So, if any of y'all had any technical difficulties finding my page, I apologize, cause I thought I would change the title of my web address since I'm not 14 any more. So the web address is back to normal, and will stay that way and will not change again. Please let me know in the comments if anyone had difficulty finding my blog, and if so, I apologize again!!!

hey y'all,
sorry I haven't been able to do that video post I promised you, but I will get around to doing it as soon as I can. So, recap of this past holiday weekend: friends, family, turkey, fun, laughter, turkey, lots of games, and did I mention turkey??? And right now, turkey has pretty much played itself out on my digestive system. But other than that, thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays because we not only celebrate the importance of family and friends, but we also celebrate the fact that we get to have free practice of religion. And that's saying something, because long ago, christians were forbidden to even meet for bible studies because if they were caught, the outcome would be death. Things might come to that same situation here in America, but as for now, we have a right to be thankful for what God has given us and is going to give. But the number one thing I am thankful for is you guys for reading my blogs and continuing to follow it!!!! Thank you guys soooo much! Comment below and let me know how your thanksgiving went! Thanks again, and God bless!!!

I would like to write about the controversy surrounding the Hunger Games films and novels. Some people say that the books and movies glorify the shedding of blood and kids killing each other. I beg to differ; in fact, Suzanne Collins wrote them to illustrate a society that had become corrupt and wasn't looking for its people's best interest; in fact, they ended up misusing it by wrenching their children away from them to die in arenas while making their parents watch. It also talks about someone who takes a stand by not playing by the rules, and creating her own, which in the process, brings down a government built on fear and oppression. It's funny, though, all of a sudden, people have an issue with the HG books, but they forget to look at the questionable content in other books, and some of the new movies that have been quite popular lately, to name a few. It's like this: someone sees a picture, but only sees what's on the surface, but doesn't see what the artist was really trying to put into the painting and what he/she was trying to say through it, and what the meaning of the picture really is about.

I know the entire concept of modern gladiators fighting to the death is a gruesome subject, and it is. But the author might be writing about gladiator games involving teens for a reason. What they have been written for is to say that we as a nation, if we allow ourselves to be corrupted and power-hungry, we might end up where Panem did, sadly. And throughout history, we have had the hunger games happen over and over again, in fact: WWI, WWII, Vietnam, all other wars. And all that were involved ended up with the same results as Katniss: Though the soldiers that fought were the victors, they were never the same again, due to PTSD, and felt like their hands would be forever stained red. And what's funny is that a idea like the hunger games has been linked back through the years, and centuries even, so this is not entirely a new concept. The author even got inspiration just by flicking through channels on her tv, seeing the destruction, destitution, and the hurt that events like war can cause. I guess what I am trying to say is that sometimes we as a sinful people can look at something, but only see the title, or the picture, and think one thing about it, when actually it was saying something entirely different. I'm not trying to shun anyone or disrespect them, but all I'm saying is that we should look at the entire picture and what exactly it's trying to say before we give a conclusion to what we think it's saying. The entire story of the hunger games, it's basically replaying what happened in real life, about a guy named Spartacus: He was forced into the gladiator games, and decided to do something about it by breaking out of the system and leading a revolution, all the while playing by his own rules. While Katniss was hard to get rid of by the Capitol, so was Spartacus and his rebels by the Roman government. It's not all that different, really, from real history. Both stories are the same in what they are trying to say: Let's not go down the same path that Rome and Greece did. Those are just my thoughts though, and feel free to comment!

Writers block. That's what my problem is. But I can tell you what's been going on recently: We went to durango (another checkmark off my list of things to do!) and dropped my older sister off with my aunt who lives there, and then came back home at around midnight (ugh!) And we've just been recovering ever since. Monday we saw friends for a class, and came home again, and so things have been pretty quiet. As I said, I have massive writer's block, so I don't think I have any philosophical thoughts for you guys, but I will soon, though. Basically, I have been looking forward to teen things: seeing movies, traveling, and doing other things like being able to check everything off on my to-do list for the fall. Let's see, what else? Reading, biking to town, and creating an account and a couple of playlists on Spotify, which has been pretty cool (except when it comes to music choice duels with siblings).

You know one thing I can't understand??? Ever since the Hunger Games movies have come out, people have been doing HG-themed parties, and I heard that they are in the process of creating a theme park!!! I thought that the book's main idea was to dissuade the future generation from creating that society where entertainment is kids killing each other. But people, teens nowadays, think that the entire concept is, I hate to say it, fun. Personally I think that the entire concept of a theme park is terrifying, particularly one where kids are pitted against each other. And if we go any farther, we might end up where ancient Rome went with their entertainment. Some of you guys might be major HG fans, and might get offended, But sometimes, I think that we as a society can take a trend too far when it's considered "cool". But those are just my thoughts on the matter. feel free to comment, and tell me what you want the next post to be about!!!

hey all,
just wanted to write and say that I'm sorry for that impulsive post. I just wanted to see things change for my sister, and I went too far. I should've asked permission about writing the post, and I should have gotten info about what really happened. I apologize to anybody i know personally who might've read that post. Again, I didn't mean to offend any of you, I guess I was trying to resolving something in my own strength when I should've prayed and asked God to guide me in all of this. I apologize again, I'm sorry if I might've hurt your feelings.

Just A few minutes ago, I went over the number of views I was getting for my blog, and I was astounded to discover that my blog views had gone to 8-9 the day before, and 92 yesterday, to 128 today!!!! I would like to thank you guys those in the US and those in Alaska, who have been reading my blog and hopefully coming away with something from it!!!! Again, thank you all so much!!!!

Winter is here!!!! Time to crank out the hot cider, snowboards, skis, and get ready to do some serious stuff with snow!!!! You definitely know it's winter when you start cranking fresh cider from apples you got around the farm here where we live. But with winter, sometimes we can sink into deep melancholy. Like sometimes, you can feel stuck a whole lot.I have been feeling stuck at home because my older sister has been traveling and I have had to stay and take over for her. She will be traveling again pretty soon, and I am supposed to take over for her again, be the SS (substitute sister). And there have been times when I would like to strike out on my own, explore, figure out what I am here for, what I am supposed to do for a career, but as of late I have had to stuff that longing in my pocket and just keep waking up every morning to get school and chores done.

 I guess that's how God works. You want to go, He has you stay. It's been hard to find a blessing in it, though. When I've been hurt, or friends have passed, It's been hard to thank Him for it, cause either physical pain or inside, it's just really hard to thank him. When our friend passed recently, It was hard to thank Him for her passing, because she was young when she died, barely 5. And It hurt to not be back home while she was going downhill health wise. As the snow falls on the mountains, and tree leaves turn color, the color of snow might be the color of pureness, but sometimes, it could be a spiritual symbol. It could mean a start of good things in your life, but it could mean a heavy fall of bad things. Or sometimes, your life could be the picture of a gutted tree, completely bereft of leaves. But you know what? There is always spring to wait for and leaves to begin growing again. And you know what? There will soon be an opportunity to go traveling by myself; I just need to wait. And pretty soon, the time will tell, and before you know it, you might be off on your first adventure as well!!!!

Who wants a video post?????? I've been thinking that you guys might not know the girl behind the blog, and so I've been thinking that you guys need a personal tour of what my life looks like every day. In the video, I would tour my home, and the farm a little bit. Who's up for it????? Y'all ready for an adventure?????

Things

sometimes, we might think that our lives are organized, and then, boom! things happen: trying to find a place to live, job situations,friends come over, you name it, and then you think, my life isn't so organized anymore. And it isn't. God didn't create our lives to be perfect, He knew there were going to be some curveballs thrown our way during our lives. You might not expect them, but He does, and He will help you off the ground after you've been winded by the ball coming at you so fast. A problem I have is list making, like what I'd like to do during the summer, fall, and roles I would like to be in  plays. And sometimes, the things on the list don't end up being checked off. There could be one or two things that are checked off, but I put a whole lot of things on that list. So many things to do, sights I want to see. I might try to have my whole life planned out, but then there is the unexpected: God planning things for you. You might think that you're going to live here, He'll put you there, you think you might end up with this guy/gal, but He'll have someone different, someone that's perfect for you. And you might follow along with this plan kicking and screaming, which means that if you don't deal, He'll put you in the time-out chair/corner. I know, cause I've been there personally. But no matter what the situation, no matter what life throws your way, you can't stay on the ground forever, even after the ball's bounced in the dirt a few times and rolled away from you. We all have to get up, shake the dust off, and get ready for another ball coming your way!! Blessings, and thanks for reading my posts!!!

quick recap of life for me recently:

Sukkot in Nebraska

Sukkot on the farm

Kristin returning from Taos

There have been other things, too, but there have been so many I just don't know where to begin and where to stop. This week it is nothing but school and hebrew class tomorrow, and then my mom is going to Oklahoma to help out a cousin who has a twenty-year-old son with cerebral palsy and is having major problems as well. Me? preparing (physically and mentally) for the week ahead, and wanting to get involved in a lot of things. What I would like to do is direct a skit and/or play and get a job, one that requires being away from home, cause sometimes it can get a little crowded.

 That, and since Kristin has come back home, Mom has given her a little leeway from chores which leaves us to do them. she has a chore, but sometimes we have to help her out just because. Today I also discovered how dangerous crushes can be. I had feelings for a boy, and I got kind of vicious today, laying claims on him and calling him "mine". I know, not smart. I thought I had gotten rid of those feelings, but then they just came back to bite me in my rear, you could say. You know how our lives can have "chapters"? We're (me and my family) are on a new chapter and it's called "Adoption". The past few movies we've watched, the books we've read, are all shouting one word: Adding on to a family. I think it's kind of funny, that way.

Other stuff, Just a whole lot of school work: Hebrew, Spanish, and math. A whole lot of it. That, and I've always been wondering what my future will be like. Who will I get married to? Will I have kids? Where will I live with my family? Sometimes I think that I have things figured out, like the guy, the place, and number of kids. But although it might not be my plan, God might have a different guy, different number of kids, different place to live. But right now I am living on faith that things will turn out fine. I would just ask that you pray for me that I don't lose hope in God's plan, no matter how delayed it might be. So write back in the comments and tell me what my viewer's lives are like!!!
Thanks so much for reading and God bless!!!!

"It's time for an adventure."

those were the most beautiful words I had ever heard. This year is the year for an adventure. I even applied for a trip to china. Talk about stepping out of my comfort zone. That is a basic first step for me in adventures. Although this next week we are going to nebraska, adventures for me are ones I would rather take by myself, cause it's been fifteen years and I still haven't figured out who I am and who I wanna be yet. Lately, I have been thinking about people like Mary Poppins, Babar the elephant, and the Webers. Mary and Babar are fictional, but the Webers are not. They are going to argentina for a year or two to figure things out for themselves. My sister Kristin is on an adventure herself. Right now she's in Taos New Mexico and then she's going to be at home for a spell, and then she's college-bound to learn midwifery in Iowa. I know, she's taking some pretty big steps, but I think it's time for me to start making steps as well. Being me, they aren't going to just be "big steps", in my own phrasing, I am going to call it "puddle splashing". I basically have my toes on the edge of one, applying to go to china and all. And one of these days I am going to have to get to durango somehow. And I just recently started going to a girl's bible study and they are talking about going on a trip sometime, which I am all for. And I have even been trying to apply for a job in town, so that is a tiny splash that I am gettting ready to make. If I would give myself a pep talk, it would be these four words: Get out there and do it!!!!!

"All that you know is about to change." That statement is very true; recently we found out that a very good friend of ours passed away, and then another recently suffered the loss of his dad. God is gathering to himself the eldest of our families. It might be hard, I know, but you have to know that the reason why is because he is bringing them home, and he is telling every one of them "Well done, good and faithful servant." My great grandma, Leona Knickerbocker, went home to be with the lord last year. We still miss her a whole lot, but I know that to be with God is alot better than what's going to go down in our nation of America. Be strong and courageous in the Lord!!!!

May

 Some people say that they are pro-choice. Some people say that they are for gay marriage. Enter my life today: I have friends who are for gay marriage, and it's hard to give an opinion, cause they don't want one. To them, their beliefs are law. That's the world today, and christianity is failing today, the very image of an ant being squished by a giant shoe. It's a kind of picture of us (believers) against society, who little by little is promoting the idea of homosexuality. One example is the song "Call Me Maybe". In the music video, a cute brunette is trying to get an extremely cute guy's attention by singing to him, laying all over a car that she attempts to wash in order to get his attention, and he finally ends up writing his phone number on a piece of scrap paper, and then hands it to....... the girl's band guitarist. And the catch: The recievee is a guy, too. It's gone so far to where society has a built-in air bag: The youth. They've gone so far to where the youth are celebrating "diversity": the idea where everybody is different, and we should help them embrace them. It's gone to the point where rainbows have been used to promote the idea, which means that although there are many different colors, it helps to make a beautiful masterpiece. but believe or not, folks, this is the worm in the middle of a perfect apple, which is beginning to eat it's way through, bit by bit. We should celebrate diversity, because originally the idea is the difference of the skin tone and opinion. But that is just me.

april

things that have rocked my world:

1. the boston bombing

2. Jubilee's tumor

3. living on a farm

there are tons of others, but i am getting ahead of myself. I always am. there are times that i need to hand all my stuff to God, even though I don't want to. but there are things that we can't change, especially with what happened yesterday in boston. our prayers (i and my family's) go out to them. tell me something about your life!!!