Fictional books I HIGHLY (very highly) recommend.

Hello readers!
(Not readers of this blog...just readers in general ;)

Let's just get to the point.

Books. are. awesome.

And I've read some over the past year that you need to read!

Here they are!

The Christy Miller Series

Okay. Seriously. 

These are the best books I've ever read. Robin Jones Gunn (author) is so talented. Her books are all about life, God, love, friendship and all the inbetweens. 

Christy Miller learns what true friendship is, what Christianity is really about (a relationship with the Lord) and finds love that is seriously tested through out all 30 books. TCMS are 12 books. Then is goes to on to another series, 

The Sierra Jensen Series

another 12 books...but it is the same characters, same plot..just from Sierras point of view. And then the series continues with 

Christy and Todd: The College Years

 just 3 books (the best love story ever!), and then again continues with 

The Katie Weldon Series,

 another 3 books.

Confusing yet?

These books are NOT little girls books. They are highly "mature" & are for pre-teens, teens, and young adults. You won't regret all that reading! I swear!

(And for all those Christy Miller fans out there who don't know this, Robin Jones Gunn has written 2 new books on the characters..(they're comin' in the mail for me!) Departures, Christy Miller's Diary, and Praying For Your Future Husband)

Go to Robins site here to read separate reviews on the books!

If you like love stories & crazy cool characters...get these books!!! SO worth it.

Robins "testimony" on how these books came about it awesome. You can read it here.

I rate these books 10 out of 5.

(Hey, I'm making the rules here...)

Solomon's Song by Roberta Kells Dorr

Does your heart just melt when you read Song of Songs in the Bible?

Well then you'll love this! It's a fictional book written about the love story of young King Solomon & his little shepherdess. It's very accurate to the account of David and the beautiful words of Song of Songs. It's just told from a fictional point of view.

It really makes you think about true love. How it's tested. How it really is patient.

Solomon and his little shepherdess, Shulamit's (or in the Bible she's called Abishag) love is severely tested through time, obstacles, and misunderstandings. But God is so good and not even the plot of Solomon's [evil] brother, Adonijah, can cut of God's plan for a beautiful love.

It is so amazing!(and romantic) PLEASE get this book!

(And if you do, I recommend you read the account of Solomon first (in 1 Kings) as well as the whole book of Song of Songs)
Don't you just love watching those old movies about people from the Bible?

Well, this book is ah-mazing.
It really is a detailed account of Song of Songs--Solomon & the Shulammite woman (Abisgag. She's mentioned in 1 Kings. But her name in the story is not Abishag)
Anywho...it's such a sweet & romantic [godly] love story.

Ruth by Lois Henderson

Okay, I seriously love reading fiction from people in the Bible. I just love it!

As you've probably figured out, Ruth is about....Ruth! It's inspiring, and beautifully told.

I love love stories...love stories that are scripted by God. And you'll love this one! (oh, Boaz!! *sigh*)

Lois has also written many other books about Abigail, Davids wife,

Lydia, (from the account told in Acts)

(not a love story but still amazing!)

and many other's I have not read like, Mary Magdalene & Hagar (which I am in the middle of reading right now)

Well...that's all for know folks!!

The Farmer's Wife

I deeply desire to be the wife of a farmer.

To burrow in his embrace until I get warmer.

To smell his skin; the scent of the earth

And to capture his smile, oh how much that'd be worth!

 

Open fields and wondrous sounds

Of gravel on the road, of treasures being found.

The golden rays would then waltz on my cheek

And my hardworking farmer, his God he would seek.

 

I can just feel his strong hands holding on to mine;

Gazing in his eyes our hands, we'd entwine.

Prancing over fields and strolling barefoot by the corn

Or watching the sunrise and morning glory being born.

 

When my belly grows, and life on the hillside is changed,

I'll make a prayer of how I hope my baby loves all of his days.

I'll nurture to him to health with the milk of my breast;

Giving him love, while tenderly watching him rest.

My daughters and I will sow in the garden,

While my sons follow their dad and try to be like him.

The girls will wear summer dresses, and play with their toys.

And my sons will discover bugs, while trying to be boys.

 

Oh how I deeply desire to be the wife of a farmer.

To witness the happenings of us. We. Him and her.

To experience with clarity the days of our youth;

And watch our children grow--our beautiful labor, our fruit.



England has two books:

...the Bible and Shakespeare.

England made Shakespeare, but the Bible made England.

-Victor Hugo-

"Books have to be heavy because the whole world is inside them."

-Cornelia Funke-

Books are wonderful!

Full of knowledge

mystery

thrill

humor

sorrow

surprises

love

joy

even hate.

Books can make you laugh until you ache & cry until you have to tell yourself that it's only a story.

Sometimes I think, "Why am I laughing more and crying more due to a story...than I am in my own life?"

But there's just something about a story!

"He is not the best student who reads the most books, but he who meditates the most upon them."

-Charles Spurgeon-

May your life be filled with laughter & books!

But guess what?

"A thorough knowledge of the Bible is worth more than a college education."

-Theodore Roosevelt-

-----

Inspired by this reader.



The Treasure of a Book!

So I was browsing the bookshelf I usually ignore & found incredible books.

I looked at them & squealed!

I love books. I think they truly are treasures, right?!

 The only problem is...I want to read them all at once!
Here's a cool quote that's SO true!
"There are seventy million books in American libraries, but the one you want is always out..."-Thomas L. Masson

From The Journal: Singing in the dark

It's been a long time since I've just...written.

I mean...trust me. My journal does not go untouched. 

But sometimes I think my imagination does.

I love forming words and making them beautiful & attractive.

I'll read back on my old writings & realize it was not me writing! (know what I mean?)

Tomorrow is March 1st.

And every 1st of the month is always a sorta sad time. 

It's unplanned, but usually I write in my journal every 1st for some reason. And it's always about the same thing: my future.

January, February, was a feeling of fear. But throughout the month...I'm fine. I'm free.

But why is it always the 1st that my heart begins to shake?

-Should I go to college?

-Where should I go to college?

-Should I go to a community one or out of state?

-How far should it be?

-What am I even gonna go for?

-What will I be?

Such questions can make a person crazy!

They always overwhelm me...on the 1st of every month.

I'm serious too, because I have documented proof.

But what I feared about on January 1st, was cleared up & figured out by February 1st.

Isn't that great?! (It doesn't always work that way, btw)

I think it's important to write down all that you're feeling & going through. 

Then look back on it later & see how perfectly God took care of it.

My heart loves to sing.

But when the little birdie passes a dark valley...she is just so afraid. 

Haha, I can just picture her flapping her wings, sweating, & trying her hardest to tweet while trying to see in the darkness.

"Faith is the bird that sings when the dawn is still dark."

For some reason I remembered that quote from an old art project in the 10th grade.

Hmmm. Maybe because it so accurately describes me?

(The part about being in the dark...)

I want to sing even in the dark valley!

So we'll see.

My future may be unknown...but my God isn't!

Even though I used to get rained on...I want to start turning that rain upside down & let it take me for a ride!

Kinda like this picture:

Oh, the desire!

To skate!

I want to feel the ice beneath my feet again. Dancing on water that is frozen. Skating to glorious music, in rhyme with my movement. Letting the chilled air whip at my face & turn my nose red. 

I want to feel so free again as my skates carve up the ice. I want to spin until I am dizzy, & jump like a fox.

I miss the way I'd feel graceful.

I miss the way people would bump into me.

I miss lacing up my white boots.

I miss my foot hitting the rink for the first time that day.

I miss smiling at myself for hitting that move.

I miss just skating in circles.

I miss this.

And now my skates don't fit, and my dream is bigger than ever.

A Young Womans Daybook

Today is.....Friday.

Outside my window....is a nice scene of one of my favorite getaways.

I am thinking.....more about life.

I am feeling.....very tired & sick.

I am thankful for....all 5 senses!

I am wearing.... P-jays 

I am reading......Solomon's Song; As You Wish; The Swiss Family Robinson

I am creating.....photographs.

One of my favorite things......playing guitar.

For education this week.......uh....yeah.

Spiritual lesson I'm learning.....that worry does nothing :)

Godly trait I plan to work on.....trusting that God hold my future.

Scripture I am memorizing......"Does the clay say to the potter, 'What are You making?'" (Isaiah something :)

I am praying for.....a good friends' step-father.

For the rest of the week....taking it one step at a time.

Picture I'd like to share....

Oh, summer. I am so ready for you.

{Picture not mine}

The definition of this.

Joy. -->God-->Life-->Beauty-->Family-->Friendship-->Love-->Giving-->Receiving-->Dreams-->Iced Tea with lemon.

Love.-->God-->The Bible-->Family-->Friends-->Random people-->Children-->Enemies-->Life-->You-->Me.

Tell me a story.

Tell me a story.
Make it interesting & bright.
Make it fascinating & beautiful. 
Make it...lovely.
Tell me a story.
Make it dance.
Make it whisper in the breeze
& make it sweet the the honey of bees.
Tell me a story,
but don't forget to make it beautiful.
And so, the One who crafted the stars & carefully painted each zebras stripe said,
"Alright, I'll tell you a story. But you should know that you've already heard this one."
"Oh? How so?"
"Well, the story I'm about to tell you...
you're living. 
And yes. I made it beautiful."

Extraordinary

 

-Waking up to a sweet song play.

-Talking for hours with my sister on our way to Grama's.

-Photo shoots with nature.

-A happy dog's slobber. (Yes in my mouth practically)

-Trips to put gas in the car.

-Sweet sunshine on my face (Yes, that's where dappled sunbeams play =)

-New discoveries outside.

-Letting our dog stick her head out the window as we drove to the dollar store.

-Watching people.

-Realizing that God gives courage.

-Prayer & excitement!

-Climbing the roof.

-Catching a full moon.

-Cooking & cleaning with Gramma.

-Laughter.

-My day was ordinary in so many ways. Yet when I looked, I found that God truly maked it extraordinary.

The Key to a Hearts Garden - a story!

As Lilah climbed the tallest tree to get to the roof of her grandparents' old house, she slowly lifted her hands up to the sky. She let her long red hair dance in the wind, and tilted up her pink lips to the sun.

"Oh, Lord. I want you to have the key to my hearts garden."

She placed her hands over her heart and closed her eyes. 

"I don't want to let anyone sneak in and steal all the flowers. I don't want to let anyone do that. Not anymore. I want my heart to be pure before you--so take the key. I know at the right time you'll bring him to me."

Later that night as Lilah snuggled into her bed in the old attic, her heart felt fresh.

She had a dream that put all her words and desires into pictures:

Way deep into the woods, there was a garden and a white gate wrapped around it. In front of the gate stood a tall, strong man, holding a key.

This man was so radiant! More radiant than the sun. And he had a smile on his face that was more glorious than a crescent moon. 

Inside the garden were different types and colors of flowers. There were pink tulips, white daisies, orange poppys. 

One day, a guy walked up to the garden.

"May I come in?" He asked the man holding the key. "I want to pick those flowers in there."

"Sorry," the man said, "This isn't the garden you're supposed to pick from."

Then, another guy came up to the guarded gate and just stood there looking around.

He obviously wanted nothing from that garden.

Another one came over. 

"Can I come in? I want to pick that single white rose way in that back of the garden."

The man looked at him gently and said, "You've already picked a single white rose. And this one is not for you."

Finally a young man walked up and appeared to recognize the gatekeeper.

"Somehow I knew I'd find you here," the young man said. "May I come in now?"

The man looked at him as if he'd been waiting for him, and gave him the key. But before he let him enter, he said:

"You are free to roam and pick. But you must never pick the single white rose. As you can see it is not finished growing. It is not ready. It is not ripe."
The young man nodded and smiled, excitedly entering the gate.

He walked up to a red rose.

"A rose as read as the hair of my love, a tulip as pink as her lips. And a lovely white rose. White as her heart."

When Lilah awoke from this dream, her weary heart was no longer troubled. She had never felt more free and settled, than the day she gave her true Love the key to her heart.

------
This came to me out of truth; experience. It's hard to give Him the key, especially when you think you can take better care of your "garden". But like the dream, I don't want any guy who's not my future love to pick all my flowers. Soon, there'll be none left for him!
Know that God is ready to take that key! No matter how many flowers you have--none or all.

"His mercies never end. They are new every morning."
-Lamenations 3:23-

picture source here. =)

A Walton Scene:

Elizabeth Walton: Daddy?

Mr.Walton: What is it, Elizabeth?

Elizabeth Walton: When I get older, can I marry you?

Mr. Walton: I'm afraid I'm already taken.

Elizabeth: Oh, well, goodnight anyway, Mama.

Liv Walton: Goodnight Elizabeth.

The End ;)

Okay, so I'm not exactly sure those were the exact words, but I'm pretty sure they were.

That Elizabeth has quite a dream.

For you:

Planning.

Planning for my future is such an exciting task!

I'm prayerfully considering in a tiny whispered ask.

I can't wait to explore, to dream and to see;

I'm just hoping it's as wonderful as the dreams inside of me.

Poems for my sister.

(me left, her right)

My Best Friend, My Sister

Silent prayers: a million and ten;

 My heart was pleading for a very special friend.

Where is this person whom I can share my heart?

This was my plea from the very start.

"She's out there I know it, I just haven't seen,

And the one God had saved is probably a teen."

But what I hadn't noticed was a thing that was wrong,

My friend was right beside me--she wasn't in Hong Kong!

So why was I waiting for a best friend and a mister?

When right beside me was you: my best friend, my sister.

Oh, how lovely your friendship is to me;

Never would I imagined God would let this thing be!

Do You Remember?

Do you remember the day I would follow you around?

I'd wear all your clothes and all the jewelry I found.

Do you remember the hour I'd run to your room?

I'd admire all your stuff and I'd envy and swoon!

Do you remember all the names you'd call me that morning?

Beans, Pinkerton, Miss Piggy and Georgie!

Do you remember the times we'd act like big meanies,

We'd fight and we'd yell, and we prob'ly called each other weenies.

But the greatest of all was when we declared it to be,

That our friendship was sealed, and it's sacred to me.

My beautiful sister. My forever friend!

"Savor little glimpses of God's goodness & His majesty, 

thankful for the gift of them:

winding pathways through the woods,

a bright green canopy overhead,

and dappled sunshine falling all around."

-Unknown-

"I don't have to explain anything to my sister...

She's one of the few people who can read my heart."

I am so free to be me!

I am so free to be me! by God'sNoella featuring vintage inspired jewelry

"Today you are you, that is truer than true. There's no one alive who is youer than you." -Dr. Suess

Max Lucado said something like...be you because you are the only you there is. If you don't bring it (what you have to offer the world), it won't be brought.

Lord, help me to be the -me- You created. Not the -me- I created.

Oh, sweet New Mexico!

Arizona, I miss you; Yes, I truly do. 

But arriving in my city was the best adventure, too.

Hours and hours in the car was a breeze;

But arriving to my city was a happy bittersweet.

You see, Arizona, your cactus & heat;

Were just what I needed with your oranges so sweet.

But once my eye caught onto my own city town,

I was happy to listen to the joy of that sound.

Those sweet purple mountains, sitting up above,

Was a gentle reminder of the place that I love.

Those happy giant dirt hills were a reminder to me, 

That the sweet New Mexico mountains are really a happy sight to see.

Oh, sweet Arizona.

Off to the place of sweet getaways; 

making memories from a simple taste of days.

Hours of stiff sleeping sleepy-time dreams, 

are what help me to open the getaway me's.

Evergreens stand with their tall bodies still;

Sky's and mountains and sun upon each hill.

Arriving to this place and that place was wild;

Hoping to pick a sweet orange was mild.

I gazed on the one who became my blooded other;

The one who makes tastys, the great chef my brother.

Way deep down under the blue pool of bliss,

Was just as magnificent as a sour lemons kiss.

Then a place of great food which was made in old days,

Let us remember, which I thought in a daze.

Here we were at a shop of the deer,

No room for a pool or a tired girl here.

Two million trees were the sight from the eye;

Simple yet perfect which gave a sweet sigh.

And now it was time to dine in a forest;

The thunder & lightning did not leave us borest.

"Happy Birthday to you," they sang with a smile;

We'll have to cry later, or maybe in a while.

A kiss from the heat on a soft December night,

left me in a dress that was a soft golden white.

Play me that song, that one of the sona;

Come back again, oh sweet Arizona!

---------

This poem is a little taste of what I tasted in Arizona! Just a few things I experienced & saw.
It was a great trip.
I hope you understand the weird meanings behind the words!

Breath in, breath out

Spring.

New life.

Birth.

The sunrise.

Spring is like the beginning of life. A babies first breath. Everything is new & fresh. 

Wonderful.

Summer.

Once you've experienced the spring, summer is still something new. 

The teen years.

The sun is out & everything is worry free.

No school, no bills.

Autumn.

School has just started! Ugh, now responsibility kicks in & you're stuck to deal with it.

But in the process of life, Autumn is like your middle aged life. 

The trees are dying.
You're getting close to old age.
Everything seems gray & sad for some because winter is nearing. But for others, it's just the beginning.

Winter.
Here you are.
You're no longer in the sweet peace of spring.
You're cold.
Sometimes you are afraid.
Some trees are dying quick.
But some are alive & well!
Winter.

Your winter is just someone else's spring.

*Analogy by my Grama!*

Picture 1
Picture 2 
Picture 3
Picture 4

Comforted by a rod & a staff.

The Lord is my shepherd;

there is nothing I lack.

He lets me lie down

  in green pastures;

He leads me beside

 quiet waters.

He renews my life;

He leads me

  along the right paths

for His name's sake.

Even when I go

 through the darkest valley,

I fear no danger,

for You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff--

 they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies;

You annoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

Only goodness and faithful love

  will pursue me

all the days of my life.

and I will dwell in the house

 of the LORD

as long as I live.

~Psalm 23~

[emphasis added]

From The Journal: A Crown of Beauty

On December 1, I had decided to read through Proverbs the whole month.

They're all about wisdom. 

I wouldn't of guessed that I'd be tested & my prayer would be answered:

"Help me to understand how to be wise." I prayed.

Well God answers prayer, doncha know?

Yesterday, I went to my cousins house. It was a blast!

But that's not the point here. 

The point is that I was being tested.

You see, lately, it's been hard for me to turn down a movie when someone wants to watch it.

I'm talking about worldly movies. And I'm also talking about watching it at home, when it's harder than turning down a movie @ the theater. 

Is that hard for you? How can I say, "No I don't agree with the things they do in that movie"?

It's harder than it sounds.

Especially if you're younger & don't know if they'll think you think you're better than everyone else, or if they'll actually take you seriously.

I felt like I wasn't standing up for what I believe in.

Well, those verses were somethin' else. I can't believe how relevant they were to my situation.

I think God was preparing me. I think He was testing me, & I think He allowed all this to happen.

What the devil meant for harm....

God used for good.

"...when trouble & stress overcome you...they will call to me (wisdom) , but I won't answer...[because they chose] not to fear the Lord." 

-Proverbs 1:27-29-

I didn't fear Him. I feared man.

"Never let loyalty & faithfulness leave you."

-Proverbs 3:3-

I want to be loyal & faithful to God. More than I have been. & in every part of my life.

"Her (wisdom's) ways are pleasant, & all her paths [are] peaceful."

-Proverbs 3:17-

I was anything but peaceful as I sat there hearing blasphemy of God's name. 

"...and your sleep will be pleasant."

-Proverbs 3:24-

No, my sleep last night wasn't pleasant. 

"Keep your way from her ( the forbidden woman)...Don't go near the door of her house. Otherwise, you will give up your vitality to others & your years to someone cruel..."

-Proverbs 5:8-9-

I am not saying that my cousin or anyone else is cruel or at fault for what I do. We all have our own faults.

But I made the mistake for choosing the foolish "woman" instead of the "wise".

When I want to please God & do, I am peaceful & mysleep is sweet. But when I blow it, I am so miserable.

"Carefully consider your path..."

-Proverbs 4:26-

The forbidden woman will ruin my life.

But wisdom, she will give me a crown of beauty. 

(Prov. 4:9)

Me.

Hi there.
Welcome to my corner of imagination!
I'm just a 17 year old who loves to write.
But that's not all I love!
You'll find me cuddled on the top bunk reading a book & eating an apple; outside soaking up some sun as I snap a picture; dreaming; playing my guitar; journaling; or organizing.

I recently discovered that I like to write poetry, so that's what you'll find here.

In short, I'm a young dreamer with mountains to climb, waves to ride, guitars to strum, people to love, memories to make, & chances to take.

p.s. love ya!!

The abc's of Thanks

Today has been such an inspiring day for me in several ways. And I think it'd be a good time to write out all I'm thankful for -- in ABC form!

a) A creative God. I can't tell you how many sunsets, sunrises, moons, stars, trees, clouds, & clouds I've seen that have gone far beyond ordinary. I'm talkin' FAR beyond. (this is 1 of the reasons I've been so inspired)
b.) Banjos.
c.) Cinnamon rolls. Oh, man!
d.) Dandelions.
e.) Energy. I can't say I've exactly had that in a while...
f.) Forests. My favorite!
g.) Grammar...just cuz. (haha, there went that grammar..)
h.) Hair. Long hair, might I add. I want long hair.
i.) Imagination.
j.) Jasmine, my cousin.
k.) Kicking soccer balls around.
l.) Learning new things. (Like, music, cooking, etc)
m.) Music -- hearing it & playing it.
n.) Nicknames. I counted & I have approximately 24 of them. Not kidding.
o.) Oxymorons. They're awfully nice ;)
p.) Parking straight.
q.) Quotes.
r.) Ripples of laugher. The best.
s.) Songs of birds & rain & instruments & laughter & worship. There's one thing I love most about worship, & that's hearing all of God's peoples' voices blending as one, singing to Him. I usually cry when I hear that heavenly noise.
t.) Tulips. My favorite.
u.) Unity.
v.) Violins!
w.) Written letters.
x.) Xylophones. I love the noise they make, & I'm thankful that their sound adds pazazz to songs. =) y.)Yellow flowers in random places.
z.) Zzzzzzzzz's. Boy do I need a lot of those.

Check out the finding joy blog where I found this idea =)

Enjoy!

"...so much more beautiful..."

"Please don’t take modesty lightly. As your brother in Christ I value the relationship that I will have with my wife someday. When I am tempted because of you I lose a part of myself that I am trying to save for her. When I’m tempted because of you I become that much more accepting of the perversions in the world. When you remain pure and modest, my life is made so much easier. Instead of watching to ensure that I don’t sin I can focus on you as a person and fellow follower of Christ. I appreciate modesty more than you’ll ever know. Please, show respect of yourself and of me and be modest."

-16 year old guy. 

Girls, you are so much more beautiful than the other girls in the world because you are modest. Your purity is beautiful and I find you attractive because you guard it.

-17 year old

The Rebelution