August 15

Sorry I haven't posted recently, but I've been busy. 

But recently I've been doing a thing called 30 Days of Insperation.

Day 2

Lucas walked up to his Jeep and slowly opened up the black door to the passenger seat. “Come on Amy,” Lucas called to his high school crush, as she looked lovingly at her mother's tombstone, “You need to get back to talk to the lawyer.”

Looking over her shoulder, tears blurring her vision, she slowly walked towards the car. 

“Are you alright Amy?” Lucas asked, concern evident in his eyes. 

Attempting to regain her composure, Amy took in a big breathe of air then let it out with a sigh, as she wiped the tears from her eyes. 

As they approached her mother's house, Amy felt like the world was falling on top of her.

“You ready to go inside?” Lucas asked, turning off the engine. Amy simply nodded, as grief once again overwhelmed her. 

Inside the house people were bustling about wondering which of her mother's possessions would they get. As they came to the door to her mother's study, Lucas stopped her and turned her around. “Amy do you want to go in by your self?” he asked hesitantly. “Yes, I'll be fine,”Amy answered. 

Then before she turned away, Lucas gently took her in his arms and kissed her for the first time. Then said, “For courage”. 

Smiling and nodding Amy backed into the room. 

Ms Whittle, would you sit down, so that we may begin?” a cold voice asked, breaking her from her fantasy. “Yes sir, sorry about that. Um, I'm ready to begin.”

“Of course you shall receive your mothers house, and she wrote this letter for you.” 

“Thank you sir,” Amy said, as she left the room and ran straight to the garden. She took in a deep breathe as she slowly opened the envelope, and pulled out a rose pink letter. 

To my Dearest daughter,

I hope you're taking this well. I am now with my Lord and one day I will see you again. Just remember everyday is a new day. 

I remember when you were six, you first saw this: 

“Sing like no one's listening, love like you've never been hurt, dance like nobody's watching, and live like its heaven on earth.”

Ever since that day you made sure that everyone lived by those rules. I just hope you continue to live by those rules since I'm gone.

My Darling daughter, I leave you with the two things I treasured of this earth, My passion, my butterfly collection; and my pathway, my Bible.

I just hope you will start a new life now.

With all my love,

M❤mmy

As Amy closed the letter she realized the Lucas was standing beside her. She simply smiled and whispered in his ear, “I love you.” 

Lucas answered with the same three words. As he held her hand and they walked away. Amy smiled to herself, this is her new life now.

July 27

Today is the first day of the London Olympics 2012,




Today is also Gumdrops birthay,

So for her birthday we made homemade, dark chocolate rum and raisin ice-cream.

But it doesn't look like that yet. It looks more like a mousse

But no matter what it looks like it was really hard to make, so we also gave her nougat to eat while we wait.


But I'd just like to say one thing to Gumdrop,

July 26

SORRY

I'm really sorry I haven't been on in ages, it's just that I've been really busy with maths.

Recently Charlie has made me read Hardy Boys books, they're great stories and Joe is cool, but the main reason I started reading them is I enjoy Larissa quizzing me on where I am.

Other then that I've been doing a lot.

I got new sneakers on the weekend.

July 12

Today I started a new English literature class. It is going quite well at the moment. As the famous Loney Tunes says,

That's all Folks

July 11

This is my 130th post.

July 10

Today I countinued work on my story. Other then that it was the usual Tuesday.

Today at lunch I had this delicious wrap, I call it the Chilli Cheese wrap.

How to make it: you get a wrap, put it on a plate. Then you cut three slices of cheese and lay them in a line down the middle of the wrap. Next you get out the sweet chilli sauce, now this ultimately is done to taste, but I just do a nice line along the cheese.

Your almost done, now all you need to do is fold the bottom up and the two sides over and eat.

If your not like me and you don't like spicy food then I suggest you go easy on the sweet chilli sauce.

I find it refreshing and deliciously hot. Give it a try and tell me what you think.

WE WON!!!

For all who are interested I would just like to let you know, WE WON STATE OF ORIGIN, we is QLD. But I must say that QLD distributed some very rude behavior by booing when the blue team was mentioned. It was the closest match in years, and the blues played a good game, I see no reason why they should be booing.

SCORE:

Maroon won the first round

Blue won the second

Maroon won the last round, with blue at 20, and maroon at 21

9 July

I wrote a story today, here it is,

Down at the dinner table that night there was complete silence from the family as Zoe told her family about Ellie's book. Her parents smiles slowly changed to frowns as she suggested going to Turkey to celebrate Ellie's achievement.

“Zoe, you know we can't afford to go to Turkey.”

“Yeah, I know. But I could try to get enough.”

“Okay Zoe, but only if you get enough. We will not help, and we need to approve all your ideas.”

“It's a deal.”

“Okay, now how long do you have till you have to go?”

“Three weeks,” Zoe said, hoping she could get at least 2474.11 francs ($455) in time.

The next day Zoe had an idea, she decided she would make a lemonade stand, with traditional homemade French lemonade. Each cup would cost 16.31 francs ($3), so she would have to sell 152 cups of lemonade. “I need a lot of help.”

“Zoe! You do know how much effort that will take?” Carla, Zoe's mum said.

With shoulders slumped Zoe answered, “Well, I could get help.”

“Fine, but no bribes!”

“Agh,” Zoe interupted,

“You must continue with your school work as well. Now get going or you'll be late for school.”

As the school bell rang signalling end of school, Zoe ran off the 10k track and onto the grass outside. Searching around desperately for her friends. She turned around and saw Katie walk out of the school building. Panting, she started running towards her friend.

When she finally reached Katie, she just stood there panting. Noticing the confused expression on Katie's face, she started telling Katie about her lemonade stand. “Okay, I'll help you. But you have to buy me a souviner from Turkey.”

“Cool, thanks. So I'll see you tomorrow at 8:30, ready to set up the lemonade stand.”

“See you then,” Katie called as she walked away.

G'day

Hey, I'm on holidays and will be for the next week, I'll tell you more next week. See you then.😃

June 21

Today I finished off the rest of my work, so hopefully I'm off tomorrow after I've written my report for this term. Last night I noticed that Gloria, Richies occasional girlfriend in the 2nd season is Linda Purl. Lind Purl also plays Ashlee Phister, Fonzi's steady in the 11th season. Here's a place where you can make some really cool word clouds, <

June 20

Sorry about all the strange dates, I am currently very confused on what date it is.

Today I taught Dude, because the others were busy. It was alright until he had the sugar rush called morning tea, after that it wasn't easy.

At the moment I am listening to my favourite song by Mark Shultz, Letters from War. Mark Shultz songs are really sad.

Here are the lyrics,


She walked to the mailbox
On that bright summers day
Found a letter from her son
In a war, far away

He spoke of the weather
And good friends that he'd made
Said, " I'd been thinking 'bout dad
And the life that he had that's why, I'm here today"
And then in the end he said, "You are what I'm fighting for"
It was the first of his letters from war

She started writing
You're good and you're brave
What a father that you'll be someday
Make it home, make it safe
She wrote every night as she prayed

Late in December
A day, she'll not forget
Oh, her tears stained the paper
With every word that she read

It said, "I was up on a hill, I was out there alone
When the shots all rang out and bombs were exploding
That's when I saw him, he came back for me
[From: http://www.elyrics.net/read/m/mark-schultz-lyrics/letters-from-war-lyrics.html]
And though he was captured a man set me free
And that man was your son, he asked me to write to you
I told him, I would, Oh, I swore"
It was the last of the letters from war

And she prayed, he was living, kept on believing
And wrote every night just to say
You are good and you're brave
What a father that you'll be someday
Make it home, make it safe
Still she kept writing each day

Then two years later
Autumn leaves, all around
A car pulled in the driveway
And she fell to the ground
And out stepped a captain
Where her boy used to stand

He said, "Mom, I'm followin' orders
From all of your letters and I've come home again"
He ran into hold her, dropped all his bags on the floor
Holdin' all of her letters from war

Bring him home
Bring him home
Bring him home

June 18

Today I got a sleep in. It was well deserved after our running around alot Friday-Monday.
Other then my fabulous sleep in, there were other effects, like now I am totally out of date in my diary.

Today we did our usual volenteering, and tonight we are going to Square dancing again, after our break due to, other bookings in the hall.

Thats all I have to say so, night.

June 17-18

Yesterday Charlie, Mac Man, and I went to the city with our youth group. We did a lot of walking, but it was fun.

Today we had the normal morning of madness, except it was a bit harder. Because we got the car serviced while we were down there, so we were walking everywhere.

Dude finally got his drum lesson, I think he really enjoyed it, I am now on level 2 in my keyboard lessons.

I am now watching Happy Days, it is awesome, Fonzi is the best.

June 15

Today was alright, but tonight will be fun, as usual. Tonight at Kids Club I am going to be at the front table, welcoming people. I am also doing a bible verse game.

I am so excited, for the first time, in a long time Mac Man is coming with us to Kids club. He normally goes to a technology course during the day, then he arrives at the church in time for Youth Group.

I don't have much else to say so bye.

P.s. I will eventually show you what I made for Charlie's birthday; I just need to get around to it.

SOSE

Today I was doing a SOSE activity with Dude. For the SOSE activity we had to make an advertisement so we found a really cool website called sketch star in Miniclip. If you look for animatios made by Gellymarshmallo on Miniclip, you should be able to find it.

It is called Baa Baa black sheep (white sheep).

Check it out, you can even make your own.

June 14

Today I listened to a really cool song by Casting Crowns. It's really good, but it's also sad. I like songs that tell a story, and this is one of them:

Casting Crowns, American Dream
All work no play may have made Jack a dull boy
But all work no God has left Jack with a lost soul
But he's moving on full steam
He's chasing the American dream
And he's gonna give his family the finer things

Not this time son I've no time to waste
Maybe tomorrow we'll have time to play
And then he slips into his new BMW
And drives farther and farther and farther away

So He works all day and tries to sleep at night
He says things will get better;
Better in time

And he works and he builds with his own two hands
And he pours all he has in a castle made with sand
But the wind and the rain are comin' crashing in
Time will tell just how long his kingdom stands
His kingdom stands

His American Dream is beginning to seem
More and more like a nightmare
With every passing day
"Daddy, can you come to my game?"
"Oh Baby, please don't work late."
Another wasted weekend
And they are slipping away

'Cause he works all day and lies awake at night
He tells them things will get better
It'll just take a little more time

He used to say, "Whoever dies with the most toys wins"
But if he loses his soul, what has he gained in the end
I'll take a shack on the rock
Over a castle in the sand
Now he works all day and cries alone at night
It's not getting any better
Looks like he's running out of time
'Cause he worked and he built with his own two hands
And he poured all he had in a castle made with sand
But the wind and the rain are coming crashing in
Time will tell just how long his kingdom stands
His kingdom stands

All they really wanted was You
All they really wanted was You
All they really wanted was You

Here's the song,

The rainbow story

Once upon a time all the colours in the rainbow started to quarrel: each claimed to be the best, the favourite, the most important and useful.

Red said: "Clearly I am the most important: I am the colour of blood, fire, danger, and of bravery. I am willing to fight for a cause. Without me the earth would be empty. I am the colour of passion and love."

Orange was next to blow her own trumpet: "I am the colour of health and strength. I may be scarce, but I am precious for I serve the inner needs of human life. I carry all the important vitamins. Think of carrots, oranges, mangoes and paw paws. I don't hang around all the time, but when I fill the sky at sunrise or sunset, my beauty is so striking that no one gives another thought to any of you."

Yellow laughed: "You are all so serious. I bring laughter, gaiety and warmth into the world. The sun is yellow, the moon is yellow and so are the stars. Every time you look at a sunflower the whole world starts to smile. Without me there would be no fun in life."

Green could stand it no longer. She shouted out: "I am the sign of life and hope. I was chosen for grass, trees, and leaves - without me all the animals would die. Look out over the countryside and you will see that I am the majority."

Blue interupted: "You only think about the earth, but consider the sky and sea. It is water that is the basis of life and the clouds draw this up from the blue sea. The sky gives space and peace and serenity. Without my peace you would all be nothing but busy bodies."

Indigo spoke much more quietly than all the others, but just as determinedly: "Think of me. I am the colour of reflection. You hardly notice me, but without me, you will all become superficial. I represent thought and reflection, listening, awareness and deep concentration. You need me for balance and contrast, for prayer and inner peace."

Violet rose up to his full height. He wass very tall and spoke with great dignity qand pride: "I am the colour of royalty, leadership and power, I am the colour that kings, queens, chiefs and bishops wear. I am a sign of authority and wisdom. People do not question me - they listen and obey."

And so the colours went on boasting, each convinced that they were the best.their quarreling became louder and louder. Suddenly there was a flash of brilliant white lightening; thunder roared and boomed. Rain started to pour down relentlessly. The colours all crouched down in fear, drawing close to one another for comfort.


Then the rain spoke: " you foolish colours, fighting among yourselves, each trying to dominate the rest. Do you not know that God made you all, each for a special purpose? You are all unique and different. He loves you all. He wants you all. He will stretch you across the sky in a great bow of colour as a reminder that you can live together in peace as brothers and sisters.

June 9 - 12

Sorry I haven't been blogging recently. Over the weekend we were at our dad's and then Charlie had a sleepover party, so I have been busy.

Saturday: we went down to the caravan and camping show. For lunch we went to Yum Cha atSouth Bank. It was good! I loved the custard egg tart.

Sunday: I painted Charlie and my nails in a colour called confetti. Then Charlie and I got dropped off at Gumdrop's so we could get ready for Charlie's birthday sleepover party.

Only three people out of six came to the party and one had to leave at 10:00.

The party was lots of fun. We watched Megamind, but we paused in the middle to have pizza.

Then we played the all favourite chocolate game. Firstly we did doubles, but no body was rolling doubles much so Charlie had the idea to change it to odd numbers when you add the two numbers together. But I was eating the chocolate when she suggested her idea, and she was just about to have her turn. Then she rolled odd, and there was a whole round of rolling doubles, so we shouldn't have changed it.

The thing which you needed to put on before you go in the middle is a bracelet of green glow in the dark connector things. One of the guests really liked them and she kept making things. She even made a really cool crown

Then we watched Flight of the navigator, a movie made in 1986. Afterwards we played Singstar, it was lots of fun, but we weren't the best singers.

After Singstar one of the guests left. Then we continued along with the evening by watching A walk to remember, it is a beautiful movie staring Mandy Moore.

After the movie finished we got ready for bed then I went to my room and left the older girls to their private party.

Monday we had cereal and showed off the Guinea pigs, and we started a game of life but we couldn't finish before their parents came.

June 8

Today we were really busy because our teacher came for a visit to look at our work. I think I'm doing well. I still felt like I was just showing her stuff left right and centre. When that happens I feel like a show off.

Do you know that feeling were you are hogging the teacher and showing all this stuff, then when the teacher gets to the other stuff they only have a quarter of the stuff.

At the end of term 4 last year I showed off for 1.5 hours. I took so long that she had to come back the next day to asses the others.

Tonight I am cooking chicken breast for dinner I can use whatever ingredients I like, any suggestions.

June 7

Today we went to the school of dentistry in the city and I to new braces, the new colours are lavender and light green. They are great.

But we missed Happy Days.

June 6

Today was ordinary.

That's pretty much it.

So as the famous Looney Tunes goodbyes go,

That's all Folks

June 5

Today was Charlie's birthday. I woke up at 4:30am so that I could finish my project in time for Charlie's birthday. Tomorrow I will show what I made.

As is tradition we do what ever the birthday person wants on their birthday. Charlie decided she wanted to go to op shops, then go to a library, that is in a different location from where it was when we last saw it. At the op shops I spent $41 on clothes, but it's all fine because, I love clothes. They say so much, and you can pick and choose as you like. We went to 3 different op shops today, it was awesome.

Then we went to the library, it's in The Hub. It was huge.

Throughout the whole day, we saw 6 people we know/ knew, and 5 of those people we don't even have contact with anymore.

I hope Charlie enjoyed her birthday.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHARLIE!!!

June 4

Today we had our normal morning of madness, but Dude couldn't do his drum lessons.

On Saturdaywe watched MIB 3, it was awesome.

Here is the basic story, Agent J travels in time to MIB's early years in the 1960s, to stop an alien from assassinating his friend Agent K and changing history.

Josh Breslin does a great job of playing agent K from the past, he acctually acted like K.

June1

Today is the first day of June and Winter.

Today I was lazy, I set up my computer so I lie on the lounge while working.

May 31

Today Mac Man and Charlie's teacher came around, while I did Maths, and she agrees the new Q Maths is an implement of torture, she actually thinks someone said, ‘Ah, how can I torture these kids?’ Which means nothing yet. Because I'm still stuck on the new Q Maths book. But next year she'll be my teacher, so maybe it'll be better then.

This morning we woke up really early to talk with our cousins in Ireland, on Skype. It was very interesting.

This afternoon, we were babysitting one of Dudes friends. So that was interesting, coz I was put in charge of keeping them under control so Charlie could work.

Other then that we are still celebrating getting WiFi.

Our washing machine has been mucking up, so all day it's been beeping it is so annoying!!! The main problem is that it is still washing the clothes, so we can't turn it off.

Sorry

Sorry that I missed so many days, here are my reasons:
Saturday, I got some new jeans they are really cool, and Charlie got a computer. The reason I didn't post is, I was being lazy.
Sunday, we didn't do much and it was the Sabbath.
Monday, We had our usual Monday of madness, and my keyboard teacher sujested that she teach Dude drums, so we started talking about starting a band. The Internet was REALLY S...l...o...w, and wasn't really getting anywhere so I couldn't post.
Tuesday, we did square dancing and it was a party night, we had 6 squares; we normally only have 3 or 4. At the end they all sung 'Happy Birthday' to Charlie, she also got another surprise, just to embarass her.
Then there is today; we got the new internet up, now we can connect by WiFi. We celebrated by using the internet on our iPads.
One of the articles in Flipboard is about all the strange things you can deep fry. It had things like avacado,

Mac and cheese,

cadbury egg,

lasagna,

Snickers bar,

and more.

May 25

Tonight I am going to a Slum Night with Dude. We are both dressed up really dirty. We are also wearing foundation on our clothes.

Psalm 62
For God alone my soul waits in silence;

from him comes my salvation.

2 He alone is my rock and my salvation,

my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.

3 How long will all of you attack a man

to batter him,

like a leaning wall, a tottering fence?

4 They only plan to thrust him down from his high position.

They take pleasure in falsehood.

They bless with their mouths,

but inwardly they curse. Selah

5 For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,

for my hope is from him.

6He only is my rock and my salvation,

my fortress; I shall not be shaken.

7 On God rests my salvation and my glory;

my mighty rock, my refuge is God.

8 Trust in him at all times, O people;

pour out your heart before him;

God is a refuge for us. Selah

9 Those of low estate are but a breath;

those of high estate are a delusion;

in the balances they go up;

they are together lighter than a breath.

10 Put no trust in extortion;

set no vain hopes on robbery;

if riches increase, set not your heart on them.

11 Once God has spoken;

twice have I heard this:

that power belongs to God,

12 and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love.

For you will render to a man

according to his work.

May 24

Today I continued knitting, and I finally finished the first part of my project.
In other news, I have been thinking about this song all day and I love it, so here it is,

  
Father & Son(feat Yusuf Islam) lyrics

Father
Its not time to make a change,
Just relax, take it easy.
Youre still young, thats your fault,
Theres so much you have to know.
Find a girl, settle down,
If you want you can marry.
Look at me, I am old, but Im happy.

I was once like you are now, and I know that its not
easy,
To be calm when youve found something going on.
But take your time, think a lot,
Why, think of everything youve got.
For you will still be here tomorrow, but your dreams
may not.

Son
How can I try to explain, when I do he turns away
again.
Its always been the same, same old story.
From the moment I could talk I was ordered to listen.
Now theres a way and I know that I have to go away.
[- From :http://www.elyrics.net/read/r/ronan-keating-lyrics/father-&-son(feat-yusuf-islam)-lyrics.html -]
I know I have to go.

Father
Its not time to make a change,
Just sit down, take it slowly.
Youre still young, thats your fault,
Theres so much you have to go through.
Find a girl, settle down,
If you want you can marry.
Look at me, I am old, but Im happy.
(son-- away away away, I know I have to
Make this decision alone - no)
Son
All the times that I cried, keeping all the things I
knew inside,
Its hard, but its harder to ignore it.
If they were right, Id agree, but its them you know not
me.
Now theres a way and I know that I have to go away.
I know I have to go.
(father-- stay stay stay, why must you go and
Make this decision alone? )

May 23

Today I finally finished Naplan.
Other then thaat I aqm in a rush so I can't write much.

GOODNIGHT

May 22

Today I did most of the final Naplan.
On keyboard I am playing "edelweiss", I like it.









I have also been singing another song called, " El Shaddai, by Amy Grant.

Today I have also contiued knitting, here is a photo,

Oops

I almost forgot, here is where I got my knitting photo's from,
https://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&sugexp=eish&pq=knit+things&cp=6&gs_id=m&xhr=t&q=knitted+things&client=firefox-a&hs=i0M&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&biw=1280&bih=649&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=gdy5T5nPGIudiAekl5nZCA#um=1&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=Cgh&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB%3Aofficial&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=knitted+&oq=knitted+&aq=f&aqi=g10&aql=1&gs_l=img.3..0l10.106893.106893.0.107540.1.1.0.0.0.0.217.217.2-1.1.0.eish.1.0.0.yXwG4SjPncg&pbx=1&fp=1&biw=1280&bih=649&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&cad=b

May 21

Today I did the usual routine for the morning of mayhem, and not much more.
But yesterday I stared knitting, and it's easy to pick up, I'm enjoying it.
Sorry I can't tell you what I'm making it's a surprise.
Here are some things I could be making,

Milk?

So cute

Strange


Now these ones are just cool

This is beatiful

I got this in an email,

BECAUSE OF LOVE!!!!

A brother and sister had made their usual hurried, obligatory pre-Christmas visit to the little farm where dwelt their elderly parents with their small herd of horses. The farm was where they had grown up and had been named Lone Pine Farm because of the huge pine, which topped the hill behind the farm. Through the years the tree had become a talisman to the old man and his wife, and a landmark in the countryside. The young siblings had fond memories of their childhood here, but the city hustle and bustle added more excitement to their lives, and called them away to a different life. The old folks no longer showed their horses, for the years had taken their toll, and getting out to the barn on those frosty mornings was getting harder, but it gave them a reason to get up in the mornings and a reason to live. They sold a few foals each year, and the horses were their reason for joy in the morning and contentment at day's end. Angry, as they prepared to leave, the young couple confronted the old folks "Why do you not at least dispose of “The Old One." She is no longer of use to you. It's been years since you've had foals from her. You should cut corners and save so you can have more for yourselves. How can this old worn out horse bring you anything but expense and work? Why do you keep her anyway?" The old man looked down at his worn boots, holes in the toes, scuffed at the barn floor and replied, " Yes, I could use a pair of new boots. His arm slid defensively about the Old One's neck as he drew her near with gentle caressing he rubbed her softly behind her ears. He replied softly, "We keep her because of love. Nothing else, just love. Baffled and irritated, the young folks wished the old man and his wife a Merry Christmas and headed back toward the city as darkness stole through the valley. The old couple shook their heads in sorrow that it had not been a happy visit. A tear fell upon their cheeks. How is it that these young folks do not understand the peace of the love that filled their hearts? So it was, that because of the unhappy leave-taking, no one noticed the insulation smoldering on the frayed wires in the old barn. None saw the first spark fall. None but the "Old One". In a matter of minutes, the whole barn was ablaze and the hungry flames were licking at the loft full of hay. With a cry of horror and despair, the old man shouted to his wife to call for help as he raced to the barn to save their beloved horses. But the flames were roaring now, and the blazing heat drove him back. He sank sobbing to the ground, helpless before the fire's fury. His wife back from calling for help cradled him in her arms, clinging to each other, they wept at their loss. By the time the fire department arrived, only smoking, glowing ruins were left, and the old man and his wife, exhausted from their grief, huddled together before the barn. They were speechless as they rose from the cold snow covered ground. They nodded thanks to the firemen, as there was nothing anyone could do now. The old man turned to his wife, resting her white head upon his shoulders as his shaking old hands clumsily dried her tears with a frayed red bandana. Brokenly he whispered, "We have lost much, but God has spared our home on this eve of Christmas. Let us gather strength and climb the hill to the old pine where we have sought comfort in times of despair. We will look down upon our home and give thanks to God that it has been spared and pray for our beloved most precious gifts that have been taken from us. And so, he took her by the hand and slowly helped her up the snowy hill as he brushed aside his own tears with the back of his old and withered hand; the journey up the hill was hard for their old bodies in the steep snow. As they stepped over the little knoll at the crest of the hill, they paused to rest; looking up to the top of the hill the old couple gasped and fell to their knees in amazement at the incredible beauty before them. Seemingly, every glorious, brilliant star in the heavens was caught up in the glittering, snow-frosted branches of their beloved pine, and it was aglow with heavenly candles. And poised on its top most bough, a crystal crescent moon glistened like spun glass. Never had a mere mortal created a Christmas tree such as this. They were breathless as the old man held his wife tighter in his arms. Suddenly, the old man gave a cry of wonder and incredible joy. Amazed and mystified, he took his wife by the hand and pulled her forward. There, beneath the tree, in resplendent glory, a mist hovering over and glowing in the darkness was their Christmas gift. Shadows glistening in the night; bedded down about the "Old One" close to the trunk of the tree, was the entire herd, safe. At the first hint of smoke, she had pushed the door ajar with her muzzle and had led the horses through it. Slowly and with great dignity, never looking back, she had led them up the hill, stepping cautiously through the snow. The foals were frightened and dashed about. The skittish yearlings looked back at the crackling, hungry flames, and tucked their tails under them as they licked their lips and hopped like rabbits. The mares that were in foal with a new years crop of babies, pressed uneasily against the "Old One" as she moved calmly up the hill and to safety beneath the pine. And now she lay among them and gazed at the faces of the old man and his wife. Those she loved she had not disappointed. Her body was brittle with years, tired from the climb, but the golden eyes were filled with devotion as she offered her gift---Because of love. Only Because of love. flowed as the old couple shouted their praise and joy. And again the peace of love filled their hearts. This is a true story.

May 19

Today I didn't do much, but all day I was thinking about: Elephants, so here are some photos,



Interesting experience.