Facing 2016

   As 2015 fades and 2016 looms, I pause and remember. I look back over these past twelve months. I think of their joys and sorrows, their love and pain. I see what I learned and what I should have learned. It makes me glad, but it also makes me sad.
   The year 2015 has been relatively good for my family and me. We laughed, we sang, and we learned. We also grew. Our family now includes a golden retriever, Cooper. Yes, I've enjoyed this year, but I wonder what the new one will bring.
   I expect joys but also sorrows. A part of me wants to avoid the pain life brings, to hid from it. I know I can't live that way, yet sometimes it seems like it would be easier to. But I don't do it.
   Instead, I trust in God, knowing that the coming year is in His hands. I don't know what's coming, but I do know who controls it. That is enough for me.

Happy New Year's!

Never Look at the Christmas Story the Same Way - A Book Review

   Want a new perspective of the Nativity story? Have I got the book for you! The Prophet, the Shepherd, & the Star by Jenny L. Cote gives you the whole story. And I mean the  whole story. It begins with Isaiah and goes past the wise men (who come at the correct time, by the way). Written with the author's usual humor and told through animals, this book reveals the entire seven hundred years that lead to that night in Bethlehem. It's a great way to laugh and learn at the same time, and do you ever learn! Mrs. Cote does her research; pick up her book and read for yourself. Available at Amazon and  Family Christian Bookstores. Also available in ebook form.

December! December!

    Is it seriously already this time of year again? Where has 2015 gone? This year can't be almost over already! But as it is, how about I help y'all out with something.
   With the coming of Christmas comes (what else?) Christmas parties. This season can be stressful enough without worrying about your hair. So why don't I give y'all an easy style for all your holiday worries? Let me see... how about an updo? What?! Y'all want something that will keep your neck warm too? Picky, picky picky, but your wish is my command.

Easy Front French Braid

Prep- You may want to curl your ends outward if you have short hair. Otherwise, the only thing you need to do is add something to defrizz and smooth your hair. (I like SheaMoisture's coconut & hibiscus smoothie cream. It's available at Walmart and Target.)

1- Brush your hair thoroughly.

2- Make a deep side-part.

3- Section off all the hair closest to your forehead for about an inch back from it. Go down 'til you're roughly in front of the ear, and then stop.

4- Temporarily secure the rest of your hair away from your face. (I use a clip.)

5-  Pick up the hair at the top of the still-free hair, and divide it into three sections.

6- Cross the left piece over the middle one. You now have new left and middle pieces.

7- Cross the right piece over the new middle. You now have new right and middle pieces.

8- Add a small strand of free hair to the new left piece. 

9- Cross the left piece with additional hair over the middle. You now have new left and middle pieces.

10- Add a small strand of free hair to the new right piece.

11- Cross the right piece with the additional hair over the middle. You now have new right and middle pieces. (You are now French braiding.)

12- Repeat 8-11 until you you run out of free hair to add. 

13- Finish with a regular braid and secure with a small ponytail holder (optional).

14- Release the rest of your hair.

15- Pick up the first layer or two of hair behind the French braid. You may want to temporarily secure it.

16- Using bobby pins, secure the braid under the hair you picked up .

17- Drop the hair and you're done!

Variations: Curl the free hair. Do a Dutch braid, French fishtail braid, or Dutch fishtail braid.

   Merry Christmas!

P.S. I up dated the link from the last post, and it works now. Shout out to my friend/reader, MaryBeth, for pointing it out to me.

Creighton Hill - Book Review

   Creighton Hill by Morgan Elizabeth Huneke is the first book in the Time Captive Trilogy. Remember how I did a cover reveal for a friend's book awhile back? Well, this is that same book, and it's been released!(Actually, it was released several months ago in the spring.) Following in the footsteps of C.S.Lewis, Morgan weaves a tale that is unique in its own special way. Mysterious family disappearances come to a fantastical head in modern-day Georgia. It really is a wonderful story that leaves plenty of room for expansion in the remaining books. Book Two, The Crossways, came out this past fall. Creighton Hill  is available in paperback and ebook at Amazon.

   Also, before I stop, here and here are links to a couple of my friends' blogs. Be sure to check 'em out.

Priss' Prophecy

   Is it really October 21st already? Oh yikes! I've neglected my blog and y'all for way too long. It's been almost a month since my last posting. (If that's the correct term.) And speaking of neglect, I haven't done anything about my book, Inkling Adventures, in awhile either. Let's remedy both of these problems right now.
   The first half of my book is guided by a prophecy about my main character, Priss . Of course, it's very important to the storyline and should give you a glimpse into my creation.

As two are made one,

A new fate is begun.

The only child shall rise

and fight for earth's prize.

Elflings shall hear the call;

The Black forever will fall.

Deepest dark they will face,

Seeking to match evil's pace.

Freedom they will defend, 

With blood it shall end.

The broken made whole;

The lost gain its soul.

One,through trials of fire,

Shall find his sire.

This the greatest cost,

A father shall be lost.

For eyes truth will open,

After the heart is broken.

  Who are the two? What new fate is begun? What is earth's prize? Who are the elflings? Will evil's pace be matched? Who are the broken and the lost? Why will the heart be broken? 

Find out in Inkling Adventures, coming Spring 2016!

   
Find my new blog here.

A Braid for a Friend

   Today's post is for my friend, Mary-Beth. Mary-Beth is the biggest fan of Disney's Frozen that I know; so I thought I'd surprise her with this post of Elsa's messy French braid.

Elsa's Messy French Braid

Prep: You'll need dirty hair for this one. You may also want to curl your hair-ends outward to prevent spiky ends from sticking out.

1- Brush hair thoroughly. You may want to brush it so that you have no part.

2- Lift up the hair on the top of your head.

3- Carefully hairspray the underside of that chunk of hair. You'll need to use a good amount of spray.

4- Using a comb or bristle brush, begin teasing the sprayed hair. To tease start at the top of the hair & comb/brush downwards. Once you reach the bottom, carefully the comb/brush out of the hair. DO NOT push it back to the top. NEVER go up & down when teasing.

5- Repeat step 4 until you have plenty of volume. You need to achieve the 'cartoon look'.

6- Once you're satisfied with the volume, bring the teased hair down. Check to make sure the teasing can't be seen from the top. Smooth any places where it can be.

7- Begin French braiding. To French braid pick up the top section of your hair (that'll probably be the section you teased). Divide the section into 3 pieces. Cross the right piece over the middle one. Then cross the left piece over the new middle. Add some loose hair to the new right piece & cross it over the new middle. Then add some loose to the new left piece & cross it over the newest middle. Repeat the last 2 steps 'til you run out of loose hair to add. Be sure to braid loosely so you don't crush the volume & so that's messy. 

8- Once you do run out of loose hair, finish with a loose basic braid.

9-  Pull out some wisps of hair around your face, then go back. (You may want to keep the wisps from falling in your face using hairspray, gel, or smoothing cream.) S-T-R-E-T-C-H  O-U-T the braid including the Frenched part. To stretch simply pull on the sides

10- Flip the braid onto your shoulder & you're done!

Variations: If your hair isn't long enough for the side-braid, simply let it hang down your back. Don't be discouraged if your hair isn't long enough even for that. Pull it into a loose ponytail instead & flip the end onto your shoulders if that's possible.

   What do y'all think? Can you do it? I know it sounds complicated, but it really isn't. I just went into great detail so that y'all will have the best chance.

   If y'all have any suggestions for tutorials, I want to hear them! Leave a comment and tell me, be it a movie-style or not. Also if you need help, I'll try to .

Happy Hairstyling!

10 Things Y'all Probably Didn't Know About Me

  Hope Y'all had a great summer, are slipping easily back into the school routine, and that my posts brightened your summer a little bit. If they did, I'm so glad. It's so hard to believe that my blog is almost a year old already. I've been so amazed that people would actually read the kooky, wacky stuff I write. Speaking of kooky and wacky, get ready for some more!  

1- I wrote my first book at age 5. I dictated it to my mom, and it was about  Sleeping Beauty except Maleficent was the princess's mother.

2- That book was entitled A Moriah Book. I know, so original.

3- For the first nine years of my life I had no younger sisters. So I wasn't exactly a girly-girl, and the fact that my closest sister wasn't either didn't help.

4- My favorite Disney Princesses are Belle, Aurora, and Rapunzel. I also like Frozen's Elsa, but she's a queen.

5- Isaiah is my favorite book of the Bible. You can pretty much teach on any subject using it. 

6- Dutch Braids are my go-to braids. What can I say? They're A-M-AZ-I-N-G!!!

7- I'm really good with Legos. Ask my brothers; we've made some awesome creations together.

8- I'd wear flip-flops year-around if I could. Comfortable, inexpensive, and go with EVERYTHING, what more can be said?

9- I've used heat on my hair less than twenty times. I can curl and straighten perfectly, but it isn't worth the hassle. Plus, my hair is naturally curly.

10- I use to hate Lord of the Rings. Gollum gave me nightmares, and as a result I would have nothing to do with it at all.

   So which did y'all know? How many surprised you? Any revelations about how weird I really am? 
  

Faux Crown Braid

   If you've been on any website that's hair related, you've probably seen crown braids. They're beautiful styles, though they are a bit complicated. I can crown braid several different ways, and today's braid is the easiest of them all and works with various hair lengths. Do it slightly messy. Then no one will know that you faked it.
   The picture I've used is originally from Hair Romance, a great site. Christina is a curly-haired Aussie who does amazing tutorials for all skill levels. I've been using her site for a looonnngg time now and absolutely love her curly hairstyles.

The Faux Crown Braid

1- Brush hair thoroughly.

2- Roughly part hair in the middle. Start at the forehead & go all the way to your neck.

3- Starting at one ear, go up & over to part hair roughly all the way to the other ear.

4- Ponytail each of the four sections. Don't ponytail too tightly, and keep the placement even.

5- Braid each ponytail. To braid: divide hair into three even pieces, cross the right over the middle, then the left over the new middle, and repeat.

6- Secure the braids with small holders that match your hair color or is clear.

7- S-T-R-E-T-C-H out the braids by pulling on them.

8- Wrap the 1st braid around to the next braid & pin in place. Be sure to hide the end.

9- Repeat with the remaining braids.

   What do y'all think? Is it easy enough for y'all? Will you try it? If you do, be sure to tell me.If you need help or have a hair style suggestion, just leave me a comment, Okay?

Happy Hairstyling!

(P.S. What if you fishtail braided the braids? Don't y'all think that would be AWESOME!)

The Perfect Messy Braid

   Seriously, is it just me, or are messy braids everywhere these days? And it's no wonder! They're comfortable to wear, easy to do, and go with anything. (Though I wouldn't suggest pairing one with a prom dress.)  I wear it at least once a week, using my natural curls as a base. If you don't have curly hair, just curl your hair the day before, sleep on 'em, and then do this braid.
   I don't have a picture this time around 'cause messy braids look a little different each time. If y'all must have one, go google it.

The Perfect Messy Braid

1- Make a deep side part.

2- Gather all you hair onto the opposite shoulder from your new part.

3- Behind that shoulder begin to do a reserve braid, slightly off center. To reserve braid simply divide hair into three pieces, cross the right piece under the middle one, cross the right piece under the new middle one, and repeat.

4- Reserve braid about four time, then pull braid over your shoulder .
5- Finish with a normal braid, and secure with a holder.
6- Starting at the top, STRETCH OUT the length of the braid. The more you stretch, the better

Variations- Start with a normal braid & end with a reverse braid. Start with a reverse fishtail braid & end with a normal fishtail braid, or vice versa. OR braid it however you want, secure with a small ponytail, &  twist it up to make a Messy Braided Bun.

   As always, leave a comment if you need help, and Happy Hairstyling!!!

Quick & Easy Rope Braid, 5 Ways

     I am soooo sorry about not posting last week. Really, I am! I've been looking forward to Braid Month all summer, and when it's finally time, I don't post. How lame am I? 
  Today's braid is from Twist Me Pretty, a website where y'all will find cute hairstyles, sweet decorating ideas, and modest clothing inspiration. (She doesn't even wear short shorts or low-cut tops!) If you use Pinterest for hair ideas, you've probably seen Abby from twistmepretty.com . The braid is shown five different ways. How's that for a hair-raising bonus? Am I forgiven now? 

Rope Braid, Five Ways

1- Brush hair & make a deep side-part. From beside the part-line, pick up 2 pieces of hair. twist each piece clockwise for about 2 inches. Wrap the pieces around each other counter-clockwise one time. Add a little hair to the piece closest to the face, then twist each piece clockwise again. Wrap the pieces counter-clockwise again. Continue to add hair, twist, and wrap until you've added as much hair as you want to. Then just twist and wrap. Once that's done, secure with a small ponytail holder.
2- Style way 1. Pull the rope braid back, and hid the end under some hair. Pin in place.
3- Style way 1. Pull the braid and rest of hair into a ponytail. For a more polished look, wrap a piece of hair around the holder, hiding it, and pin in place.
4- Style way 1. Pull braid and rest of hair into a loose messy bun.
5-  Style way 1, but this time use a middle-part & make two. Pull both braids back, and secure with one ponytail holder.
  If you need any help, just leave a comment. Happy Hairstyling! 

Pray; Seek; Focus

   Okay, picture this: I'm downstairs at the coffee table, working on research notes for my next book. Two feet from me, Sawyer and Carter are on the Xbox. I enjoy the game they're playing, LEGO Marvel, and don't focus on my notes. I'm distracted.
   My notes were more important than their video game. I'd need them soon, but I'd never need the game. In the same way, Christians can become distracted from what we need, God, and become more interested in things we'll never need. It's a very common, God has a very simple solution. Pray.
   Pray and ask God for help, then seek to focus on Him. Seek Him. If you do, the things of this world will quickly fade away. 
   Focusing on Him is a battle to be fought daily. Prayer is our weapon, and God is our shield These two will never fail. With them, we can on Him.
   Pray; seek; focus.

Believe and Call

   I believe; help my unbelief! 

~Mark 9: 24 b

   We all believe something. It's what we believe that matters. Some believe that life's an accident; others that it's the result of an all-powerful god no one can know. Still others there are many gods or that we ourselves are gods. It may not be true, but what a person believes matters.

   We also all have unbelief. Unbelief in something means that you believe a thing is not real and never could be. My unbelief in macro-evolution means I believe it isn't real and never could be. Our unbelief is important, not only for us but also to God.

   Sometimes we have false unbelief. Something that could happen is thought to to be impossible. God desires to help us with such unbelief. He is completely able to; He could just take it away. But He doesn't. He wants us to call on Him for help because doing so reminds us of our dependence on Him.

   So call. Nothing stops you except yourself. Believe He can do it and call. Don't wait 'til you find an area of unbelief. Call now. He knows your unbelief, even if you don't. Simply call.

I believe; help my unbelief!

~ Mark 9: 24 b   

Forsaken

   Who likes that word? Who likes its meaning? Who would volunteer to be forsaken? 
   Jesus did.
   

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,

yet he opened not his mouth;

like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,

and like a that before its

shears is silent,

so he opened not his mouth.

~ Isaiah 53:7

   Jesus is powerful. He commands angels, an army of them (see Matt. 26:53 for details). If He wanted to, He could have stopped everything in a heartbeat. But He didn't; He had volunteered and would finish it.

   On that cross, Jesus experienced something new.

   And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice,"Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?" which means,"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" ~Mark 15:34

   Jesus was forsaken by His own Father. Yes, He knew it was coming, but that couldn't change the pain it brought.

   What does Jesus being forsaken mean for us? It means we will never be. How does it help us? By bringing us to eternal Love.

   Simply put, Jesus volunteered to be forsaken so that we'd never truly experience it.

A Call to our Nation's People

 

"How has it happened, sir, that we have not hitherto once thought of humbly applying to the Father of lights to illuminate our understanding? In the beginning of the contest with Britain, when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayers in this room for Divine protection. Our prayers, sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered. All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a superintending Providence in our favor... And have we now forgotten this powerful Friend? Or do we imagine we no longer need His assistance? 
   I have lived, sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth: that God governs in the affairs of man. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?
   We have been assured, sir, in the sacred writings that except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it. I firmly believe this. I also believe that, without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel; we shall be divided by our little, partial, local interests; our projects will be confounded; and we ourselves shall become a reproach and a byword down to future ages. and what is worse, mankind may hereafter, from this unfortunate instance, despair of establishing government by human wisdom and leave it to chance, war, or conquest.
   I therefore beg leave to move that, henceforth, prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven and its blessing on our deliberations be held in this assembly every morning before we proceed to business.

-Benjamin Franklin to Gen. Washington and the delegates at the convention of 1787

   America needs to hear this! Our nation must return to and plea with the LORD GOD for help. Our overall abandonment of God has led to evils that our founding fathers never would imagine in their wildest dreams. Sins that a Christian nation should never commit have become acceptable and considered lawful. 
   O God, please save us! Bring us back to Your arms. Purge our many sins and save us.   

A Princess Book Recommendation

   The Two Princesses of Bamarre by Gail Carson Levine isn't as well known as the author's other book, Ella Enchanted, but it should be. It's a beautiful, touching story that perfectly captures the bond sisters share. Completely original, this tale is full of twists, turns, and unique characters. Meek (to the point of scaredy-cat) Princess Addie and adventure-loving Princess Meryl's relationship is not one you'll forget. Available at Amazon, Thriftbooks, and through Sequoyah Regional Library System   

5 Things I Hate in Books

   I love books, don't get me wrong, but there are some things I hate in books. here's my top 5; what's yours?

1. When there should be a sequel, but there isn't. Those books that are soooo good, you just want more. But the author didn't write one. Always a bummer. 

2. Unresolved plots A sign of bad writing or to interest readers in the next book, either way, I'm not a fan of it.

3. When something ruins the book You know what I mean. It's a really good book, but the author goes and puts a word or scene in it and completely messes everything up. (Luckily, the books I read are generally proof read so I don't run into this very often.)

4. When my favorite character dies Seriously! That is the worse. Why do authors do that to us?

5. When there's nothing original Stories are entertainment, and entertainment requires the surprise of originality. Stories are pointless without it.

It Begins... Book Month!

   Hey, y'all, and welcome to Book Month. For all of this month, I'm only posting about books. I'll mainly do book recommendations, but there will be other stuff too. Here's an example: I finished the writing process on my book. Next up is editing and typing up.
   I was going to announce this month's theme back on Tuesday but never had the time to. So here's what today's post was suppose to be. Now, to officially kick off Book Month, a recommendation.

   In the Footsteps of Jesus by Bruce Marchiano is a wonderful auto-biology. It tells about Mr. Marchiano's experience acting the Son of God in The Gospel According to Matthew, how God prepared him for it, what it taught him, and how it changed him forever. I've lost count of the times I've read this book: it's just jam-packed with truths about Jesus and the Christian walk.Originally published almost twenty years ago, I'm not sure where you'd find it today.Amazon, Thriftbooks, and at Family Christian's website, maybe?     

A Braid and an Announcement

   Summer is officially here, y'all. That means HOT weather and looking for ways to get your hair off your neck. One of the quickest ways to do that is with a ponytail. I, however, am not a big fan of ponytails. They're kind of dull and run-of-the-mill. But if you add a braid that changes everything!
   So that's what I've done. I took your everyday ponytail and freshened it up with a four-stranded lace braid. Lace braids were introduced last month in Leia's headband braid. Today's braid uses the same concept but on a four-stranded (4-S)  braid. First I'll tell y'all how to do a basic four-stranded then how to lace 4-S  braid, OK?

To 4-S braid begin by dividing desired amount of hair into 4 equal-ish pieces of hair: 2 middle pieces, a right outside piece, & a left outside piece. Then cross the right outside piece over the closest middle piece and under the next middle piece. The right outside piece now becomes a middle piece. Now take the left outside piece and cross it under the closest middle piece. Then cross it over the next middle piece. The left outside piece now becomes a middle piece as well. Repeat these steps until braid is done.

    Y'all got that? It' basically over, under from one side; then under, over from the other. Now for the ponytail itself!

The 4-S Lace Braided Ponytail 

1- Brush hair and part on the side

2- On the side with more hair, pick up a descent size section of hair and divide into 4 pieces

3- Do the first part of a 4-S braid(see above)

4- Before you cross the new outside piece closest to your face, add some more hair to it. Then continue as before.

5- Repeat step 4 until just past ear

6- If you braided correctly, you should  have one piece of hair that is much smaller than the rest. At this point, add enough hair to it so that it's the same size as the others

7- Now finish with a regular 4-S braid and secure it, along with the rest of your hair, in a ponytail

   

   If you need help, just leave a comment.

   Whew! Now that I'm done with that, on to the announcement!  This summer I'll be taking the three months and spending them entirely on their own topics. For example, July will be Born Again month, and I'll posting only about that topic during July. June and August will be the months for Books and Braids, though I'm not sure which will be which yet. Anyway, thanks for sticking around long enough to read all this. 

One of my Favorite Series: Sisters Grimm by Michael Buckley

   Sabrina and Daphne Grimm are the last living descendants of the Brothers Grimm. Yes, as in the Brothers Grimm Fairy Tales, only those fairy tales aren't actually bedtime stories. They're historical records of true stories written to warn the world about what's out there. Obviously, it hasn't worked. The Everafters, as the fairy tale characters prefer to be called, now mostly live in a small New York town. The Sisters Grimm books track Sabrina and Daphne while they learn about their heritage as fairy tale detectives, Everafters, and how to save the world.
Warning: These books will completely ruin fairy tales for you, even though they include a host of wonderful side characters (such as Puck from Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, the Big Bad Wolf, and Snow White).
   Available at Amazon, Thriftbooks ,and through Sequoyah Regional Library System.      

What are You Going to Do? Part 2

   Now you have made your choice. You are (hopefully) carrying the real cross. That cross can change so much; it has changed so much already. But we must do something with it.

   But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 

- James 1:22

   For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead. 

-James 2:26

   Dead faith is worthless. To just believe in God is not enough.(See James 2:19-20) If we only hear the Word and don't act on it, we're deceiving ourselves about our faith.

   The option (option 1 from WaYGtD-Pt 1) was to carry the real cross of Jesus, follow Him, and help change the world. To follow Him and help change the world requires work; it requires action. There is no way to truly follow Jesus without doing some work. Following Him is made of a few things: love, faith, trust, and dirt.

   Yeah, dirt.

   Jesus, by trade, was a carpenter, the son of a carpenter. He played on a dirt floor covered with sawdust as a kid. He was working with His hands before He was ten years old. He spent His entire adult life doing one kind of  work or another. Most likely, He didn't wear a white robe; more likely, His clothes were old and dirty. He's very familiar with all things dirty.

   I'm going to work with my Jesus and get dirty while doing it. What are you going to do?

      

What are You Going to Do? Part 1

   The cross. It's familiar. If you're like me, you probably even have jewelry with the cross. Crosses are everywhere we look, but they're not the real cross.
   You see, today we have this version of the cross that's all cleaned up. Like the Celtic cross, it's so beautiful. But the cross has no outward beauty, the real cross that is.
   
  And through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

   - Colossians 1:20 (italics mine)

   And he said to all,"If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me."

- Luke 9:23 (italics still mine)

   The blood of His cross. All of us, daily. The real cross, Jesus' cross, is bloodstained. It's not just stained with His blood either. It's stained with the forgiven sins of all, and we are to carry it with us at all time,24/7.

   So.... Here we are. Before us is a bloody, heavy cross that can change everything, but only if we carry it everywhere we go. This cross isn't the type of thing made into jewelry. In fact, it started out as a thing of shame.

   Before us is the real cross and a choice. This choice has three options. 

Option One: Carry the real cross of Jesus, follow Him daily, and help change the world.

Option Two: Wear the cleaned up cross and talk the talk, but stay the same on the inside where it counts.

Option Three: Choose neither of the crosses, and go your own way.

   Me, I've chosen option one, the real cross. Which do you chose? What are you going to do?   

Leia's Endor Headband Braid or the Dutch Headband Braid

   

Yeah, it was only a matter of time before I did a movie braid. (Y'all were probably expecting a Lord of the Rings or Hobbit one, though. Don't worry; they'll come soon enough.) Since I got my hair cut at the beginning of this month, I've been finding that some of my braids don't work anymore. Losing at least four inches does that. I was pleased to find this one still does. At the time the picture were taken my hair was as long as Leia's is in Episode Six. It's also one of a few with my glasses. 

Leia's Endor Headband Braid
or
the Dutch Headband Braid

Instructions:

1. Use your 1st & 2nd fingers to section off all the hair above ear of choice. (I start at my left, with a heavy side part so that the part-line is on the right.)
2. Divide the hair into 3 equal pieces and begin Dutch braiding upward. If you don't know how, it's basically a regular, but instead of going over the middle, you go under it.
3. Cross the piece closest to your face under the middle.You now have new front and middle pieces.
4. Cross the piece farthest from your face under your new middle piece. You now have new middle and back pieces.
5. Add some hair to the front piece and cross it under the middle piece. Remember, you're braiding upward!
6. Repeat step 4,then repeat 5. Continue doing this until the braid goes all the way across your head. Use your fingers to work out any bumps when they come up before continuing to braid.
7. Once the braid is all the way across, finish with a braid by just repeating steps 3&4 'til done, then go back and tug on the beginning of the braid. If the braid is long enough you can pin it so it forms a complete circle. If not, just secure with a small ponytail and let it hang. 

If you need help, leave a comment, and I'll try to help you out. Happy Hairstyling!

RhoXie

A Sneak Peak of a Friend's new Book

   Y'all know that I write, but I'm not the only one! My friend Morgan Elizabeth Huneke is also a writer. In fact, she's releasing her third book soon. Her first two books (Across the Stars and The Experiment, available at Amazon) were both very good, particularly the second one. I look forward to reading her new book which is the first of a series, I believe.  
   Morgan is letting me give y'all a sneak peak of her cover. Here it is!!!! 

The cover...

and the talented author

The Difference

   It sometimes seems like I get in more trouble for what I didn't do than for what I did do. (If that makes any sense, point for you.) I forget a responsibility, a school assignment, or something. It's not what I did that's the problem; it's what I didn't do. It's like that with God too.
   On the Cross, Jesus took the sins of the world. The price of that sin has been paid in full and is gone for ever. It's not what the world did that keeps them out of Heaven; it's what it didn't do: accept Jesus Christ as Savior. That's all that stands between the world and eternity with God.
   Because of what it didn't do, the world is going to Hell. Jesus has this amazingly awesome, totally free gift for them, but they didn't accept it.
  You see, the only difference between us and the world is our answers to Jesus' offer of salvation. It's what we did and what they didn't do about Jesus' choice. That's the only difference. The world didn't, but we did through Jesus' death. Jesus loves both. He died for both. He offers salvation to both, but they didn't and we did.
   This isn't grounds for us to look down on the world. This isn't to make us look smarter than or above the world. No, it is to remind us that once we were the same, that there is little difference between us and the world. From dirt we all came, and to dirt we will all return. The only real  difference is where, and with Who, our souls will spend eternity.
   We are to point the world to Jesus, to show the difference. Are we?  
      

Extra! Extra!

   Here we are, less than a week left in March, and yikes! the 'Books' section hasn't been covered this month. Maybe I could recommend a book. How about... oh, wait, I did that last time.I need something better, something...extra. I've got it!
   Once upon a time, not too very long ago, a man from Liverpool, England told a story to a group of children. From a story came a book; from that book came a series. The Redwall Series by Brain Jacques (pronounced 'Jakes') to be precise. The stories of Redwall Abbey and mighty Salamandastron give rise to be warriors, otter queens, and badger lords to defeat vermin warlords, corsair captains, and emperors; and that's only the beginning of it. A total of twenty-two books in this books in the well written series, they are available through Sequoyah Regional Library System and at Amazon and Thriftbooks.

Find my new blog here.

REAL Love

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.- 1 Corinthians 13:7&8

  In today's culture these verses seem almost impossible, almost meaningless. Relationships crumble all around us. What God intended to last 'til death now "ends" in as little as a month. Just as bad,"love" has become an everyday, multipurpose word with hundreds of meanings. The label"sin" has been replaced with"love"in many cases. Everything, it seems, is good if done for the sake of "love".

  But does this "love"endure? Does it hope in spite of the pain? Does it believe? Does it bear hardship over and over again? I'm not saying love should put up with certain sins if they are continuely repeated.But, but, it should last through storms of many different kinds.
  We will be known as Jesus' followers by how we love (see John 13:34). Does the way we love show others our faith?
  Maybe I should just grow up. Modern love, real love, isn't like that. I'm chasing a fantasy, a hopeless dream. My standards are set way too high. Or are they?
  Define REAL love.
  Is it the kind that makes me happy, fulfilling my every wish? Does it involve little besides candlelight ans bubbly feelings? Does it tint my world rose-colored? Is it the kind that comes on a whim and disappears with a major fight?
  That doesn't sound real to me. Or is real love strong enough to face and last storm after destructive storm? Is it willing to submit to being spit upon and scorned, to be called foolish, old-fashion, and overprotective? Does it believe and last?Does it endure pain and even death?

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. - John 15:13

  This is real love. This is how I want to love God, family, friends, and the world. This is the love Jesus meant. It's messy and very dirty. The world's"love"maybe easier to do, but REAL love is greater in the end.   

Find my new blog here

The Dutch Waterfall Braid

It's been awhile, but I'm back with another braid! This one can be done on ANY hair length or hair type: short or long, thick or thin, straight or curly, and everything in between.

The Dutch Waterfall Braid 

Instructions:

1-Brush your hair
2-Pick up a good size  piece of hair and divide it into three sections

3-Cross the top section over the middle one. You now have new top and middle sections

4-Cross the bottom section over the new middle

5-Repeat step 4

6-Now drop the bottom section and pick up a new section from your loose hair. This is your new bottom section

7-Cross the top section over the middle section

8-Cross your new bottom section over your new middle

9-Repeat steps 6-8 until your braid goes around to the other side or until your braid is at the back of your head. Then repeat the waterfall braid on the other side of your head and join the two braids together.

If you need help or want to suggest a hairstyle for me to post, just leave comment. Happy Hairstyling!

  

Finding Satisfaction in God, not Tolkien

   I'm a bit of a Tolkien fanatic, to a point some would call obsessive. I've spent hours reading and learning the books. My head is full of useless but fascinating (to me at least) trivia, like the meaning of Galadriel and that Legolas isn't actually blond. I  love Middle-Earth, but I've never really know why. I do now.

   J.R.R. Tolkien was a Christian. While he didn't write his books as allegories, Christian themes are clearly woven throughout them. Because of that I love them. I believe that's why they've not only survived but thrived over the years.

   The goodness draws us. How it conquers evil thrills us. Even unbelievers love them. In a world full to overflowing with wickedness,we long to see right defeat wrong. Tolkien's books fill that craving for a moment, leaving us hungry for more.

   So what do we do?

   Some may dive deeper into the books, thinking that will satisfy them. I'll admit I've done that, but it doesn't work.The satisfaction never last. The craving comes back every time. The books don't fill the longing.

   So what does?

   God. 

   God is the only One who can seal the hole and end the craving. That's how humans are made. It's part of who we are.Nothing else can satisfy us. No books, movies, or author. Only the Author who wrote the Book of Life and knows our part in the the Movie of Time can.

  Now when I long for a brave king who serves those around him, I don't read about Aragorn. I talk to the Real King who served all with His all, Jesus. I will always enjoy Tolkien's books, perhaps more than any other fiction, but I find satisfaction and fulfillment in God, as it was meant to be.

  

Two Book Recommmendations

I'm soooo sorry I've not posted in the last couple of weeks, but I'll try to make up for it now. As an avid reader and writer, books occupy a rather large portion of my time. Here are two of my favorites.

Radical by David Platt   A thought-provoking about how Christians are called to live. Biblically solid, it continually points back to Jesus' commission and then challenges us to really live our faith as Christ intended.It's available at Family Christian Bookstores. Fun fact: Mr. Platt is a native Georgian.

Cryptide  Hunters by Roland Smith   A well written adventure novel about twins, Grace and Marty, whose parents disappear in the Amazonian rain-forest. Their world turned upside down, they're sent to live with an uncle they didn't know they had.To Grace's dismay, and Marty's delight, their uncle, Travis Wolfe, seems obsessed with mysterious creatures called cryptides.  Available at Amazon and Thriftbooks.

Lessons from my Glasses

  Saturday I got glasses. Through them God has taught me some awesome things. I know that sounds weird, but it's true. 

Lesson 1  Cheaters really don't prosper.
When I was younger, I cheated on eye exams at the doctor's. This masked the problem for awhile, but in the long run made it worse.

Lesson 2  Listen to others.
If I had listened at the doctor's, I might not have this problem or it wouldn't be so bad.

Lesson 3  Talk with others.
I should have spoken up instead of cheating. My problem would've been tended to years ago.

lesson 4  Be grateful for the small things.
My eye problem is pretty bad but not life changing. Thanks be to God; I'm not going blind. My life will go on much like before.

Lesson 5  Help changes everything.
Just like my glasses change the way I see things, God changes the way I see life. Without Him, everything blurs.

Lesson 6  Actually see the details.
Without glasses I can't see details. But what's worse, without God I can't see the details He puts in my life. I miss so much that way. 

Be With Me

Yes, I know I just posted Saturday, two days ago. But I think y'all will like this. I wrote this poem and decided to post it. So here goes.

Be With Me

Once I stood far away,

But now I draw near.

Lord, listen to my plea today;

Please be with me.

This is my single plea.

Only this, Lord, I need,

You to be with me.

Let my soul on You feed.

Before I shook my fist;

Your way I would not see.

But Lord, now I beg this:

Come and be with me.

The Reverse Fishtail Braid

   I'm so sorry for how long it's taken me to do this,y'all. Hopefully, it'll be worth the wait.

   Fishtail braids are really popular right now, but they've become common 'cause of it. I'm weird and like to be a little different. (If you thought this blog was done by someone normal, so sorry.) So I have a less known braid for y'all. It's called the Reverse Fishtail Braid.

   It's very simple,much simpler than it looks. I have no training at all, so if I can do it you can too. I promise all of my braids will be doable but may require practice. Now without forth ado...

The Reverse Fishtail Braid 

Instructions:

1-Brush your hair thoroughly, then divide into two equal sections. For a braid that goes down your back, hold the sections at the center of your neck. Hold them off-center for a side braid.

2-Section off a piece of hair from your left section. Take it under the left section and join it to the right section.

3-Section off another piece of hair the right section, the same size as the last. Take it under the right section and join it to the left section.

4- Without dropping the sections already braided, repeat step 2.

5-Repeat step 3.

6-Continue repeating steps 2&3 until the braid is done. It'll take a little time for the braid to really show up. If your braid is going down your back, you'll need to lean over eventually, but if it's a side braid, just move it onto your shoulder when it's time. Then continue steps 2&3.

7-Once the braid is secured with a ponytail holder, gently tug on the braid to make it bigger. If you tug a good bit,you'll get a messy braid. You may have a part on the back of your head. You can fix this by running a brush or comb over it.  

Step 5

Step 6

Finished!

You can now reverse fishtail braid.

If there's something you don't understand, just leave a comment and I'll try to help.