We Were Made to be Courageous [confessions of a new girl]

They stare at you.

They giggle together, and look at you.

But they don't say anything to you.

Because you're the new girl.

I feel like I've been the new girl a lot. We move, we join different things, we go to different events... it's all the same. There's been so many different reactions to me, the "new girl". I've been stared at like I'm some kind of alien being. I've ignored. I've had glances. But I don't think I ever remember somebody just coming up and saying, "Hi, my name's such-and-such. I'm so glad that you're here!"

Maybe that's why whenever there's somebody new, wherever I am, I try to include them. It's so hard being the new girl. Being stared at. Being glanced at. Being ignored. But never brought into a new circle of friends. I know that if you've done that, you're probably just shy. Just scared. And I admit it. I've been like that too, sometimes. But I'm trying to grow out of my shyness. Because you know what? Being shy is really just being rude.

I can understand if you're shy. I really can. I am a seriously shy person. But what if you did that thing that you were scared to do? What then? Are you going to die? Is your head going to fall off? Are they going to yell at you because just said hi? When you boil it down to what it really is--just a little fear--suddenly it doesn't seem as big, does it?

But if you're new and somebody walks up to you and talks to you, I'm just going to tell you right now. It makes all the difference. I mean, really. I have actually gone into a place and have had people stare at me because they didn't know me. And you know what? Not one of those people like ever talked to us. It's sad, isn't it? It's like just because you're new, somehow you're an all together different species or something.

I hate that.

If you're shy, I want to encourage you to try and break out of that. And I'm going to say it now--it is possible to do it. I find myself doing things and I realize that if I'd had to to those things like a year ago, I probably would've freaked out, or been to scared to even try. So I'm begging you. Have courage. If not for yourself, then for God. For those people who want to be talked to. For your friends. For your family. Have courage.

Just have courage.

We were made to be courageous.

~Casting Crowns

Words are Powerful--they can build up, they can break down

Ooh.

You're from where?

That's stupid.

*giggle*

Words hurt, don't they? Like a lot. Lots of times people don't realize how much their words hurt. Lots of times we don't realize how much our words hurt. We just think we're being funny, or cute, or we're just trying to fit in with our friends. There's always reasons.

I'm a pretty sensitive person. Like... really sensitive. As in I need to get less sensitive sensitive. Really. I'm trying to work on it, but it's not easy for me. People might be joking, but for me, what they're saying hurts just as much as if they were yelling the same words in my face. You're ugly. Just kidding. You tell me that, I'm thinking they actually think I'm ugly. They just saw how horrified I was and added on that "just kidding".

Someone I really know and trust once said to me, "In every joke, there's a little truth." I can be a very joky person sometimes. And I don't think of it that way. I'm just making jokes to make my friends laugh. But that made me stop for a moment. What am I really saying? Am I building up my friends, or tearing them down by my jokes? What could I be doing instead?

Words a powerful. The person who said, "The pen is mightier then the sword," can be very true. While a person waving a sword around might be scary [and more likely be made to look like an idiot], the person with the pen--the press, the people speaking on live TV--will be the ones who are listened to. Words are very powerful. Never forget that single word can break a person or build a person up.

So next time you feel a joke coming up, maybe you should think over if it's really needed. If it'll actually be funny, or if it'll actually hurt your friends.

I'm not saying it's not OK to joke. Like I said, I joke a lot. And I'm considered a pretty funny person. I love making my friends laugh. It's like music to my ears. I like being that person. But sometimes you might want to examine your motives for telling your jokes. For saying your comments.

Words are powerful.

They can break.

They can build.

They can make.

They can till.

Words are powerful.

Be the one who builds up,

Be the one who holds their cup,

Don't be the one who breaks their trust,

Be the friend who's a must.

Words are powerful,

So don't forget,

That your words will be set,

In the minds of those around,

Let your words be a beautiful sound.

Words are powerful.

A post in which I ramble on about my life... [as per usual]

Dear Readers,

No, I'm not just addicted to pictures of ballerinas.

Yes, I was around people who do ballet yesterday.

Sooooo.... I got to help with props for a dance dress rehearsal yesterday, which was wayyyyyy lots of fun, because my partner was one of my best friends. :) (I have lot tons of best friends. Well, who I'd consider best friends.... =D) Anyway, so we got to move props while the curtain was done and then sit down and watch while the dances unfolded. My favorites were the ballet dances (of course =P), but the first hip-hop one was kind of cute. ;D (and the one with the little kids... absolutely adorable!!!!! :))

You might be wondering at this point how I sat on the floor backstage with my knee brace. Eh, I was OK. ;) (just don't ask how I got up... haha JK =D)

It was tons of fun. :) There were several people dancing that I knew, so it was lots of fun to watch how completely and amazing awesome they did!! :) And it's so amazing how well they do it. My friend and I were just like watching them in awe. ;D

Have you ever been to dance recital? (or in one? ;))

Love,
Willow
(who might need a new name?)
(AGAIN?! =D)

THE TIME HAS FINALLY COME!!!!!!!!!

Dear Readers,

Hey, this is Jessie. :)

Soooooo... I haven't really said anything about Mom's growing baby bump.

But I kind of have to tell you.

BABY WILL HAS ARRIVED!!!!!

YAY!!!!!!!!

He's like THE CUTEST baby EVER!!!!!!!!!!!! I already love him. :) I'm feeling as proud as peacock that I have a brother. (*strange me*) He's got dark hair like mine and blue eyes. Doesn't that just sound adorable?!?! Gah, I wish I could show him to you.... :)

Well, he came a few days ago, and now we're home, but anyway.... =P

Anyway, so at school I was just like hopping around and telling everybody, "I HAVE A BABY BROTHER!!" And then Noah comes up to me.

Noah: Hey, Jessie.

Me: WILL WAS BORN!!!!!

Noah: *grins teasingly* What, you didn't name him Noah?

Me: *snorts* Of course not! His name's Will! You know--William? Willie?

Noah: Yeah, yeah. So you're excited?

Me: *thinking: duh* YES!!!!!

Noah: Great!! When can I see him?

Me: You sound like an anxious dad. haha

Noah: *glares* Very funny.

Me: You can come after school. That way you can help me with my homework, too.

Noah: Oh, OK.

And at just that moment, my two least favorite girls in the world walked up.

Yep.

Ladasha and Maya.

"Noah," giggled Maya. "What're you doing today?"

Ladasha smiled at him, too. "You're the quarterback on the middle school team, right?"

I just wanted to roll my eyes and walk off, but before I could even get a step, Noah grabbed my arm and said quickly, "Yeah, we've got to go," and then ran off.

Yeah, well, I didn't really like using myself as cover. But I seriously felt bad for the dude. So it was OK. Besides, we're best friends. He'd like do it for me if something like that happened to me and Maurice, right? (because he's my least favorite guy...)

Then Noah came to the house and looked just about mesmerized by baby Willie. (he IS the cutest baby ever...) We played with him all afternoon. Willie has the brightest little eyes. They followed Noah around everywhere. It was so cute. :)

Anyway, I'll give you more updates later. ;)

Love,
Jessie

P.S. I CAN'T WAIT FOR SUMMER!!!!!!

I GOT TAGGED?!?!

Yes, and -->this girl<-- forgot. =P Anyway, sorry for yesterday's havoc design changes, I just couldn't make up my mind... =P It wasn't "completely me". ;D Anyway, onwardwith the tag!!!!!! ;)

Thanks sooooo much to Madeline, who gave me this tag. :) You go, girl!!! :)

Anyway...

1. How would you describe your style?
Mostly comfortable, like when I'm around my friends and family and by myself. But when I go out to bigger stuff I usually want to look nice, I just usually don't really know HOW... =P (though I know if I look awful......)
2. What are your wardrobe staples?
Well, currently, because of the brace-thing, I've been stuck in perpetual sports wear. (read below post) So, yeah. Sporty look--sport shorts, T-shirts, Bearpaw boots, and sweat pants. =D
3. Most expensive clothing item you own?
Hmm... probably these new shorts I just got from Wal-Mart, because I usually shop at thrift stores. (though the most it-should-be-expensive-but-I-got-it-cheap-because-I-bought-it-at-a-thrift-store are two pairs of Bearpaw boots. :))
4. Most wanted item?
Um... probably more Bearpaw boots (haha... I really am an addict... =D) and scarves. I. LOVE. SCARVES. (have I said that before...?)
5. Favorite designer?
Eh... I don't really know. ;)
6. How much do you spend on clothing?
Usually not that much. (you know, thrift store...?) At the MOST twenty dollars.
7. Favorite places to shop?
THRIFT STORES!!!!!!!!!! =D
8. Favorite Fragrance?
Urm... um.... err.... I don't know? =P

9. Favorite way to do your hair?
Well, I used to just do a ponytail and thick headband (which I still sometimes resort to =P), but lately I've been doing this side ponytail thing which I like, because it works well with my side bangs. ;) And I like doing a side bun on the top of my head with a thin headband. ;) (<--that's probably my best look)
10. Most prized possession?
My two pairs of Bearpaw boots. Definitely. ;D

And who shalt I awardeth? ;)

It doesn't say how many, sooooooooooooooooo....

I'll just do five. :)

Tangerine Tane@Fifth out of Ten

Sarah V.@My Randomness and Ramblings

Sarah Elizabeth@Sarah, Plain&Average

Claire@hello little birdy

Layla@AAAAAAAAHHHHHH!

Congrats, girls!!!!!! :)

One Year, Perpetual Sports Look, SNOW!, and Ballet

Dear Readers,

First off... I'VE NOW BEEN BLOGGING FOR A YEAR!!!!!! GAH!!!!!!! SO EXCITED!!!!! =D The celebration's going on over here. ;)

Well, I finally got out of the perpetual sports look. What on earth do I mean by that?! Well, see, with my brace, I can't wear jeans (yeah, my brace for my torn ACL), so I've been stuck wearing sport shorts and sweat pants. But then yesterday I got some jean shorts (I'd grown out of my other ones =P), so now I'm out of having the perpetual sports look!!!! YAY!!!! =D So, even though it's snowing outside (YES, MORE SNOW), I'm sitting at the computer here in jean shorts and a T-shirt. =D (and icing my knee. So like double cold. ;D)

Anyway, so you might be wondering why on earth I have a pair of ballet shoes as the picture and why I'm rambling off about being stuck in the perpetual sports look and a whole year of blogging. Well, dear friend, I'll tell you. :)

When I was younger, I was like addicted to those Barbie movies. NO JOKE. And if you've ever watched them (I totally understand if you haven't.... I mean, it's Barbie...), then you know that like they do ballet in EVERY. SINGLE. MOVIE. So, yeah, I wanted to be a ballerina. I would always draw pictures that looked like the ones above, because I wanted to wear those shoes sooooooo much. (or maybe I just wanted to have the pretty outfit like Barbie....?) Either way, I got myself signed up for ballet class. It was just being taught by a friend of ours, and we moved away before we could really learn very much. :/ Still, I got to wear that pink outfit for just a little while. :) Ah, the lovely days.... Well, now I sometimes kind of [partly] wish that I'd still done ballet. Of course, I probably can't NOW because of my torn ACL (at least for awhile), but still... there's still that part of me...

Have you ever wanted to be a ballerina? :)

Love,
Willow

Take'n'Write Contest Results

YEEK!!!!! OK, so so so sorry that I didn't post the results of the contest on the 20th. =P I was busy that day at a track meet, actually.... Anyway, so so soooooooo sorry about that!! I'll just post it today. :)

So, after much contemplation, I finally got my winners down. :)

And who are these three winners?

Hmm?

Hmm?!

HMM?!?!

OK, OK, I'll stop stalling. =D

I'll just be quick. ;)

First place goes to Kayla! :)

Second place goes to Lena! :)

And third place goes to Claire! :)

Great job, girls!! Loved your entries!!! :)

First place gets first choice out of the following, second place gets second choice, and third place gets whatever's left. Here are the awards:

1. Have your button on my main blog's sidebar for a week.

2. Have something designed by me. (header, button, etc.)

3. Get featured in a Jessie Bender letter.

And by the way, if you've won and award and I haven't given it to you, please talk to me so that I can get it to you!!! :) Thanks!!!! And congrats, girls!! Your entries were super duper awesome!!!! :)

Hola:)

Dear Readers,

I hope that you're having a lovelyyyyyyyy Sunday!! :)

Yesterday I was at a track meet and like for ONCE I finally wore sun tan lotion and then...... I didn't put any (apparently) right underneath my eyes, so I ended up looking like a red raccoon. (for church...) Thankfully, I got rescued by some breathable makeup. =P (like first time ever... I NEVER wear makeup, unless it's a play or we're making a movie.... so, yeah.......) I just had to make sure not to rub by my eyes haha =D

Anyway, so if you've read September Piper (which I hope you have :)) then you'll know it's "to be continued", aka Storyteller has decided to make a new book. YAY!! I won't tell you the name of it just in case you haven't read the first one yet. ;) (it kind of defeats the point... like you'd know what happened... because it's that kind of name...) But anyway, yes, I'm working on the next one. :)

I just found out that I love researching my stories!! =D Before, I'd kind of gleaned off of the information I had in my brain. (wow... =P) But I've finally started researching. (yay me!!) And I've found it's really fun. :) Like now I know the different parts of New York. (Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn...)

Anyway, real quick poll--who's your favorite September Piper character?

Gotta go!

Love,
Willow

A really strange and random poll

Dear Readers,

I'm just really interested to see what you guys think.... I mean, really...

OK, ready? :)

(this might be kind of weird, but just hold on)

Which of the following movies/books are better?

Hunger Games

Twilight

Which of the following movies/books are worse?

Hunger Games

Twilight

I know they're both really popular, so I was just wondering what YOU guys think.

(I, personally, have never read any of the books of either series, never read Twilight, and only watched the first Hunger Games, so.... yeah....... =P)

I'm just really interested to see. :)

Hope you tell me. :)

Love,

Willow

If you were my best friend...

...you would know that if I had one wish, I would wish to love like Jesus loved.

...you would know that whenever we talked about the movie How to Train Your Dragon that I was going to consistently say, "Thanks... for summing that up."

...you would know that it's easier for me to do things when there's more of a goal.

...you would know that I love listening to songs I like over and over and over.

...you would know that I love looking up actors/actresses on wiki.

...you would know that I love listening to movie soundtracks while I write books.

...you would know that mostly all of the designing I know comes from a google search.

...you would know that I memorize the best by reading it out loud, writing it, and seeing it all at the same time.

...you would know that I love dancing to music by myself.

...you would know that the reason that I love going to football games is because of my friends.

...you would know that I want to go to New Zealand some day.

...you would know that I love Bearpaw boots. (I'm actually wearing these right now.... Me when I saw this picture on google: !!!!!!!! NO WAY!!!!!!!! You know, I think that if I ever get a pinterest I'm going to a whole page full of shoes... =D)

...you would know that I love peppermint tea.

...you would know that my favorite stories I have ever written are Rubberboot Girl and September Piper, because there's more of a character development, which I love.

...you would know that I will kill most spiders if somebody screams, but definitely not really big ones, and NOT jumping ones. (*shiver*)

...you would know that I hate sharks.

...you would know that sometimes I have dreams where I am the best at everything I wish I was. (horseback riding, surfing, swimming....)

...you would know that I get scared a lot.

...you would know that I love looking through the Better Homes&Gardens magazines just for fun with my friend. ;)

...you would know that I love wearing headbands.

...you would know that I hate feeling ugly.

...you would know that I love hoodies.

...you would know that I love being with my youth group.

...you would know that this is one of my favorite songs to listen to while I write. :)

...you would know that I hate disappointing people.

...you would know that I hate it when somebody's mad at me.

...you would know that I love the newer movie of Pride&Prejudice and the newest version of Persuasion.

...you would know that I know how to do a fishtail (hairstyle ;D) but can't do it because hair just seems wayyyy too slippery for me... =P

...you would know that I kind of wish that I was involved in dancing. (ballet, mostly, though I think hip-hop might be kind of fun.... [if it was good])

...you would know that I love when it snows, because everything looks clean and pure. :)

Now you know. ;)

Contest Button Tutorial {just for fun}

OK, so, I've kind of covered how to make a real blog button in itself, but we all know that contest buttons are a little different. OK, a lot different. Mostly because you're going to have a lot more words on your contest button then your normal button. So how do you do that?

Well, I'm going to make three different buttons, made in three different styles, and show you three great different ways to make a contest button.

1. In this one that I'm going to show you, I've used really natural (OK, more dull) colors--black and white. There's dark and light on the photo, which is helpful, so I don't have that hard of a time choosing colors.

I also emphasized the "contest" instead of the "photography" part, going for a more graphic design look by putting "photography" on the side. (this gives it a unique look that's both pretty and elegant) All of the words are big enough to see when on somebody's sidebar, and all of the needed information is there--what the contest is, who's hosting it, what their blog is. This was made easily on PicMonkey.


2. In this one, you can see that I went for the "words fill the whole picture" look, which makes sure that the people see what they're meant to see. The red contrast against the white also makes it pop, which is also nice. Right away, you know what the contest is about. The lettering that I used gives it a kind of sophisticated and professional look, like it's a book cover or something.

The words that tell you who it is and what blog they're from is a little smaller, but you can still see it pretty well. If the person's looking for that information, they're going to easily find it. Also, when they see the red-white contrast, their eyes will be immediately drawn to it. And since the other information is right above it, that should be where their eyes go next. (I personally like this one... I mean, informational wise... you get the words bold, and in a really able-to-see color....)(I take that back, I like all of them... =D) This one was also made on PicMonkey.


3. This last one was my favorite to make, just because I thought it was pretty. =D This one is an artsy, graphic design one, that also looks professional and beautiful. I brought out the soft pink color that's close to white, but not quite that big of a paling color. You might also notice how I alternated the two different fonts. Tip: I only use (usually) at most two fonts per header/button/etc. If you have more, it tends to look more cluttered and such. Unless you're trying to make more of a crazy, random header. Then it gives it the right look. ;)

This one easily shows the information and the title, making it probably my favorite out of the three that I've shown you guys so far. It's pretty, easy to read, and professional looking. This was also made on PicMonkey.


I hope this was at least a little helpful. =D Until next time!! ;)

grow

there's a little plant.

growing in my garden.

it's wanting to grow.

but it's unsure.

it's scared.

it doesn't know if it can face the light.

it doesn't know if i will love it.

if i will care for it.

or if i will forget about it.

if it would grow,

it would bloom into a beautiful flower.

but it's unsure.

it's scared.

it doesn't know if it can face the light.

it doesn't know if i will love it.

if i will care for it.

or if i will forget about it.

it doesn't know that i will love it,

even if it had not been what i thought.

it didn't know that i would care for it.

so it stayed.

it didn't want to grow.

because it was scared.

it secretly wanted to.

but it didn't know.

but it's unsure.

it's scared.

it doesn't know if it can face the light.

it doesn't know if i will love it.

if i will care for it.

but i tell that little seed,

waiting to grow into a beautiful flower,

"i will always love you"

"grow, my child"

"be the beautiful flower that you were meant to be"

"don't be afraid"

"i will love you"

"i will be here with you, caring for you"

"so don't worry"

"don't be anxious"

"don't be scared"

"grow, my child"

"grow and be the beautiful flower i have called you to be."

and so the seed grows.

it's a beautiful flower.

proud.

courageous.

bold.

lovely.

perfect.

it's everything i knew it would be.

it trusted me.

and it grew into a beautiful flower.

don't be like the scared flower.

don't be scared of God's plans.

grow, child.

grow.

God knows what you are going to be.

He knows that you are not something horrible.

He knows that you are a beautiful flower.

because He created you.

He will grow you.

trust.

know.

believe.

have faith, child.

grow.

you will be beautiful.

just have trust.

just know.

just believe.

have faith, child.

grow.

grow. 

He will always love you.

so don't worry.

don't be frustrated.

don't be scared.

don't fear the Light.

for He loves you.

He always has.

He always will.

just have trust.

just know.

just believe.

have faith, child.

grow.

grow.

you are a beautiful flower.

grow.

grow.

Continuing Story--Part 4

I screamed, trying to yank my arm away from the person. But they wouldn't let go. I found myself staring into the eyes of a

1. Girl
2. Boy

my age.

"You're in danger," they whispered their

1. blue
2. green

eyes scarily serious. "Come with me."

Just like with the boy, I felt like this had happened before. But where?

And what was I going to do?

1. I glanced over my shoulder, seeing the boy coming after me. I had to get out of here. I went with them.

2. "No," I whispered. "NO!" I took off running. Why were all of these people after me?

How do I look like love?

Do I look like love? I want to look like love. I want to be the person that everybody looks at and says, "She's different." I want to be different then other people--I want to be like God. If nobody knows about God, then, how can I show them His love by the way I act? How can I look like love? What if I'm the only godly person they've ever been around? Without shoving my thoughts and beliefs down their throats, how can I still be witnessing to them, by how I act?

"Whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which He walked." 1 John 2:6

But how do we do that? How do we shed our own coats of unrighteousness and take on the holy robe of God?

"To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness." Ephesians 4:22-24

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

You can only be like God through God. Search for Him, and He will reveal Himself to you. God bless you on this Sunday. :)

The Wind in the Willows #5

Right click; click "image in new window"; grab URL; place in post; answer the questions. :)

How to play is explained up there^. ;) Hope you join up with me!! If you put your Wind in the Willows post in a comment, I'll check it out, too!! :) Hope you do... ;)

1. Do you have a bucket list on your blog? Why or why not?

Why, yes, I do!! I just love bucket lists. I don't know why... =D

2. What's your favorite non-computer-non-blogging activity?

Hmm... well, I considering writing a computer activity, so reading, volleyball, or playing the piano. =D (or just plain being with my friends... they're awesome :))

3. What's your least favorite subject in school?

Oh, ugh, probably science... =P

4. Why or why not do you use your real name on blogger?

Well, I don't use it because I simply don't want people to know it, and want the privacy of not using it, too. And, besides... I love Storyteller. :)

5. Do you think of your person on blogger as yourself or as someone else?

Well, strangely enough, when I think of Storyteller, I don't really think of myself. (well, I do, but not quite... know what I mean?) Like every time I look in the mirror afterwards it's like, "Wow, didn't think I really looked like that..." =P (I know that sounds kind of strange, but, yeah....)

6. What your favorite kinds of posts to read?

I love ones like this, randomness posts about life, God-Jesus-inspirational posts, and quizzes. :) Oh, and a ton of other things, too... =P

7. Who first introduced you to blogger?

Actually, I'd heard that a friend of mine had a blog, and I wanted a place to put my stories, so that's how it kind of happened... =P

8. Has anyone really helped you understand blogger at all?

Well, I've mostly taught myself things, but I've gotten some helpful tips and hints from such people as Willow and Britt. :)

9. Have you ever heard of/been apart of a handbell choir?

Yes. :) I love handbell choir. I should a post about them.... ;)

10. Do you just randomly think of things to post, or do you write ideas down that come to you?

I used to post more randomly. I've just started writing down ideas lately.... =D

P.S....

P.S. [to the one before the last one that I posted] Actually, I'm going to leave this design because I love it too much. ~Storyteller

Hey, guys, love to have you enter... :)

Storyteller of Weston County: Rubberboot Girl Book Cover Contest: What: A book cover contest for my book, Rubberboot Girl. (currently going to be published in a magazine, thus no link...) Dates...

Your blog is whatever you make it out to be...

Dear Readers,

Sometimes I kind of feel like my posting gets... dry. Sorry about that. =P Mostly it's because on some of my blogs, I don't have a vision. Storyteller of Weston County is easy for me. It's my stories, and whatever comes to my mind. Dragonmaster's kind of got something, too--it's stories also (surprise, surprise), a linkup, and other random stuff, like Pinterest posts.

But Rubberboot Girl?

I'm not even sure anymore.

(As sad as that sounds...)

When I first created this blog, I imagined that there would be something like "ask Connie" or something, like you could submit questions that I could answer. Yeah, well, that never really took off, did it...?

And that's when I realized something.

My blog--and anyone else's--is whatever you make it out to be.

You can craft your blog into something that you would want to read. You just have to work hard and write, write, write. You want to make your blog unique, but also totally you.

I've decided that there's going to be a few changes around here.

First off, I'm hoping to try (soon) a more open design. (though I love this header dearly)

Second of all, I'm going to keep all of my continuing stories. (of course. What would I do without Jessie Bender?)

And, since you guys don't seem to like linkups and such, the Wind in the Willows and Embers|pictures that inspire are being canceled. (unless you guys beg to have them back.....)

Fourth of all, I want to add some new things here--maybe more quizzes, weekly sort of things. I want to craft this blog into something special--something that's out of the ordinary, unique and different from the thousands of blogs out there.

And of course I will still continue to ramble to you about my life. :)

That sound like a good game plan?

If you have any suggestions, questions, or comments, just ask. :)

Love,
.....
.....
*drum roll*
Willow
(just because I love it so much :))

Stand in the Rain

Sometimes, it just feels like everyone's against you. Like they always side with whoever's against you. You have no one on your side. Everyone. Is. Against. You. And there's no one who can help. No one to comfort you as you sob your heart out on your bed. No one to turn to as your thoughts come pouring into your mind. You feel like there's no one. You feel like they've all turned away from you. Your friends? They've forgotten you. Your family? They've rejected you. Nobody understands how you're feeling. No one's going to understand anything about what you're going through. Because they're all against you. And there's no one who's for you. No one. You feel just like closing your eyes and sobbing your heart out.

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

"For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39

"Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?" 1 Corinthians 3:16

"Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave your or forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6

God is with you, wherever you go. When everyone is against you, remind that God is there for you. God is always with you. God is always for you. Whatever happens, He will help you through it. You can stand in the rain, because God is the one that helps hold you there.

So will you stand in the rain?

Stand your ground,
Stand up when it's all crashing down,
You stand through the pain,
You won't drown.
And one day what's lost can be found,
You stand in the rain.

It's snowing [again]

Dear Readers,

Hey, this is myself. =P (not Jessie... or anybody else... =P)

Anyway, so, guess what? We just got like a LOT of snow!!! :) So much, in fact, that the schools in my town were shut down for today. (and I'm sure a lot of other things were closed, too... they were yesterday... like the library... *sadness*... not that I needed/wanted to go to the library yesterday... I just like the library... =D)

And... it's snowing again, too. Like that slushy, small little flakes that would hurt your eyes like crazy if you were out in it. (because of my knee and stuff, I'm not out in it.... if you didn't know, I tore my ACL. I've been charting my adventures on Storyteller of Weston County....)

It's kind of funny, because I was so so so sure it was going to [finally!!!!] be spring. But, no. It's decided that it wants to be winter again. Oh well. That's what happens when you live where I live. The weather's kind of crazy. =D

Anyway, do you guys have snow where you live? If not, do you wish you had snow? What's the weather like? Is it all nice and springy? :) I kind of wish it was springy here... but I guess the snow's nice, too. Because everything looks all white and clean and perfect, which is a great reminder of how God washes us pure.

I hope lots of you guys enter the contest!!! :)

And remember--if I owe you an award, please don't be afraid to tell me. ;)
[I am a very forgetful person =P]

Love,
Katrina
(I'm thinking about changing it to Willow... because I'm in love with that name. <3)

Sarah Elizabeth

Hey, guys!! :)

Today I'm going to be featuring the lovely Sarah Elizabeth!! :) Sarah Elizabeth is an awesome designer and writer, and has a heart devoted to God. She has an awesome blog that I enjoy a LOT :) called Sarah, Plain and Average. (I love that name.... you know, like Sarah, Plain and Tall????) She also has a super duper awesome Pinterest. :) She also has another awesome blog by her and her two other sisters called Maidens of Virtue.

Please go check out her blogs!! She's awesome!!! :)

ok seriously

BEFORE I FORGET {AGAIN}:

If you have an award pending, PLEASE talk to me about it. I'm a little scatter brained now, so I can't really remember who gets what etc... Thanks! :) ~the crazy author

Take'n'Write Contest

What:

A contest where you take a photo and write a short story about that photo. (example below*)

Rules:

1. You MUST be a follower of this blog. (Rubberboot Girl)

2. You must grab the above picture and keep it on your sidebar during the whole duration of the contest.

3. (if allowed) Share this post on Google, so that others will know about it.

4. Put your entry in a blog post and leave the URL in a comment on THIS POST. If it's not on this post, it won't be counted.

5. No entering more then once.

6. Contest ends the 20th of April.

7. The top three placers will...

A. Have a place on my main blog's sidebar for a week.

B. Get something designed by me. (header, button, entire blog, quote, etc.)

C. Get featured in a Jessie Bender letter.

8. Thanks and God bless!! :)

Example*:

{source}

The rain pattered down on me, but I didn't care. Because I could feel it, hitting my hands, landing in my hair. Because for the first time since my brother's death, I could actually feel. I closed my eyes and raised my face to the sky.

Thank you, Lord, went through my head. Thank you.

And then I laughed with joy. I could feel! I was alive! And I danced around in the rain like I was crazy lunatic. I didn't care.

"Cora, what on earth are you doing?" The screen door slammed behind the person.

I glanced up and saw Jason, staring at me like I was crazy.

"I can feel," I told him. I laughed and danced around in circles, declaring to the sky, "I can feel!"

Then Jason smiled, too, and came out into the rain. We danced the day away.

Thank you, Lord. Thank you.

I need help with contests...

OK, quick poll (to decide tomorrow's post...):

What's your favorite type of contest?

(answer by putting the number in a comment)

1. Design contests.

2. Story contests.

3. Photo editing contests.

4. A combination of a few of them.

Thanks!! :)

Abigail Jane Applegate--The Rescue

Outside of New York City
1778
British Occupation of New York

The soldier looked about ready to fall over in fear.

That's Nathan! I thought again, even more horrified. Why on earth is Nathan being so stupid as to come out in the open and try and rescue me?! I mean... I'm ready to die for my country, aren't I?

"Don't...don't get any ideas," the other soldier begged.

The mask covered Nathan's face well. If he hadn't spoke, I wouldn't have known who it was. But I did. And I was still feeling like he was being stupid by trying to rescue me. Then again, maybe he was sent by my father to come and rescue me. I mean, he was my father's apprentice. And...

"Hand over the girl," Nathan commanded. "NOW!"

One of the soldiers quickly nodded towards me. "Get out," he hissed. "Quick, quick!"

I struggled to get out with the bonds on my hands and finally jumped out onto the ground, my skirts billowing beneath me. I quickly ran towards Nathan, keeping my eyes straight ahead and trying not to think of the fact that I might be shot in the back by the second soldier.

"Are you alright, Abigail?" Nathan whispered so that only I could hear it.

"Of course," I whispered back.

I managed to pull myself up behind him in the saddle. Nathan kept his gun trained on the driver soldier's head. Only when he was sure I was on did he yell, "YA!" and kick his horse into a gallop.

We took off across the countryside. I closed my eyes, the thought racing through my head--If it hadn't been for Nathan, I would have been hanged.

God was looking out for me.

The Day of Jokes

Dear Readers,

Hiya, this is Jessie Bender. ;)

I know I didn't write on April Fool's Day, but I was definitely busy. ;)

And so I thought I'd recount my adventures on that day.

[Just to warn you, others were busy, too....]

Anyway, so it's kind of unspoken rule in my house that you DON'T DO APRIL FOOL'S JOKES. But, of course, Noah hadn't said anything about them, right? =D I was fully prepared to hit my best friend--hard--when April Fool's rolled around...

Since it was a Monday, it was like perfectly perfect. First day of school for that week, and April Fool's. I'd been hoping that Noah would forget what the date was.

Amazingly, he did.

Me: (walks into school, spots Noah, smiles and runs over) Hey, Noah!

Noah: Oh, hey, Jessie.

Me: (see he's not wearing green. Pinches him)

Noah: (frowns) What was THAT for??

Me: (pinches him again)

Noah: Gee, Jessie, stop it!

Me: You're not wearing green.

Noah: So?

Me: It's April first.

Noah: Yeah...

Me: You know--April Fool's Day?

Noah: (light bulb goes on in his head) Ohhhhhhhhhhhh.

I was fully decked out in everything green that I could possibly think of--green pants, green shirt, green socks, green shoes, even a green ponytail!! (and I'd snagged a green bag of Mom's for my books)

"Wait," Noah started. "You're not going to launch anything else on me, are you?"

I just grinned. "Have you been by your locker yet?"

Noah's face paled. "No. What did you do?"

I shrugged. "Nothing. Hey, look over there!"

Noah looked and then turned back to me with a confused frown. "There's nothing..."

"I was sure there was," I joked. "Come on."

"Oh, I get it," Noah called up to me as I started walking towards his locker. "You've been on blogs figuring out how to do April Fool's Jokes, haven't you? That was all a joke!"

My friend's obviously not stupid.

By the time lunch came around, I'd run out of jokes to play on my friend.

But he'd just started.

I opened my locker after lunch to find all of my books switched up. I glared. Now how on earth had he gotten in to my locker?! Then I got so confused by our teacher switching up our seats for a joke that I didn't think about it when Noah yelled, "Look over there!" And then everybody laughed at me. OK, maybe these jokes weren't so funny. But at least I'd done them between just us!

And THEN I stopped by my locker just as school ended and found a note that read, "I hate you."

"This is horrible," I whispered.

"What's wrong?" Suddenly Noah showed up.

I showed him the note.

He burst out laughing.

"What?" I demanded.

"It's April Fool's," he pointed.

"So?" I snorted.

"So that means that whatever it says is the opposite," he pointed out.

Oh NO!

This was even WORSE!

As you can probably guess, Noah wouldn't stop laughing the whole ride in his mom's car back to his house. (I'd made a deal with him--we'd both stop doing jokes on each other, and I'd come and help him with his homework.... Mom, of course, had approved.) l

As for me... HOW AM I GOING TO LIVE?!!!!????!?!

Love,
Jessie

i know now

all alone

no one where

you want to turn

but can only stare

want to move

feet are pinned

you want to leave

but you've sinned

can't get away

coming closer to me

i have got to get away

and Jesus is the key

i want to leave

i don't know how

but because of Jesus

i know now

i know the love

i know the sorrow

i know that i'm His

today and tomorrow

forever and ever

His never never ends

every single day

His love He sends

i will always love Him

i will always sing

of the coming

of our glorious King.

You Want to do what YOU Like...

Today I want to share a designing tip... (that I thought up a few days ago and forgot to post =P)

First off, I'm going to assume that at the moment you're more interested in designing your own blog then in going an designing other peoples' blogs. (if you're more interested in designing other peoples' blogs, this is still something that you probably want to know)

But if it is YOUR blog that you're doing...

I find that the designs on my blogs that I've liked the most are the ones that I just... like. You know, not like you saying, "oh, hey, that's a cool design" and trying to copy it. You have to find things that YOU, personally, like, and then make something out of it.

Like for me, I love pictures in my headers. I have no idea why, I just do. So for me, I just have to find pictures that I absolutely LOVE. And when I do, then I can compile them into a header that I LOVE LIKE CRAZY!!!!! (this has happened again. I love this header and Storyteller of Weston County's header with a passion...)

You have to find what YOU like. If you like ribbons or the scrapbook look, even if you don't know how, strive for it. Ask questions. Most designers don't like to answer them, but I love to help. (I mean, most people don't want to do it because of like designing competition. But if people like your designs, they're going to come to you anyway. And it doesn't break my heart if my designs just aren't for you. ;)) So if you have questions, ask me. Maybe I can help!! :) I'm more interested in getting you a design that you're going to love. :)

This also goes if you're designing somebody else's blog, too. Most people like to design in a certain way. I, personally, like a more simple template and then a more extravagant header and decorations on top of it, instead of the other way around. (though I did find an awesome way to do backgrounds... =D) But if somebody comes to me and asks for something that's out of my normal, I still try and strive for it. Because that's THEIR vision, and they want you to help them try and fulfill it. It's important to get as close to your customer's vision as possible. ;)

I hope this has been helpful for you.

God bless!! :)

Continuing Story--Part 3

So sorry for not doing this in ages... but here we are...

I still couldn't figure out how he was familiar.

But I knew one thing.

I had to get away.

Away from him and his motorcycle.

I took off running.

I felt like...

1)...I was in a dream, and I couldn't get away. I could hear him on his motorcycle right behind me.
2)...this had happened before, but I didn't know how or when.

I kept on running, running, running....

And then?

1) I tripped.
2) Somebody grabbed my arm.

Take&Edit Photography Contest Results

Hello, hello, hello! :)

I hope all of you have a lovely Easter.

Today is the first of April.

(aka April Fool's day. What kind of mischief have you been up to today? =D)

Anyway, and today is also....

....THE DAY THAT I SHOW YOU THE RESULTS FOR THE TAKE&EDIT PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST!!!!

YAY!!!!! =D

Thanks soooooo much to everybody that entered. All of your photos were just lovely. :)

But, I had to pick first, second, and third.

*hardest job of my life sometimes* =P

And I finally got down to three people.

And then narrowed them down again.

And so here they are....

First place goes to............

..........Layla!!!

Congrats. I absolutely LOVED your ducks. :) They were soooo cute!!!!! :)

Please talk to me right away about your prize. :)

Second place goes to.....

......Sarah Elizabeth!!!

I just loved those flowers. It reminded me of the photos I'm always trying to find on Pinterest. :)

And, finally...

Third place goes to.....

.....Claire!!!

I loved the flower on the page... such a great idea!! :)

Thanks so much for entering, everybody!! :) If you want to go and check out their entries, please click on their names. And please follow their blogs!! They're all awesome. :)

Congrats again, ladies!!! :)