Happy Birthday to the Sweetest, Wonderfullest, Most Beautiful Person Ever!

October 28th marks that 14th birthday of my sister Julia Lynn. 

I know that not many of you know Julia personally.  If you did, though, I have no doubt you would love her.  I know I'm not the easiest person to be around, let alone 24/7.  But Julia puts up with me and sticks with me through thick and thin.

Julia is the quirkiest person.  In a good way, of course.  If you've read any of her posts (and I hope you will, if you haven't.  They are great!) you will have noticed that she has a unique writing style.  She portrays that uniqueness even when not writing.  Her facial and vocal expressions are so expressive and perfect.  She actually can make our brother mad, because he is upset at her but she will start making goofy faces at him and make him laugh; even when he doesn't want to!  She giggles and laughs and smiles at everything.

The thing about Julia that is most evident, though, is her love for her Savior and LORD.  He is her everything, and it is noticeable.  She is always turned to Him, and her every thought and deed reflects her heart in that way.  I will sometimes get upset and yell or pitch a fit at her, sometimes for things that aren't even really her fault, and she will take it and apologize in the humblest of spirits.  Then I realize that I'm the one who needs to apologize.

 She is my best friend.  I've spent almost every moment of my life with her.  I will often say that if you averaged out our lives together, we would probably at any given time be 10 feet or less apart from one another.  Being home schooled and sharing a room guarantee being close while at home.  Even big things like camp, of all-day-youth events, or even trips to friends houses, she's there.  Of course, we've been apart some days, but I don't think I've ever gone a whole 24 hours without her.   And I wouldn't trade it for the world.  Sure, she can get semi-annyoing at times, like when I'm trying to focus on something and she comes up and gets right in my face.  Or when, while trying to fall asleep, she goes on and on and on about her horses.  (What her blog posts are is basically how she talks.  All the time.)  But I love her.  I love her to the end of the world and back again.  She always has my back.  She is always there for me when I need her.  I've told her my biggest secrets, and giggled with her about the tiniest things.  I've put dish soap bubbles in her hair and she's hidden my makeup.  We wear each others clothes and often times she'll steal entire outfits of mine.  But it's worth it.  And I love her more everyday.

In only a couple hours (I'm writing this late at night) it will be Julia's birthday.  Happy birthday, Julia.  You are beautiful, sweet, loving, caring, kind, compassionate, funny, goofy, annoying, and the most wonderful person I know.  I couldn't imagine life without and I hope I never will have too.

Happy 14th Birthday Julia.  I love you so, so much. <3

~Jessica

ps.  If you read this and your not Julia, please leave a comment below and tell her happy birthday.  Also, even though I cannot get her follower gadget to work, if you go to your blogger dashboard, above the list of blogs your following is a button where you can add a URL and automatically follow from there.  So if you wish to follow, please do.  She only has 2 followers. =) <3

Precious... Comin' Back At Ya, Girl!

Grettings All!
      Precious is the name of one of my two horses. She is mother to my other horse, and since the only other animal in the pasture is a pony sized donkey, (I love him oodles!) Preci is like totally the leader of the herd. Queen Commander. Head Poncho. Whatever. She RULES. (At least she used to...) the tides..are about to change..

BACK STORY: We bought Precious after my first pony died. She was a tall, spunky, Appaloosa who hadn't been ridden for a few years, but the thing that was really exciting was that she was pregnant! Now about her lack of being ridden: I actually rode her after we were pretty sure we wanted to buy her, and she side stepped a bit, but then after the man there put some weight on the saddle, she just kinda quit side stopping and let me get on. After we got her home we tacked her up several times and rode her around a small pen. Mom lead my brother around, my sister never rode I think, but she let me ride by myself! I even trot a bit, poor Precious.
    After this I started going to riding lessons and learned that my form was terrible. I was constantly in her mouth with the bit, and bumped and thumped along on her back. To add another thing to it all, of course she was pregnant too. When Preci threw me she didn't want to be forgotten, or left, but honestly, that's kind of what happened.
   Carmel was born and he drew me back to the field like never before, but not to his mama. Carmel grew and grew, and finally I'm going to start working with Preci too. It's time! It has been too long. So I'm going to work with my spunk and hard headed, but love hungry horse, who wants my love again. I've got a feeling it's going to be worth it.
                                
      I probably owe this mostly to a horse show we went to recently. Want something to convince you to strive to get ahold of a possibility in your grasp? Yeah, go to a place where about 100 girls are doing what your neglecting. You come back with a little more perseverance to set aside those excuses and just give it a shot! Something is telling me it'll be worth it someday.

       So Lord willing I'm going to try to get back on, and train toward it! You know there are lots of people out there who want a horse but have none, so I'm not going to neglect this anymore! And I really do love my spotted horsie.


       In Christ,
                           Julia n Precious

Picture Post! (I love Carmel!)

Greetings Reader!
     Thank you for reading my blog! Anyway, this post is about my darling colt, Carmel! Let me see if I can find a picture.... Aha!

 Aww look how cute he is! I love the angle of this picture! You can see how beautiful and perfect his blaze is and those healthy, curious eyes... :) aww!

Here is a picture of my Memphis boy! (My favorite donkey ever!) You would be surprised how jealous Memphis gets of Carmel and Carmel of Memphis while I spend time with one the other one! They don't understand that I love them both! Sweeties..

                          

    And here is Lucy! My brother and I share this dog. She can be a stinker! She doesn't always want to come, and things like that! Lucy is from a pound in Michigan. We got her when we used to live up there. (She is about 11 years old!) I call her Goosy because it rhymes with Lucy. lol 

Well I've got to go! Bye for now! 

In Christ there is healing.

                                                         Julia Lynn C.

                                         

Promises of New Chicks, A Backyard Donkey, and An Update!

Greetings!
   From the title of this post, (Do I usually start my blog posts like this, or is it me?!? xD ) you may think that this is going to be, 'A long one,' but alas, my friends, it shall be nothing of the sort! Tehehe
Actually I plan on my blogging style changing from now onward and upward to be more SNS (Short n' Sweet) than ever before! This doesn't mean that I'm brief, but it means that I don't go on and on and on and on and on... you catch my drift.

   The second thing I want to do in my blog-o-style is to get more pictures in here! It really makes it quite beautiful, and the picture in you head of what I'm talking about will be clearer. (Duh)

   "So where is this picture she hath promised upon us?" You may ask. Well since the camera stick is in the other computer, probably along with all our recent photos... I'll have to find an older picture to show you! But when I can I'll show you pictures of my donkey, Memphis, and my other animals, including our chicks that recently hatched (!) I will.  Anywho, here is probably my most favorite 'old' picture:

Precious with colt Carmel

Sigh... Isn't he the cutest little thing??? By the way you probably noticed that this is now the background of my blog! Lol I had forgotten about that.. Well it's okay: no one can see my adorable Carmi too many times!

Well I've gtg for now! Thank you so much for reading my blog!!!
In Christ,
                          Julia Lynn Coggins

I'm Home From Maine, ya'll!

Dear readers,
   Yuppers! It just so happens that I am home from Maine!! Sorry about my last post leaving you all hanging for almost a month, but hanging is good for you, right? Well I guess it kinda depends on what your hangin' on, like if your hanging off the inside lip of an active volcano, then thats not really too good for your heath! But perhaps your hanging onto a gorgeous stallion's mane as he gallops through the pasture of the wild sky, land, amd sea... Ahhhh

    Where was I? Oh yes: horses. Aren't the beautiful! Amd strong too!! Precious bucked me right off! But they are strong in good ways too!! Like perhaps they pull sledfuls of happy Norwegian children to the Christmas Eve service in the town... Ahhhhhh

    Where was I? Oh yes: horses. ;)  And not just any horse do I adore.. Ok well maybe I do adore all horses, but one that I really, really, adore is my Carmel Apple! He is my lil' colt and I really love him!

    Here is a picture of my darling, to cheer you on your way:

In Christ,

                                                                                   Julia Lynn Coggins and her darling Carmel Apple

 

All The Way Home... Almost!

Greetings!

   From my recent posts you probably know about the blessing of our trip to Maine, and how much fun it was! From my title, (of this post), you probably know that it is coming to a close. Yuppers! It was fantastic-ico! It truly was a blessing to come to ME for the first time!

   On our way home, we spent two nights at my Aunt and Uncle's house, and in that time we saw an IMAX movie, went to the aquarium, took a ride on their boat, and went to a AWESOME pizza place!

  This morning we left their house in CT, (Connecticut), and are spending the night in VA, (Virginia), because from CT to SC, (Home!!) was too long of a drive.

  Well since we are going to leave our hotel room for some food soon, I will say good-bye. "Good-Bye!"

In Christ's Unfathomable Love and Sacrifice,

                           Julia Lynn Coggins

   

Maine, "The Way Life Should Be."

Greetings!
  
    As we entered into Maine a few days ago, on the welcome sign into ME was posted this saying: "The Way Life Should Be." Perhaps it is the states motto, but I don't know. How should life be? What do you think? I think life should be many things, here're a few:

1. I think we should all acknowledge how precious life is! A complete gift from the LORD, our every moment is sustained and supplied by Him. Life should be respected.

2. Life should be treasured. Our days are numbered!

3. Life should be used. Don't waste such an incredible gift! What better use of something priceless that you are ruining, then to save it and yourself by giving it up to the One who saw you more precious than saving Himself from a horrible, horrible, death?

Matthew 16:25 says, " For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. " Don't waste your life, but save it by loosing it for the LORD Jesus Christ!

In Christ's Love, may He bless you and teach us endurance!

    Julia Lynn Coggins

My Experience at Canadian Customs

Greetings!
 
   From the title posted here, I'm sure that you smart ones are quite sure of what I twill be speakin' 'bout! ;) Anywho, all I mean by that is that if you read my last post you could probably guess that we are in Maine on vacation, and that visiting Canada was a probability.
   I had never crossed a border before, but I can't say that anymore! Crossing into Canada from Northern Maine by the Border Passing was .. stressful I guess. For some reason it made me nervous! I'm not really sure why, (Of course we were not hiding anything, or bringing in anything illegal, but the stress was still there!) Into Canada the guard asked my Papa what was in the truck-bed. He answered carpentry tools. We forgot about our lunch back there. He wasn't too happy when we went inspecting.
    Now I am not saying that it went bad, or was very, very, difficult at all! The LORD helped us and sustained us, but if I am willed by my Heavenly Father to carry His Word through Customs, I pray He will give me a peace within me, through government places. The LORD is the giver of peace! The Lord Jesus is our Prince of Peace.

                   In Christ's Love,
                                                   

           Julia Lynn Coggins

The Journey To Maine!

Greetings!
   Part of my family took a vacation to.. (you guessed it) MAINE! In fact, I am there right now! As I am writing this I am about 20 miles from the Canadian border!!! I must say one thing though: It is cold! I'm getting used to it, but this morning, (I slept in shorts and a tee shirt, as always) I. Was. Freezing!

Well I got to go, so this post is going to be extra SNS! (Short n' Sweet!) What a blessing to be here!
In Christ's Love,
                              Julia L.

 

Libester Award Nominees

Hey Everybody!
    Sorry about my last post, I'm sure it was pretty confusing because I nominated people, then forgot to tell them questions to answer! Good grief! lol. So anyway here goes my questions for my dear, beloved, lovely, kind, graceful, beautiful, generous, and fantastic nominees!
 
1. What color would you describe your personality as?
2. Would you prefer to use an ugly umbrella in public, or walk in the rain?
3. If you had to have only one pet for the rest of your life, what kind of animal would it be?
4. If you could have a super power, which would it be and why?
5. Would you rather not read for two months, or read only a pamphlet about syrup over and over and over?
6. Do you think these questions are unique and interesting, or rather strange?
7. Have you ever been a victim of having the silly putty you are playing with get, somehow, stuck to the carpet/furniture?
8. What is your favorite store to shop in?
9. Can you wink?
10. Where were you born?
11. Would you rather sky-dive or scuba-dive?
 
    Hope you enjoyed this post! Have fun answering theses questions, 
Julia Ryan at Writing For His Glory
Child of God at The Light
Israel Long at I'll Tell You How The Sun Rose
Jessica Coggins at (Almost) Perfectly Pink!
  In Christ's love,
     Julia Lynn

*Liebster Award* Oh Yeah!

     Folkies guess what???!!!? I got nominated for an award by Bernie from Forever Changed! Really! :D I'm. So. Happy! So here are my answers. Love you Bernie! And Thanks!!

  Her questions:

1. What's your favorite thing to read about? 

    Right now? :D Warthogs! Oh yes! I just finished a book about one named Mogo, and I thoroughly enjoyed it!

2. What is your pet peeve?  

    Walking straight into a spider web. Especially right in the face. Fabulous. Then the only thing you can think of is,"I wonder where the spider is?"

3. What's you favorite season to sing about?
 Probably winter. That is when my heart song starts! Always humming. Joyful. Excited! 

4. Do you write? If so, do you make you characters die? 
I don't write that often, as I find it hard to finish something beyond the first paragraph! So other than school essays, I'm not really a writer. But if I were one: I don't think so. It is so sad when that happens in a book I read, so probably not for my readers sake! 

5. Do you like coffee? 
Nope. Yuck! Coffee is for grown ups.

6. What's your style in fashion?  
Uhh.. I like jeans with normal tee-shirts and cowboy boots, but normally I just wear shorts with any random tee. I don't do sleeveless besides to sleep in though!

7. What's your favorite song right now?
 His Robes For Mine. Also a song I heard at camp and liked, called Oceans. ;) I heard that you, Bernie, like that one!

8. What's your favorite bad guy in a story or book?
 Hmm this is a tough one! Bad guy... I don't know!! Maybe... Gee I'm really running a blank. Oh well. Can't think of a bad guy!

9. Are you ever so bored or tired that you just start acting CRAZY? 
Oh yes! lol ask my sister, Jessica!

10. What are some of your hidden talents? 
I can crochet, bend my fingers at the last knuckle, spread my toes, swallow a pill, march, do at least one push up from my toes, (hard!) do a military march step, (learned those at camp through an AWESOME person named Meryl) and through Christ I can do all things, even have the joy of eternal peace with my Savior.

11.What's your favorite thing to do in summer? 
 Swim! Also look for bird nests, go to camp and sleep in every now and then.... :) I hardly ever do, but I'm making no promises! <3

   Alrighty so that's that!  That was fun! :D So now it is my turn to share the fun! I nominate:
Julia Ryan at Writing For His Glory
Child of God at The Light
Israel Long at I'll Tell You How The Sun Rose
Jessica Coggins at (Almost) Perfectly Pink

  Well I hope you all come online and have fun filling these out too! Thanks for reading!!!
  In Christ and with His love, Julia L.

The Resurfacing of the Julia..

Greetings!
    To all those puzzling about the subject of this post, it means, "I'm back!" Yes, I have gone away for a time because life is busy. BUSY.  B>U>S>Y Really busy! I mean do you know how hard it is to actually stop doing nothing to do something??? Bahahha okay nah, I really have been busy! This month has been like.. wow.. 

    Okay, first was a camping trip. (I didn't go, but whatevs, because still it happened and my schedule was up because of it!) Next was a serving time for a church friend where we helped "babysit". It is kinda hard to explain but we stayed at their house a few days to help the mom with her kids while her husband was away on a mission trip. After that was summer camp. (SQUEEL) I <3 La Vida! Summer camp was. so. much. fun!!!!! Next was another camping trip, to which my whole family went. Fun! After that we have two days before our church's VBS or SBC as our church calls it. (Summer Bible Club) Right now is between the time of the second camping trip and SBC! So now you know what I mean by BUSY! lol

    Guess what?? Bernie nominated me for a "Liebster" award!! What does that mean anyway???? I mean I get the thing about the questions, but what does the word Liebester mean? Sorry everyone if i screw this one up, I've never done anything like this before! lol Thanks for being patient!<3 So my next post if for the questions. <3 Thanks Bernie!!!
     In Christ and with His love,
             -Julia Lynn

Goats! (They are cuter than you think)

Dear Reader,
    Hey! Here is that post that I promised you I would do! So, I read a blog recently about a goat, and the little billy seemed to have a lot of trouble tacked to his name! Having lived in a family that has owned up to 10 goats at a time, and more after that, I know how ABSOLUTELY troublesome goats can be! They sometimes do the following, some goats more than others:

1. Jump on you to reach a higher branch,
2. Chomp on your finger while you try to feed them leaves,
3. Get out of pens, (and who knows how?!)
4. Almost run you over while you bring them grain,
5. Get in the way,
6. Eat your clothes,
7. Nibble on your hair,
8. Chomp on your shoelaces,

But you know goats aren't all naughty either! I trained my goat, before we sold her, to let me:

1. Pick up her feet without too much trouble,
2. Come to me
3. Jump up on things when I patted them,
4. Lead on a rope
5.Let me look at her teeth
6. Pet her all over
7. Milking Goat prep. (Take her to the stand and her used to standing still, ect.)

     So you see, goats can be really good at escaping out of their pens, and sometimes they don't lead well or cause a lot of trouble, but they also can be the sweetest little things and make great pets or barnyard friends! Goat babies, called kids, are the most adorable little things ever! You can hold them and cradle them, and they love to run to you and bounce on your stomach. They make a bond with you that doesn't go away with age, and once you show them your love, they would love to show you their own! Just in case your not quite grasping how ADORABLE kids are, here are some pictures to show you what I mean! P.S. all of these goats were ours and all have names, some middle names!

The mom is Cookie her babies are Noah and Gracie

    Cookie was a .. unique mother. Her children, Noah and Gracie were very different from each other!

    Gracie hardly ever got held, she ran super fast and didn't like people, but if you cornered her enough to catch her, as soon as she was off the ground in your arms she screamed like no other goat you have ever heard and kicked for all she was worth! Fun, huh? Well she was small and petite, like her mom with only her dad's Boer coloring. Her mom was a stinker too.

   But Noah was different. If I had to sum up little Noah with just one word it would be Noble. He was noble. He didn't mind when his own mom kicked him away to pamper his bratty twin. Noah was quiet and kind. He made friends with Skip, who you'll hear about in a bit, and Noah was a little shy, but ever, ever so noble. I love you little Noah! He was much more like his daddy than Gracie and his mother, and grew taller than his mom very quickly. He was also much heavier than them!


Mother: Cathrine, Daughter: Lacy Nibbler, Son/Brother: David 

    This picture is almost the whole family! Cathrine, (the mother laying down) , is the Mommy of both of these babies here! The one standing's name is Lacy and the baby laying down is her little brother, David. Cathrine had at least one other kid before she had David, and his name was Daniel, (we had to sell him) he looked just like his little brother! We also had to sell the dad, whose name was Billy. ;) Here is a picture of Billy being.. just brilliant!

EWWWW

   Nice, huh? *shudder* He had some.. DISGUSTING ways of trying to impress the girls! Next subject, shall we?

 

Sweet little things...

Oreo was a fantastic mother to her babies! Skip and Precious were equally adorable and their mom was quite an angel too! Little Oreo had her previous owner make a bad decision though, and although we probably could have done something about it, I don't think we really knew anything about it. ;( I pray that you are against abortion. If a 16 - or even younger - girl gets pregnant and she isn't married, it is still a God given gift! Life is precious and that baby doesn't deserve to die. Well Oreo's owner thought she was too young to be pregnant ad gave poor Oreo a shot to kill her young. It wasn't right. I can still see a little tear in the eye of the Oreo goat who is a mother to an inhabitant in heaven.

 

Well I have to go now, but I hope you enjoyed reading this blog post about the Lord's creativity of Him masterpiece:

GOATS!

 

In Christ, Julia L.



Remembering The Glories Of Goats

 Dear Reader,
     Hi and thank you for reading this! I would like to share with you some things about goats, but since I am cutting short this blog post, I'll have to do more later. (So you can look forward to the next post being about goats!) Here are a few pictures to show you how cute goats are!

Cookie in the back and her babies Noah and Grace up front

Cloud, Oreo, Skip, and Precious

 

Cookie with her twins


Thanks for reading! <3
 -Julia L.



The Latest: Carmel Apple

        Dear Reader,

Hello! Thanks for reading this! How are you? Ok.. well in less you answer that in the comments then you wouldn't be able to answer that! teheheheh! Well anyway I again have to make this short; my bedtime is quickly approaching! So here are some more recent pics of my dream colt Carmel Apple!!

This was taken a few days ago: 

 

Isn't he cute?

 

 

 

I really love this next picture! Carmel is like," Yes.. bask in my stunning handsomeness.." and then Precious is like, "Okay.. what is going on here? Look at me!"

Ain't he adorable?!?!

 

 

 

 

This picture is less formal, but it really shows you what it looks like to wake up in a wet pasture with your fuzzy coat on, and still be beautiful!

 

 

 

 

This last one I drew of my Carmi when he gets big and strong, when the Lord gives him strength!

 

Job 39:19-22
      "Do you give the horse his might? Do you clothe his neck with a mane? Do you make him leap like a locust? His majestic snorting is terrifying. He paws in the valley and exults in his strength; he goes out to meet the weapons. He laughs at fear and is not dismayed; he does not turn back from the sword." 

                  God Bless! I pray you will use your days to bring Him honor.
                                        -Julia L.

The Latest: My Delightful Barnyard Family!



Dear Reader,

   Hello! I hope all of my delightful fellow bloggers are thriving and flourishing under the warm,

hazy love of summer. I'm so glad my Lord made the seasons! I love every one, don't you? Well anyway, I have to make this post quick, because it is time for me to get in bed. It is my pleasure

to introduce to you my barnyard family!

 

Memphis


This darling little boy has got quite a story to tell! From naughty frosting addict to.. mostly naughty.. non.. frosting addict! Hehehe.. Okay, so maybe he is really shy and scared and a little obsessed with being in control and doesn't often let me touch any more of him than his forehead,
but I love him!! That is all that matters. HUG. Love you Memphis! He is about .. seven?? wow! Times have flown. <3 always. P.S. pray for Memphy's hooves! That's another story.

Simon Edward George

This ADORABLE kitten may deceive you. He is really my brother's cat, and is truly a bucket of adorable trouble! Not that that trouble is adorable... but Simmy is! He may steal your heart, but once he rips it out of you you may have second thoughts. (LOL just kidding.. he won't kill you.. just you will have to suffer some scratches. Love you Simon! He is less than a year old. P.S. Pray for Simon's elbow. Don't laugh. There is a hole in this kitten's side. It's big. And gross. He needs to heal!! 

 

Precious and baby Carmel 

*Gasp* This is sooooo cute! Oh Lord, who am I that you should give me this in my field one morning, not too long ago? Oh Lord! Yep, this is Caramel Apple, or Carmel or Carmi for short. His mom is Precious and they are separated right now.. *sniff* weaning time is hard. Pray for patience and endurance on all of our parts! (Precious is really anxious and neighing but Carmel is just hungry for milk. It's for your own good Carmi! You should have been weaned a long time ago anyway, but remember that I'm suffering with ya! <3333 Okay I'll admit.. my sister says I, "Fangirl," over this little colt. Whatever because I love love love him for ever!!!! <3333 Carmi you stole my heart!

A Horsey Hug

 

And here is a picture that will steal your heart as well.

Thanks for reading!!!

 

   -Julia L.

Book Review: Bella At Midnight

Hello Reader!
      This post is about one of my all time favorites! This book is called Bella At Midnight, and this book is my favorite of the author's work, with a few others close behind! WARNING: If you get into reading her books, as I did, do not read the book called Saving Sky. It was terrible! *shudder* Anyways, I hope you enjoy reading this, find it interesting, or even look up the book and read it yourself!
                 Enjoy!


Bella At Midnight
Diane Stanley


 

Title: Bella At Midnight
Author: Diane Stanley

   This wonderful book is about a girl, named Bella, who grows up in a peasent home. She was brought there because her mother died giving her birth, but her "family" neglects to tell her till she is sixteen, when her aunt comes to whisk her off into an unknown world and holds the shocking news that her father, a knight, has completely forgotten and abanded her till now. Well she grows up hard-working, illiterate, and poor, but healthy, happy and with a best friend - a prince!
   
    Now the royal prince had recently been raised, till three years old, at the house of the peasant family too, before Bella. It's kind-a hard to explain in a short amount of words, but they grow up, as long as both of them can remember, being best friends. But when Prince Julian is amongst his friends, and he sees Bella and is surprised that he is ashamed to know her. Trying so hard to be respected among the rowdy crowd, he betrays his true friend. When he looks back she is gone. Rushing to her house to apologize, he runs into a messenger that holds urgent news: Julian is to be a peace offering in a hostage exchange with a neighboring, rivalrous country. No time to say another word, he regrettably rides off, his last farewell to Bella the bitter betrayal of his pride.

    Bella, who finds out her name is really Isabel, goes off to live a neglected life in a dreary castle, her cruel father always scowling, her stepmother treating her as peasant scum. One of her stepsisters, who goes to the Queen's Court, is selfish, proud, and haughty, the other silently mourns her real father's death, never saying a word. She is imprisoned in her mind and stares off into nothing all day. The only light in the place was the cook, who treasures Bella and teaches her to read.

   One day Bella's court going stepsister catches news of a plot which will go against the treaty and kill the hostage price- Julian! Bella goes hysteric, and as soon as she can rushes out to warn her childhood friend, who betrayed her and hasn't spoken to her for three years! But it is still her friend.

   As you can see I'm going to tell you this whole book! Agg! I neither have time nor you, I'm sure!
So I will wrap this up with saying, "Find out how this ends when your read the book!" lol

     May the LORD bless you!
                                                    -Julia L.

  

Book Review: The Bronze Bow

Dear Reader,
     Hello and thank you for reading this! Today I am going to do a book review on the book called The Bronze Bow. It also is based in Jesus' life time and is around the Roman Empire. Enjoy!



The Bronze Bow

Title: The Bronze Bow
Author: Elizabeth George Speare

                   The Bronze Bow's main character's name is Daniel. He is a Galilean living the same time as Jesus had his ministry. He is orphaned because of the Romans and despises them with all his strength. He put himself and others in danger by openly showing his hate. Daniel lives for a sole purpose: to avenge. He learns through Jesus' own words, blessing, kindness, and his dying sister that love does not deserve to be "avenged" with hate, but should receive love in return.
                    I greatly enjoyed this book, and although the book travels at a slow pace, it was capturing enough to keep me reading!  
P.S. Sorry about my finger in the corner of the picture! The cover was wanting to flip back on me!
                       God Bless!
                                         In Christ, Julia L.C.



Book Review: Twice Freed

Dear Reader,

    Hello and thank you for reading this! Here is the following book review report of a book that I enjoyed reading and would like to share with you. Enjoy!


Twice Freed
 By Patricia St. John

Title: Twice Freed
Author: Patricia St. John

         This amazing book is a historical fiction novel after the book in the Bible called Philemon. A must read! The main character in the book is Onesimus, who is a slave to his Roman master, Philemon. Philemon's son, Archippus, and Onesimus used to be friends, but Archippus is cruel to his slave because he is ashamed that he loves Onsimus as a friend, though he thinks it weak to love a slave and is cruel to him. Onesimus is also ashamed because he hates Archippus and feels bad about hating his former-best-friend.
         When Onesimus' master and family become Christians, Onesimus is indignant. He lives for one purpose: To be free. He loathes his bondage and is stealing coins to one day buy his freedom. He fears the God of his master, for in Christ's light all sin is revealed. He doesn't want his hatred to melt away in the light of Jesus. The price of,"This new God" was too high for him to pay.
       Read along in this book as Onesimus runs away, becomes a gladiator, murders his only friend, is rescued from sucide, meets Paul, become a Christian and goes back to his master after years of having them believe he was dead. Falling on his knees he says he has returned to bear the punishment and submit, having the freedom of Christ in his heart. Paul sends his letter along with him and Onesimus is embraced back home alongside his brothers in Christ. "In Chrsit there is no slave, no free, no Jew, nor Greek but brotherly love and peace.."

    In Christ, Julia L.

Book Review: Series Introduction

Dear Reader,
 
    Welcome to a new series of blog posts! I'm not sure how long this will last, but I think it will be pretty fun while it is here! I have always enjoyed reading books, and although some books just don't really grab me, others REALLY do! I love reading books like these!
                               
                                 TWICE FREED
   So first I am going to do, in the next bost, book review on the book called:  Twice Freed. It is based in the time of the Roman Empire and I love reading about ancient Rome! I love the culture, people, rulers, warriors and so on! Can't get enough of Rome! Alot of people think that Rome is not that fun because the people were so violent, with the gladiators and crusifictions ect. But I can't help being facinated!

                                THE BRONZE BOW
   After that I eventuly plan on doing a book review on the book The Bronze Bow. Now it's the flip side of the coin! Twice Freed happens about 20 years after The Bronze Bow. Isn't that cool!? In this book it is about an orphan boy, named Daniel, whose family was killed by the Romans. He despises the Romans and has dedicated his life to vengence. Vengence for his father's death, vengance for his mother's death of grief, vengence of his grandpa's and uncle's death, vengence of the murder of his friend, and the posessing of his sister who has not gone outside since her family was killed. He is repaying love with hate. He learns throught the words of Jesus Christ, to himself, that love deserves love in return. It is a hard lesson of humbling for Daniel to swallow.

  Well I got to go for tonight! God's blessing and peace and the joy of our LORD Jesus Christ be upon you!         -Julia L.

  

The Latest: Last Friday Errands

Dear Reader,
  
   So sorry about this being a really late post.. I'm writing about something that is a week past! Anyway..

     Last Friday we had two errands One of those gave Jessica an arm cast! By the way, she didn't break it but the doctor wants to see if the irritation will go down if she keeps it still. The brace she was trying wasn't really working, so she said that casting it would just be best. Jessica also passed out in the room! She fell out of a chair and mom caught her. Glad I wasn't there! I would have freaked out..

    We also had art class. The art class is run by our good friend's mom, and I enjoy it so much! In art class we are currently working on a several week project: a paper mache mask! Anyway, we bring the mask-in-progress home each week. I had been putting it in a shoe box, but tragedy struck and I will NOT be bringing that shoebox back to art! You see, that Friday it had been raining and so we didn't want to put Prince, our dog, out in the rain. Well we took him with us! Prince is a really good boy and is great in the car.. but not when he starts throwing up... On our way home I hear a gurgling sound. I thought my little brother was burping! Well we soon turned out it was the dog making that nasty sound of throw up on its way up. In the panic I took my art project out of the box and thrust in under his chin.... just in time..

   For the benefit of your stomach I'll stop there! Well I got to go too. Bye!

    P.S. I'll do another blog post about some great books next time!! See Ya! <3

May the LORD find you faithful!!
          -Julia L. 

The Latest: Mind Blabbering..

Dear Reader,
     I'm sure most of you have realized that all my post's
subject title have been starting with "The Latest:" I am
wondering if I should keep that, or shake things up!
One thing I could do is change the name of my actual blog
to something like, "My Latest," or maybe, "My Little Latelies,"
Haha! Latlies.. Just made up a word! Well I don't have much else to
say. Thank you again for reading!

   P.S. I'm working with Carmel more lately. All the more time
that I spend with that lil colt, I realize all the more that I
LOVE HIM!! I can't believe that that LORD had blessed me
with a baby horse!! ohhh I love him!!!!!

  Okay, well I hope you enjoyed hearing that I'm still alive.
Love you, BFFs!! <3

                         -Julia L.

The Latest: Vulture's Venison

Dear Reader,
    Hello! Thnks for reading this! So sorry about my absence..

    I'm sure you are wondering about the crazy title of this post!
You see, long story short, a deer got killed right on the edge
of our property and there were loads of vultures eating it!
Jessica counted 41 of them! I feel rather sorry for the deer. ='(
Nobody really cares about them anymore.. (In my opinion- I
don't want to cause fights or anything..)
 
    Anyway, our dog was having fun chasing them! Each time they got
scared away, it took the hours to come back!

    Well I'm stopping my explanation there for the sake of some people
who don't want to hear about that stuff! (Also for me who doesn't want to
type all that gross stuff.)

   Praise God for the vultures! They clean up more than we think about.
Have you thanked the Lord for vultures today?

         God Bless,
                               Julia L. C.

The Lastest: I'm BACK!! Again!

Dear Reader,

       Hello! I have to make this really quick, but I'm so sorry that I was gone! How long was it? a week? Two weeks? Well I tried to get on, but I forgot my password! For a week or so I tried to get on and it kept saying wrong email or password! Then I couldn't find it written down anywhere.. Ugg! It was aweful!

       Wanna know what I was doing wrong? Caramel is the name of my colt, and his name is part of my email. Well I kept spelling it Caramel, when my email was actually Carmel, without the exctra "A"! lol Silly me! Well I have got to go!
                               -Julia L.

       P.S. We got our cat, Simon Edward George spayed- or nutered- today. He is slepping alot now that we finally got him home. It is like he is faint or something.. He doesn't want to wake up! He was also terrified at us and our dogs. :( Please pray that out little Simon will be normal again soon!! I was worried for him when we dropped him off. I cried. ='(

                 God Bless! <3 -JLC

Fun Random Fact: I have the same initals as my little brother! JLC

   

A post about my Sister (And about the importance of never leaving your blogger logged in for fear of hackers!)

Dear Reader,
   
   My sister Jessica is SO awesome!  I love her SO much!  I wish I was just like her.  She is my model and in everything I ever do I wish to be like her, because she is amazing!  I would die for her.  Plus, she driver GREAT!  I will never be as good a driver as she is!  One day I hope to have a single glace of her awesome power, because it is so beyond me!  Her magneficent beauty surpasses all of my understanding.  She is supurb in EVERYTHING she does!

   That is all I have to say.

ps. and Jessica never leaves her blog posts open so someone could hack them.  Of course Jessica would never do a thing like that! ;)

The Latest: Woodchips!

Dear Reader,
     Hello! Thank you for being alive, and taking a few moments out of your day for your very eyes to zoom over these words! What I really mean by all that is: Thank you for reading this!
    
    Anyway, the title of this post is a very interesting one! It is, if you have not noticed, or the information when in one eye and out the other, called, "Woodchips!"
"Wow! That sound like fun." You say? How kind of you! Well sure, it can be fun! If you.. like.. woodchips.. hmm.. Anywho! Where was I?? Oh yea.. "Woodchips" I shoulda known!

    In our front yard we have two delightful piles of woodchips, which some road-side-working-people dropped off, when my dad stopped and asked them for it. As I was saying, they put two big piles in our yard. This has happened once before, a year or two ago when they also said they would bring the chips to our house. Well this time they put the piles next to each other! Joshua, my brother, and I were jumping from one pile to the other! It was great fun! We also molded slides, steps, seats, and traps from the chips and sticks. It was so much fun!

   So, now I must say my goodbye's and go to sleep, for I need to get my sleep and so school tomorrow! I also should work with Caramel. And Precious. And Memphis. And we might go see The Lego Movie tomorrow, and I need to plan a meal. And.. I have got to go to bed! xD Well, have a nice day/night/evening/morning/afternoon/holiday/what ever time you are reading this!!

                                     'Night!
                                                  -Julia L.

The Latest: Rainy Weather

Dear Reader,
      Hello! Thank you for reading this! Wow. I say that like every time, don't I? =) Oh, well. Patterns can become very comforting as they go on at a slow, steady pace, never changing; increasing nor decreasing. Patterns create a safe haven where no startling change takes place, and we can figure out what will happen next. A safe, sturdy, steady haven. Ahh.. Let us all bathe for a moment in the thought of the soothingness of patterns... ahhh..

       Where were we? Ah yes! I just made up a new word! Soothingness. That should be a word. I really think it should be a word! Yikes.. I sound like a nutball! Anyway..

     I believe that I cannot distract you any longer! You must be curious as to what is going on with the title of this post! Well, you might not really be THAT curious, but we shall pretend you are curious and I will be happy because, at the moment, we are all pretending that we are the utmost curious creatures on the planet! Wow.. maybe I really am a nutball.. =D

      Okay, FOCUS, Julia! *Deep breaths*  ..  Ok, I am officially a non-nutball and completely organized! Where was I? Ah yes.

            Rainy Weather:
     
     This morning, when I woke up, the first thing I heard was the soft sound of rain tapping the roof, windows, and ground. I love the sound of rain. It makes me feel all clean inside and makes me want to jump up and think of bright thoughts, like the horses I am beyond blessed to own and care for. Well the rain stopped after awhile, then several hours later it began again, this time only an icy mist. It was clod on my hands and face! It was also very cold on Carmel's neck. He seemed a little shaken up today. :( He stepped on my toe this morning! I hope he knows I'm not mad at him at all for it!
   Well, I should be going now, Thank you again for reading this!
                             -Julia L.C. 

The Latest: Being Tired and Being Helpful

Dear Reader,
     Hello! Thank you again for reading this! The topic of today's post is, "Being Tired and Being Helpful." I would like to tell you about my day!
    
Being Tired:
      To start off, I would like to say that, since today is Sunday, we went to our wonderful church and had a great time. I really like talking with my friends and even talking to adults! I also really love being able to participate in the nursery! I don't know if there are babies at your church, for if you participate, but taking care of little ones has always been one of the great joys of being a little girl! Ever since I was little, I've wished deep down inside that I could have a baby of my own someday!
      Anyway, we had two kids in the nursery today, and both slept like, the whole time!! And the one other worker who was in with me kept dozing off! (But that's alright! I don't blame her! I almost fell asleep myself..) I hope you had a Blessed Sunday as well!

Being Helpful:
      Being helpful is a real talent that I don't always have! Helpful seems to me like being there when your needed, but staying out of the way when your not. So really what the key is, is being observant. Why I bring this up is because we moved some bedding around today, and it can be challenging to be both helpful, present, and out of the way! I will pray that we will all be more helpful to our friends, family and even to strangers. All we need to do is be observant! It's all about identifying a need and filling it!

                       God Bless!
                                             Julia L.C.

      

The Latest: Snow Tubing in NC

Dear Reader,
       Hello! Today my Dad took Jessica and I snow tubing in the North Carolina mountains! I was very fun! Both the long drive - with Jessica driving about 3/4ths of the way! - and the tubing itself!
Snow tubing is, in my opinion, the easiest snow sports. I mean snow boarding and skiing seem more difficult, as tubing us just two steps:
 1. Sit down.
 2. Hold on.
 That is more my kind of sport! xD Haha! What kind of sport do you find difficult?

       We had some friends in Michigan who showed us-every year- how to snowboard. Every year it was hard to get it! As snow tubing, all you need to do is follow the same two steps! (As show above!)

       Sorry to make this post so short, but I am really tired after a long day of driving, playing, waiting, and thinking! So God bless, and good night!

                                   -Julia L.C.

The Latest: Carmel Apple did WHAT?

Dear Readers,

       Listen to this! This has gotta be the biggest thing that has happened so far in the year! Okay, I know that many of you are not familiar with our property, but the barnyard and our pasture share a fence. Well, last week, Carmel was getting cold in the snow and so he started running around. Now I don't think any of the readers, besides Jessica my sister of course, have ever seen my little Carmel run! He REALLY runs fast! I can't even see his legs! He flies!! He soars!! Well he circled into the barnyard, and without a second glance, he JUMPED the fence! He flew over the highest spot in our fencing for one breathless moment. As he went over, his back feet tapped the wire fencing, and once he landed, and slowed down a bit, he limped a couple steps. But after that he shook himself off and walked away.

   My jaw about slapped the floor. I was so shocked! I had think I had better admit you all that I have a dream of jumping horses. I want to fly over a fence on the back of my favorite animal! Well I suppose that saying, "Careful what you wish for," Is important! ;D hehe! Well I sure do have a jumper now! I think I wished a bit too hard..

   The bad side of this is that is he can get out now. That was about the highest spot in the fence, and thankfully it had no barb wire on it, but now with one jump lower than what he just accomplished, he can get to both our neighbors, the field that we DONT own, the back yard, the front yard, and even worse, the road and on and on and on. Please pray that the little hoof tap he received will teach him not to do that! Thanks for listening!

                     God Bless,
                                             Julia L.C.   

The Latest: My Sister Can Drive??!!??

Dear Reader,

          Yes! That ABSURD title is TRUE! Yikes! She couldn't possibly be that old... could she??
Yes, Jessica has actually driven me and others down the road. She drove I think it was like an hour total! She is so excited! And that makes me happy. :) She got her permit about.. hmm I'd say about 2 weeks ago... I might not be exact on that, you would have to talk to her yourself! :D You can at her blog,  http://homeschooledauthor.blogspot.com/ I think that's it.. tehehe! Rachel or Julia, would you make sure that's it.. I will probably forget! Thanks guys! It's comforting knowing that someone actually reads these things!

      God Bless,
                             Julia L.C.

The Latest: Forever Freedom For Gramdma

Dear Reader,
       Hello there! Thank you for reading this! Ok, these next few posts will say, "The Latest," but they are not really the latest! I got behind in my posting.. again! So I am going to tell you things as if I wasn't telling you all of them at the same time! Ok? Great. =D And before I forget, HAPPY FEBUARY FIRST 2014! 

       First of all I must explain my title. You see, a couple weeks ago my Grandma reached Freedom Forever. She went to heaven. This is not only a time for sorrow, for she will be very glad to see her family and friends after all these years. That is something that makes living to an old age very difficult: You out-live so many people. Your friends, family, and others. Anyway, with the planning, calling, meeting, funeral, ect. we have all been very busy, so I haven't had time to write a whole lot.

    So I want to wrap this up with telling you that if you are loosing a loved one, friend or relative, just remember that God knows best! "Your will not mine."

                       God Bless,
                                             Julia L. C. 

" I'm Back! " The Latest: Being Deep

Hello Everybody!

    I'm back! I'm not sure if its for long, because I have no idea what the future will hold, but I'm here right now!

    I have some good news! Lord willing, Jessica and I get to go to summer camp this year again with Rachel! I can't wait! Except I have a tiny drop if dread that makes me glad it's a long way off. :( It is this: The diving board. You see, the first year when I went to camp, I was 9 years old and all I did was look at that scary board. Well, last year, the second time we went, I actually got out of the pool, got in line, waited, climbed on the board, walked to the end looked down, ... and turned around and came back off! I admit to being a slight coward, but I'm terrified that that water will swallow me up whole and I can't surface again. The first time I did anything like that was a water slide. When it got to my turn I let the kid behind me go. And the next kid, and the next, and the next! When the lifeguard told me I had to go or come down I decided to go eventually. Jessica came to me at the end, I forgot how to swim in the panic I guess!

   Besides that one, there was one other bad experience with water that I have: last year I decided to jump off a rock that was about 5 feet above the water. Some other kids were jumping off and I guess I felt like I had to. I was wearing my life vest, but when I jumped, the next thing I knew the world seemed to stop. I knew I was deep under and I felt trapped. I came up sobbing. My Dad caught me then. I was alright. But I never forgot the frozen feeling of being deep.

   So what do you think? I'm really scared and the butterflies in my stomach at the end of the board at camp might just be a bit too much for me to handle. Do I wait? P.S. I didn't exaggerate, but usually this type of thing isn't as bad as it really sounds.

  Thank you all for being such a wonderful, silent, and open audience for my crazy brain occurrences!
And Thank you Julia, Rachel and Jessica for ALL being my BFFs!

                                      <3 - Julia Lynn C.