Jesus is my King, the love of my life. Sometimes it's hard to trust, to talk to Him, to surrender my whole being over...Sometimes it is just plain hard to live as His daughter. But, being a Christian, a daughter of Christ, isn't always easy. Jesus didn't even say it would be easy! He said He'd always be there, that He'd never forsake us. So thru the hard times He's there, and that's probably when a lot of us turn to Him. But He's also there during the good/easy times, and wants us to turn to Him, and just offer up our love.

I'm learning to talk to Him even when I don't feel like it. I'm learning to make time for Him in my day even on the days I don't desire to. But by asking God to give you the desire to have the desire to know Him better, He places it in your heart.

I'm also learning to surrender myself on over to Him. It's not a one-time thing. It's a daily thing, and a very hard thing to do!

One final thing: Jesus gave His life, shed His blood for me. For my sins. Most I can do is live for Him with a willingly cheerful heart and love Him. He chose to come down here, live with mankind, be abused and put to death for me. He also gives us a choice to make the decision to live for Him. And I'm saying right now I've made that decision, and I know life will not always be easy. But I know He will always be right there to carry me thru--the good times and the bad times. What a wonderful friend we have in Jesus!

(This may be kinda scattered, not well-thought out, but hopefully y'all who read it, make sense of it!)

I'm getting a new CD! On Sound and Spirit they're having a 80% off, and so I'm getting Kutless's worship album "Strong Tower". I've bought that CD twice, for my sister Rosa and best friend Lisa, but never for me. Actually, I'm still not buying it. Mom is getting it for me, and also paying shipping & handling. Well, in a way I am getting it, because I have to babysit for it. Oh well...babysitting isn't too bad, I reckon.

I did my school today, and I did algebra. Mom got me a survival guide to algebra (lol) and it helped me a lot already today! I put away my other algebra book and I'll do this one for awhile. It's a step-by-step thing...and appears to be very helpful. I hope I catch everything.

And one last thing...I got a letter today. I already wrote Holly back, and I shall mail it tomorrow. I typed the letter up because I needed to use my printer; I try to use it every now and then to keep the ink from drying up, altho I think my room is too cold for the ink to dry up right now. lol.

Oh...and it snowed today on my way down to the post office! Fun. lol. I like being outside when it snows. And I wish I could go to Wal Mart!! I haven't been since Dec. 12th and I want to go! Plus, I need to buy some long envelopes...so yep.

Yesterday was fun...I got up at ten for church. We live just like five minutes from our church, and I took a shower the night before, so I can sleep in later. lol. Anyways, I got ready for chuch (not wearing make-up hardly ever makes it a whole lot easier to get ready!) and we all loaded up in the van and left. Church was pretty good, too.

Later in the afternoon, I wrote a letter for awhile, answering Lisa's, and I quit right before it was time to eat dinner, which was skillet stew--mmm, so good!! I loove skillet stew! Then right after dinner, Dad, Nicole and I went to our old church to visit; we like to occasionally. I got to drive there. I haven't driven on the interstate much, but I did yesterday. It wasn't too bad, I enjoyed it. The lanes feel wider. lol. I can't say for Dad, but I personally think I did a fine job of driving this time. My older brother met us there. Church was having a dinner and then talking about their new goals for this year, so there wasn't a service. We stayed throughout it all, and then Dad talked to somebody.

Dad drove home. I didn't want to back outta the parking space we were in; I don't back up very good, and a car was very near by, so yeah...

At home, we read the Bible together as a family, then I went upstairs and I did...hmm...I think I started writing more in Lisa's letter, and I finished it. Then, around 11:11pm Nicole went downstairs, and I prayed, studied my verses, and read my Bible and devotional book. And I spent more than 25 minutes there, which was great! I don't like it when it feels like the 25 minutes go by slow, but when it goes by fast, and I'm still praying, reading my Bible...it's just such a cool feeling.

I had a weird dream last night...but cool, very cool, because it gave me a great story idea! Not exactly a mystery, but kind of, I'd say.

The few algebra-help books Mom ordered for me came in today. I'm doing algebra this year, and am just not quite grasping it in certain areas. I really wanna learn it, tho. I'll take algebra next year to, and maybe then I'll fully understand it.

Anyways, I need to get off here...Dad'll be calling sometime soon I believe, and I don't want to be connected when he does.

BTW, I highly recommend you read Do Hard Things by Alex and Brett Harris--it is very good! and for girls, Lies Young Women Believe by Nancy Leigh DeMoss (I believe I have her name right) is a truly good book. I enjoyed it...

I just ate a law fat chewy granola bar, chocolate chunk. It was yummy. and for ice-cream I had a vanilla ice-cream sandwich; I loove ice-cream and we hadn't had them in awhile.

My older brother came over for about three hours this evening. It was nice seeing him again. We played the card game Spades. Dad and I were on a team verse Tim and Bert. Dad and I won! Yeah!

Dad and I went the library right before it closed to pick up some holds. My two books, "Do Hards Things" by Alex & Brett Harris was in; I was exited. I've been dying (figuretively of course!) to read it. And "Set-Aprt Femininity" by Leslie Ludy. She's a good author.

I have stuck my new year goal: to spend twenty minutes daily with God. And after twenty-one days I've moved it to twenty-five. I heard it takes 21 days to form a habit, so now that spending time with God is a habit, I've moved it up five minutes. I want to move it up every five minutes until I get to an hour. God is giving me a desire to know Him deeper...just as I've prayed.

I love Jesus Christ!!

Oh, what is Christianity to you? Just curious to see peoples responses to that...to me it is a relationship with Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Savior,  the Creator, the Lord of lords and the King of kings! Christianity to me is not a religion, but a relationship. Yep.

I am soo excited!! I got three letters today!! two from my very best friends, the third from a very dear friend. It made the walk to the Post Office, cold and windy, worth it.

I'm babysitting my three little sisters while my parents go grocery shopping. They're watching "The Fox and the Hound", so I reckon I don't have to get off the computer right now.

I'm so excited! See, I've been journaling regularly since I got my first journal in November 2003, and I'm almost finished with my fifteenth journal!! I love getting new journals (I get at least one for my birthday every year, and sometimes another one on Thanksgiving). I always decorate the inside front and inside back covers. Oh yeah, in case you're wondering about the Thanksgiving remark...we do gifts on Thanksgiving instead of Christmas. Doing gifts on Thanksgiving fits better anyways, I think. Besides, Christmas is now too much about decorations and presents, that few kids even know the reason for the season.

Have any of you ever seen the TV show "Bones"? I've seen two episodes when I was at my sister's, and I loved it! but, my library doesn't have any of the seasons, so I haven't been able to see anymore of it. (We don't have cable or anything; we use our TV to watch DVDs/VHS only, unless the weather is really bad, then we'll check out the weather.)

Oops, I realized after I posted that it was Colossians chaper two, verses six and seven! not chapter one. I thought I'd correct it. So yeah...here is another good verse I recently memorized and I love: Judges 5:3--Hear, o ye kings; give ear, o ye princes; I, even I, will sing unto the Lord; I will sing praise unto the Lord God of Israel." I am also working on memorizing Leviticus 22:31,32. I think it's those two verses...that chapter. lol. I don't always remember the reference.

Have you been memorizing any verses? Wanna share them? Know any good verses you wish to share?

Okay, here is a picture of me, Miranda and Katie.

Callie was in her room playing when I got my camera out to use. I love taking photos, and will put up more. But it takes too long to upload a photo here at home, so next time I go to the library I may post more. Our computer is really slow, so...yeah...lol.

Mom got me up today before she and Dad left for her doctor appointment, and I came downstairs so when the 3 girls woke I'd be down there. I watched a movie, and the fell asleep for about twenty-five minutes. Miranda woke me up playing with the kittens, so I got up and then Katie and Callie came out soon after. We didn't do much for awhile. Katie and Miranda got some cereal, and Callie played dolls.

Later on, I asked Miranda and Katie if they want to make brownies. They said sure, excited. Especially when I said I wouldn't help, just watch. They even cracked the eggs and did a fine job of it too! Shoulda seen Katie...she just shoved her thumb into the eggshell. It was pretty funny.

I was in their room talking to Callie and I open the blinds; she sees outside and says wistfully, "I wish I could play in the snow." I kinda nod my head, leave the room and ask the other two if they wanna go outside. Katie declines, but Miranda agrees. So, the two get bundled up (Callie very excited!) and go out.

It had taken Mom and Dad two hours to get to where they were going; traffic was bad. They had stops to make on the way home, so they were later than I had originally thought they'd be. About an hour after they got home, Dad and I left to go get dinner. Mc'Donald's for some, Taco Bell for Dad and me and Arby's for the last ones. I love Arby's curly fries! other than them, I don't really care for french fries.

Today was really cold...it's seven degrees right now. I think it is supposed to warm up Saturday! I hope! I like winter, but if it is gunna be cold, I say we need snow to go with it. What's the fun of bundling up to walk to the post office without snow?

I wanted to go driving today, but I didn't get to. I really wanted to yesterday! Woulda be perfect. My sister, Nicole, my brother, Bert and I all had dental appointments, but I didn't get to drive. We all three had cavities, which we were having filled. And I went first...the dentist numbed it. Half of my lower lip and chin and half of my tongue were numb...felt like somebody punched me. lol. Of course the tooth was numb, too. So yeah, I was happy when the numbness wore off!

Nicole and I made enchildadas for dinner last night. I loove enchiladas! Most people love pizza, I do, but enchiladas totally beat them. My older brother had came over, and since he ate some too, there wasn't any leftovers for my lunch today. So I ate shrimp Ramen noodles. They stink, but are good. Oh yeah, homemade pizza runs a close second to enchiladas!

I've been thinking...I probably ought to make a prayer list. Pray for certain people on a certain day, and for some people (family & friends) every day. I dunno...Maybe. I usually don't stick with prayer lists. I try...

I memorized Colossians 1:6,7! I was so excited! I don't memorize verses too easily, so now that I have them officially memorized, I'm pretty happy. "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him. Rooted and built in Him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught; abounding therein with thanksgiving." (I may have the wrong commas and whatnot, but yeah, those should be the correct words in order from the King James version.) And I also have Jeremiah 15:16 memorized...I think. Sometimes I still stumble over it...lets see..."Thy word were found and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, o Lord God of hosts." There. I think that's it. My friend, Lisa, and I write letters (she lives several states away) and in each letter we pick a verse to memorize. It's pretty fun.

Okay, well, that's it. Signing off....

I thought I'd mention some books I've been reading lately. I love reading, especially mysteries. The best mysteries are murder ones, tho. lol. So, here's a list of books I've read this month so far:

Interview with the Devil by Clay Jacobsen. It was about an ex-marine reporter getting a call to interview a terrorist. He wasn't sure what to do, try to take the guy out after getting the interview or not. Needless to say, things got messy, and bad stuff happened.

The Whole Truth by James Scott Bell. It's about a lawyer, kind of down-and-out on his 'luck' and going thru a divorce. His brother had been kidnapped when they were kids. Years later, he gets a call from this guy in prison, who claims to be his brother. 

Shoofly Pie by Tim Downs. This book was awesome!! The main guy is very likeable, and funny. Gotta love his personality! The descriptions in this book were vivid, and you could picture it. I can't wait to read the next Bug Man book. I have it in my room right now, but I'm reading another book.

Boo by Rene Gutteridge was funny and quirky. Another likeable character. And I enjoyed this book almost as much as the previous one mentioned. 

Um...I'm done saying stuff about them. lol. I don't know what to say about them, except they're great and read 'em yourself!

In the Company of Secrets by Judith Miller (in the company of lies would fit much better! lol.)

An Uncertain Dream by Judith Miller, book two in the Postcards from Pullman. I do read historical romance sometimes, but that's pretty much about it in romance.

Every Now and Then by Karen Kingsbury. It's funny...I say I don't like her, yet I've read like half of her books. lol. She's a good writer, yes, but I get why she is sooo popular. Brandilyn Collins and Colleen Coble (to name a couple) are waay better in my opinion.

Plain Perfect by Beth Wiseman. About the Amish. A romance. I'd had it on hold for awhile, but when it came in I didn't feel like reading romance anymore. I took awhile to ever get around to reading it. My sister said it was funny, I should read it. She loves romance books tho.

Reluctant Runaway by Jill Elizabeth Nelson. That book was good, altho I don't really like Desi. She's kinda annoying. 

And um...I've read more books, but I can't think of 'em right now. I am reading Paid in Blood by Mel Odom. About NCIS agents. I love the TV show NCIS, so I figure I might like Odom's series. Book one is interesting so far!

I'm reading Isaiah in the Bible right now. One of my favorite verses from Isaiah is in chapter fifty-five, verses 8 & 9. I really need them right now. I constantly have to remind myself God's ways are higher than mine; His thoughts higher than my thoughts. I don't see the picture during tough times, but He does. I need to trust in Him, rely on His strength.

So yep...if you think of any good murder mysteries, or even a really good mystery, lemme know! I'm always looking for a good book to read.  and maybe one day, I'll be writing mysteries!! I'm currently working on one...I may put it up here sometime.

Happy New Year!

There is just something about the new year that gets to people. A chance to start over, to begin anew...turn over a new leaf. But it also holds the unknown, and your breathless, waiting, waiting...waiting for something good to happen. Hoping what the new year brings is good, not bad. It excites. It thrills. It has mystery and intrigue. Who doesn't love a good mystery now and then?

But that's not what I'm going to talk about. I want to tell you a little about two people who have had a tremendous impact on my life this past year of 2008. One, a very close friend of mine, has answered, patiently, questions of mine, reassured me, comforted me all year. I can't tell her enough how much I appreciate and value her. When I'm doubting, God speaks to me thru her. When I'm hurting, even tho she's not here in my town, she offers comfort. God has blessed me greatly with a friend like her. And I can't thank Him enough.

The other, my mom. She loves me, even amidst my mistakes and faults. She encourages me in my walk with God, and is a great example of the Proverbs 31 woman. I doubt I've told her how much I love enough, told her how much I want to be like her as I am older. She has been thru a lot the past couple of years, but her faith never seems to waver. She stays strong, trusting in God even when I fail to. But then...I look at her, and realize...wow. If she can, who's been thru much more and felt the pain more, can stay firm in her faith, so can I. 

God has been so gracious to me this past year. Blessing me with two great people! I admire their strong faith in God. Their patient and loving ways.

God has blessed me other ways, too. But most of all, with Mom and Lisa. They are strong Christians, planted firmly in their faith and love for God Almighty. And their faith blesses me.

Happy New Year! and may God bless you in 2009! 

Our cat Angel had five kittens November 29th. We named them Chippy, Snowy, Muffin, Amos, and Dinky. Well, now they're getting big and are so cute and playful.

The other day, we brought our other cat Fluffy (she stays in our big shed, which it is kinda like a trailer but without bedrooms, and she stays in there because she is a very mean cat.) inside. She is big, and looks mean. So, Fluffy was prowling around the house, searching it out. Finally she got to the board where we blocked off part of the living room for the kittens so they won't run all over the house, and accidentally get stepped on. They have a dog carrier, kinda big, but without the door on it, to sleep in.

Well, Fluffy jumped over it, probably to explore, but Angel was in there, and went vicious. She attacked Fluffy, or maybe Fluffy attacked first. Fluffy likes to fight other cats, and watch them try and run. But Angel didn't. Fluffy had met her match with mama cat. They fought; Fluffy tried to run, but Angel wouldn't let her go.

We got to Angel, and blocked her path, and Fluffy ran. But now, Angel is on the lookout, any noise touching the board scares her. In fact, my youngest sister, Callie (5) had touched the board, and freaked her out. Angel went crazy, and began attacking our dog, Max. He's a small dog. He was yelping, and even tho I don't like him, I did feel sorry for the poor thing.

Anyways, Chippy is probably the best kitten. He's the smallest (actually I don't know any of their genders yet). He loves to climb up Katie (7). She'll sit on the floor, and he'll climb up to her neck.

Sometime in January we will try to find them homes. My brother has found homes for three of them already I guess. I hope Chippy will get a good home...I named him, and also like him the best.