Taking Full Bloom.

The daffodils are springing up! The sky is bluer than ever and this February weather is unusually warm and incredibly lovely outside. Yesterday, I was able to wear a t-shirt, rolled up jeans, go outside barefoot, and take a golf-cart ride without a

hoodie or being stocked up on blankets :). It feels so good to catch a little bit of this spring air!!

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands--Psalm 19:1

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As for my book reading; any of you that know me should know that I am a very slow reader. I am in the middle of the Narnia series; greatly enjoying them. Yes, I am a bit behind schedule, but I just try to remember that it is still a fresh start and there is a whole unplanned (for now, at least ;) summer ahead of me.

School is piling up, as usual.

I'm wrapping up on drawing Asia. I'll be so relieved when April comes and that Geography test is over with.

I am so happy to announce that today, our church officially moved into its new location! It's the most darling little building in the world. It's a little wooden church with pews (*happiness*) and stained glass windows built around the early 1900's. I am so excited to see what the Lord holds in store for us as we have made this New Beginning. (Unfortunately, Cassidy forgot her camera today, but I promise to post pictures of the building very soon!!)

-Allison Grace.

"You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you." --Nehemiah 9:6

winter.

Just a few happenings of this lovely winter--♥

First, Melody got glasses about a month ago. Shortly after, guess who got them next? Yes, I'm still getting use to them. But I'm not only wearing glasses. I also ordered contacts. Let's just say that's harder to get use to than glasses. ;)

Christmas? Amazing. :) We didn't get any snow this December, but still did alot of different things to celebrate.

A Church party (with a white elephant gift exchange..I ended up with tons of candy :D yes, I
was thrilled), School Party, tons of baking, caroling, countless golf cart rides to and from stores, endless wrapping, and towering cups of hot chocolate. Oh, and reading.

I spent December working on one of the best books ever...Carry on, Mr. Bowditch (And some other books. I'm always reading at least 3 books at a time :). I loved it. so much. There were some parts that just got a little old, but the story is phenomenal. Highly Recommended.

As for New Year's Resolutions, Cassidy and I came up with a fun challenging little plan. We (Cassidy and I) are going to try to read 52 books in 52 weeks. A book a week for all of 2012. We spent last week running up and downstairs, writing down our favorite books that we are aching to read. I'm excited. I hope I succeed. :)

Also, greatly inspired by some new friends, we think it would be neat to choose a few skills to learn this year. Some things I chose are gardening, canning, more sewing, crocheting, and learn how to make an outstanding pizza :)

Well, hopefully that's enough information about life to tie you over until my next post. ;)
-Allison

Evolution::Creation.

"Three times the bible speaks of people acting like "an animal" (Ps. 73:22; Titus 1:23; 2 Peter 2:12). What makes the difference between a human being and an animal? One of these verses says that such people, like animals, "act without thinking." In another version of the Bible, it says that they are "creation of instinct." Animals do not think about the choices they make. They act on instinct or are trained by human beings. Only we human beings can stop and think about the choices we have to make."

--Dr. Laurence O. Richards. Author of : It Couldn't Just Happen.

Reading this gives a clear understanding that we could not have evolved from apes, or any other animal. While animals have incredible abilities, fully and masterfully designed by God, it still shows that animals could not have come from the un-knowledgeable brains they had to masterpiece brains of humans.

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Let's take a look at some of the amazing creatures created by God.

The Penguin is a great example in disproving evolution. Looking at the abilities in this animal, we see how complex and wonderfully made it is. For instance, you all know that if an egg is not kept warm, the baby dies. God created this animal with a skin flap for the male. He huddles over the egg, which is covered by the skin flap, and keeps it warm.

While he does this, the female penguin leaves for a few months, searching for food. What is fascinating is that the female returns precisely at the right time, to feed the baby when it hatches. If it is late, the baby dies. How does it know exactly when to return? Some may call it a mystery. But it's not; it's the indescribable hand of the Creator.

Penguin Fact: Did you know that the penguin, who swims in freezing cold water and dwells on icebergs, is more likely to over-heat than freeze? Incredible!

Of course, there are thousands of more creatures to be discussed like the penguin,

but I'd like to move on to the symbiotic relationship, which may even fascinate you more...

There are many creatures who could not live without another provider. One of the most intriguing of the types are the termites and flagellates.

First of all, let's bring up the subject of wood. (Yes, it's an odd one at first, but you'll see why, later.) Wood includes a sizeable amount of a substance called Cellulose. We humans are unable to digest wood in any form, because of the Cellulose. But, the termites live almost completely on wood. But, Termites cannot digest cellulose either. How can they eat it if they can't digest it? (Here comes the strange, amazing part...)

Inside Termites are small organisms called Flagellates in their intestines. Flagellates are only safe when they are away from oxygen. Left in the open air, they quickly die. But, these Flagellates have the ability to digest wood! So, when the termite finishes his delicious meal of wood, the flagellates digest the cellulose for it.

What happens if these two dependent creatures are separated? Someone did an experiment to find out, exposing extra oxygen to the termite to kill the flagellates. Then they fed the termites wood. Guess what happened? They were unable to digest it.

Without the partners living together, how would they sustain life? They couldn't. What's more, is that Evolutionists believe that creatures evolved over a series of time. But, if these two creatures evolved at different times, how would they still be living today?

Termite Fact: Did you know that termites are blind creatures, unable to be around light? Yet they are able to build palaces like this!

Termites and Flagellates are not the only symbiotic couple. Many other creatures, including plants, are mutually dependent on one another to live.

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Question to think about:

If Apes evolved into people, why aren't they still doing it?

-Allison

Note: Most information was taken from It Couldn't Just Happen. Highly recommended book to strengthen your knowledge and answer questions about Creation.

Hidden.

The other day, I was Christmas shopping in Claire's with my sister. A group of girls were standing by us when the song, "Little Drummer Boy" came on. This is one of my favorite Christmas songs.

But I was really upset and sad to hear that this was not the sweet tune telling the story of a little boy coming to Baby Jesus, but instead with a new beat and rap. What was even worse is that when the group of girls heard this song come on, they all started shouting and saying "Oh my gosh, I love this song!!" and singing to the lyrics. I stopped and thought for a moment.

My guess is that these girls did not know the true meaning behind these words. How, I thought, could someone listen or recreate this song, and not even pay attention to the meaning?
~~

Everywhere I look, is Christmas--without Jesus.

Signs are put up, expressing the delight of the season, but with the wrong reason. Most of these signs don't even say Christmas....Instead they are written, Happy Holidays! or Season's Greetings!

Our culture has been pressed by the enemy to take Jesus out of Christmas completely. Satan has tried to hide him under mounds of dirt like a secret never to be found.

Last I checked, Christmas was here only to celebrate Jesus' Birthday. Christmas should not be focused on the gifts, latest music, and Santa. The little Drummer boy is all about using his drum as a gift to Jesus! Luke 2:11 says,
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

It seems that today, Children are more excited about celebrating this season for Santa instead of Jesus. Kids excitedly write letters to this mythical old jolly man...why don't we write prayerful letters to a real God instead, with the same attitude and excitement as kids would to write Santa? It's almost as if Santa has taken the place of Christ! Something is very wrong with this picture.

We can't let the birthday of the most glorious king and Savior be hidden from the world.

This year, don't be blinded by attempts of Christmas without Christ.

Remember the true meaning of Christmas.

Merry CHRISTmas!
-Allison

Blissful Thoughts.

I've recently felt inspired by fellow bloggers to post the gifts God has given you. Even the little things that we often take for granted each day are beautiful blessings from God~

-Going to starbucks and wal-mart in freezing cold weather with friends.

-Wearing Navy Blue Converse while bagging leaves.

-Wearing matching sweaters with a friend.

-Tough Essays that improve my writing skills.

-Working on school at the library with a sweet friend.

-Being able to regularly babysit a toddler and newborn baby.

-Making Christmas cards for Veterans.

-Going to a monthly bible study with my older siblings.

-Bright Peppers for Thanksgiving

-Drinking Hot Chocolate on "Cold" nights. ;)

-Setting up our Christmas Lights (And taking bokeh pictures :)

-Allison

Vintage Photoshoot.

Thank you for a lovely day girls,
-Allison