Friendlight Friday

Anna from The Daughter of a King

I was frantic. I couldn't find another shirt - the one I had on was stained - my grocery list wasn't ready, I was about to cry, had been grouchy to Isaac and Becca, which made me feel horrible, and it was all my fault.

I hadn't heard her tell me that we were going shopping today - two days before I was ready!

Why must these things happen to me? WHY?

I looked up at the wall with a tortured stare, consumed with my own pathetic misery, unhappy, unable to feel thanks that I was at least able to go shopping for the family groceries.

Then, there, among the frantic racing and raging a mental picture flashed before me. I saw Jesus standing just on the other side of my closet door. His robes were white - almost glowing- in their spotlessness, His face seemed to shine. I, even in the mental image, was still crazily plowing through my closet, close to tears and raging, inwardly.

Read the rest of this post here...

Visit Anna's profile here...

40 Days for Life

Annually on September 28 people across the country agree to give up something for 40 days and pray for the end of abortion.  This year is my first time joining this endeavor, and honestly I'm not sure how well it'll go.  I'm determined to stick to my fast by God's grace and to the best of my ability.  However, we have some very special company coming that may require an exception or two.  Also, last time I tried to fast anything didn't go so well.  (Think sobbing at Mom through a cell phone because the cake was chocolate - which was what I had given up.)  Regardless, here is what I'm attempting:

No Digital Entertainment.

This includes, but is not limited to:

~Netflix (or any other video streaming)
~DVD's
~Online games
~Offline video games (CD-ROM's, Wii, etc.)
~iPod/iLuv
~Music streaming

The 40 Days for Life fast begins with preparation on September 27.  Then, from September 28 through November 6, everyone fasts and prays individually.  Around-the-clock prayer vigils are held at Planned Parenthoods and other abortion facilities across the nation, and petition and education drives go door-to-door and neighborhood-to-neighborhood in many areas.  College campuses, local churches, and public media are all used as outlets to touch hearts and let people know what's going on and the truth about abortion.

The website features daily devotionals for those participating in the campaign, starting with preparation on September 27 and ending with a closing devotional on November 7.

Author's Note: I do not agree with everything on the 40 Days for Life page, or everything written in the devotionals.  I am sharing these sites for readers to use at their own discretion; I intend to adapt the devotionals and use them myself.

J is for...

July

(Okay, so I cheated. This was the year I decided my birthday and Christmas were too close together, so I celebrated my half-birthday. My real birthday's in January, but that starts with a J too...)

Ugh, a hideous photo. But it was taken at the church's Independence Day potluck back when we lived in Oki, so it qualifies for July.

One of the many teen meetings back in Oki.  Our church didn't have a teen group, so Eddie and I joined the other church's teen meetings on Fridays.  Lots of memories...



Blogs I Love

Blogs I Love

(in alphabetical order)

adorkable by Dezzy

Ask Caitlin by Caitlin O'Conner

Big House in the Little Woods by Bailey

Breezes in the Meadows by Sarah Grace

Enchanted Musings by Marcia

Far Above Rubies by Jasmine

Grace's Garden Walk by Grace

Just Us Girlz by AnnaKate

Only a Breath by Melanie

Muthering Heights by Jessica

old-fashioned beauty by Abigail

Pastor's Girl's Ponderings by Carlotta

Pro-Life Quotes by Christine

Scribble Chicks by the Scribble Chicks

The Daughter of a King by Anna

The Disney Wedding Blog by Carly

The YA Blogosphere (Teen Blog Directory)

You Are Still Loved by Bethany

Young Homemakers by Rachel and Jessica

As you can see, there's pretty much something for everyone. I sorted through the 200+ blogs I follow to find the ones I truly love and check up on. The topics range from mothering, homemaking, and parenting to books, clothing, and random life. A unique blend of just about anything.... kinda describes this blog, huh? ;)

Book Review: Culture Shift

Culture Shift by R. Albert Mohler, Jr.
"Albert Mohler is a steady guide, unremittingly clear-headed." - John Piper



Click the cover to buy

In 100 A.D., Christianity was simple.  Not easy - not at all - but simple.  Christ was exactly what He said - the Son of God, the looked-for Messiah - and He had lived among the people for 33 years, died the worst possible criminal's death, and came back to life three days later.  Hundreds of people witnessed Him after this event before He ascended into the clouds with a promise to return.  The early Christians had a lot more persecution and problems than we do, but the biggest 'issues' within the church were those of divorce and choosing deacons and what 'modest' meant.

Today, those problems and issues still face many questions.  However, science, technology, the modern '-isms,' and other factors have dramatically changed the world Christians have to deal with.  Questions and issues the early Christians would never have imagined are now faced by believers daily.  Mr. Mohler writes clearly and, considering the depth and content level, simply for the everyday Christian to understand these problems.

The big problems are addressed: abortion, homosexuality, the corruption of public schooling, and others.  But those aren't the only chapters; important but not as obvious topics such as terrorism, atheism, nuclear war, digital living, and retirement are also addressed.  All topics are presented with a brief and understandable explanation of their origins, meaning, and where they stand in today's world, specifically America.  Mohler then continues to explain what a Christian ought to do and how he ought to approach each question Biblically.

The writing style is a bit more formal and harder to digest than some tenth graders' reading level, but I found it clear, easy to follow and understandable.  The writer also kept my interest, which is slightly impressive for this sort of genre.  This is definitely a good book for anyone looking to grasp modern issues who don't know where to start.  I recommend it to any Christians who are in their teens or early twenties, and also older Christians who are new in the faith.  I'm certainly keeping it as a reference book.

My only problem is the use of non-King James Version Bible quotes and references.  Otherwise, it would get all five stars.  I give this book four and a half stars.

I received this book for free through Waterbrook Multnomah's Blogging for Books Program in exchange for this review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

A completely unrelated note: this is the 100th post in the history of Struggles of a (Maybe) Teen Author! :) This a landmark for citizens of the blogosphere.

30 Day Challenge: Day One - Favorite Song

Well, this week I decided I was tired of having nothing posted all weekend long. That's just too long to go without writing something new. So now I'm adding Saturday content! Whether or not this will last past the 30 Day Blog Challenge (which I am doing over 30 weeks) is beyond me.

Anyway, I've seen several bloggers doing several variations of this challenge. Finally I chose a random blog, copied their version of it, pasted into Wordpad, and saved. So now I have 30 Saturdays' worth of content ideas ;)

Here we go!

Day One: A Favorite Song

Honestly, I never have a favorite anything for long, except color. (Green) Oh, and blogger. (Bailey. Duh.)  But I do have a favorite-at-the-moment song most of the time.  Right now, that song happens to be "Amazing Grace My Chains Are Gone," Chris Tomlin style. I first heard it on the Amazing Grace movie, and didn't hear it anywhere else until visiting Mikado Baptist Church last November. (Almost a year already!) Now my family are members of said church, and this song continues to grow on me until I wear it out and get tired of it.

Link: http://www.vevo.com/watch/chris-tomlin/amazing-grace-my-chains-are-gone/US82Y0700001

Friendlight Friday

Bailey from Big House in the Little Woods

We preach the gospel as if heaven is the end goal in salvation: "Make sure you know where you're going when you die! It could happen any minute, you know." Christ died, so it goes, so that we can end up in heaven, as opposed to hell -- so we could walk the streets of gold eternally instead of fester and burn at the other end of the spectrum.

That has much more appeal than the happiness of being free from sin, enslaved to Christ.

Most "Christians" today are happy with a heaven without Jesus. Heaven to them is just a welcome relief from hell. That's the most exciting aspect about it. They'll see their friends. They'll be blissful forever. They'll sing songs and wear wings and occupy a mansion. We're just glad to get out of a hard world.

But our primary obsession about heaven should be that finally, finally we see Jesus face to face. We'll be rid of the sin that clouds our relationship. We'll be fully enabled to praise Him eternally. We'll serve Him forever. We'll be with Him forever. Our obsession of Christ on earth is now in this beautiful, eternal climax now.

A relationship with Jesus -- modern day Christianity doesn't really know what that is.

Read the rest of this post here....

Meet Bailey here...

My Life In (Not So) Short Form

Most readers want to know a little something about the bloggers they follow.  I'm no different.  When I'm not sure, based on the most popular or recent posts, whether I'll like a certain blog, I click the 'About Me' button.  It's just a quick description of the person behind the posts, but it often has as much influence as - or more than - the blog description.

And since my character description is so hard for me to write (one of my secret fears is looking bad - not embarrassed bad but proud or haughty bad), I decided for today's random post I'd share my mini-history.  Maybe it will help you grasp me a little better. :)

Here goes:

January 1996 - Born in Panama City, Republic of Panama, on an Air Force Base that no longer exists.  This makes me a Panamanian and American citizen until I turn 18.  Which is cool, except I don't think I can choose to stay both.  I have to pick one.  Personally, I think that stinks.

Around September 1996 (I think) - Mom, Daddy, and eight-month-old (?) me move to Germany.

February 1997 - My brother Edmond (aka Eddie) is born.

Sometime In Between Brothers 1 and 2 - Mom, Daddy, Eddie, and I move to a different area in Germany.

August 1991 - Jonathan (aka Jon) is born.  He is very sick for a while, and very very bald.

Sometime In Between Brother 2 and 3 - Mom, Daddy, Eddie, Jon, and I move to South Dakota.  We join a nice church that is foggy but present in my memory, and meet my best friend's family.

Uncertain Dates - I go to preschool, then on to kindergarten while Eddie starts preschool. (I'm not 100% if this happened before or after the next event. I'm about 90% sure.)

Summer of an Uncertain Year - I go to my first VBS as a kindergartner and receive an award for Most Verses Memorized in kindergarten through third grade, one of my two favorite trophies which still sit on my dresser.

October 2001 - Nicholas (aka Nick) is born.  The baby of the family.  Yes, there is less than a six-year span between all four of us.  Maybe that can explain some of the problems.

Uncertain Date - I go to first grade with Mrs. Rose and advance to the head of my class in reading.  (No surprises there. Daddy actually started me on the regular, unabridged and unaltered version of Black Beauty.  I only got to chapter three, but that's beside the point.)

March 2002(?) - I'm on the ten o'clock news, in my yellow feetie pajamas (remember feetie pajamas!?) with a special about the Dr. Seuss costumes and reading day at my school.

Uncertain Date - My mom's grandma is dying.  We try to drive to Indiana to see her before she passes, but we don't make it.  We stay for a little while and Mom refuses to let me go to the funeral with her.  It's the first time I see my Mom cry, and the first time anybody I know dies.  Also the only time I've cried about a death so far.

October(?) 2003 - The fam moves to Rome, New York.  We join a great church and an amazing homeschool group and rent a rickety two-hundred-year-old, two-story farm house with mice, snakes, flooding, plumbing problems, well problems, and a both-story balcony that has to be shoveled when it snows.  The kids' favorite place so far; the parents' nightmare.  I meet my best friend #2.

Uncertain Date - I get a supporting role in the homeschool play, An American Girl: Felicity.  My best friend #2 stars. :)

September 2005(?) - The kids go to public school for my fourth grade year. The boys love it.  I love the writing focuses my teacher, Mrs. Wolfanger, has.  I don't love the bully in my class.

September 2006(?) - The boys go to the same school.  I am homeschooled again, and get Mom to myself all day.  We go to Curves for P.E. and Little Caesar's for lunch.  I am a very happy child.

October(?) 2006 - Dad is given unaccompanied orders to South Korea.  The whole family is unhappy, but we see him off at the airport that Sunday.  It's the only time I've ever seen my Dad cry, and the second time I've seen my Mom cry.  Also the only time my family has ever cried during church.  I am a very unhappy child.

Uncertain date - Best friend #2 and I have a sleepover, and watch the newly released updated A Little Princess.  It's the first of two times I've ever cried at a movie, and the only time I bawled during a movie.

Uncertain Date - Mom visits Daddy for two weeks, and the kids hang out with best friend #1 and family.  Great times. :)  Plus the first time I watched Rachael Ray!

Uncertain Date - I get one of several main roles in the homeschool play, Amerikids.  Way too much drama surrounding that play.  Most of it was my fault, too.

Uncertain Date - Daddy returns from Korea.  Everyone rejoices.

October 2007 - The fam moves to Okinawa, Japan.  I am very unhappy.  Think moody, over dramatic, lonely twelve-year-old female.  Joined a slightly-too-small (but definitely had its good points) church.  Tried a homeschool group that didn't quite fit our family.  Tried going to the base school.  Met best friend #3.  Had a bunch of cultural experiences, and got to know our Japanese tutor.  Lots of fun stuff, though slightly tainted in my memory by the sour attitude I carried way-too-long.  Met some great friends in a different church's youth group! :)

October 2010 - Finally left Oki and the drama there.  Visited family in Indiana for a month. Fun!


November 2010 - Came to Georgia.  Joined the biggest church we've been to yet.  Saw snow again for the first time since moving to Japan - though not nearly enough for my taste.  Had a rather emotional move, but what move isn't emotional? Especially for a teenager.  Also, met best friend #4.

December 2010 - Christmas.  I left this out so far, but since this was the most recent Christmas, I figured I'd throw it in.  It's my favorite time of the year, hands-down.  I'll be one of those old ladies baking millions of cookies as soon as Thanksgiving is over and breaking out the Andy Williams CDs by October.

Those are just the basics - the highlights with a few random 'little things' mixed in.  :)  Hope it makes sense and helps you understand me a little better.

This was longer than I planned, but then, compositions usually are.  I once had a 700-800 word essay on Queen Elizabeth I.  My rough draft was a 1300-word essay on her early life. :\

I is for...

Idiotic, crazy fun.

Taking flash photos in the pitch black night on the eight floor balcony...

Jumping off the sea wall...

Slicing a pile of flour and trying not to knock over the Hershey kiss...

Letting a three-year-old paint your toes... I mean toenails.

In Which I Share My Excitement

Guess who's Homeschooling Teen's newest columnist?  Yes, that's right!  Me!

Their fiction book reviewer, Rebekah, recently graduated and in the September issue they asked for new reviewer to take over her column, The Bookshelf.  I, of course, applied immediately and they accepted!  Now I'm just waiting for approval on the new name I've chosen - Bookshelf of a (Maybe) Teen Author - and I'll be able to submit a review from those previously posted on this blog. :)

Which one do you think I should submit for October?

Departures by Robin Jones Gunn
Sisterchicks in Sombreros by Robin Jones Gunn
Cindy Ella by Robin Palmer
Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
The Mother-Daughter Book Club by Heather Frederick
Is Having a Boyfriend Really Necessary? by Jane Grahl
Catching Santa by Marc Franco

Book Review: Princess Bellarina



Click the cover to buy

Princess Bellarina by Marilyn Obsuna
An engaging and innovative fairy tale that celebrates the fundamental strength of a woman's love.

I just want to start out by saying this book is from a vanity press; this means the author paid Dorrance Publishing instead of the other way around.  This isn't necessarily a bad thing; it just means the company isn't as selective as traditional publishers, and the quality of their books depends more on the individual writing it than the team - writer, editor, publisher, etc. - working together on it.

That said, this book had a much better storyline than the last Dorrance book I chose.  It was a typical fairy tale, with a beautiful princess and prince in love, a jealous wicked witch, and some kind lady who saves the day.  But, partially for reasons even I can't explain, this was a page-turner.  It wasn't as predictable as others of its kind, even if it was a 'Cinderella' romance.  (I.e., guy meets girl and they're in 'true love' within the hour.  That always bugs me.)  Marilyn Obsuna, though, focused more on the obstacles the characters overcame than their romance.  I liked that.

Since it is a vanity press book, though, it definitely had problems.  The verb tenses were never dependable and there was misused or just plain missing punctuation everywhere.  Despite the whole 'far-away-kingdom in some unspecified olden-day time period' thing, the kings and queens met their guests in a living room and the prince washed his hands in the bathroom sink. (!)  Some definitely modern phrases were used, and the dialogue never seemed to fit the characters.  A majority of the sentences sounded awkward.  To put in plainly, the lack of an editor was visible to all.

Maybe it was the writer in me that made this book seem so flawed.  Honestly, though, the plot was amazing and this writer has a wonderful imagination.  With a lot of practice, a paid editor, and maybe a few writing conferences, Obsuna could certainly become a great author.  I give this book, her first, two and half stars out of five.

I received this book for free through Dorrance Book Review Team in exchange for this review.  All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Friendlight Friday

This week's Friendlight Friday is from a blog, but it's a special website blog. I feel very strongly on this issue and have since I first discovered it less than a year ago.

This article is written by Lindsay and was posted on Abort73

I can only conclude that many of you have never made the choice that I did. If you had, wouldn’t you have told me more… because you care about me, right? You would have told me about the way the clinic smells of blood and death. You would have told me that undergoing a surgical abortion would be the worst pain I would ever experience. You would have told me that you can hear and feel the tissue being ripped away and sucked out of your body, and that even years later I wouldn’t be able to stand the sound of a normal household vacuum cleaner. You would have told me that they make post-abortive patients leave out of the back door because they don’t want anyone coming in to know what someone looks like going out. You would have told me that the evil presence in those clinics feels so thick you could cut it with a knife. You would have told me that my uterus could be punctured.

You would not have told me that it is only tissue.You would not have told me it was only cells. If you, too, had taken Mifepristone and given birth to a six-week-old embryo, you would not have told me it was not yet a baby. You would have told me it had a brain and a heartbeat and was very much a child. You would know because you, like me, would have seen it. You would have held it and known immediately that what you just killed was, in fact, a baby…but by that time it would be too late to change your mind. You would have told me about the nightmares and the enormous sense of loss. You would have told me that my abortions would end any hope for my boyfriend and I to ever have a family together. And, because you care about me, I would like to think that if you had known, you would have told me that when your baby dies, a part of you dies right along with it. The choice to terminate the hope of one life actually terminates the hope of two, and no matter how hard I wanted things to go back to normal, they never would.


Read the rest of this article here...

Visit Abort73 here...

My Dream Wedding

After seeing a post about a fellow teen-girl-blogger's dream wedding (which, sadly, I can no longer find) I decided to post my own dream wedding.
Back when Ash and I had our first sleepover, she came over to my place and we watched One Night with the King and made wedding dream-books.  It took all day, way too much colored ink, and actually we had to finish on a later Sunday afternoon, but it was great fun.  And now I'm going to share the finished dream book I made with you. :)
Just a note: the last page has the honeymoon. Ash was all exotic and found a gorgeous photo of Bora Bora online. I didn't really have a preference for where to go on my honeymoon, so I pulled out an old postcard I had.  I've got this utterly romantic and probably unrealistic idea that the hubby-to-be ought to choose and arrange the honeymoon, and the bride shouldn't know where they're going until they get there.  I do love surprises...

Wedding Dreambook - making a free slideshow

I spent an hour learning how to use the scanner since it wouldn't work with my laptop. Arg. I had to scan, re-name, save, and then email all the pages from Dad's laptop to mine. :P The pages look darkened in spots because of the uneven '3D' stuff like ribbons or shells, and because the glue made the pages wrinkly-ish when they dried.

Credit: Photo slideshow made with Kizoa. Wedding Dress created with Wedding Dress Creator. Other photos featured were found on various websites with Google search.  Various beach wedding ideas found at Bella's Beach Weddings.

H is for...

Hippie Photos!

Once upon a time my Grandpa went with my Grandma, who buys clothes for us a lot, and picked out a shirt for me.  Then one day I was wearing said shirt and had yet to do my hair, so it had fallen into its natural middle part.  I thought, "Hey, looks like a 70's hippie."  On a whim I grabbed the headband/necklace and empty Coke bottle off my dresser for a photo shoot.

I then deleted all the photos but one, which I promised myself nobody would ever see.  But today I couldn't find any other h photos and figured, why not?

So now you know how zany I can get.  Although this is really rather mild, all things considered....

They Need You

Ways You Can Promote Life...

...For Free (Or dirt cheap):

• host Abort73 video showings at your home, church, etc.
• pray
• fast - give up something, not necessarily food, for a set amount of time and pray - pray lots!
• wear light pink and baby blue ribbons in remembrance of the lost babies
• donate your Facebook status to Abolish Abortion
• Tweet and/or Facebook quotes, statistics, and links to inform your friends and followers
• share Abort73 photos and videos
• stay informed about the latest in the abortion and pro-life movements, and the people involved
• write blog posts, Facebook notes, poems, stories, articles, etc. sharing the truth
• honor those who would have graduated with you, if not for their tragic deaths
• volunteer at Pregnancy Crisis Centers
• vote for politicians who fight to end abortion
• request books at bookstores and local libraries that tell the truth about abortion
• set your automatic email signature to include a pro-life phrase and/or link
• fly the flag half-mast in honor of those killed daily
• use pro-life cupcakes to remember and open conversations about those who never had a birthday
• write pro-life messages on public sidewalks with chalk
• attend prayer vigils, conferences, conventions, and rallies

...With Your Money:

• place a memorial stone in the local/church cemetary with an inscription honoring those aborted
• buy an advertisement for Abort73, a local pro-life center/organization, or sharing a pro-life message
• donate to Abort73 or another pro-life organization
• buy Abort73 or other pro-life clothing, pins, bags, stickers, flyers, etc.
• use pro-life checks, notepads, memos, or sticky notes
• share pro-life booklets, books, phamplets, and other literature
• sell/give away pro-life clothing, pens, etc. and share information at a booth at a local fair, rally, or other event
• purchase or donate used books sharing the truth about abortion to local stores and libraries

...During Special Events:
(Note: these are all the events I know of that have online information.  Some are Catholic, Protestant, nondenominational, or secular.  I realize different readers have different beliefs, and share this information for use at your discretion.)

• National Pro-Life Cupcake Day
• National Pro-Life Chalk Day
• 40 Days for Life
• National Sanctity of Human Life Day
• Pro-Life Day of Silent Solidarity
• National Pro-Life T-Shirt Weekend
• Pro-Life Memorial Day
• March for Life

Book Review: Howl's Moving Castle



Click the cover to buy

Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
"A wonderful blend of humor, magic, and romance." - Publishers Weekly

As I told you last week, I took a week off from reading review books to enjoy myself. :)  After a great sleepover with Ash, during which she introduced me to this story, I knew I simply had to read this book.  So I bought it from Gottwal's and put everything else aside to finish it.

I also told you that I wasn't going to review it.  But then, I think I'm a little addicted to reviewing books.  I just have to review what I've read.  Maybe it's the writer in me, calling out to critique what's great and what's just awful in every story.

This book is a delight to read.  It seems to be written more for middle schoolers, which shouldn't have surprised me since the movie is animated.  I love that the romance isn't the whole theme of the book; I believe a good fantasy should focus more on unraveling the secrets and learning about the magic than the emotions of the characters.  However, a down-played romance can often become a neglected part of the story, which is disappointing; this was not the case for Diana Wynne Jones.  The hero and heroine had time to get to know each other, and fell in love slowly.  (There's nothing I hate more than 'Cinderella' romances where the two and instantly in 'love' after one meeting.)

None of the characters were perfect; in fact, Diana tends to focus on making them over-flawed.  In the interview included in this printing, she herself comments on how strange it is that, despite her creating such flawed characters, she still has a whole list of girls waiting to marry Howl.  I think this isn't really as surprising as it seems.  A character must be flawed to be realistic; no matter how much a girl loves that 'perfect' guy, if she can't find any flaws, he'll eventually become too perfect (read: boring) to live with.  With Howl, on the other hand, Sophie will never have a dull moment.

Most fantasies have either a generally serious tone or so much humor the story is ruined.  This is the first fantasy I've read that perfectly balances the seriousness of the magic with the humor of the characters.  This, I think, is where the movie disappointed previous readers of this book.  The movie has that characteristic serious tone.  While the company definitely did right casting Billy Crystal as Calcifer, there just wasn't enough time to truly capture the author's humorous spirit.

That said, I really have to give this book two different ratings.  As the middle-school fantasy novel it was written as, it deserves all five stars.  For teens looking for a fantasy romance, though, I'd give it a three and a half or a four.

Far Worse Than America's Worst

Ten years ago today, nearly 3,000 people died in one day.

Four planes crashed, killing 246.

2,606 died in the Twin Tower tragedies.

125 died in the Pentagon crash.

55 military personnel died as well.

Nearly 3,000 people died on that one day, and America pulled together like never before.  The past ten years have been affected by that one day that many people think of as the worst day in America's history.  Security has gone way up nation-wide; military personnel of all branches have fought, and many have died, trying to get revenge and put an end to those who were responsible.  Even today, there are deaths from unique illness caused by debris, smoke, or other factors that entered victim's bodies on that day.  Along with the 3,000, there are many others whose deaths have been identified as caused by such factors.  Documentaries, news specials, articles, blog posts, television shows, books, and many other forms of media have been created in memory of that one day.

Yet, every day in the world, there are roughly 115,000 deaths from a single cause.  That's 30 times as many as the 9/11 deaths.  That's 42 million deaths a year.  From one cause.  But few people fight to right these deaths; few people struggle to put an end to these unnecessary tragedies; few people fight for governmental aid and support in stopping these deaths; and few Americans know the truth about the horror surrounding this one cause of so many deaths.

The cause I speak of is abortion.

Now that you know what I'm talking about, you may sneer at the so-called facts I just shared.  Moments before, I'm sure you felt sorrow and compassion toward the tragedies of the mystery deaths; now you either share my rage at this killer or are itching to shut me up.  But I cannot be silenced as easily as those innocent billions.  I will not quiet my voice when billions of children are counting on me to say the words they cannot.

Like a servicewoman who dies in Afghanistan, fighting for freedom, and yet her name is never heard by those she died for; so I will die before allowing my fight for an innocent child's freedom to be ended.

On September 11, 2001, 3,000 people died and it changed America forever.  Today, 115,000 people will die; will it change you?

Friendlight Friday

AnnaKate from Just Us Girlz

God has blessed me with so many times that I simply want to jump back into. There are two times that stand out in my memory, however, and strangely enough they both occurred in my mom's home state, Arizona.

The first was about three years ago, when we traveled out for my grandfather's wedding. Jared and I were excited for three reasons, the first being obvious: our Pap-Pa was getting married again! Second, we were finally going to see the family we had heard so much about, the family my mom had grown up with. Third, we were going to the Grand Canyon the day after the wedding.

This is where the moment picks up; I remember driving back from the Canyon, my eyes tracing the long flat lines of the red clay earth that surrounded us.

Read the rest of this post here...

Read more about AnnaKate here...

Sidewalk Chalk

Just a note: I was unable, as it turns out, to participate in this event due to housing rules in the area where I live. I'd encourage those who are able to do something, though:  DO!

Today is an important day to me.  Granted, yesterday morning I thought today would just be a typical school day interrupted by an orthodontist appointment and ended with the usual reading and getting-ready-to-write-a-book notes.

But then last night I discovered that today is an important day to the cause that is closest to my heart.  We all have a cause we support - a wrong in the world we fight to right, a campaign or mission that we support and are a part of.  My personal cause is ending the murder of innocent children before their first breath - in other words, stopping abortion.

And today is National Pro-Life Chalk Day.  So today I'll pull out that tub of chalk that's been gathering dust since Bella moved and try to make a difference in the world.

With a handful of chalk and an arsenal of pro-life slogans, you can leave a lasting impression on hundreds or even thousands of people.
Step 1: Pick up sidewalk chalk (Walmart, drug stores, young siblings)
Step 2: Collect your pro-life friends (this is optional, but helpful)
Step 3: Find a heavily trafficked public area
Step 4: Chalk short pro-life messages in large letters everywhere

G is for...

Gorgeous views.

This is the view from the VIP cabin at Camp Schwab in Oki.  My friend Beth invited the Twins, Haley, and myself to celebrate her birthday with midnight walks on the beach, wonderful romantic teen movies, hilarious gummy worm photo shoots, and embarrassing cave explorations.

Today, I guess G also stands for Good Memories.  I may not have wanted to get attached, but I have so many friends and memories from Oki.  That's another story for another day, though.



5 Ways to Annoy the Blogger in Me

Inspired by two college professors' posts, which I cannot link to because I can no longer find them.

1. Use improper grammar.  I am a writer.  I am a reader.  I'm not a grammar fanatic (although some would say otherwise); but blatant or continuous mistakes drive me crazy.  And guess what?  If the top posts or most recent posts in your blog are riddled with problems, I'm not likely to click 'follow.'  Just because less literary people accept errors they themselves make a lot, does not mean everyone appreciates trying to sort through your misplaced commas or run-on sentences.

2. Use improper spelling.  This is very close to #1.  They're both very common mistakes that the average person would overlook.  I admit, sometimes I get too picky or the editor in me kicks in and all I can see is red.  Most times, though, I can understand a few words out of a hundred.  Your and you're; they're, their, and there; or too, two, and to are easy to mix up.  When over a quarter of your post is misspelled, however, I am not a happy reader.

3. Have a slow blog.  Dozens of advertisements, too many posts on one page, or a cluttered sidebar can all contribute to this problem.  (So can photos, which is why I'm not much of a photo blogger.)  Most blogs, in fact, are not slow enough to annoy me.  When scrolling down your whole home page takes more than 30 seconds, however, you can be sure something's wrong.  Unlike #2 and 3, though, this problem annoys more people than writers.  So I suggest you see if it's fixable.

4. Make following hard. All bloggers want followers.  It's a fact of life.  Some blogs have two hundred and are shooting for five hundred.  Others have a thousand and want fifteen hundred.  (Others, like me, would go crazy over reaching fifty.)  Keep in mind that readers who have to scroll to the bottom of your page or click on another link to follow are rather annoyed.  Plus, it's a good idea to offer more than one mode of following.  Different people prefer email, Google Friend Connect, Networked Blogs, an RSS feed, or other methods of following.  If you allow for these preferences, you'll have more - and happier - followers.

5. Make contacting you hard.  Some bloggers don't want people contacting them.  Others want to remain anonymous.  Some have absolutely no reason to have readers contacting them.  This one mostly applies to book or review blogs, because a company who wants to contact you won't go to nearly as much trouble as I might.  Sometimes, though, a reader just wants to ask a question or chat.  As a rule of thumb, you should always have a contact page for these readers or companies.

What are your pet peeves - as a blogger, a reader, or another role you play in life?

Review.... Or Not

As some of you may have noticed, I have a new blogging schedule.  I read so many times that successful bloggers use some sort of schedule, so I decided to try it.  And while I do love how much easier it makes running this blog, there are some downsides.



Like the problem that arises when, with certain days set aside for certain types of posts, you're in a pickle without that type of post.  And being that today is Monday and I have no reviews to post, I would be in that pickle.



So this lovely Monday I thought I share with you, lovely readers, another random chattering-about-my-life sort of post that I usually reserve for Thursdays.  Enjoy.



I've set aside my responsibilities this week, despite the lists of books I need to review (currently five titles long), my own books I have yet to read (six titles long) - most of which I have promised you reviews on - and my library books list (three titles).  Instead, I have skipped to the least important title on the least important list.  It's the last book on the my-books-I-haven't-read list; it's not even in 'reviews to come' on my book page.



Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones.  I have only read 13 out of 429 pages, but I'm already in love with it.  Why?  Not only because...

1. Diana has that perfect not-quite-serious, not-quite-satirical writing style that is so hard to find.


2. After reading so many school and review books, it's unbelievably refreshing to read something that you don't have to criticize, critique, or commit to memory.  You're free to enjoy the story without a thought of real life.


3. I've practically starved myself of teen novels and/or fantasy with all my review book choices of late.  How can I write a book of a genre I haven't read in weeks?

But also because an (amazing) best friend of mine invited me to her grandmother's (enormous and crazy gorgeous) house for a (much needed) sleepover, and insisted I absolutely had to see that (rather strange and Japanese animated!) movie that she had grown up loving.  After developing an unexplainable and senseless dislike for Japanese animation, I agreed only because it was a romance and she insisted it was unlike most Japanese movies.



Well, to tell the truth, my prejudice is the worst form as I haven't seen much in the way of Japanese animation.  But if there's anything else like this movie... let's just say my prejudice may now tilt in the other direction.



So this week I've shirked the duties of an ideal book reviewer to indulge in a book that should be my last priority.  What are you, my darling readers, indulging in?

Devotions By You

Hey everybody! Yes, I'm posting on an 'off' day again.  But I have some more news to share with you, and an invitation to those interested.

Some of you know I run the P.O. Box Club.  Well, when you run a club, you make plenty of new friends and really get to know some of the members.  One particular member who has really helped out a lot is Anna.  Now Anna would like to start an email chain devotional, and you're invited to take part.

This devotional is girls-only, and really pretty simple.  Anna will write the introduction to each devo and a list of those involved.  Then, whoever wants to submit a devo for the chain email sends it to her, and she adds it in under the intro.  About weekly or every other week, she'll send it out and we can start over.

This is entirely Anna's idea and her project; I'm just helping write the devotionals and recruiting girls interested.

There's no age limit that I know of, and at the moment we don't have themes or specific topics in mind.  Write about whatever you want to share; just make sure it's Biblical and include the main verses you use, and the references to supporting verses.  (To find verses from a certain passage, topic, or key words, visit Bible Gateway.  Even if you know exactly which verses you want, copying and pasting saves a lot of typing time.)

Interested in joining us?  Comment below, or contact me at newyorksnowflake@gmail.com or Anna at sweetdog109@gmail.com.

I WON! :D

Yes, it's Saturday.  According to my little bloggy schedule, today and tomorrow are my blogging 'days off.'  But thanks to that neat-o feature called scheduling and my overabundance of creativity last night, all of next week is taken. Including random-post-day Thursday.  And since I didn't want to wait until the Thursday after that to share my happy news, I decided to post on my day off.  (After all, a girl - and a writer - has to have some spontaneity and flexibility in life!)

So, what is so important that I'd use a day off to share it?

Well... I WON!

Yes, I won a giveaway! Since my introduction to the blogosphere, I've entered tons of giveaways - for movie prize packs, promotional stuff, and books, to name a few. (Mostly books.)  But tonight, I received an email stating that I had gotten my very first win!

So what did I win? I'm sure you're dying to know.  (Probably not, but I'm dying to tell you!)

I WON THE CHEERIO PACK!!!! :D

Of course, if you haven't seen Tuesday's post, you probably have no idea how great - how perfect - how ironic it is that my very first giveaway win would be an 'I Love Cheerios' set.  Even if you have read it, my ecstasy at winning these goodies probably seems over the top.

Allow me to explain.

My favorite cereal is Cheerios.  My brothers think I am crazy (and, since my current fave is the Multi-Grain variety and I've been paying attention to food labels, they also think I'm either a health fanatic or on a diet.  Usually they claim both.  I am neither; my attachment to chocolate would not allow for either option.)  My mother indulges my love by keeping at least two boxes each of Honey Nut Cheerios and Multi-Grain Cheerios on hand.  Trust me, they disappear fast.

Also, one of the prizes is a bumble bee antennae headband.  I am known by my family for my unexplainable and slightly unappreciated love for crazy headbands.  Granted, the only pair I own are giraffe antlers/ears from a Korean theme park, but I almost bought the bouncy Minnie Mouse ears. And I always point out unusual headbands to my mother.

In closing, I shall show you the email that started this great joy:

Friendlight Friday

Cathy from Periwinkle Confessions

When I vowed to commit myself into an intimate relationship with Him, that
meant I would have to consider if my dreams are a part of His. It sounds like
marriage, actually. That His heart would be my heart. His plans would be my
plans. How his heart beats should be how my heart would also beat. And I would
have to submit and let Him lead, ALL OF THE TIME. Because He is my Lord and my
God, and He loves me and cares for me.

And honestly, thinking about it now… I`ve never been that intimate as I
should, as I have promised. I thought that intimacy with Him meant to follow
orders, to listen to His commands so I would live a good life. I thought
intimacy just meant praying, and singing and sitting on my desk reading the
Bible every morning.

 Read the rest of this post here...



Visit Cathy's profile here...

An Apology

Dearest 19 GFC Followers and 5 Networked Blogs Followers,

I recently went through my blog roll on Blogger and commented on several blogs, and at the end of these comments was a request for a follow-back.  Then I returned to my own blog and realized some of the requested follow-backs were posted on people who already follow me.

If you are one of these people, I am so very really truly sorry. I feel like an idiot. I should have checked before posting.  Of course I didn't think of that until later....

Again, so sorry.  Please don't hate me.

Your Blog-Happy Friend,

Emily Rachelle

Sneak Peeks and an Invitation to You

Hello, lovely readers! I have a bit of a surprise for you...

We'll be having a blog party in a few months!

The party doesn't start until December, but I need help getting ready.  I want to make this party BIG.  Really big - for this blog, anyway.  It might be small stuff for somebody else, but for us this is going to be huge.

I'll be sharing our first guest posts, starting our first giveaways, and possibly having some contests and hops.  The party will go from the middle of December to the middle of January, and it'll be a multi-celebration.  We'll have blogging stuff, Christmas specials, New Years events, birthday stuff, and possibly some cultural holiday spotlights.

But in order to make this party a success, I need your help.  If you're a reader, I need you to spread the word about this blog.  A party isn't a party without guests!  I need people to read the special posts, enter the giveaways, and participate in this event!

If you're also a writer, photographer, or blogger, I need guest posters.  You can write about Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, blogging, birthdays, New Years, or anything else you think fits with this blog or this celebration.  Email me at newyorksnowflake@gmail.com if you're interested!

This is going to be a big event with lots of firsts for us, and for me personally.  But it can't happen without your help.  Will you tell your friends? Facebook, Twitter, or even put my button on your blog.  I'd love the help!