Knights of Arrathtrae Series by Chuck Black

To me, The Knights of Arrethtrae series is one of the best allegorical book series ever written since Pilgrim's Progress. I love this series!

This series by Chuck Black is an allegory of Christians vs. Satan and his evil minions. The books are full of adventure, drama, emotion and faith. They each have discussions in the back that explain the different parts of each book. I have read every book and have found that they are absolutely hard to put down! I highly recommend the Knights of Arrethtrae.

Also by Chuck Black is the Kingdom series that is an allegorical retelling of the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation that makes you want to reread the Bible yourself! Absolutely WONDERFUL! (Only one thing though....the fall of Adam and Eve is an apple according to this story...)

A Tale of Two Horses (Author Unknown)

Just up the road from my home is a field, with two horses in it.

From a distance, each horse looks like any other horse.

But if you stop your car, or are walking by, you will notice something quite amazing....

Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind.

His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a good home for him.

This alone is amazing.

If you stand nearby and listen, you will hear the sound of a bell.

Looking around for the source of the sound, you will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field.

Attached to the horse's halter is a small bell.

It lets the blind friend know where the other horse is, so he can follow.

As you stand and watch these two friends,

You'll see that the horse with the bell is always checking on the blind horse,

And that the blind horse will listen for the bell and then slowly walk

To where the other horse is,

Trusting that he will not be led astray.

When the horse with the bell returns

To the shelter of the barn each evening,

It stops occasionally and looks back,

Making sure that the blind friend isn't too far behind to hear the bell.

Like the owners of these two horses,

God does not throw us away just because we are not perfect

Or because we have problems or challenges.

He watches over us and even brings others into our lives

To help us when we are in need..

Sometimes we are the blind horse

Being guided by the little ringing bell of those who God places in our lives.

Other times we are the guide horse, helping others to find their way....

Good friends are like that..

You may not always see them, but you know they are always there..

And remember...

Be kinder than necessary-

Everyone you meet is fighting

Some kind of battle.

Live simply,

Love generously,

Care deeply,

Speak kindly.......

And leave the rest to God!

FOR WE WALK BY FAITH AND NOT BY SIGHT!

Recipe of the Year: Preserved Children

Take 1 large field, half a dozen children, 2 or 3 small dogs, a pinch of brook and some pebbles. Mix the children and dogs well together. Put them on the field, stirring constantly. Pour the brook over the pebbles. Sprinkle the field with flowers. Spread over all, a deep blue sky and bake in the sun. When brown, set away to cool in the bathtub!

(Author Unknown)

The Conclusion

The rest of my journey, alas, was not recorded in writing but it is equally unforgettable. We helped can peaches, pears, spaghetti sauce, tomato chunks, beets and beet jelly and we froze corn and green beans. We had get togethers with the youth and enjoyed countless moments of real laughter. Our last day with the Mast family and the Erickson family was at the Erickson's home in Michigan. None of us wanted to part and even the sky was gloomy. We prayed together for our safety in travelling and, amidst many tears, we drove away...with a great shout, our traditional BIG, "GOOOODBYYYYYYEE!!!!!!" all the way down the road til they could no longer hear us. Our last stop in Michigan was at the Smolls where we stayed one more night among friends. Then we left and drove through the rain until we got close to Chicago where it finally stopped.

    We arrived in St. Louis after dark and had White Castle burgers for dinner at my Grandpa's house. The next morning we went to the Arch and went in the elevator all the way to the top....630 feet. It was quite a sight to behold! We could see quite a bit from up there! I got pictures but I will have to post them later. After we descended, we explored the museum then watched a documentary on the making of the Arch. We ate lunch at Denny's and returned to my Grandpa's where we played a few songs for him on our instruments. My mom's half brothers, Adam and John, soon came along with John's wife, Deanna, and their little girl, Brooklyn. We all sat around listening to everyone catching up on news and took pictures together before they left.

    My family and I left my Grandpas house in the morning and went to my Great (and literaly!) uncle Johnny's and Great aunt Lillian's house for a bit. From there we went out to eat at Steak 'n' Shake for breakfast with my cousins Michael and David with their children and David's wife, Amy. They're AWESOME! I absolutely loved it! Even though the food was slow in coming and some of us got a little upset about that... It was still nice to see everyone again after SOOOO long!  After breakfast we had to leave :( and we only did some gas station stops and meal stops until we got to Amarillo, Texas where we stayed overnight and then Albuquerque, New Mexico to visit family. Once we left New Mexico it was several hours more and we were home. We were tired and hot but we unpacked the truck and went to bed.

And that is the pith of my story.

Entry 6

September 5, 2011

Yesterday, at church, I discovered that Caleb Collins is left handed! WOW! I rarely find any left handed people like me. I guess we're just that special... hee hee! :)
      After church and communion, Sarah, Lauren, Lois, Katie Ann, Emma and Wayne, Liz and Josh, Hannah, Charity and I went to a Collingsworth concert. I loved the lyrics and violin playing but I didn't like all the drums and their clothes....there was only one song (music and all together) that I liked and that was "That's the Place I'm Longing to Go". It was fun and nice to find out just how silly Wayne and Josh really are. Haha! A fireman had to come jumpstart the car and we all laughed about it. We sang all the way to the Mast's. I enjoyed my evening thoroughly and I didn't want it to end but, alas, it did. Emma and Wayne took Lois back with them and we went to bed.

Entry 5

August 31, 2011

We watched half Monday night and the rest last night. I loved it! It was funny and sweet and I loved the acting. Great movie all round! :) I especially like Mr. Knightley...he's honest yet still a gentleman...
   Yesterday Grace, Katie Ann, Loretta and I helped plant over 1,000 ferns at the greenhouse which was fast and fun so it didn't seem like that many. We all needed showers after that though! But we were so busy and having so much fun we didn't mind so much. Brother Adin and his girls are fun to work with!
    Today we made noodles with an awesome tool that I would LOVE to get for us! Emma got this one at a garage sale for only $5! We had some of the noodles in chicken soup and it sure was delicious! :)

Entry 4

August 28, 2011

Last night we went to the Adin Horst's for ice cream and lunch (which was a potluck). I enjoyed it! There's nothing like real ice cream! Mmmm!
      Today, after service, Sarah, Katie Ann and I went to Arby's with a group of people from church and afterwards we went back to the Mast's for dessert. Another group (mostly Horst girls) were there with their children and Seth, Levi and Jacob were all there. Hannah and birthday girl, Charity, (Smoll) were there too. We played several rounds of Speed Scrabble and Apples to Apples. Now everyone's gone and Sarah says we (Sarah, Katie Ann and I) might watch Emma tonight if it's not too late.

Entry 3

August 26, 2011

Today Emma, Katie Ann and I prepared a fancy, large dinner for both our families. We had fresh green beans with bacon, tomato skin rose topped salad, shredded potatoes with cheese, pickled eggs and beets, shredded pork, grilled meat balls with cheese in the center, cheesecake with rhubarb sauce, brown sugar dumplings with whipped cream, braided bread, iced coffee, fresh grape juice and water. We used Katie Ann's fine china and put a white tablecloth on the table. Grace and Loretta served.

Tomorrow we're going to be busy and I want to read a little so...Over and out!

Entry 2

August 24, 2011

Today all of us (except Sarah) went to Amish country after an appointment at the bank. First we went to a huge store called Lehman's. They had some beautiful, old fashioned stoves and fridges which I loved.
   Next we went to Yoder's Bargain where I bought name cards for Grace, Melody and myself that had our name meanings on it. Then we wnet to Mrs. Yoder's Kitchen (a restaurant) and filled ourselves with the delicious buffet. The waitresses and waiters were mostly Amish or Mennonite and it was really nice.
   Then we went to Heini's Cheese Factory, learned how they make their cheese there and sampled their scrumptious cheeses. Mmm!

Fifth stop was Johnny and Ella's (Brother Albert's brother) for a chat. The kids took their turns by twos driving a pony cart while the adults talked. It was relaxing for me and wonderful. I love Ella!
  Our visit soon ended and, after a brief stop by a covered bridge, made our last pause at the old Mast house....it was so overgrown with weeds! I remembered, as I stood there, how it used to look and I could hear the voices of the past laughing and talking cheerfully there. I climbed the steps to the barn loft and stood there in the darkness just listening to the creaking of the wood and wanted very much to cry. As much as I loved it there though I'm glad the Mast's have a new, bigger house closer to church where they can make new memories.

Ohio Trip Aug-Sep Journal Entry 1

August 23, 2011

Well I havn't been writing down events as they happen until now but I plan to do so from now on.

On Tuesday, the 16th, we arrived here in Ohio at the Mast's house after a day and a half of driving wiht a 4 hour stop in Oklahoma. That Thursday a Brother Kidrey Diggs preached and it was quite a good sermon. The next night, Sarah, Katie Ann, Tori and I went to Lauren's house to spend the night. Saturday there was a fish fry next door at the Johnson's house. It was delicious! We spent that night again and went to church together in the morning and Brother Ray spoke on "The Bride Coming". We went to Golden Corral with the Horst's, Smolls and Masts...oh yes, a friend of Levi Mast's came too; Jacob Osborne. Lois and I teasted Katie Ann for a while and then Lois, Katie Ann and I teased Charity Smoll. It sure was fun... hee hee!
    Last night Katie Ann and I read for an hour by candlelight which was interesting. I'm reading The Journals of Lewis and Clark and, surprisingly, am enjoying it. I am also learning a new song on the piano called "Expedition" (from the Kingdom series by Chuck Black). I love it!



Heather and Shawn Martin Wedding

On July 30th, after much preparation...

My friend, Heather Roberts, wed Shawn Martin of Oklahoma in Flagstaff Tabernacle.



Three of the bridesmaids...



It was a very happy occasion and everything ran smoothly. The meal, Italian (my favorite!), was absolutely delicious!!!!!!! I was a candlelighter along with one of Shawn's nephews and I was one of the musicians. It was a fun experience and I'm very glad I was a part of it.

God bless my friend and her new husband and family!

Ohio 2011

Friends, Amish, Mennonite, buggies.....green...these things are what make up Ohio and Michigan for me..... And these are the states I went to on May 24, 2011. It was best trip I have ever taken so far...

Healings, demons cast out, worship, preaching, singing, learning.....these are the things that make up Believer's Youth Camp 2011. June 25-July 2, 2011.

                                                            Brother Samuel from India

Brother Lindsey McGrady of North Carolina

Brother Daniel Gissendaner of Georgia

This year has been the best year ever for camp! We had such a blessing! I pray that all the young people who got a blessing at camp will continue being blessed and continue in the right way forever!

My Dad's Tree Service

Do you live in Northern Arizona and have trees, hedges or grass that needs trimmin or maybe a tree that needs to come out? Did the cow knock yer fence down? Give us a call!


Here's the website link if ye want to see what other services we offer!
Armando's Tree Service

On the Road....

Today, April 15, 2011, I drove to our house from town. I  just got my permit so now I'm trying to practice my driving. ;) My mom looked like she was about to faint for fear. hahaha! But I'm sure she'll be okay after a while.

I am sooo excited...I can't wait to drive again!

Graduation

Kindergarten graduation

8th Grade Graduation

And I'll soon be graduating from High School!!!!!!!!!!! How time flies...

Planning, Preparing and etc....

Whew! This month has flown by with preparations for my graduation, a planning day for an audio drama and for the WWI speech day. Wow! It's so much! Not to mention I'm leaving for Ohio in May!

I wish I had more time to sit and write out all my thoughts on my blog. I'm so bad about it now. Someday maybe. :)



Reenacting World War Two? Need reproduction paperwork? Look here!

While searching for WWI sites for reenacting (I was searching for a uniform for Josiah), I found this awesome site for WWII! It has all the paperwork that you would need if you lived in WWII as a soldier.

http://www.hardscrabblefarm.com/ww2/paper_list.htm

Enjoy!

Youth Meeting February 2011

Though not the first (January was) one, this was a very special youth meeting to my family. The reason being that we had just come back from Phoenix for a wonderful event.

At the Sandra Day O'Connor United States District Court my dad became a United States citizen!

As a celebration, my mom made a wonderful dessert with strawberry red "stripes", blueberries as the blue field...and white frosting to fill it in with all the "stars" and white "stripes". It was quite delicious! mmm! I loved the taste. It wasn't too sweet or too plain. I especially loved the strawberries!

Brother Russell read the certificate aloud so everyone could hear and know that my dad was now a citizen. :)

In addition to the Bible study that we did (Zachary W. was leader this time), we had games and a bonfire. It was rather windy outside so it made it hard to stand without my skirt blowing around. :/ But is sure was fun!

Inside the house there was Dutch Blitz, Catch a Phrase and THE PIANO!!!!!

This poor little one obviously was played out before too long. She fell asleep though there was plenty of laughter and other noise that could have awaken her.

I am so glad that we are able to get together! :) I love all of my friends! 

And I'm also glad that my dad is now Citizen Papa... :)

Do Hard Things Review

When I was 16 I would look at a book like this, sigh and say, "This looks like a boring book. I don't like reading books like this." I wish I had read this book then! It's so good!

Do Hard Things is a book that I highly recommend! It's a book to encourage teenagers to rise above this world's low expectations of us. It's a book that is full of good insight on doing hard things that will help you plan for the future. There's stories of rebelutionaries who are doing and have done hard things and are happy they are and have. I like this book because it's as if you are really talking to the authors and listening to them speak because they use wording that is easy to understand. This book is good for every teenager to read! It's so full of good, wholesome ideas! It also talks about the decay of this world's teens and of the expectations this world has of them. According to the world, teenagers are supposed to goof off and party like crazy but, really, they should be preparing for their future and working to make this world a better place to grow in.

Do Hard Things is an extremely good book and I hope every teenager who reads this post reads it! It will change your whole outlook on life and help you feel like you can do something worthwhile!