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Wednesday, April 27, 2011

untitled


Cats, cats, all kinds of cats
Some with big ears, some with small
Some with fur, or none at all
Soft house cats
With claws like pins.
Cheshire cats with lots of grins
Prissy cats with airs and grace
Wild cats who spring and race.
Friendly cats that purr and meowl
Angry cats that hiss and yowl
Well fed cats who sit in laps
Hungry cats that dig for scraps
Kitten cats with bows and lace
Rakish cats who jump and pace
Cats with fur of orange and white,
Cats whose color is midnight
 For furry face and loyal friend,
The love of cats will never end.

Sunday, April 24, 2011

More of the Story...

 This is the story I wrote about before. The first three paragraphs are what I posted before, except edited, and the rest is new. Any comments or constructive criticism would be highly appreciated. Enjoy!



Once upon a time, in the kingdom of Übel, there lived a king and a queen. They loved each other very much, and ruled with wisdom, but they were barren, and wished exceedingly for children. The years went by, and the royal couple finally received the glad news: the queen was with child! After much waiting, anxiety, and fuss, the time came for the birth. But alas, as a new life was born into the world, another was taken out of it. The queen died on this day of happiness, turning the king from a wise, loving man to a sad, foolish one. He refused to look at his new daughter, and sent her away to the farthest corner of the kingdom. And so the princess, Kalida, grew from a baby to a little girl and from a girl to a woman, 16 years old with only a passel of servants and noblemen to guide her. She was often lonely, and still the king had no wish to see her. But one day, all changed.

Malin was hoeing the potato field. He was a peasant, living on the king’s land. He had been working since breakfast, and he was pretty tired. He decided to take a break, leaning against the hoe. Malin was seventeen, not a tall boy, about middle height. He had fiery red hair, all his fingers and toes, and most of his teeth. But that was okay; a lot of people had no teeth at all. His name meant “little warrior”. Humph, he thought, some warrior, all I am is a warrior of weeds. Malin began the work again, going at it with renewed energy. He never thought he could be anything but a peasant. But he was wrong.

Kalida sat on her horse and waved to the passing people. She was a beautiful girl, black haired with lovely indigo eyes. She was dainty as well, the very picture of a princess. All who met her said she was the image of her mother. She liked to ride around on fine afternoons, greeting her future subjects. On this rather grumpy looking day, passing one of her potato fields, she felt she couldn’t be happier than to be Kalida, riding on her white horse throughout the lands. I’ll have to turn back before too long,she decided, I’m getting too far away from the castle.  A shadow passed over her and she quickly looked up. A large black cloud was over the sun, and she heard the distant rumble of thunder. All of a sudden a strong wind blew up, lightning split the sky, and the rain came pouring down. That certainly was hasty, Kalida thought. She wheeled her horse around to gallop back to the castle… and suddenly, as the lightning flashed, a man with a hoe against his shoulder passed unexpectedly in front of her horse. The horse reared in fright, throwing Kalida off of its back. She saw the man’s frightened face, his red hair flashing as he tried to grab her horse, then she crashed to the ground and knew no more.


 “Wake up, miss!” The voice drew Kalida out of unconsciousness. She opened her eyes, and groaned softly. “My head hurts…” “There you go,” said the voice encouragingly. She felt her head being lifted up, and something soft was put under it. Kalida opened her eyes all the way, and discovered that she was in a ditch on the side of the road. It had stopped raining, but the sky was still overcast. She quickly looked up. The owner of the voice was smiling down at her. He was the same man, no; he was a boy, who had startled her horse. “Where did my horse go?” she asked, turning her head rather dizzily. The boy waved his hand in the general direction of the palace. “Somewhere over there, I believe.” He smiled. “I’m Malin, by the way.” Kalida tried to rise, but she was much too dizzy. “What am I supposed to do now?” she complained. I have no way back to the castle, except walking. And that could be a couple of miles! It might start to rain, I’m so dizzy…Kalida thought. She had no idea of how kind some people are, having not much experience in the way of her father and his courtiers. Malin tipped his head. “Well, I’ll help you home, of course. Did you think I wouldn’t?” “I… I wasn’t sure.” Kalida felt a little uneasy at this stranger’s generosity, but at the sight of his lopsided grin, she was reassured. She tried to get up, but as soon as she put weight on her leg, she fell down again. She looked up at Malin apologetically. “I don’t think I can walk on it,” she said. Wordlessly he lifted her in his arms, wrenching her ankle. She promptly fainted.

When Kalida awoke, her squinty-eyed, suspicious governess was standing over her. “Oh, you’re finally awake,” the lady said, throwing up her hands, “I was almost afraid you were—well, dead.”“Yes, I’m awake,” Kalida sighed tersely. Her head still hurt. She looked around expectantly. “Where’s Malin?” The governess frowned. “Long gone, I suppose. I didn’t like that boy.” She shivered. “Something about peasants makes me shudder.”Kalida rolled her eyes. “Oh, come, now. He was a nice boy.” She sighed again. “I wish he would have stayed.” But by the next day, she forgot about him and all the other peasants as well. She was called to her father’s castle.

The king paced angrily up and down in the throne room. Kalida watched him, kneeling on the floor as the custom required. A group of scared courtiers stood huddled to one side. Suddenly he turned to stare at her. “My darling daughter,” he whispered, sounding as if he did not quite mean it, “I have a request to make of you.” “Ask away, your majesty,” Kalida smiled. Inwardly she was fuming. What kind of a world is this when daughters have to address their fathers as ‘your majesty’? She thought. The king’s eyes narrowed. He went on. “I want – no, I need—the Dragon Diamonds.” Kalida gasped. So did the courtiers at the other end of the hall. The Dragon Diamonds were the most precious stones in the entire world, and very beautiful. They belonged to the kingdom of Eitelkeit, away along the coast of the Green Sea. If you were ever to go on a quest to retrieve them, you first had to travel on a very rigorous journey to the Dragon’s Castle, which was very heavily guarded by, of course, an enormous and fierce dragon. Then, if you ever got past the dragon, there were several well-trained guards at the Diamond room in the castle, ready to strike off your head at the slightest provocation. And even then, if you got past them, there was a sleeping giant holding the diamond box. He would wake up at the slightest footstep he heard. A quest for the Diamonds was rather impossible. So you can imagine why everyone in the room gasped as they heard the king’s request. However, Kalida was a very brave person, so all she said was, “How soon do I start?” The king burst out laughing. “I knew you would be brave enough!” He thought for a minute, tapping his finger against his chin. “Of course I will not send you out alone… I suppose I will advertise for two brave peasants to accompany you. I’ll have to knight them, but that shouldn’t be much trouble.” Kalida lit up. She knew just the peasant.


 Do you have any title ideas that I can use for now? Perhaps something like "The Quest"?

Grace be with you,

Abby :D

Saturday, April 23, 2011

He is Risen!





Oh, to see the dawn
Of the darkest day:
Christ on the road to Calvary.
Tried by sinful men,
Torn and beaten, then
Nailed to a cross of wood.

This, the pow’r of the cross:
Christ became sin for us;
Took the blame, bore the wrath—
We stand forgiven at the cross.

Oh, to see the pain
Written on Your face,
Bearing the awesome weight of sin.
Ev’ry bitter thought,
Ev’ry evil deed
Crowning Your bloodstained brow.

Now the daylight flees;
Now the ground beneath
Quakes as its Maker bows His head.
Curtain torn in two,
Dead are raised to life;
“Finished!” the vict’ry cry.

This, the pow'r, of the cross:
Christ became sin for us;
Took the blame, bore the wrath—
We stand forgiven at the cross.

Oh, to see my name
Written in the wounds,
For through Your suffering I am free.
Death is crushed to death;
Life is mine to live,
Won through Your selfless love.

This, the pow’r of the cross:
Son of God—slain for us.
What a love! What a cost!
We stand forgiven at the cross.


I love this song, and I think it really explains the true meaning of Easter. Jesus, light of the world, Son of God, slain for our sins, by our hands. This is what Easter really means. This is a sad holiday, but at the same time one of the happiest! Because He is not dead today, He was not held down by death, He is risen!


Here's some other good Easter posts I've stumbled on today:


 Pastor's Girl's Ponderings
Mountain Creek Gifts
Grace's Garden Walk
Singing in the Rain

Grace be with you, and hope for Easter time,

Abby :D

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

The Book of James...

Lately I've been reading in the book of James. I love it, too. :) It points out things that we need to think about. For example:

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
James 1:2-3

Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
James 2:1-4

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. James 3:9-10

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. James 3:17-18

Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them. James 4:13-17

So, during your Bible study tonight (or tomorrow morning or afternoon), you should definitely devote a few minutes to this great book. :)

What have you been reading lately? I'd sure love to hear!

Grace be with you,

Abby :D

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Finding the Small Joys...

...eating chocolate chips while doing math.
...lying idly in the sun outside.
...holding newborn babies.
...decorating thank-you cards.
...reading (of course).
...eating an extra brownie.
...trying to decide what to do with a pretty notebook.
...doodling on scrap paper.
...finding the perfect sentence for the story you're writing.
...learning something new in the Bible.
...going on a flower hunt. (and here's what I found!)






 











What small joys have you discovered this week? I'd love to hear!


Grace be with you,

Abby :D


Monday, April 18, 2011

Come, now is the time...


{Come, now is the time to worship,
Come, now is the time to give your heart.
Come, just as you are to worship,
Come, just as you are before your God.
Come.


Someday every tongue will confess you are God.
Someday every knee will bow.
Still the greatest treasure remains for those
Who gladly choose Him now.


Come, now is the time to worship,
Come, now is the time to give your heart.
Come, just as you are to worship,
Come, just as you are before your God.
Come.}


Grace be with you,

Abby :D

Friday, April 15, 2011

Of shoes and ships and sealing wax... well, sort of
















Yep, that's right. Another piano recital. It's on May 1st. HELP!!! I'm not ready!
 The songs that I'm doing are Part of Your World from The Little Mermaid, Piano Concerto Theme (above), and a duet called Fanfare Royale, by someone I've never heard of before.

Esther's home and she's doing great! The MRI was completely normal, and she also had a doctor's appointment today, nothing wrong there either. :D She's adorable. I know you're all begging for a picture, so here's one to satisfy your curiosity. ;)
















Isn't she cute? My sister Leah made the hat she's wearing.

 So there's a little peek into what's going on in my life. How is yours going? What did you have for lunch? Mmm, sounds delicious. :)
It's sort of stormy looking today, but later we're hoping to go to the dog park.

Grace be with you,

Abby :D



Thursday, April 14, 2011

Salmon. Yummy.


















This is Salmon. He is a Betta fish, and I got him on my birthday. :) He doesn't seem to like me very much. Anyone have a similar experience?


Our Sad Pet Experience

1. A goldfish that our sister Leah brought home from the fair. It died the next day.
2. Our cat Jewel. She ran away.
3. Two tadpoles from a kit we had. They died within a week.
4. Two crickets from Petsmart. One died and I released the other.
5. Another cricket from the great outdoors. I released it because it was creepy. :)

Our Happy Pet Experience
1. Our dog Speckle. She's nine years old and has been a pretty good dog.
2. Our other dog Oaty. She is seven and she's a horrible dog. :)
3. Our cat Pebbles. She is a great cat!

So as you can see, unlike most other kids, I have not had very many fish. I'm not even sure how to handle one. :P If you have a fish, raise your hand.

Grace be with you,

Abby :D

Monday, April 11, 2011

A Most Amazing Color

Green. How could we live without it? It brightens our day...
...surrounds our flowers...
...represents life...
...shows prosperity...

...and gives us hope.














































































But best of all, it goes oh-so-well with our bright blue sky! How did God ever think of such an amazing color as green?

By the way, Esther is going to have her MRI and home tomorrow! Hooray!  :D




Grace be with you,

Abby :D






Saturday, April 9, 2011

Scripture for the day

He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation."

Mark 16:15 

Grace be with you,

Abby :D

Friday, April 8, 2011

The Lord's will: James 4:13-17 + a child is born!

Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins. 

James 4:13-17

I am so guilty of doing this. It is sometimes hard to say, "If it is the Lord's will," but we should.

By the way, my mother had her baby! Esther Joy. :) Here are the details:

 On Monday, my mother had to go into the hospital because her amniotic fluid was low. She was almost two weeks overdue and wanted to have a natural birth. The very next day, (my dad's birthday!) the baby was born by emergency c-section. Apparently Esther had been deprived from oxygen for about twenty minutes before birth, so then she had to go through a cooling treatment for three days, which lowered her body temperature so she could use less oxygen. My mother lost a lot of blood, and had to be given 3 units of blood to make up for it. It was a very hard birth for her. There was great concern for her and the baby, so during this time it was very hard to say, "if it is the Lord's will."
Today, Esther went through the warming process, which took about six hours. They hope to get her eating soon. My mother is a lot better today, and she is able to go down and visit the baby. She will probably come home tomorrow. :) Could you also pray that they continue to get better? Thanks. Sorry if that was a bit confusing, it is rather hard to get the facts straight.

Grace be with you,

Abby :D

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

The 'quest'ion is, what do you think?

This is a story I am writing. It's about a quest. This is the beginning, just to introduce the characters. Remember this is raw material, no editing or anything like that. Here goes:



Once upon a time, in the kingdom of Űbel, there lived a king and his daughter, Kalida. Now, the king was not a very nice man. He was greedy, rude, deceiving, and most of all, foolish. But he was also a sad man. The queen had died ten years ago, when Kalida was only four, and the king had loved her very much. This was probably when he started becoming greedy, rude, deceiving, and foolish. The worst of all of this was that the king taught Kalida in his ways, which meant that Kalida was rather spoiled, proud, headstrong, and stuck-up. She was also kind, loving, gentle, and merciful. This made for a pretty good princess.

Malin was hoeing the potato field. He had been working since breakfast, and he was pretty tired. He decided to take a break, leaning against the hoe. Malin wasn’t a tall boy, about middle height. He had fiery red hair, all his fingers and toes, and most of his teeth. But that was okay; a lot of people had practically no teeth at all. His name meant “little warrior”. Humph, he thought, some warrior, all I am is a warrior of weeds. Malin began the work again, going at it with renewed energy.

Kalida sat on her horse and waved to the passing people. She was a beautiful girl, black haired with lovely indigo eyes. She was dainty as well, the very picture of a princess. Some said she wasn’t really pretty, just charming. She liked to ride around on fine afternoons, greeting her future subjects. On this rather grumpy looking day, passing one of her potato fields, she felt she couldn’t be happier to be Kalida, riding on her white horse throughout the lands. I’ll have to turn back before too long, she decided, I’m getting too far away from the castle.  A shadow passed over her and she quickly looked up. A large black cloud was over the sun, and she heard the distant rumble of thunder. All of a sudden a strong wind blew up, lightning split the sky, and the rain came pouring down. Kalida’s horse reared in fright; she felt herself thrown to the ground, and then all went black.


What do you think so far? Should I continue? Should I post more? What should its name be? Let me know your opinion.

Grace be with you,

Abby :D

Monday, April 4, 2011

Fish and Tangled

So yesterday was my birthday, as you probably already know. We went to church first thing, then out to lunch. After that we went to the pet store and got a fish! At bedtime (better known in our household as 'movietime' ;) we finally watched Tangled.























Here's what I thought of it:

Likes: It was a very cute movie, with endearing characters (especially that horse!). The plot seemed well-written, and the songs were nice.

Dislikes: The #1 worst thing was that it had way too much magic to be a great movie. Of course, I know it's a fairy tale, but still too much. There was also lots of 'parental' rebellion in the movie. To quote:

Flynn: Does your mother deserve it? No. Would this break her heart and crush her soul? Of course, but you just got to do it…..This is part of growing up—a little rebellion and a little adventure. This is healthy.

Click here for a good review from the Ladies Against Feminism website. 

Overall, it was a good movie. :)

 Anyway, thanks for the good wishes on the slightly stalker-ish birthday post my sister posted yesterday. :D

Grace be with you,

Abby :D

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Oops.

Well, the winner didn't respond, so I picked a new winner! The new winner is...

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Katelyn McKay! Please comment with your address (which will not be posted) and I will get it to you ASAP!

Grace be with you,

Abby :D

Have An Abby-er-Happy Birthday!


Hi there! This is Abby's sister, Leah.
I am here to tell you, that our dear Abby is having a birthday today!
She has not exactly given me permission to post, ( No, I am not a hacker!) but I need to tell you all about my sweet sister.

 I am so blessed to have a sister and friend like Abby.
She is thoughtful, generous, fun, creative, and always makes me laugh. Abby inspires me in so many ways with her creativity. If I did not have Abby, my life would lack so much laughter, inspiration and not to mention surprises.

Happy Birthday, Abby! xoxo

So please comment with your sweetest birthday wishes.
I am sure you'd make her day with a birthday comment!