Bookshelf Tag!

Wow. It has taken me way to long to get this post written! Well, better late then never, right? Blessings Counter tagged me for this before our vacation, but I'm only now finding the time to get it up. Thank you so much for tagging me and I'm sorry it's taken me so long!

If the pictures are clear and they actually look decent, they were taken with my dad's iphone, if they're darker and horrible quality, they were taken with the laptop camera. ;)
Also, I'm not sure what happened to all the font. I've tried to change it and make it all the same, but it won;t cooperate. Oh well, I guess it isn't horrible. :)

Describe your bookshelf (or wherever you keep your books-it doesn't have to be a shelf) and where you got it from.

Here is is! ;) My bookshelf is actually part of my sister's and my loft bunk bed. She has her own bookshelf next to the window in our room and she wanted the top bunk. . .which I was more then happy to let her have. So now I get all my books next to my bed! (Note: All the books laying horizontally on the second shelf are library books, so they're not actually my books. :)

What's the thickest (most amount of pages) book on your shelf?

My dad picked this up at Goodwill and I kinda stole it from his office. He doesn't mind. :) Its almost 800 pages long.

What's the thinnest (least amount of pages) book on your shelf? 

The little Woodchopper. I think I've had this book since I was like 8!


Is there a book you received as a birthday gift? 

I got these from my grandma for my birthday this year after she found out I loved writing. :)

My parents have given me a couple of these every year on my birthday.

This was a birthday gift from a friend.

These are "The Adventures of the Northwoods" books by Lois Walfrid Johnson that I got from my grandparents when I turned 14. I have books 1-9 (there are 10 in the series) but I think my sisters are reading books 4 and 8. ;) 

What's the smallest (height and width wise) book on your shelf?

The little Woodchopper.

What's the biggest (height and width wise) book on your shelf?

Once again, it the Holocaust Chronicle. :) 

Is there a book from a friend on your shelf?

Yep, a couple :) 

"Tribulation Force", "A gown of Spanish Lace" and "The Family Secret" were all from a very dear friend for my birthday and "Secret Sabotage and "The Silver Flower" were from another dear friend when we met their family. :) 

This book was a birthday gift from my dear friend who also happens to be my editor. :) 

Most expensive book? 

This book was $11. I ended up paying less, but it is the most expansive book on my shelf. Most of my books I've gotten for only a couple dollars each. ;) 

The last book you read on your shelf? 

"A Higher Call" is a book I got from the library for research. It's amazing! I've stayed up so many nights to read this! As a caution, it isn't a christian book so there is some swearing, but it's an amazing book.

Of all the books on your shelf, which was the first you read?

I think I've had this book since I was 5 or 6. My grandma thought it would be fun to get each of us a book with our name on the title and this is the one she got me. It a very good book and it's very special to me!

Do you have more than one copy of a book?

I have doubles of both of these. :) 

Do you have the complete series of any book series?

I have the complete original Elsie Dinsmore set

The Time Navigators trilogy

And of course the "Secret of the Rose" series!

What's the newest addition to your shelf?

The writing books my grandma got me. I got them in the mail last week, :) 

What book has been on your shelf FOREVER?

Jessica's First Prayer.  This is a very special book to me because when I was little my dad used to wake me up every morning and he would get himself a cup of coffee and make me a cup and then we'd go down to our basement and I would curl up in his lap while he read it to me. It's one book I would NEVER want to lose!

What's the most recently published book on your shelf? 

"The Sliver Flower". :)

The oldest book on your shelf (as in, the actual copy is old)?

"Treasures of the Snow" published in 1950. It's not too old. ;) 

A book you won?

"The Eleventh Hour" and "Beneath the Western Sky".  ;) The First one I won on a giveaway on Emily's blog, the second one I won becasue I placed 2nd in the "Circle C Adventures" Contest. :D 

A book you'd hate to let out of your sight (aka a book you never let someone borrow)?

I have 2. ;) "Jessica's First Prayer" and "The Elements of Style". 

Most beat up book?

"Sarah's New World". I got it when I was 10 and it's been through a lot. The Front cover is horribly bent and ripped and it's had a drink spilled on it.

Most pristine book?

"Unbroken". I've never read it, but I've heard it's really good!

A book from your childhood?

Once again, 'Jessica's first Prayer". ;) 

A book that's not actually your book?

Both of these stacks are library books. ;) 

A book with a special/different cover (e.g. leather bound, soft fuzzy cover etc.)? 

I got "Jesus Calling" from a neighbor  she had my name put on it. :) It's also leather.
"Prince Caspian" is the movie edition.

A book that is your favorite color?

You can't really tell in this picture (it was taken by our laptop camera *shudder*) but it's a really pretty golden yellow. 

Book that's been on your shelf the longest that you STILL haven't read?

"Jesus Calling". It was a gift from our neighbor, but my dad said he wasn't too crazy about it, so I haven't actually read it.

Any signed books?

Well, that wraps up the questions! Thank you so much for tagging me, Blessings Counter! :D 

September 11, 2001

September 11th. The day started out normal, but what happened in the next few hours would change the course of history.
I was only 3 when this happened. My younger sister, Faith, who had been born 3 1/2 months early on March 15th had finally been able to come home from the hospital.
In the corner of my memory, if I look hard enough, a picture comes into focus.  That picture was 14 years ago when I wandered out to the living room to see my dad, mom and grandma and grandpa (who had been visiting us)  on their knees in front of the TV. I remember not knowing what was happening, not knowing why they were all praying and not understanding why everyone was so sad.
When I was older, my dad explained it to me. Now, when ever that picture comes to mind, I understand.
That day was the day terrorists hijacked four passenger planes and used them as weapons for an unimaginable act of destruction and terror.
On that day, over 3,000 people were killed. No longer was this just an attack overseas, this attack on America happened within our own boarders.
In my research I've come across many stories of bravery by people from every aspect of life. Firefighters, police officers, businessman, chaplains, and many others all stepped up and helped wherever there was need, but one story stands out among all the others.
It was of a man who, sitting at his desk, called his wife on the phone soon after the towers were hit and told her he loved her. He told her that no matter what happened, he would see her again. You see, this man was a christian and he knew that he would soon be seeing his Savior.
While the people were panicking and there was a general chaos everywhere, he calmly walked from person to person asking one simple question, "Friend, do you know Jesus?"
Until eternity we will never the impact this man had, but if only one person was saved, it was a difference that will be felt for eternity.
Note: I came across this story while sorting through a stack of old christian magazines that were released after 9/11. I searched the internet for the story, but I can't seem to find it.
Even this horrible tragedy, God used for good.
I wrote this small poem as a tribute to those who lost a loved one on 9/11/01.

I stand frozen, motionless as I stare up at the planes

I want to move, but I feel bound by chains

They continue on their deadly course,

No human on earth could stop their force.

As they hit the glass, smoke fills the air,

the billowing clouds block the sun with a sickening glare.

I feel a tear spill from my eye, and run down my cheek, 

then over the noise, I hear someone speak.

I haven't abandoned you, I love you my child,

this is part of my perfect plan for you and him.

Then, through my tears, I simply smiled

I knew that voice, though it was dim, 

It came from one who never did sin.

I squared my shoulders, knowing He was in control;

I know Jesus has my husbands's soul.

For you see, my husband was in that building,

but now he's with our Savior and free from all pain.

Another tear blinds my vision as I see the building tilt

I think of him and the life we'd built,

I loved him dearly, and my heart breaks,

The thought of life without him makes me ache.

I'll see him again when God calls me home, 

but life without Kenneth seems very alone.

On that day and in the cleanup that followed, we were Americans. Not democrats or republicans. And on that day, Americans were not afraid nor ashamed to call upon God. It's sad that it takes something so horrible for us to turn back to God. 

America needs revival, and I pray that it wouldn't take another disaster to bring us to our knees. We live in a hurting world, and what the world needs is Jesus. I pray that, as christian, we would shine for Him, a shining light in a dark world. 

I hope y'all have an amazing day today! 

Vacation pictures post #2.

I'm finally sitting down to do a blog post. I am so behind! But I'm scheduling two other posts for this week, so I should be able to catch up. ;)
After spending time with our cousins and grandparents in Reedsport, we back up towards Keiser to stay with a friend mom has known for a long time. We stayed one night at her house in tents in her backyard (which was a lot of fun :D ) before heading up towards Washington.
After traveling for a few hours we spent the night in Olympia. The next day we were ready to head to our final destination: the Eddy's house! I know I was super excited to meet Rebekah, but all my siblings couldn't believe we were going to the house of someone I met online of all places. Thankfully, after about an hour there, they were more then happy we had come! In fact, if you asked them what their favorite part of our vacation was, they would tell you it was getting to visit the Eddys. :)

At mom's friend's house. We had a lot of fun. ;) 

Benjamin playing with her dogs. he loves animals!

Jesse had a lot of fun throwing the balls around. 

Kezzy with one of the dogs.

On our way to the Eddy's, we missed our exit and ended up at the Bremerton Navel Base. . .which was really cool because he had never seen a military ship before. (we're from Kansas, what did you expect? ;) )

Another picture of the ships. Since we were already late, dad didn't stop so we could take pictures, thus the horrible pictures. :) 

Abut an hour after we arrived at the Eddys, Rebekah and I were upstairs talking and it got really noisy downstairs. A couple miutes later her older sister asked us to come down so we did. . .and found all our siblings in the middle of a nerf gun war. You had to be sure to stand against a wall or else you would either get hit by someone running or shot by a 'bullet". It was so much fun to watch!

Loading a gun.

Playing legoes in the living room. 

The day we arrived it was raining! Mr. and Mrs. Eddy took my mom and dad out to look at the small apartment where my family was staying for the night.  

Rebekah and I and our moms. 

Playing a game!

Supper! Pizza and a salad bar. . .it was amazing! 

I mean, doesn't this pizza look amazing? Just looking at it makes me hungry!

Rebekah and I.  after being pen pals for over a year, it was amazing to be able to meet in person! It was also a miracle that it worked out. God is good!

So that completes our trip! I still have one more picture post I'll do but It'll be mostly scenery. We drove by some beautiful places on our way to and from Oregon! And or course, Cannon Beach was breathtaking. I just need to go through all those pictures before I post them. :)