't sing, though. Only when forced to, which is um yesh. GRIIIIIIM REALITY BROTHERS, GRRRRRRRIM REALITY!!!!!!!! You sang good! No I didn't! I run into misfortunes with naming my characters in stories. Um, but I can't tell y'all why cos it has to stay *quiet* cos they (not the characters, real peoples) don't want the whole world to KNOW WAHAHAHA. My name is Ricky Telephone. You should meet my daughter, Elijah Berryhound. ELIJAH!!!!!!!!! I love warm, soft Bettys. They are warm and soft. Well they are! Vita. meata. vegamin. That's Vita. meata. vegamin. ;-D Um, it's scary to be in trouble with someone who you think you're in trouble with, but then you're not, and it's okay, but still scary cos it was SCAAARY!!!!!!!!! I am not Mr. Pancks. Or Mr. Casby. Ho hohohhohoho. I cut thy beard.

Dec. 18, 2009 - One More Week Until CHRISTmas Day!

Hi hi hi! I hope ya'll are having a simply wonderfultasticifying December. It is so strange to think that Christmas is only a week away! Can ya'll keep a secret? *whispers* I haven't finished all of my Christmas shopping. I still need to get my mom's and uncle's, but at least I KNOW what I'm going to get them.

My sisters and I opened our presents to each other. I got Emma Super Llama (inside joke, but it was a llama stuffed animal that I put a cape on), and I got Hailey a watch (but she knew I was getting it for her, she told me to get it =P) Emma got me the movie Up. I love that movie, it's so sweet. Hailey is making our presents, and she isn't done yet, she's making us each an apron. =)

It snowed a little outside today! =D I'm excited, I really hope it will snow more later on.

Here, I found a little trailer type thingy for Little Dorrit. It doesn't give you much idea of what it's about, but I couldn't find any other one. *swoons when she sees Arthur* ;-) Silly girl moment, sorry.

Oh, I just thought of something to say. Surprise surprise, I'm taking Driver's ED in January. *scary music* I've been putting it off, but mom asked me if I would prefer to do it in January or April, and I don't know what came into me, but I said January.

I was just thinking, when Christmas is over, I don't really want to go back to my hobbit hole template. I really like it, I'm just done with it now. Any ideas as to what kind of template I should get next?

God Bless You,

 Taylor

Question of the Day

What are your three favorite movies?

17.12.2009 - Rainbow of Light

Let the love of God burst forth from your heart in a rainbow of light in this world full of darkness...

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17.12.2009 - How Majestic Your Name in all the Earth!

You have given them dominion over the works of You hands ... the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas.  O LORD, our Lord, how majestic Your name in all the earth!  //  Psalm 8:6,8-9

Killer whales, or orcas are the largest member of the dolphin family.  They have the largest dorsal fins of all cetaceans, with male's fins growing up to six feet tall, and female's from 3-5 feet tall. Killers whales work together to hunt.  They have excellent hearing and vision, both in the water and out of it.   They locate objects by making noises and then listening to the echos.  Female killer whales can live up to 80 years (most males only live to 60 years ;).  Here's just a few facts about one of God's amazing (and beautiful) creations!  :D

I hope you all have an amazing God filled day!
~Nikki

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Dec. 16, 2009 - Allison Elizabeth : MIA

It's been a long time since I posted anything on here... let me see, when was my last post... it couldn't have been that long ago...

*Looks at previous blog post.. Nearly has a heart attack when she sees it was...*

DECEMBER 2!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh. My. Goodness.

Well, I'm back. I'm sure you all missed me....ya? (sorry. Just a little side note. The director of Christmas Carol said "Ya?" constantly, and it sort of rubbed off onto me.)

Now, if you are reading this, good job. You have not given up on me or my blog. Thank you, and I promise you will be rewarded.

Now, for a reason. My life has been insanely busy for... well, a very long time. We have been non-stop on the go, and to be honest, it's getting a little old. But hopefully now everything will calm down, and I can get back to writing about moi-self and the things I do.

So that is my repentance post. I hope you all forgive me.

Oh, and one more thing. I am now writing for the Homeschoolblogger Backyard every Monday. I do the "Brief History" Column. It would be great if you would show some love and support over at the HSB Backyard.

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