The Third Day || Easter '19

Good morning, friends! And a happy Resurrection Day to you all. :D

In participation with an Easter celebration blog event known as The Third Day, I wanted to share a few random Easter-related things with y'all. Just some things I've been mulling over and contemplating. Maybe you can gain something from it as well, and I'd love to chat about these points with y'all in the comments. :)

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 

~ 1 corinthians 1:18 kjv

• Knowing that Judas would betray him—already had even—Jesus still welcomed him to the table in the Upper Room for a meal. He still bowed low and washed the feet that had went to the Pharisees and sold His life. Still placed food in the palm that clutched the thirty pieces of silver. Still offered drink to the lips that agreed to a price of coin in exchange for the King of Kings.

What kind of amazing, unconditional, agape love is that? I know there's no way we could even begin to love like Jesus did, but...but what if we at least tried? What if we strove a little harder? What kind of crazy-radical impact could we have then? I don't know, but I can imagine it would be more than the talk of the town.

• In order to become one of His, one has to take heed to the message of salvation, has to have faith, has to believe in the bloodied cross and the three day burial and glorious resurrection. Because THAT is Christ. That is the message that brings hope and peace and joy.


• Jesus Christ, the One who healed the lame and blind and demon-posessed. Who flipped over tables and chased the money-changers from the house of worship. Who taught the children and mentored His disciples. Who defeated death, hell, and the grave.

You see... It wasn't all for glory, fame, or honor. He did it for you. All of it—He did it for me. And He did it for you.

When Christ is preached with passion and power, no matter the persecution, profession will be made and His presence will come and bring joy. 

~ * ~

The Third Day blog and social media trend was started by Julia from Lit Aflame. Hop on over to her blog for details on the giveaway! Other awesome people sharing today are...

Lit Aflame: The Third Day Official Launch Post // Giveaway, Schedules, and PRAISING GOD 

Lit Aflame: Karis' Testimony // A Guest Post 

Soldier Girl Stories: And It Was Good 

A Need To Breathe: Testimony 

A Passion For Christ: Testimony 

Books, Life, and Christ: Testimony 

Standing Firm In My Faith: Testimony  

thoughts on these? are you enjoying The Third Day series? 

how are you celebrating the Savior's death, burial, and resurrection? 

Reading Jar Challenge // Wanna Join?!

Good morning, readers! :)

Today I bring to you a reading challenge that I recently came up with. Upon realizing that I have lots of books that I have not even read (and I'm constantly buying more... O.O), I decided that I need to remedy that.

Thus, the challenge.

And what's a challenge without friends to keep me accountable? ;) If you'd like to take part in the reading challenge, you can do so for any reason. It's not hard – just read books!

In my case, the purpose of the challenge is to encourage myself to read all the books I own but have not read. (Yes, there are literal tons of them.) Then, I'll reward myself with a money system. Once I finish a book, I'll put money in the jar (pictured above) according to how much the book is worth. Then I'll only use money from the jar to buy more books!

Here's what I'm planning to do...

Owned book -- $2

Library book -- $1

All review books (physical copy and e-copies) -- $2

Ebook -- $1

If y'all want to join, you can decide what type of reward would work best for you. Maybe you want to use candy or free time. Maybe you want to finish multiple books before sticking something 'in the jar'. Or maybe you want to follow the system I set for myself. It's totally up to you! :D 

Y'all wanna join? Post the graphic on your blog (if you have one, and then only if you want xD), and read, read, READ! :D I'll be adding updates to how this is going in my monthly recaps this year as well as on the new '2018 Reads'.

Have a blessed day, all! :)
~Faith

Christmas, a Laptop, and a Blog Party // December Recap

Y'all...2017 is coming to an end. And I'm kinda excited for next year and I kinda don't want this year to end. But I'll save all that for my next post and just get on with this one. xD

\\ Life. \\ 

>> The bro and I took pictures of each other with the creepy lil' Santa to celebrate December.

>> I slept in. A lot.

Me: *wakes up* Oh great, it's probably something insane like 9 o'clock.

Me: *sits up* *sees clock* 9:04?! Darn it!

But, ya know, maybe I needed the sleep because I sent this to a certain person the night before... 

>> There was sparks flying out our chimney one night. No big deal, right? Yeah, that's what I thought...until Dad sent Tucker for the water hose. (Spoiler: We all survived.) 

>> I fell down the stairs to the basement and was sore for a week. I'm not even kidding. 

>> I was crowned the Queen of Christmas. 

>> I decorated my bookshelves with Christmas lights. Allllll the heart eyes. <33

>> I discussed Christmas contemporary music with Dad. 

*Drummer Boy by fK&C comes on*

D: I'm not sure about this group just yet

Me...I like that song.  

>> We got like 13-14 inches of snow. And had apparently been indoors too long by Sunday afternoon. 

Dad: How much tree has our water drunk?

Mom: *replies without even catching it*

Dad:....I think I said that wrong.

Me: *chokes on coffee*

>> I acted like an immature little human over a cup of bad coke. 

In the car on the way home from Wednesday night church....
Tucker: I'd kill for something to drink right now.
Me: *looks down at cup holder* oooh, I have coke from Chick-Fil-A! *grabs it*
Tucker: *glares at me*
Me: *smirks* would you share with me?
Tucker: *doesnt even bother answering*
Me: *drinks coke and eyes him* see, I have this sudden, really bad cold. *coughs harshly*
Tucker: I'll drink without the straw.
Me: *pulls up lid and coughs into cup*
Tucker: I'll drink from the other side.
Me: *pulls lid all the way off and continues fake-coughing* I'll even lick it. *licks the rim*
Mom: *rolling her eyes at her supposedly-almost-adult-daughter*
Tucker: I'll drink from the other end of the straw.
Me: *pulls straw out and licks the other end*
Tucker: ....I'd still drink it.
Me: *takes another sip* it's actually watered down from the ice and not very good.

End of matter? No one drank the rest of it. 

>> Christmas happened! Which meant lots of epicness including a Christmas play at church, a blog party (more on that in a sec), and a laptop from my parents. O.O Yeah, they're kind of awesome. 

>> Another moment of craziness... 

Mom: Where's *youth leader* tonight? 

Tucker: He has an absent tooth.

Me: Abscessed. 

Tucker: That too.

\\ Books. \\ 

So...I kinda read a ton of books this month except they were mostly more like short-stories, but I'm still counting them because I can. #logic

When I Fall in Love by Melissa Storm -- 2 stars 

The Art of Thankfulness by R.A. Rooney -- 4 stars 

Christmas by the Sea by Beth Wiseman -- 5 stars -- Review HERE.

The Christmas Star by Ace Collins -- 5 stars -- Review HERE.

The Christmas Candle by Richard Paul Evans -- 3 stars 

As in Olden Days by Jesseca Wheaton -- 5 stars -- Review HERE.

The Proposal by Becky Wade -- 5 stars -- Review HERE.

Ephesians -- 5 stars 

Christmas Smiles by Rebekah Morris -- 4 stars -- Review HERE.
The Purpose of Christmas by Rick Warren -- 5 stars -- Review HERE.
Red Boots by Kate Willis -- 5 stars -- Review HERE.
Titus -- 5 stars 
Esther Ashton's New Dress by Kelly Roth -- 5 stars -- Review HERE.
Haywire Christmas by Jenni Hunt -- 4 stars 
Mistletoe Mistake by Lynette Sowell -- 3.5 stars 
The 12 Cats of Christmas by Perry Elizabeth Kirkpatrick -- 3.5 stars 
Christmas Eve at the Backdoor by Rebekah A. Morris -- 5 stars -- Review HERE.
Dashing Through the Snow by Debbie Macomber -- 3.5 stars 
Shooting at the Stars by John Hendrix -- 4 stars 

Sooo...I got some books for Christmas, and I bought some books myself. (And only one was from a Black Friday sale. Mwahaha, look at me being all smart and responsible.)

\\ Writing. \\ 

I wrote a little over 3,000 words this month...which sounds super lame, but then I remember that I wrote like 28+ blog posts....I don't feel so bad. xD

I also started a new story/book, a sort of sequel to "A Soldier's Freedom", which is fun and sweet and adorable and YAS. ^-^

\\ Music & Movies. \\ 

I watched lots of Christmas-y ness! And some not. xD

Love's Christmas Journey 

Silent Night 

Waltons Christmas (S5)

Sweet Nothing in My Ear

Signed, Sealed, Delivered (Lost Without You, Higher Ground, and Home Again)

Dashing Though the Snow

WCTH Christmas: The Wishing Tree

Christmas in Canaan & Christmas Comes Home to Canaan

It's a Wonderful Life

\\ Blogging. \\ 

>> The 12 Days of Christmas blog party happened! It was sooo much fun. :D Find all the goodness here. 

~ Favorite Posts of the Month ~

*Not including 12DoC posts*

Living for the Other Side // You Can't Be Everyone's Favorite Sauce

Novels, Dragons, and Wardrobe Doors // Her Son, Her Savior & The Faith of the Carpenter

More Precious Than Gold // Seasons of Life: Winter

Ivie Writes // For When You Feel Run Down

Apples of Gold // I came. I saw. I judged.

\\ Goals. \\ 

~ December Goals 

>> Read 12 books.      Nailed it xD

>> Edit through chapter 25 of War Tears.      *dramatic coughing* Erm, no. I didn't even touch that messy ol' book this month.

>> Finish writing the second Christmas story, edit the first.     I edited the one (and let y'all read it!), but I still haven't finished the other.

>> Stay caught up with emails.     Pretty much. ;D

>> Host the 12DoC blog party.       Yup!!

>> Participate in Liv's Little Women Read-Along.       ...no. I'm still only 1/4 through the book, but I still plan to finish.

>> Have a very, Merry Christmas!      Yup! :)


~ January Goals 

>> Read 8 books.

>> Finish editing part one of War Tears, start part two, and send part one to my alphas.

>> Stay caught up with emails.

>> Survive school.

>> Rewrite/edit a short story from last year to, hopefully, publish soon. (By the way, anyone interested in beta-reading that in a few weeks? :P)

>> Write 1-2 short stories for a contest.

>> Finish a beta-reading project.

>> Take a break from blogging. (Yup, that's right. Other than a few posts next week, I'm taking January off from blogging. I'll be back with a recap around the end of the month. ;))

>> Host a bookstagram challenge! (This is gonna be a lot of fun, y'all. :D Also, for anyone who doesn't have Instagram, I'm going to be adding my pictures to a page on this blog sporadically. ;))

How was y'all's Christmas season/December? :D Any thoughts on what I should add to/take away from these monthly wrap-ups in the new year? 

~Faith

Beautiful People ~ September

Hey everyone!! And welcome to the September 2016 edition of Beautiful People! :D 

First off, if I have been missing from any of you lovely people's comment box, please try to find it in your heart to forgive me. 11th grade is crashing in on me (literally. I'm like buried in a stack of nonsense. I don't even care what kind of fungi is mushrooms...) and blogging has taken a backseat. Actually, come to think of it, blogging is no longer even there (luggage rack, perhaps?). It's like front-seat: God, family, church, friends, school. Backseat: writing, reading, beta-ing (totally a word). Luggage wrack: blogging. 

*laughs at self* That didn't even make sense. XD 

SOOOOOO. *regains composure* For today's Beautiful People I'm going to do this with a character I've never before revealed on this blog. (Okay, that was a half truth. He's mentioned HERE in the one about character description.) 

Introducing... Joshua Trueheart, the amazing character from War Tears! 

So, um, yeah. In the picture the guy is obviously in the RAF. Joshua is not (he's in the US Army Air Force) buuuut. I really like the picture. :) 

>> How did you come up with this character?

*snickers* Oh, this question made me laugh. Have you ever had one of those characters that literally just created themselves? Like, you didn't want them, wasn't looking for another minor character, and then there they were? And they're just standing there smirking at you and say "– 

Hello everyone! Joshua breaking in here. Faith is getting about half of this wrong. (It's not her fault that she isn't all that smart. Bless her heart. <3) First off, I do NOT smirk and secondly I am NOT a minor character. Minor characters are like those people who barely get there name in there. I, on the other hand, am vital to the plot. 

*sigh* If you're going to talk at least tell how I came up with you. (I honestly regret it sometimes...) 

Okay... (We'll let that last remark slid for the sake of time. Don't think I didn't see.) So, Faith had had me in the story since the beginning, but I was one of those side characters (that's name barely got mentioned, ya know). And I got shot. That was it. The absolutely only part I had!! *bonks Faith on the head with a heavy book cuz she has plenty of heavy books lying around and she deserves a bonking* ..... Hey, you're right; talking 'in stars' is fun. 

I'm always right. B-) Now proceed with your explanation...filled with inaccuracies... 

*rolls eyes* But then. One dark, dark night as Faith was doing whatever it is girls do (I'm kidding. She was writing.) I came about. I just walked in, nice and casual-like, leaned against the wall, offered her my story, crossed my arms,...and waited. And that was all it took. She loved my story from the beginning. And here we are, like a year later, and she still hasn't finished this book. But I'll try to be patient and gentlemanly. *winks* 

Well, despite all the jokes poked at my lack of brainpower and obsession with big books,...he's pretty much got it. ;) 

>> Have they ever been starving? Why? And what did they eat to break the fast? 

Break the fast? Ha! Talk about corny dialogue. 

It's not dialogue. It's perfectly logical question. 

It's not dialogue? You JUST said it, aloud and under your breath. It's dialogue. 

Just answer the question. Have you ever been starving? 

No. 

Have you ever thought you were going to starve? 

Well it did cross my mind a couple times when ——————————————— *censored for spoilers*. 

Sorry you can tell about that. :P 

But SHE knows...

But SHE isn't the only one capable of reading this... B-)

Oh. Right. 

>> Do they have a talent or skill that they’re proud of?

Well, personally, I don't think pride is a good thing. I am a wiz at math though if I do say so myself...and if that's considered a talent. *wink* 

You can do my math then. Shh, Mom will never know. XD 

>> List 3 things that would make them lose their temper.

1) People that goof-off during serious situations, especially when their foolish actions can put others in danger. I've seen this some overseas. Some guys just don't think about what effect their foolhardiness can have on other guys in the squadron. 

2) Men that don't treat their wives/girlfriends/mothers/sisters with the upmost respect, honor, and love. 

3) Somone who beats an animal. People, this is Biblical. I don't know the exact reference, but I could find it. *wink*

>> What is their favourite type of weather? Least favorite?

Summer is my favorite, with sunshine AND swell thunderstorms. Least favorite would be rain...unless it's a thunderstorm, obviously. 

>> What is their Hogwarts house and/or MBTI personality? 

I have no idea what 'Hogwarts house' even means... But Joshua's personality type is ESFJ...nearlythe  opposite of me. ;) Here's a pretty good description. 

Wait, my what? 

Your personality. Pretty sure this wasn't a thing in the '40's...sorry. XD

>> Are they more likely to worry about present problems, or freak out about the unknown future?

Neither. ;P Joshua is a really laidback guy. But if we have to pick one... 

...then it would be worrying about present problems. But, Faith's right (rare occurrence), I don't worry much. 

>> What is their favourite thing to drink?

Ahhh. This one is great. Lemonade! You wasn't expecting that, huh? Haven't had any in months (haven't you heard, there's a war on?!) so coffee has become my favorite. (We'll just blame that one on David. Because Faith seems to think he's perfect.) 

I do not think that.  

*chuckles* 

>> What is their favourite color? Least favorite?

Favorite color? Anything but this drab and olive-y stuff the Army has got us in. I look so much better in blue. 

*snickers* I wouldn't say that. You and David look nice in dress uniform. 

*rolls eyes* 

>> What is a book that changed their life?

The Bible. The answer is simple. :) 

Alrighty, hope y'all enjoyed that rather-lengthy chat with Joshua. :D   Also! Before I (we!) sign off, I want to pass along an invitation to you all. :D 

This starts Monday!! :D So looking forward to it! 

~~~ 

I know, I know... You want got Imagine This entries? They're coming Sunday... Or Monday... Promise. :) 

Blessings, 

~ Faith 

~Joshua Trueheart, swellest character ever 

Swellest? *eyeroll* 

Beautiful People ~ August

*drifts in lazily* 

People. I have an problem. An issue. Something making me utterly melodramatic because I DONT LIKE IT. What is it? 

It's August 30th. ... ... ... Like, what even? Where did August gooooooo? 

I don't know. *shrugs* It seems impossible, but it is in fact reality so I shall try to keep a stiff upper lip and be adult about it. *nodnod* 

Anywho (as you, smart person, may have guessed by the title...) that wasn't the purpose of this post. If it was I should change the blog name to "Rants by Firefly"...or something. XP Actually, all of that came about because I realized Thursday is September and I haven't yet posted this month's Beautiful People thing-y!! Eek! 

Okay, the main reason this is slightly late is because I couldn't decide what character to do...but after much consideration I've opted for...

Shay Williams!! 

Some of y'all may remember Shay from the short-story I shared back around Valentine's Day, Love Needs No Words? (Part one can be found here. Links to the other parts are under the Stories tab.) Yup, that's her. ;) 

Let's do this thing. XD

Give a brief overview of their looks. (Include a photo if you want!) 

Shay is a 21 year-old college student. She has blonde hair, green eyes, and ready smile. :) 

Share a snippet that involves description of their appearance. 

Um...okay, apparently there's hardly any mention of appearance in that there story...? Soooo, these aren't very good, but here they are. XD 

  Daniel quietly admired the serene look on her face as she gazed across the water. He took in every detail of her eyes and the slight upturn of her nose. 

  Tears hid in the corners of her exquisite green eyes. 

See what I mean? ;)

What is the first thing people might notice about them?

Her smile, bright and cheery. And her personality, she's outgoing and bubbly, always eager to make new friends. :) 

What are their unique features? (Ex: freckles, big ears, birthmark, scars, etc.)

A smatter of freckles across her nose and a birthmark behind/below her ear. 

How tall are they? What is their build (Ex: stocky, slender, petite, etc.)

Shay's about 5 foot & 3-4 inches and, yeah, definitely petite. :P

What is their posture like? How do they usually carry themselves?

With confidence. That's about the best way I can describe her. ;) 

Your character has been seen on a “lazy day” (free from usual routine/expectations): what are they wearing and how do they look?

Probably workout pants and a t-shirt, add a hoodie for cooler weather. Her hair would be down loose or in a sloppy excuse for a messy bun (she, like myself, can never get that one quite right). 

Do they wear glasses, accessories, or jewelry on a regular basis? Do they have any article of clothing or accessory that could be considered their trademark?

No glasses, but maybe some minimal jewelry. Cute necklace or a charm bracelet. Maybe an engagement ring... ;) Trademark? Flip-flops! 

Have they ever been bullied or shamed because of their looks? Explain!

Nope. Not that I've been told of... ;)

Are they happy with how they look? If they could change anything about their appearance, what would it be?

Yes, I would say so. Shay knows she is God's special princess, created in His image, just the way He wants her to be. :) 

~*~*~*~ 

Thanks for reading, everyone! I hope you enjoyed. ^_^ There will (hopefully) be several more posts this week as I try to get caught up on some tags and such before school starts Monday. 

Until then, 

~Faith