Amazing Vacation, Fabulous Friends, and a Class of '18 Grad || May Recap

Guess who's back?! :D I've had an amazing vacation, an inspiring hiatus, and I'm ready to tackle June with gusto! Who else is thrilled that its summertime? ;D

|| Life. ||

>> The bro and I compared actors in a movie (Love's Unending Legacy, for anyone who cares to know) with country singers. It was decided that the guys look like Blake Shelton and Chris Young, which is still debatable.


>> I WENT ON A TRIP. Three glorious weeks of road-trippin' and beautiful sights and inside jokes (cereal, anyone?) and meeting online friends for the first time. <3 Here's a few pictures to 'tide y'all over' until I can write up a real posts with allll the goodness. ^_^

>> I met my Rebe! <3 Rebekah and I have been friends for about 2 1/2 years, and we got to meet in person for the first time. My family met up with her family for ice cream and fries on evening, and then us gals hung out for awhile the next morning. It was such a joy! <3

>> I hung out with my Kansas besties! <3 Jess, Kaitlyn, and I have been dear friends for about 2 years. A little over a week ago, for the first time ever, we were all together. I can't even explain how amazing that was. <3

>> Alllll the GDPR emails. Need I say more? xD


>> When you and your mom look up a verse on angels and end up in a discussion on spiritual warfare and the occult...


>> I graduated from high school...and I'm still kinda not sure how that happened or what is supposed to happen next, because like WHAT IS THIS?! But yes, I graduated. Super hyped over that and the grand, glorious future stretched out ahead. New season of life and such. <3


>> My fabulous mom took my senior photos!

>> I listened to sooo much country music. Scotty McCreery's Seasons Change and Carrie Underwood's So Small basically sum up my life right now. ;)

|| Books. || 

May was a fabulous month for reading. I think all those hours in the vehicle paid off. ;) At some point, I was 20 books ahead of my 120 book schedule (at 67 books), so I upped my goal to 150...and now I'm 10 books ahead again....

// Reads

Quest for Leviathan by Amanda Tero -- 4.5 stars
In Bloom by Kayla Aimee -- 5 stars
The Poet's Dog by Patricia MacLachlan -- 4 stars
Rumplestiltskin by Jenni James -- 4 stars
A Love Like Ours by Becky Wade -- 4.5 stars
Laylie's Daring Quest by Kersten Hamilton -- 5 stars
Letters from Home by Gracelyn Buckner -- 3.5 stars
Shining Grace by Kristen M. Fraser -- 2.5 stars
Hidden Love by Cara Putman -- 4 stars
Jewel by Michelle Rayburn -- 4 stars
Angels Walking by Karen Kingsbury -- 5 stars
The Vintage Wren: Week 4 by Chautona Havig -- 5 stars
The Vintage Wren: Week 5 by Chautona Havig -- 5 stars
The Vintage Wren: Week 6 by Chautona Havig -- 4.5 stars
Even the Beasts by Rebekah A. Morris -- 3 stars
Dagger's Sleep by Tricia Mingerink -- 4 stars -- Review here
The Bridge by Karen Kingsbury -- 5 stars
His Mighty Acts by Rebekah A. Morris -- 4 stars
Honor All Men by Rebekah A. Morris -- 5 stars
The Rebellion by Livy Jarmusch -- 5 stars -- Review here

I also read the books of 2 Samuel, Galatians, and Jonah.

// Books 

Violet's Hidden Doubts & Praying for your Future Husband -- gift from a friend
Andi Far from Home & Andi Dreams of Gold -- bought
The Rebellion -- bought to fangirl over the cover
The Road Home & Falling for You -- review books

|| Writing. || 

Writing was pretty nonexistent for the majority of the month. During the first week, I reworked my outline for A Soldier's Freedom and made a list of scenes to add. (I have a thing for long books, apparently.)

While we were gone, I didn't write—just soaked up inspiration. Then, on the 24th, Go Teen Writer's 100-for-100 challenge began, so obviously I had to take part! I've only written like two-thousand words so far, but I'm hoping to up that greatly in June. :D

|| Blogging. || 

// Favorite Posts

The Write Conversation ~ 26 Blogging Tips

Reveries ~ When Your Writing Just Isn't Enough

Hands Made to Love ~ This Thing We Call Disability, pt.1 & pt.2

Twilight to Dawn ~ We Hold on Too Long

Go Teen Writers ~ How to Write Every Day and Why You Should

Whimsical Writings for His Glory ~ Memorial Day 2018

One Name ~ It's Because of You

|| Goals. || 

// May Goals 

>> Take a break.

>> Travel across the continent.

>> Read for pleasure.

>> Write if I feel like it.

// June Goals 

>> Read 10 books.

>> Write 5,000 words.

>> Work on new scenes for A Soldier's Freedom.

>> Post my short story from April on here.

>> Share about the trip with y'all.

>> Go on a missions trip. (In state. Meaning I'll be on a bus with crazy teens for a five hours, instead of on a plane for 12+. xD)

>> Celebrate my 3rd blogging anniversary and the 1st anniversary of my precious debut novella.

How was your May? Who else is done with school and ready to rock this summer? TELL ME ALL THE STUFF, PEEPS. <3

Later,
~Faith

Calling All Wanna-Be ASL Learners! {Classes for Homeschoolers}

Greetings, readers! I'm dropping in for just a moment to let y'all know about an amazing opportunity—geared toward homeschoolers! 

As some of you already know, I'm studying American Sign Language as a high school elective. This is my second year, and I'm planning to take a third this fall. (Who knows—maybe I'll end up an interpreter or ASL teacher myself. ;))

I have greatly enjoyed the experience, and I have to say that a lot of the credit for that goes to the amazing teacher I've been blessed with. He's fun in the classroom, making the online class sessions entertaining and interactive.

If you're considering studying ASL, I would wholeheartedly recommend looking into Mr. Dally's classes. With ASLYouCanDo, he offers live classes in ASL 1, ASL 2, and ASL 3. He also offers JumpStart tutoring sessions and conversational classes. There's so many options!

You find all the information by clicking on the image below. :)

Is your student a visual learner? Struggles with spoken foreign language? Looking for a sign language class? A satisfied parent says this about learning ASL with Mr. Dally:

"Mr. Dally's ASL classes are superb! My child learned so much during her ASL 1 class--vocabulary, grammar, conversational ASL, deaf culture, and much more. She especially enjoyed the breakout sessions with other students that enabled her to practice her signing while also learning about her fellow peers. My daughter's interest in ASL grew throughout the year and she can't wait for ASL 2 with Mr. Dally next year."

Have any of y'all studied sign language? 

~Faith

The Back to School Tag.

Happy Wednesday, readers! (My vow to think of a more original intro line didn't exactly stick...) Today I bring to you a tag from the dear Angela at The Peculiar Messenger! 

Rules... 

> Thank the person who tagged you.

Thanks, Angela!! 

> Answer the questions.

I shall. 

> Post new questions.

Ehh...I'll probably cheat on that one. 

> Tag as many (or as few) people as you want. (Try to make sure they’re still doing school!)

Wear something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue.

Yup, okay. 

> Don’t die. 

Heh, no promises. Humans have a 100% mortality rate, ya know. 

Questions... 

1. What grade are you in, and how old are you?

I'm 17, and I'm a senior this year. :)

2. Are you homeschooled, private schooled, or public schooled? Do you enjoy your type of schooling?

Homeschooled – and I love it! 

3. What is your favorite subject?

This year or just in general? I really like ASL, but of the ordinary subjects, I guess history is my favorite. ;) 

4. What is your least favorite subject?

MATH. SCIENCE. GRAMMAR. *cough* Yeah, all of that. 

5. One thing you learned in school when you were younger that is still in your head?

Umm...multipulication tables? XD I mean, shouldn't a lot of stuff still be in my head? XD 

6. Do you study hard or wing it, most often?

...wing it? That sounds really bad, but I usually don't study hard unless I have an upcoming test or something. :P

7. Your way to study is…?

Read the material. That is all. 

8. What is one subject you want to work really hard on this year, to better yourself?

Probably my recordkeeping/business math course. Ya know, the kind of math you actually need in life. ;) 

9. Any extracurricular activities this year? What are they?

Yup, ASL 2 and ceramics. ;) 

10. What is one thing you look forward to this particular year of school? What does this year mean for you?

Looking forward to – ASL 2. What does it mean – I'm months away from being a graduate...provided I don't flunk out of anything. *coughcough*

11. What is one thing that school introduced you to, that made you look farther into, that you still really enjoy?

Well...I could say writing, but school wasn't really what got me into writing. ;) Maybe reading? 

12. If you could take a dream field trip, where would you go and what would you do?

OOHH!! I would go to all the WWII museum-y things on the continent. Maybe on the whole globe. And I'd take special people with me. *nods solemnly* 

13. Are you excited for school? If so, why? If not, why?

Yup...because it's my last year... :D :D 

BONUS, USELESS QUESTION: Can you recite the alphabet backwards aloud? (Honestly, who can?)

Um, well, let's see... *tries* Apparently I actually can? Besides a delayed pause between P and O. xD 

Alrighty! I tag... 

Lydia @ Lydia Therese

Faith @ The Writer's Song

Jonathan @ The Second Brother

Questions... 

1. What grade are you in, and how old are you?

2. Are you homeschooled, private schooled, or public schooled? Do you enjoy your type of schooling?

3. What is your favorite subject?

4. What is your least favorite subject?

5. One thing you learned in school when you were younger that is still in your head?

6. Do you study hard or wing it, most often?

7. Your way to study is…?

8. What is one subject you want to work really hard on this year, to better yourself?

9. Any extracurricular activities this year? What are they?

10. What is one thing you look forward to this particular year of school? What does this year mean for you?

11. What is one thing that school introduced you to, that made you look farther into, that you still really enjoy?

12. If you could take a dream field trip, where would you go and what would you do?

13. Are you excited for school? If so, why? If not, why?

BONUS, USELESS QUESTION: Can you recite the alphabet backwards aloud? (Honestly, who can?)

This was a kind short post, but I don't have a lot of free time for SBF this week. (Yes, my blogs have nicknames.) Anywho! The Five Fall Favorites party starts Monday morning. Are you ready? :D 

~Faith 

What's Been Going on in My Life Lately...

This is just a bunch of random pictures of what I've been doing lately... :)

                        

                               Schooooool! 

                         

                              Putting glasses on my brother's dog. 

                         

                              Falling in love... :)

                                       

                                           Daydreaming

                                      

                                          Making cookies!! 

                          

                            Pretty Autumn colors! 

                         

                           Eating blueberry-cheesecake on a plate that I made! ;D

                                      

                             Picking up the dinner set I made over the summer. 

                         

                 Spinach and Artichoke dip is TO DIE FOR!!!! I think I'll have some right now...*scampers off to the kitchen* ... Okay, I'm back. :) 

                         

                                Sewing problems...

                         

                              I'm pretty sure it's not supposed to look like that... :-3

So, yeah. That's what's been happening 'round here this past week or two. ;) The What I Saw will be posted tomorrow. Until then! :)

Thanks for reading! 

~Faith 

All photos are mine except for the 3rd and 4th. Those were borrowed from Pinterest. :)

So...exactly when did creation take place?

 As I sit here, I realize it's been several days since I've posted and I need to post something. :) So I scrolled through my documents and found a paper I had to write for history last year. And that's what you're going to get today. ;) 

The next part of "Being Little Sister" is near completion and I feel motivated to get this story finished and posted so we can move on to something else! :-) I hope to have that part up this weekend...*looks at calendar* Thursday already?! :-O Anyway...

******

  "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." (Genesis 1:1 KJV)

  There has been great controversy over just when creation took place. The above reference from Genesis states two things: 

1. The earth was created by God and did not happen or "evolve" by chance.

2. It happened in the beginning, in the beginning of time. 

  Many people have guessed and made estimations, calculations, or suggestions about when the earth was created. People from China, Babylon, Axum, Persia, Egypt, and India thought 6204-5369 BC. Alphonso X, a spainiard, calculated as long ago as 6984 BC. Johannes Kepler, an astronomer, said 3993. Archbishop James Ussher, in his study of world history, published between 1650 and 1654, suggested 4004 BC. The traditional Jewish date for creation is 3761 BC. Bede estimated 5199 BC. Martin Luther figured 3961 BC. And Josephus determined 5481 and 5402 BC. The Human Register from Rod and Staff publishers says 3960 BC, only a year off from Martin Luther's calculations. 

 

  The Big Bang theory and evolution suggest the world slowly progressed to where it is today over a time period of millions, or perhaps even billions of years. 

  Uniformitarianism is the assumpition that things (such as minerals) have always progressed at approximately the same rate. Therefore they claim stuff such as the Grand Canyon in Arizona would have taken a long time to reach the form it has today. 

 However, the above theories do not follow God's Holy Word, the Bible. By adding up all the years in the Bible we can get in the ballpark of how long it has been since God created the earth. It has been around 6,000 years (not the millions or even billions that evolutionist and athesist conclude.)

*******

What do y'all think? It's far from my best work, I know. ;)

Thanks for reading! Hope you're having a blessed day! 

-Faith