I've been tagged!

1. How many candles on your last birthday cake?
Two. Seriously. OK, so that picture doesn't show, but I think I just had two.

2. How many siblings do you have?
Blood-wise? Three. I actually have four. I count Rob as my brother, I've known him since I was like three years old and he is basically my brother. So there. =P

3. How many first cousins do you have?
Ugh, I don't want to count. It would take forever. I'm thinking at least 15, probably more.

4. Name five smells you like.
Evergreen trees, a certain type of lotion that I like, but I can never say the name of it or where I bought it.... Umm... The smell of sweet babies and puppies. And.... Pink Grapefruit by Bath and Body works.

5. Name the four funniest people you know.
Kristy, Rob, John (when he feels like it), Mary and Caroline (I'm counting them as one).

6. How many different countries have you lived in?
Meh.... I'm lame, go ask my world traveling sister. I've only lived in one.

7. If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?
Nothing. I'm pretty sure God picked out everything and put me together, so I'm not going to contradict Him! :)

8. Name the friend who has impacted you more than any other.

This is a toss up... Mary and Caroline and Allie. All three of them.

9. Have you ever volunteered your time anywhere?
Yuppers. Can you say AWANA child? I can.

10. Do you cry often?
Not really, only when my feelings have been hurt or when I'm really tired and irrational. But those times don't happen to often, so no, I don't cry often.

11. Something you are looking forward to?
Summer.

12. A friend you wish you could see again?
Seamus, but that would be kind of awkward since we were homies when we were wee. Um... Madeline? Yes, I wish I could see Madeline more.

13. How many people have you cooked a home-made meal for?
Two, that's when my Mom was in England and I had to cook for my brother and Dad. My Dad seems to think that he helped to cook, but I was like, "NUH UH!!! *head bobs and shakes*"

14. Where do you see yourself in ten years?
Hopefully with some sort of degree, maybe I'll be working in a hospital. I have no idea where I will be though.

14. Tag five people: Umm... I'm rebeling and skipping this one, sorry.

Easter

I got some new sunglasses, I'm pretty psyched. I tried them on Chato, I think she was pretty psyched too. =)

Happy Easter!

He is Risen!

What Diesel Killed: The Mole and Bird issue

The Hunter.

MOLEY! Baby mole, it was... about 3 inches long.

Then I saw the bird, I thought it was more pine needles. Under close inspection I found it to be a bird. Notice the exposed backbone.
I didn't get so bad as to show him eating them, thankfully he hasn't eaten them. He likes to play with them though. Cats are gross. Remember when he did this?

!!!!

So today was the start of the spring quarter, it was pretty good. I really miss my old English teacher, he had such a good sense of humor and he had an excellent teaching style. I'm not too sure about my new English teacher, but it was only the first day. Math class is tomorrow night soooo yeah.

None of my classes are on main campus, so it is VERY different. I know like.... 6 people in my English class. My friend Amelia is in the class, which is very fun. And a lady named Stephanie and my family has known her family for a long time. We went to the same church. There's this guy in my class and he's probably about 20 years old. He makes me laugh. He has long-ish blond hair and a lip piercing, oh and glasses. He is VERY arty. When he talks he speaks in a quiet voice and says stuff like, "I'm a musician." He was making me laugh. He informed us of his musicianship when the time was right, we were all talking about ourselves. But he made me laugh. Another guy was sharing something about himself and he said, "I weigh 350lbs...." We were all like, "Oh." I mean, thanks for being open but.... What am I going to do with that info, eh?

So to sum up, I like my classmates and I'm not too sure about my teacher.

Well, well well....

"NOT AS MEAN

NOT AS LEAN

STILL A MARINE!"

This truck was seen driving around Clallam County, I thought it was pretty funny.

Spring Break

Bella was pretty happy to see Mom and I.

Kristy can see this from her yard. It's so gorgeous. Bella and I were playing basketball and I looked up and stopped, the mountains were breath taking.

We took a walk to this cliff type thing. It was pretty great. I got some good pictures.

Max was pretty excited to see us too.

Heheh... She kept putting her hands over her mouth, all the while saying, "Come on, do it!" lol

Well, now it's over. But they are coming here on Tuesday, granted my spring break will be over. But it will only be the first week of classes. Soooo yeah. Oh and I got two -A in math and English and I got an A in HD. YAY!!!! Let's hope the next quarter turns out as well. Oh and I might just die if Adrian Brody plays Spock, I'd die a happy woman. OH man...

Spring Break

This so applies to my spring break. Um.... What? lol

lol

From Brian Regan Live: Stupid in School [1]

• "Brian, what's the i before e rule?"
  

"I before e... always."
"What are you, an idiot, Brian?"
"Apparently."
So she explains it.
"No, Brian. It's i before e except after c and when sounding like a as in neighbor and weigh, and on weekends and holidays and all throughout May, and you'll always be wrong no matter what you say!"
That's a hard rule. That's a- that's a rough rule.
Plurals were hard, too.
“Brian, how do you make a word a plural?”
“You put a ‘s’…put a ‘s’ at the end of it.”
“When?”
“On weekends and holidays.”
“No, Brian. Let me show you.” So she asked this kid who knew everything. Irwin. “Irwin, what’s the plural for ox?”
“Oxen. The farmer used his oxen.”
“Brian?”
(chuckling)“What?”
“Brian, what’s the plural for box?”
“Boxen. I bought 2 boxen of doughnuts.”
"No, Brian, no. Let's try another one. Irwin, what's the plural for goose?"
"Geese. I saw a flock of geese."
"Brian."
(half-crying) "Wha-at?"
"Brian, what's the plural for moose?"
"Moosen! I saw a flock of moosen! There were many of 'em. Many much moosen. Out in the woods- in the woodes- in the woodsen. The meese want the food. The food is to eatenesen. The meese want the food & the food is to eatenesen! The food is to eatenesen!"
"Brian! Brian. You're an imbecile."
"Imbecile-n."
"What are you speaking? German, Brian?"
"German. Jermain. Jermaine Jackson. Jackson Five. Tito!"

Oh man... Brian Regan is coming here in April and Juan is going to see him. Lucky duck. Brian Regan cracks me up. Here's a good video from him.

Pictures, yo!

Frankie and Emma.

Emma bosses Frankie around, she'll walk past him and hit him with her butt. She's the alpha dog. She is 6 months old and Frankie is 4 years old. (sorry, no pictures of Mory today!)
Here is my fearless, hunter cat-cowering beneath a quilt. Well, at least Chato won't be as scary for him. I think he thought Chato was here, because Frankie and Emma's barks sound like Chato's. But now he's figured out that there are two of them.
I know at least one person is laughing really hard at seeing me like this, it looks like I'm in a neck brace. Well Kristy, I'm glad you are enjoying yourself. Looks like I crumbs in my hair, I was eating a lemon bar (which ended up being a process of squooshing the lemony-stuff on my front teeth and swallowing. Looks like I got a little crazy... lol)

Happy 200th post!

This is officially the 200th post of Jehovah Jireh. "The Lord will provide"

Right now I have an ice pack on the right side of my face and two pieces of gauze in my mouth. I look almost as hot as this guy. lol ;) I'll have to post some pictures later. OH! And we have two Dachshunds running around the house, Frankie and Emma May. They are too cute. I'll post some pictures of them as well. OH! and Mory came over for a visit today, he was out in the yard with Katie (an old lab) so I took them back to my neighbor's house. Mory's so big!
She was like, "They [the dogs] were out?"

"Yesh."

"Did you have teeth work done today?"

"Yesh, aw of may wisshdom teef." *motions with hands* lol

Well, today has been interesting. I got my wisdom teeth out in the 10 o'clock hour. I was spitting up blood in the parking lot, which is an interesting experience. People make such a big deal about people getting their wisdom teeth out. It really isn't a big deal. You go into a room and they kind of bring the operating room to you. I was given Nitris, to keep me calm. Then the nurse sprayed my hand with a type of numbing agent and then she put the I.V. in. My hand's a little bruised, but eh... Anyway. Then my Doctor came in and said, "You are really calm for being at this stage of the operation." Then they talked for a little bit, I woke up and they were still talking. I had gauze in my mouth and I was really numb. I ended up crying when I was in the car with Mom. I was trying to say, "STARBUCKS!" but it came out like, "Staaaabuuuuu!". I was laughing and crying. Oh man... I think it was just because I was kind of disoriented. Then we got home and I watched like a movie and a half. Then there was dinner, I ended up taking out my gazz to eat my mashed potatoes, not a good idea. Then as I was getting new gauze I almost passed out. lol. That happened to my friend Allen too, I just hope that I don't bleed as long as he did. he was still bleeding the day after his surgery.

Anyway, today has been pretty low-key. Having my wisdom teeth taken out really wasn't that bad, I'm looking fore ward to eating solid food! :)

Oh and I called Kristy, as I was waiting for Mom to come out of the store, just because I knew that would be entertaining. Like when I told her I broke my ankle.... =P But anyway, we were laughing at how I sounded. I can talk a little better now, which is good. I'm feeling fine. So thanks for your prayers! Please continue them as I heal.

Oh and I have another prayer request. I babysat some kids a while back and their Mom is pregnant. Anyway, she got pneumonia, then she got a lung infection. Long story short, she has to stay in the hospital for the rest of her pregnancy, which will be another 4 and a half months. Please pray for her, her husband, and their children (including the baby).

I rejoice in God's planning and I know He has a plan for this family, they just really need prayer right now. I rejoice in God's plans for my life, he put my ankle surgery before this one! That made me realize how minor this is. I rejoice that He gave me a calm spirit.

So long! Farewell! ....

Goodbye impacted wisdom teeth #1, 2, 17, and 32.

Tomorrow I will be swollen and drugged, if you would, please pray for me. My surgery is at 10.

Now! I'm off to calm down to yoga! It's actually very relaxing, and I've gotten more flexible. Which is always a good thing.

In approximately 4 hours finals week will be over, and I for a while will be free..... !!!

Sooo yeah.

Guess what everybody? My favorite athlete is on Dancing with the Stars!

<3<3<3<3>

Maybe I should watch it and dream that he was actually dancing with me... *sniff*

lol... HEY 3 posts in three days! It's a March record!

Funny

Jacob and Nick came over this week to pick up a compy that we gave to them. So Jacob actually had to listen and pay attention to what my Dad was showing him about the compy. Nick on the other hand didn't have to listen, so we hung out. He is so funny! Nick is 10 and is Jacob's younger brother. We were talking about darts and electrical outlets, then Nick says, "Sometimes I stick paperclips into those, that hurts. One time my neighbor did that.... He's dead. *silence* *Nick snickers* Just kidding!" I was laughing really hard. Nick also told me about their animals and stuff that 10 year-olds like to talk about... It was pretty great.

Gives me chills...

On Sunday I found a verse to show a friend who was going through a similar situation that I've been through in witnessing to neighbors. Anyway, I ended up forgetting to show her.

I had no idea how much I would see that passage this week.

On Monday I was so worn out, that I was crying really easily. The stress and lack of sleep from the previous week hit me and it was pretty bad. I ended up going to my room, once I got home from school, and I cried for a long time. I had my Bible open to Isaiah and I was reading through some things I had marked, and then I came to chapter 40 (which had the verse I was going to show my friend). The tears kept coming as the Lord spoke to my heart. Monday's post pretty much sums up what I needed to hear. Then I took a nap. :) Oh and I feel better now, lol.

On Tuesday I brought my Bible (as usual) to school, but I brought it for another reason, we had to bring a piece of quality writing to English. I was debating between Psalm 107 and Isaiah 40. Isaiah won out in the end. Anyway, we got into our groups. There were two other people in my group and basically we had to write a short essay about quality writing. Our examples for the essay was our pieces of quality writing. I was able to testify that God's word is quality and show that His word has touched my life.

Wednesday was kind of blaaaagghggh... My HD class was weird. lol

Thursday we finished up the essay. A friend of mine came up to Kim and I during the break between our classes. We talked for a while, this guy was going through a really hard time. I will paste an excerpt from an email of mine to Jaho. The excerpt will have most of the details of my conversation with my friend.

So I asked him if he would read something, I handed him my Bible (it was open to Isaiah 40, you should go read it right now... It's awesome). After he read it he asked me why people blame other people, I told him about Adam and Eve. Adam, "My wife did it!" Eve, "It was the snake!!!" Blaming others has always been around. Then he asked why, I told him that people don't like to take responsibility for their actions. He wasn't too open, but I told him that he should rely on God. God supplies me with strength. I told him I couldn't do anything without God. He told me that I could, then I said, "Who made me? Who gives me strength?" Anyway, I told him that God is always near, he said something like, "Only if you think he is." I said, "No, He's always near. He loves you A LOT." Anyway, it was awesome to be able to plant seeds. I know God will work in his life and I'm glad God used me. He totally gave me strength and words to say. I can be timid, very afraid of offending people, but God spoke through me.

Anyway, so I sent that email to Jaho on um... Thursday night I think. Jaho posted this today.

Amazing how God intertwines our lives, eh?

"Your eyes have seen my unformed substance;
And in Your book were all written
The days that were ordained for me,
When as yet there was not one of them. " Psalm 139:16

God knows my path. He hems me in. He guides me.

"LORD, You have searched me and known me.
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
You understand my thought from afar.
You scrutinize my path and my lying down,
And are intimately acquainted with all my ways.
Even before there is a word on my tongue,
Behold, O LORD, You know it all.
You have enclosed me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is too high, I cannot attain to it. " Psalm 139:1-6

In fact just go read that whole Psalm, right now. Who knows who may see it and be encouraged... =)

So basically, the way God has been in my life for the past week (and my whole life for that matter) gives me that chills. His love for me is so huge. (oh and when in verse 3 "my lying down" God also knows when we need to take a break, as He did on Monday) =D

God is good all the time. All the time God is good.

11 He tends his flock like a shepherd:
He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
he gently leads those that have young.

30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;

31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

from Isaiah chapter 40

God is good, He has never left me. Naps are also good, they help people who REALLY neeeeeeeeed them.

5 things

Um..... I tag Brian, because I think he's the only one who would actually do this. But if you want to, just name the 5 things that come to your mind when you read these words.

Celebrity:

1) Hugh Jackman

2) Johnny Depp

3) Brittany Spears (closely related to Brian, apparently... lol)

4) Anna Nicole Smith

5) Matt Redman

Happy:

1) Circumstantial

2) Spring

3) Flowers

4) Laughter

5) Friends

Amazing:

1) God's love, shown in Jesus Christ

2) Red Beard's beard.... lol

3) Snow Patrol

4) Mini Coopers

5) Nature

Political:

1) Strangely enough, driving by and seeing Jaho at an intersection campaigning

2) Jaho

3) Our Governor......

4) A candidate that lost from my district, he would have been awesome

5) Guilt

Food:

1) Pizza

2) Salads

3) Pintos and cheese

4) Guilt.....

5) POPCORN!!!!!!

=D

Aren't the flowers glorious?

"Bait" I feel like Diesel does when he carries Bait around, triumphant because he caught something. Except I'm not going to carry my research paper around with my teeth and rip it to shreads. Although ripping it apart does sound appealing, once I get my grade. (I should listen to Billy Talent while I rip it apart... lol)

I just finished my rough draft for my research paper, I'm not even going to do yoga tonight. It's too late. I've worked on my paper soooo much today and I had to stop in the middle for HD class. Oh well, it's written. I'm glad it's done, now I would just like to go to sleep.

A post

And now, back by popular demand... ELYSE!

Thank you, thank you....

Ok, so I'd just like to say, the flowers are blooming and the sun is shining and it's pretty warm outside..... Glorious I tell you.

Last night I was walking over to my Grandma's house to watch Heroes (!!! by the way) and the crickets and frogs were making LOTS OF NOISE. It was like a symphony, it was also glorious. Spring must be on the way. I love this season because we celebrate the Resurrection (what a glorious hope) soon.

I shall post pictures of flowers and one of Diesel with his bear "Bait" later.

The Christian 10 Commandments

1. Apart from me you can do nothing
2. Apart from me you can do nothing
3. Apart from me you can do nothing
4. Apart from me you can do nothing
5. Apart from me you can do nothing
6. Apart from me you can do nothing
7. Apart from me you can do nothing
8. Apart from me you can do nothing
9. Apart from me you can do nothing
10. Apart from me you can do nothing

In other words, no (fixed it) amount of legalism or tradition can save you or make you a "good Christian".

5"I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing." John 15

Only Christ abiding in us can save us, only the Holy Spirit's working in us will make us a "good Christian." We MUST abide in Him. We must be in the word, we must be praying always, we must continually be dying to self (our sinful desires).

In Bible study on Thursday we were talking about this passage, actually we were talking about traditions and how we all have them. For instance, a tradition of the churches I've gone to is being very reserved in Church. But really, if I wanted to raise my hand to praise God, He would accept that. Even if some people thought I was being too charismatic. All that I do should be to please God and not men. I need to always abide in Him and not abiding in what other people might think.

Traditions are not necessary to being a Christian, we obviously need to be following the Bible and what it says about orderly worship, sometimes the traditions that I am so used to can hinder my relationship with God. It's similar to legalism, I like to have things set out. I like to know my boundaries. But even if I stand with my hands upraised all of the time and my heart is not being lifted to God as well.... There is no value. Outward shows of praise mean nothing to God if our hearts aren't in it.

We need to abide in Him, not traditions. God wants our hearts, He wants us to abide in Him.

The Answers

If you have not taken the test, do not read this post. Proceed to the post below and take the test!

Just in case you were wondering what you got wrong here you go.

Numero uno: My FAVORITE CAR is the Mini Cooper.

Di: Cats are moody, unicorns are not. The end.

3: Disliking the metal in my leg would be like disliking my leg. I dislike the thing that caused the metal to be in my leg, a zip line.

Tetra: I inch in all dangerous situations. You will most likely never see me doing anything dangerous full speed.

Cinco: "issues" = problems. I don't have problems singing, quoting Star Trek thingies OR driving (you sarcastic people... MAYBE YOU JUST HAVEN'T RIDDEN WITH ME SINCE THE BEGINNING! I have improved... Moving on!) I have issues blobbing (jumping off a decky thing onto a large air filled rubber bladder. Out of the 5 or so times I tried I successfully blobbed once. I am a failure.

Hexa: Diesel is his name. Today he grabbed onto my arm and held onto it, while biting me. I had to shake him off. He's like a Piranha, I tell you.

Hepta: NACHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! "Stephen, I am concerned for your soul.... *BAM!*"

Seriously go to that last link.

Eight: I would like a Mini Cooper and a Scottie dog.

Nona: Although Christian Bale is amazing, James Stewart was the BIZ-OMB. Oh and for those of you who were trying to remind me of my younger, more immature days.... Orlando Bloom is not my favorite actor. *shudder*

Deca: Cap guns....

I feel so.... Xanga-ish

Create your own Friend Quiz here

Soo.... I was wondering. Would you like to join me in my quarters for some toast?

So, I've been doing yoga and oh my word, it's a really good workout. I kept slipping on the carpet though and Mom bought me a yoga mat. It works quite well and I'm pretty sore today, so it must be helping.

Can anyone guess what color it is?

Well, I think I only have like 4 more weeks of this quarter left and about 6 more years to go before I become an NP. (not to be confused with an MP, seriously)

I need to visit my sister because I haven't really laughed-so-hard-I-cried in a while, and I'm thinkin' it's about time. Or maybe I should chill with my homies Maryizzle and Caroizzle. Hmmm....

It's Official

I have now, officially, been driving for one year. Yes everyone, I got my permit on the 17th Of February in the year 2006.

And today, for the first time I drove all by myself.

BTW there is a sad lack of good unicorn pictures on the web. I might just have to put up the "mythaseal kreatoore" LOL.... I'll have to get the band or artists together again. :)

...

Happy Valumtimes Day!

Several reasons why you should beware of....

Something to remember

"Can a mother forget the baby at her breast
and have no compassion on the child she has borne?
Though she may forget,
I will not forget you!

See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;
your walls are ever before me."

Isaiah 49:15-16

We are engraved in the palms of His hands. Our Saviour showed us this when they nailed his hands and feet to the cross. We are not forgotten, we are constantly on our Lord's mind!

"The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing."

Zephaniah 3:17

When your week seems crazy (as in key to the razy) remember that God is with you. The word is near, yes it is in our hearts. He's never left us and He never will. Nothing can take us out of His hands.

And a side note, I helped with a service project last night where we went and fed the homeless in our area. Definitely eye opening and SO different from the well.... Nordstrom shopping, "No, this is actually my 3rd steamer for the day" people that live in my town. I'm reminded of how Jesus didn't hang out with the acceptable people most of the time. He was out working with the people that actually were willing to hear (more so than the "religious people").

God has not forgotten the homeless people that mostly everyone sees and goes, "You know, they are really all panhandlersand we should get them off the street" Then they drive away and they don't do a thing except to complain. I forget, as I eat my homemade yummy dinner, that there are two beautiful little girls that might go hungry because their Mom hasn't got a job or a house. I forget. Thank God He has never forgotten about me.

Because really, without Christ we are the homeless ones.

[a note, this was not intended to be a guilt tripping post.. So sorry. :) But there are things that we can do. I don't suggest handing money to guys on the street. Find out when you can go with your church, or another church. There are options.]

Where my homies at?

Let us again speak of such things as, why wasn't Dom shown in Lost? He should always be in each episode, he's awesome. Let us speak of why I wish Kate and Sawyer would get "kicked off the island." And why I think Claire should have a superpower.

In other words, where are my LOST homies at? Let us talk of such things.

Where are my Heroes homies at? Brian and Kristy? Anyone else? Let's talk about the BIG surprise when we found out about who Claire's real father is.

Let's have a nerd convention....

Snark?

A congratulatory post shall now commence. Once my dear sister posts it will be "Happy 500th post day!!!" (hint, hint....). ANNNND.... I am now a licensed driver. Such a happy post needs something more.... PICTURES OF MORY!!!!!!!!!!!! (these are for you Kristy!)

Chew on this!

I wrote this for my English class. The assignment was to write a persuasive essay, with 2 or three points supporting your thesis and having a counter argument which was thoroughly defeated. Anyway, offer suggestions if you want.... Just try not to make me cry! :)

What is homeschooling exactly? Homeschooling is basically parents teaching their children at home. There is a proven success rate for homeschoolers. Homeschoolers are overall more involved in their communities and in politics as noted in Dr. D Ray’s Homeschooling Grows Up study. There is much debate about homeschooling, some people believe that homeschooling does not provide enough educational or social opportunities. On the other side of the debate is the pro-homeschoolers, these people believe that homeschooling provides ample educational and social experiences. In fact, pro-homeschool people believe that homeschooling is better than public or private education and prepares their children to deal with others on an adult level. Homeschooling is an excellent way of teaching a child.

First, homeschooling is an excellent way of teaching responsibility to children. Successful homeschooling requires personal discipline and responsibility. This discipline is taught by the parents, first by telling their children that they have to do their work. After some time the child knows that in order to be done with school by a certain time of day that they need to apply themselves when working. I have learned to apply myself during the day to be done with school and have fun later in the day. I have also learned to be responsible for turning in my work on time and by doing that being diligent. This responsibility and diligence homeschooled children learn in their early years, taught by their parents, will benefit them for the rest of their lives. Homeschooling is excellent at teaching children diligence and responsibility.

Next, homeschooling is excellent at teaching children at their own pace, without labeling them as special needs. So many times a public school teacher will label a child only because the child does not learn in the way that the rest of the class learns. When a child is homeschooled their parents will be able to spend one-on-one time with the child and go at the best speed of learning for the child. For ADD affected children it is easier to learn at home without all of the distractions at a school. The parents also know their child better than a teacher would and are able to help their child in ways a public school teacher just wouldn’t have time to do. Homeschooling is excellent for teaching children at their own pace.

Homeschooling is excellent at teaching children how to interact with older people. In public or private school the majority of contact a child has, is with people their own age, this hinders their ability to interact with older people. There is no aspiration to learn more from people with more knowledge than them, with only peers there is no higher standard to wish to achieve. In my own life I have had higher standards to achieve, my siblings are all quite a bit older than me and I have learned a lot from them. Instead of just learning things from people my age I’ve heard new perspectives and learned about issues that are bigger than the usual 7 year old talks about. My vocabulary when I was young surprised my sister, who is an elementary school teacher, because not too many children my age knew big words and would actually use them correctly. Because I was homeschooled I was able to talk to adults on a higher level than my peers. Having a home education is excellent at teaching children how to intermingle with people of all ages.

Some people, however, believe that homeschooled children have trouble interacting socially with others because they don’t go to school. This is simply not true. Homeschoolers do not “live in a box” as some people think, since homeschoolers generally are able to be done with their homework quickly (due to the fact that since there aren’t 30 children in a classroom the school day goes quickly) and are able to participate in several activities. In the Homeschooling Achievement survey by Dr. Brian D Ray the mean number of activities homeschoolers participate in is 5.2. These activities include many things, sports, scouts, church, dance, music and the list goes on. There are groups for homeschooling families that involve sports or that offer classes to supplement the homeschooling process. Homeschooling is excellent at offering opportunities to learn and play due to having more time.

Homeschooling is an excellent way of teaching a child. Homeschooling teaches children responsibility, diligence and discipline. The traits (responsibility…) a child learns while a child is young will benefit that child for his or her whole life. Children are able to learn at their own pace when they are homeschooled. Children also learn how to interact with people of all ages because they learn at home, with their families (who happen to be different ages). Some people continue to believe that homeschoolers don’t get enough opportunities to learn, they are wrong. When homeschoolers go out into sports, or co-ops (supplemental classes are offered at these places) they get opportunities to learn. Homeschoolers are in no way limited because they do not go to public or private school.

Works Cited

“Homeschooling Grows Up” by Dr. Brian D Ray (http://www.hslda.org/research/ray2003/HomeschoolingGrowsUp.pdf)

“Homeschooling Achievement” by Dr. Brian D Ray

(http://www.hslda.org/docs/study/comp2001/HomeSchoolAchievement.pdf)

Spalaky?

Here are some pictures from my weekend. My parents had their Ruby anniversary and we celebrated on Saturday. Chato decided to sit on some coats and Bella decided to put her pillow on top on the Chats.

On Sunday we played football outside and it was ridiculously cold so I was chasing people around and taking pictures. Heather willingly took a picture with me but some of my other friends had to be tackled.

Anyway..... I like my camera AAAAAAAND there's pretty much nothing else to report. I think tomorrow I'll go and see what this Christian Bible study on campus is all about. It'll be good to make some Christian friends.

...

I love the Shins. There is pretty much nothing better than doing school on a sunny day and listening to the Shins. Of course I wasn't doing that today, I was doing that on Friday. Today I have a slight fever and I took a nap after co-op. So today has become kind of a haze, I really shouldn't sleep in the middle of the day. It throws me off.

I can feel the tips of my screws sticking out, I hope they don't fall out... LOL. That would be creepy. "Elyse, there's a SCREW STICKING OUT OF YOUR LEG." me: "Oh really? umm... Ew? *faints*"

I feel like some tea and a good thing about today is that Heroes is tonight and I'm going over to Grandma's to watch it because OH MY WORD, it froze every 2 seconds last time we tried to watch it on NBC.com.

Some really good stuff has happened in the last couple of days and some really bad stuff has happened too. The Lord is good though, even when I feel, well, less than normal He is always there. He is always consistent. I'm so thankful for that. One of my oldest friends was baptized along with his family, God is so faithful and HE HEARS US WHEN WE PRAY. How many times did I cry out of frustration over my friend? I'm not sure. But I cried yesterday, when my friend was baptized. How great is our God!? To allow me to witness that... It's incredible.

Apparently some of my friends think that in 20 years I will be a novelist... WHAT!? I have no idea.... I thought that was pretty funny though.

Now, I have posted. It is random but it is a post and I shall go and get some warm liquid to ingest and try to concentrate on finishing the chem reading.

Laters!

Happy Anniversary!

Happy 40th Mom and Dad!

I'll try and put up a substantial post later, I'm so tired right now. The weekend was long and busy. For now, that is all...

On a different note...

Oh how I love thee city scape profile picture! I'm not sure if I will ever change you, for you amaze me. If the person that came up with that picture ever reads this post I would like to thank you, right here, right now.

And... I want to do well in college, I feel like I'm like a fish without water. It's a different thing. AND English is confusing, I thought I was doing well and then my teacher says, "I stopped counting your run-ons when I got to 5." This doesn't give me much hope. But it will do no good to worry about it, God is in control and I will trust that. I have hope from Him and He will never fail, even when I do.

Oh and yesterday was the chem study group and before we started, us girls prayed for a person in both of my classes who is going through a really hard time. It was wonderful to have friends that are willing to pray in public together. God created us to fellowship like that, to care for each other and to love Him more than anything. God knows best! It's a wonderful thing.

How are you doing?

A thought for the day....

"If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other."
Galatians 5:15

We need to make sure that what we say is God honoring and isn't coming from the emotion of the moment. It is better to not say anything than to say something rashly and regret it later. If we don't watch our tongues we will end up like this snake, eating itself.

This especially applies to the Church, if we keep back-biting and gossiping how will we be able to stand? We need to be unified.

"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."
Philippians 2:1-4

SNOW.

So here's my explanation. These pictures were taken yesterday by my Mom, Diesel had just scratched my face and you can see it in that picture of me. It was REALLY red, but you can't really tell in that picture. NAUGHTY CAT.

That slide picture is funny.

And the last one is of our lake, there was a sheet of ice, probably about an inch thick. But some people decided it was thick enough to walk out to the dock! I'm really glad they didn't fall in. Oh and so you can know just how far it is to the dock, it takes me about a minute to swim there.

He went from cute (hiding in blankets, to hunter extraordinaire, to just plain playing with his food....) Ew?

Ew?

My cat is disgusting and I feel like barfing, but only slightly. This is another reason why I like dogs more than cats.

That's all for now! Pictures to come....

[if I get around to it, I'm back to the proverbial grindstone tomorrow.]

Snow Day!!!!!!!!

No college today! It's quite nice to have a break.

What are you guys up to?

"I-I-I-I-I KNOW HOW TO TRANSFORM!!!!!"

I <3 Gnarls Barkley's song Transformer, it makes me want to dance.

You know what another thing makes me want to do? The "gradmax " makes me want to like.... Do something drastic. In my easy/Iwishicoulddropoutofitbecauseidon'tneedit class we have to go to this site and fill out this "gradmax" survey every week, it lets the teacher know how we are doing. If we aren't doing so well, like if we are feeling overwhelmed by stress the teacher will talk to us. The assessment asks questions like, "How are you feeling today?" and then they have a chart and you can like on how you feel. 1 being great, 6 being so-so and 10 being "Couldn't be worse..." And then you think you are done with the annoying personal questions and they give you like 10 MORE!!!!! Mary and I were sitting near each other in the compy lab and we would look at each other and laugh. Or think about clicking the "couldn't be worse" button. =P

Seriously, I'm in this class because I had to be to get into the program. I am not really doing this of free will. So it's hard when the teacher asks, "Why are you in this class?" I don't want to hurt feelings! And since I don't really want to be there I don't really want to open up and share my heart with people. Yes, I will be honest. But the whole thing with gradmax is they want to know our stress level and how much we worry about stuff. I'm sitting there thinking, I don't usually worry about stuff because I know Christ is in control. When I do worry I need to take it to Him, not my college's staff.

At least I get to hang out with Mary. I hope I get to see her next quarter too.

Oh and in the free planners they give out they have June as the "Gay, Lesbian, trans gender, bisexual month".... This made me sad and angry and confused.

It makes me so frustrated I must pull out the "ajkdhkjakjadskfjkas!"

They also have women's history month, or whatever crud they said. They had no men's history month. What's the deal? Where's the equality? It's so stupid and such a lie. You can't have unity without Christ being the thing that makes us one! He is the only way and the only truth! There is no other way.

I know this passage is long, but it's SO true. Since I was home schooled my whole life before now I was never really confronted with such blatant sin, such hatred of God....

18The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

21For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

24Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

26Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. 27In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.

28Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. 29They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

Romans 1:18-32

Pray that I would be a light there, they need lights and I need prayer. Another thing I'm praying about is that I would meet more Christians and that we would be able to meet together and pray and read the Word. I don't really have the same schedule as for instance, Jaho. So basically all the Christians that I know, I don't see. Maybe God is doing that so that I am more friendly to others, I don't know... But His plan is great and I will trust Him!

Oh and you can read an update on Molly and Betsy's Dad here. Please keep their family in your prayers!

Electrons

If there was a school for atoms this is how it would go down....

The popular kids (aka the Noble gasses) basically want nothing to do with anyone else, they are happy by themselves. There is no striving for friends, they are pretty much full of themselves.

Row 7: almost popular but not quite there. Since they are snubbed by the inert gasses they turn on others (they view them as a lower class) and steal friends, basically they just bully them into hanging out.... To sum up, they are bullies.

Since you can probably figure out the social structure yourself I will move on.

Metals are pretty easy going, they'll give up money if the higher rows want some and they just want to give, give, give. As long as they can chill with the aforementioned row. This is speaking of an ionic bond, it's a give and take thing.

Non-metals have covalent bonds (that means they share), so it's not really a bullying situation. For instance, "May I please have that CD." "Sure thing, can I have it back on Tuesday?" "Yup."

Hydrogen is kind of a rebel, it doesn't want to be like row eight it just wants a friend/clothing item. So it finds a stray electron (friend, clothing item) and it's BFF for life.

If you can't tell, I've been studying Lewis dot structures for Chem. Fun stuff. This class doesn't seem like as much work as college, go figure. =)

If you would, please pray for my friends, Molly and Betsy's dad. He's having some medical troubles and has had a few surgeries, his ribs are broken and he has blood clots in his leg. Please pray for their whole family and for his healing.

Update?

OK so life is really busy, it seems like the New Year's party was like 5 weeks ago.

My classes are pretty good so far. English is confusing, hopefully that will be cleared up soon. I really need to get a good grade. Anyway, I'm not going to complain because if I did that would be stupid, seems like I've been complaining since Tuesday. Yesterday God was really working on my heart, just like, "You can't act like this, you can't be filled up with anger and bitterness." So today was better, God is in control and I can't change things. It'll all turn out according to His plan.

I'm getting to know a couple people better. Kim is really nice, she's in both of my classes and she has 3 kids. She's probably about Kristy's age or a little older. Anyway, I feel better now that I'm making friends.

And.... I'M SO GLAD IT'S THE WEEKEND, OH MY WORD. *sigh*

Other than that, I finished up Colossians um... Last night? (I think.) Time has become a mush and I can't really distinguish between days now, heh. Anyway, Paul talked about how Epaphras was "wrestling in prayer" for the Colossians, I was struck with how much I need people to pray for me. I was also struck with how much I need to pray for others, we need to pray for each other.

Right now I need your prayers about school, about English, I need to understand (completely) what my teacher is talking about because we have a test on Tuesday. I also need wisdom for how to be a light at my college. I need prayer for my attitude, that God would continually remind me that Jesus never complained as he was carrying the cross, therefore I have no right to complain about school.

What can I be praying for you about? You can email me about it if you want, but seriously, please tell me. Let's be encouraging each other and spending some time before the throne of God interceding for one another.

So this is the New Year....

What have I done? Some big events have happened in 2006.

From about January to February Mom was staying with Ruth in England because of Ruth's surgery, this meant that we were without her for about 3 weeks. It was so odd and sad, I love my Mom. The day before she flew home there was a big windstorm and the power went out, nerves were frayed but God supplied a beautiful sunset. That gave me a time to just relax and talk to Him about the storm, Mom being gone and how awesome He is. God showed His intimate/huge love for me in that moment.

In February I started driver's ed, this meant I had to not help in Awana which was very sad. It was my first time in school. I met Mr. M, who I later found out had a stroke and was paralyzed on his right side.

Skip ahead to May (obviously nothing interesting happened in March and April), I backed out of the driveway not quite aware of how fragile my life is when I came back I knew just how fragile I am. I broke my ankle at some friend's house. I cried at the ER, man... Life was busy that week. It didn't seem so bad after I broke my ankle though, I had bigger things to think about. But I cried because they said that I might need(LOL, here are some gross pictures, the last one is REALLY gross because of the really, really long leg hair. Ew. Here's a cool one though.) surgery, because my new-ish jeans had to be cut open (just kidding) and because, "OH MY WORD I JUST BROKE MY ANKLE, I CAN'T SLOW DOWN NOW.... THERE'S SO MUCH TO DO." But God had other things planned. God, again, was there. He was there in the quiet time, the time of riding home to tell my Dad about my fall. He reminded me (by a song on the local Christian radio station, it actually can be a useful thing although it gets annoying how they play songs over and over again. NO VARIETY.) that He is in control, I can't understand His reasons but I just need to trust Him. And I did. Lots of people prayed for me during this time. Later in the week they said I needed surgery, so I got surgery. 10 screws and a plate. The recovery was hard and using crutches was lame, but at least I have 2 legs. After about 3 months I could finally get back to driving, hallelujah.

One day in the summer I was feeling bitter about how I couldn't run when I saw a girl sprinting down the street, that night I found out that a girl I know had her leg amputated. Don't complain about what you don't have, you have SOMETHING, be grateful. Her attitude amazed me (and continues to do so) she is a testament to God's work in her life and I respect her highly.

That summer there were a lot of injuries and surgeries, again, God's plan is great and He had a purpose for allowing those things to happen.

This year was a roller coaster in my Spiritual life, I would go back to legalism (not doing things for God and in response to His love for me but because it was a routine) and God would draw me near again and this happens again and again. God also showed me what it means to be a woman, how beautiful (soul and body) He made us and how He can use our beauty to bless others and draw them to Him. He also showed me how He is the only one who will fill this thrist for validation that I have, that we all have. Like He told the Samaritan woman, He has living water and she will never thirst again.

In August we got a kitten, he's been a huge blessing to us. God took him away for a day, that taught me a lot.

I turned 16 in October and got my ears pierced. John took an Ambulance ride.

In November something happened, I'm not sure what. Umm.. Yes. I met with the college counselor.

This month John had lots of doctor's appointments and tests, but they have scheduled him for surgery a week from Friday which is also the day I take my drive test. John will have his gall bladder out and join the cool club of people that have had surgery, woot, woot. But please pray for him.

This year a lot of stuff has happened, fo sho. God has been in each and every thing that has happened. His plans are good and far above ours.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it"

-Isaiah 55:8-11

So as I sit here with my back hurting, feeling sick, feeling sad because of the weather and slightly anxious about starting college tomorrow I look back on the year and realize today is not the end of the world. This cold will go away, my back pain will stop and the sun will shine again God is faithful to be with me now. Even when my back hurts and my nose runs, He never leaves. If you are feeling grumpy or sad, look back over the year and see what God has been doing in your life, it'll change your perspective.

Forever God is faithful. Amen.