Pennsylvania,
Called Penn’s Woods,
Filled with trees,
Founded on freedom,
Built on belief.
There’s a bell that I’ve never seen,
A famous symbol of liberty.
In Philadelphia, historic walls
Of brotherly love for one and all.
This is the land of Hershey,
The timeless snack of unity.
The land of Great Lake Erie
And Oliver Hazard Perry.
These beaches tell of courage.
“Don’t give up the ship!” they said.
Pennsylvania is my job at the small grocery store,
And the elderly and disabled
Who come through the door
With those willing to help them out,
Who can always give more.
Pennsylvania is the church buried in the woods,
With only twenty members
Who go there every Sunday and Tuesday
To remember
How we’re saved.
Our Savior died on a tree
To take the sins of you and me.
We walk in faith,
We live in love,
Because of this great sacrifice
From heaven above.
This is the Pennsylvania I see
From the small town of Harborcreek.
These woods may be different for another,
But no matter what,
Pennsylvania is like no other.
What would you say is the most important thing in your life? The answer should be your faith in God, but that isn’t always what we put first. Even the best Bible characters let their faith slip at some point or another.
Let's take a look at Saul, Israel's first king. We know what happened there. Saul started out fine. He believed God and led well. He even looked like a king; he was very tall and powerful. So what went wrong? Saul started to love his own power way too much, and he wanted more of it. He thought David was a threat to that power, so it became his goal in life to kill David. Saul let power and greed compromise his faith.
David was the next king after Saul, and he loved God very much. David honored God, and he was also a good and just ruler. David's armies were also very strong in battle because they had God on their side. We think of David as a righteous king, but he wasn't always. Once he saw a beautiful woman named Bethsheba bathing. He wanted her as a wife, so he plotted to have her husband killed in battle. David committed adultery and it hurt his relationship with God. Solomon, David's
son, was the next ruler of Israel. God offered to give him anything he wanted, and he chose wisdom. God was pleased with this choice, so He gave Solomon wisdom and money. Solomon’s request proved that he was a selfless ruler, but he, too, sinned. He had many, many different wives and these wives had many, many different gods. Solomon himself began to worship the false gods, and that did not go well. He put idols in God's way.
These kings did some terrible things to take them away from God, and it really isn’t all that different from when we sin in small ways every day. Faith is the most important thing, but it is easier than we think to mess up. Good thing God is always there, ready to forgive us if we ask.
In the Bible, God tells us to obey what he says. The law is spelled out pretty clearly, but it isn't always the easiest to follow. In Romans 12, we are told to submit to governing authorities. Well, what happens if those authorities tell us to do something we think is wrong? Do we submit or rebel?
The first thing we must do is evaluate the problem. What does the Bible say? If the authorities are telling us to do something that the Bible specifically tells us not to do or vice versa, we should always follow the Bible. We should submit to governing authorities except when they contradict what God says. When this happens, we should try to protest in a peaceful, godly way while being ready to take more extreme measures if necessary.
What if we know something is wrong, but the Bible doesn't say anything specific on the issue? There are probably some verses there, but they might not mention the issue by name. In any case, we should defend what is right calmly, avoiding unnecessary trouble. In either situation, the Bible should be our primary weapon.
What about history? Were past wars worth fighting to Christians? Let's take a look at the Declaration of Independence, for example. Thomas Jefferson did give several good reasons for the colonies to be upset with the King of Britain, but did these reasons have to lead to wars? Something had to be done but I don't think the situation had to be as extreme as it was. They should have protested kindly, talked it out and consulted the Bible a bit more before starting a full out revolution.
What about now? Coronavirus obsession is still going on along with Black Lives Matter protests. With the election coming up, the level of crazy in this country isn't going down. Some people post their every thought and opinion on social media. Others throw rocks at cars and burn buildings. What should we do? Like in any situation, we should follow the Bible above all. If we have to speak out, we should do so in a way that is both loving and logical.
That was a lot of words, but here is the main point of it all: be thoughtful, be careful, be peaceful, and always look at God's Word first.
Jesus’ ministry on earth was enough to show His power and authority, but what's even more amazing is that it was all predicted beforehand. According to most sources, Jesus fulfilled over 300 prophecies about His life. Research by Peter Stoner shows that the likelihood of even just eight of those prophecies coming true by chance is 1 in 1017. The prophecies were about a range of things from Jesus' lineage to strange miracles and even to the detail of His parents hiding Him in Egypt for a while after He was born, but they all came true. Only God could do that. The purpose of it all was described in the first prophecy about Him in Genesis 3:15. It was to crush Satan and save us from sin and death.
Obediah is one of the seventeen books of the prophets at the end of the Old Testament. Though only two pages long, this minor prophecy is important. God told Obediah about Edom's destruction in a vision. Edomites were the descendants of Esau, who was forever angry after his brother, Jacob, cheated him twice. The Edomites were eventually destroyed, just like God said. This book shows God's justice and the punishment for sin. My favorite line is the last one: “But the kingdom will be the LORD’s.”
Did you know that the first kites were invented in China? It's hard to tell exactly who did it, but two big names are Mozi and Lu Ban. At first kites were used for military purposes to deliver messages and measure distances for attack strategies. They were also used by sailors sometimes in a superstitious routine to see if it was a good time for a voyage. By the prosperous Tang dynasty, however, kites were for entertainment, sentimental, and religious use instead of their original dark intent. Today kites are still a form of Chinese culture and art. There is even an annual festival dedicated to kites in the Chinese city of Weifang.
Fun fact: ancient Egyptians were just as concerned about looking trendy as we are today, and they weren't nearly as modest about it! Men usually only wore kilts made of linen. The women wore long tube-like dresses that provided much more coverage, but the higher classes of both genders used transparent linen for their clothing. Jewelry made of gold, silver, and precious stones was very popular, and even the poor wore necklaces and bracelets made from colorful pottery beads. People usually went barefoot, but sandals of leather and papyrus were worn for special occasions. The most modern obsession the Egyptians had was makeup!
In Bible times, dreams weren't always just a weird jumble of random events to laugh at in the morning. The Bible, mainly the Old Testament, tells of several times when people had significant dreams or visions. These often gave warnings for what would happen if a certain sin continued or showed events of the near future. Joseph and David were especially known for their ability to interpret dreams. One interesting dream in the New Testament was more of a nightmare that Pilot's wife had because she knew that Jesus was innocent. Although the Bible is complete, meaning we don't need to learn things through dreams anymore, it is very interesting to read about the way God worked in these people's sleep.
When it all began I was sitting on the shore, feeling the same between my toes and letting my mind wander. I checked my watch: 7:47AM. The date was Sunday, December 7, 1941. It seemed so ordinary, little did I know that date would live on forever as the day so many lives changed.
I should have been getting ready, but I just couldn't go to church that day. Not after the previous afternoon's drama. I had been playing in the waves at the beach with my best friend, Mindy, when Lillian showed up. "Molly!" She called, "I didn't expect to see you here!" Before I could do much of anything, Mindy was pouncing.
"What is the Japanese scrum doing at our spot?" She asked me.
At first Lillian looked shocked. Then hurt. But she put on a smile and whispered, "I'm sorry, I just wanted to say hi to my friend." My heart might have ripped in half just then. I could tell she was holding back tears. Why? There was no reason besides the unchangeable fact that she was from Japan.
"Friend? Molly's your friend now? Molly?" Mindy asked scornfully.
My face became a furnace as my stomach dropped to my toes. "What? No! She just won't leave me alone! I thought she was too small to be a real threat, even if she is Japanese, so I didn't bother trying to get rid of her." I don't know why I said that. It wasn't true, I just hated Mindy's tone.
I was thinking all of this over when suddenly I heard the roar of an engine overhead. What the... I looked up to see a bomber with the Japanese symbol on it. I whipped my head around to cast an uneasy glance at the harbor to my right.
---------
Days later I looked out the window to find a completely different island. The beaches were guarded with barbed wire and most of the ship's were gone. Destroyed. 2,335 men were killed plus 68 civilians. 1,178 more were wounded, including 35 innocent people standing by. I was one of those 35.
I shuddered at the memory. The smoke had thickened the sky in an instant and the sharp fumes had made me dizzy. Debris from our ships were flying everywhere. I tried to run but suddenly I was slammed to the ground. I couldn't feel my legs. The whole world had begun to spin. I was sure that I was dead when I saw Lillian. She was running towards me in all of the mayhem. The world went black before anything else could happen.
The next thing I knew I was seated on the couch with my mom. The scent of tea sweetened the air. Lillian was gone. I never saw her again after that. I never got to thank her. Or to apologize.
Mom's are so perfect. They know when you need to talk and when all you want to do is curl up the legs you can't feel and cry because you're so confused by this point that you don't know what to say or even think. They know that sometimes you just have to let something out, so they let you scream like a madman as loud as you like. They also know when all you need is a good book.
Oh, it felt so wonderful to be on solid ground once more! We had really made it. Well... not all of us. I remembered my brother with a sharp pang of sadness. Taking a shaking breath, I reminded myself that he was in heaven now.
My legs wobbled beneath me, for they had grown accustomed to the tossing waves and the constant rocking. Unable to stand, I knelt down and have thanks to God instead. All around me other people knelt in prayer, too. It was like a Sunday's service right then and there. We hadn't even planned it out.
It was the dead of winter. I shivered through my worn cloak and work dress, but the view below made it all worth it. The wilderness of trees and bushes before us was laced in a delicate frost that made even the thorns beautiful. It was as if a great spider had woven her web all around the forest. I had seen plenty of snow before in England, but it had never lost it's beauty to me. Something about this land was different, though. I was meant to be here. Agitated grumbles swelled up around me after some time, but all I could hear was the singing of my heart.
Wild animals ran by, much surprised to find us at their doorstep, but they weren't what the leaders were worried about. I peeked between shivering shoulders and made my way through the growing crowd to see what the trouble was. I heard cold whispers of "Barbarians" and "Wild men" that sent ants up my spine. But when at last I got to the front of the crowd, I saw nothing of the sort. What I saw was a small group of men with flesh and bones not so different from mine. They all had two arms, two legs, and faces just like me. So what was everyone scared of? Their skin was strangely dark and their clothes so very different, but what did that matter?
I was lost in thought long after I finished the introduction. How could this girl be so cheerful against all odds? I guess she was just doing what she could to make the situation better. Why couldn't I do that? I could try a new view. Lillian was gone. There wasn't anything I could do about that. What I could do was change my friends' opinions on her. Maybe one day she would come back and find an island ready to accept her, to admit that we are all humans. Maybe we could all take on a new view.
Today I am grateful for my younger sister. It wasn't a great day and I got really grumpy and generally not fun to be around but she still wanted to play outside with me.
Today I am grateful for America, my country. I finished my history book for school today and I learned about Americans commemorating how our country started by celebrating the fourth of July. Throughout history, when any number of awful things were going on, people continued to celebrate our country. It really made me think about what America is. Why celebrate it? America was built on freedom. God created this beautiful land and placed on it people who He allowed to build a country where we can be free to say and believe whatever we believe is right. Now with the quarantine it may feel like our freedom is restricted, but we are still free to believe. I am thankful that my country gives me this right.
Today I am grateful for my Mom. We did our morning yoga as usual but this time my younger brother, Mason, did it with us. I was mad because it's sort of a special thing just for Mom and I, but she was calm and fair and kept me in good enough humor to enjoy yoga even if I did wish it was just the two of us. Later I did get some one on one time with Mom, though it was only at the grocery store. At the checkout she bought me a new flavor of chapstick (just don't tell any of my siblings). We also rented the movie of Little Women and something for the younger kids to watch. Mom read the book when she was around my age and she loved it and was excited for me to read it last year. I loved it just as much. So with our mutual love of the story we cuddled up to watch the movie after dinner. I am thankful for the wonderful time that I got to spend with my Mom today.
Today I am grateful for spring. It's been pretty cold out the last few days, but today wasn't bad. I did some art outside and watched three birds as they loudly squabbled and flapped their wings in a nearby tree. Later I took a walk at the edge of the woods and admired the many flowers preparing to open up any day now. I was cold when I got back from a bike ride with my brother, but it was so good to be outside! I am so thankful spring is here; I don't know what I'd do if it wasn't.
Today I am grateful for God. I could go on for hours with the reasons but I haven't got the time for that so I'll leave it at this: What could I be more thankful for than the One who made everything that is good?
Why do we celebrate Easter? Obviously to honor some random bunny who hides colorful eggs full of chocolate. Makes sense, right? Ok, so that story is pretty random. If you aren’t a fan of creepy bunnies (how does he hide said eggs? Weird.), you might say that the holiday is about spring, growth, and new life. This is a lot closer to the truth, anyway. For Christians, Easter is a day to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection after dying on a cross for our sins. I want to share how I depicted that important message in my painting.
What you probably noticed first in my picture was the cloud near the center with a red outline of a heart on it. Most hearts we see are red. Why? Well, I don’t know if this is a real reason, but it clicked for me: blood is also red, and blood can represent sacrifice. Hearts of course mean love. 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 says this about love: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” The best kind of love is sacrifice. Jesus loved us so much, despite our sins, that He gave His blood for us. He sacrificed
himself so that He could die for our sin in our place. That’s real love. John 15:13 puts it clearly, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” I used the first cloud to represent that.
The second cloud, near the corner, is wrapped in some sort of ribbon. This is supposed to be like the wrappings Jesus was buried in. They are wrapped around the cloud because, well, they aren’t on Him anymore! Jesus was more powerful than the grave. He rose again! We read in John 28:6, “He is not here; he has risen!” In verse 12 of that same chapter, “Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.”
Finally, there is the sun in the other bottom corner. You may be thinking I just really like to paint sunsets. Well, I do, but that’s not all. It can be a sunrise, too. Thinking of it that way, it represents a new hope for a fresh start. Because of what Jesus did for us, we can have new life. To quote 1 Peter 1:3, the verse Dad used in his sermon this morning, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” Maybe that’s why we celebrate the resurrection in spring. The sun also represents the Son, as in Jesus, the Son of God. He rose from the dead to give us light in this dark world. It represents the Son’s ascension to heaven, as well. Finally, if you look at it like a sunset, it could represent the end of the world. It will be beautiful for those who are saved with heaven waiting on the other side. Psalm 16:11 says this: “In your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” We only have that because of what Christ did for us, and because of His power.
So that’s what Easter is about, not sugar rush or oversized bunnies. It’s about new beginnings because of Jesus’ sacrificial love for us and His power over the grave. It’s about the joy we have in heaven someday, and about Jesus waiting for us there now. The words that really stuck with me from Dad’s sermon this morning are “living hope.” That’s what we celebrate today. As Easter comes to a close, let’s try to remember that every day throughout the year. I’ll leave you with this verse: “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”—Isaiah 53:5
Things are pretty crazy right now with the coronavirus and the panic and precaution it has caused. Schools and businesses are closing temporarily. People are buying all the food, hand sanitizer, toilet paper they can get. Some may feel like the world is going crazy, or even falling apart. This is all scary, but the good news is that we don't have to be afraid!
Isaiah 40:8 says, "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of our God will stand forever." This is why we don't have to be afraid, we can always trust the Bible, which never fails even when everything else in life does. "OK," you may say, "The Bible will always last, but what does it matter to me? How will that stop my fear?" Well, it isn't so much the book itself, but what God has written in it that should give us hope.
"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth," Genesis 1:1. When God created this world for us, it was perfect. There was no sin, sickness, fear, or death. God didn't want the humans He created, Adam and Eve, to be like robots, so He gave them a choice between good and evil. Sadly, with one sin, they chose evil. This is how sin, sickness, fear, and death entered the
world. Now everyone in the world is a sinner.
The penalty for sin is death but the good news is that God sent His Son, Jesus Christ (who was fully God and fully man, and therefore sinless) to die on a cross as the sacrifice for all of our sins. Now that Jesus died to forgive us of our sin, we can go to heaven if we trust in Him. We also need to ask God to forgive us of our sins and He will.
Heaven is a perfect place with no sin where God and everyone who has left this world trusting in Him lives. It is a paradise where God is praised all day long with joy. No matter how hard things get here, those of us who believe in God and all He has done can have the hope of heaven to chase our fear away. We know this world's problems aren't permanent and one day we will be in perfect paradise praising Him.
This is why I drew the earth flying apart with the cross in the middle, standing in one piece. If you look, you will see that there are lines coming from the cross to keep the world from completely falling apart. Jesus died on the cross so one day we can go to heaven, this hope can be what keeps our world from completely flying apart.
What if I told you I was a horrible person?
What if I said that you are, too?
I’m a terrible sinner.
You are a terrible sinner.
Every person
Ever to live,
All sinners,
Except one.
Now you're trying to deny it.
You can't.
Have you ever done wrong?
Then you're dirty.
I'm dirty.
The world is dirty.
Only one man was ever clean
And it wasn't Santa Clause.
Long ago in the city of Bethlehem
A child was born to a virgin
In a stable.
It was a humble birth for a king.
For The King,
The Son of God.
Merry Christmas.
That child, Jesus, was perfect and sinless.
He was the only human ever
Who didn't deserve capital punishment.
He grew up to die.
He took the blame for our sins.
And was crucified
To save us.
He even left the grave
To defeat death.
Merry Christmas!
Now is the time to celebrate
The birth of the greatest man ever to live.
The birth of our Savior,
Who is the only way we can be good.
We only have to trust in Him
And be forgiven.
I don't know about you, but
I think that's a much better gift
Than anything an imaginary man in a red suit
Can deliver;
Salvation.
"Ma, where did you put the oven mitts? I can not find them in their usual drawer," Mary asked, looking uneasily at the pan of cornbread on the stove that would soon burn.
"I believe they are in that box on your Pa's chair,” Ma said.
‘Why on earth would over mitts be there?’ Mary wanted to ask. Instead she went to get the mitts. Mary had noticed strange things like this happening a lot lately. She was worried about Ma, and Pa too.
“I reckon there is no nine-year-old happier than me on this side of the Mississippi!" Mary's twin Carrie exclaimed as she burst through the front door. Carrie was covered from head to toe in dirt and leaves, her bonnet had fallen down and she had sunburn and lots of freckles on her nose. Carrie’s condition looked even more messy when compared to her sister’s. Mary was very clean, her dress was white with a pink rose bud pattern and it looked good as new (Carrie wore the same dress but it was more brown than white). Mary's bonnet sat primly atop her hair which was pulled back into two neat braids, completed with rosebud hair ribbons.
"Eeeek,” Mary shrieked, “Don't touch me or my stuff while covered in that muck!” she ordered.
“Alright I won't but I don't expect me not to get filthy again, I darn love those woods! I ain't never gonna leave ‘em!" Carrie said.
"Please remember to speak politely and use proper grammar,” Ma said quietly, her eyes on the ground.
“What's the matter, Ma," Carrie asked flat out.
"Don't be rude, Carrie," Mary said, though she was curious herself.
“No, I suppose I should tell you girls sometime,” Ma said.
“Tell us what?" the girls asked in unison, Mary forgetting her manners.
"Well... we're moving,” Ma said after a long pause.
“What!?" Carrie cried.
“Why?!" Mary asked.
"Have you girls seen all the flyers going about for the Oregon Trail?” Ma asked. The twins just stared at their mother dumbly. "Well it is a group of covered wagons headed for Oregon. Your Pa has been losing a lot of money lately due to a few ruffians in town so we decided that this is the best choice to make sure we can support you girls and keep you safe," Ma explained.
Mary started crying. Even though Carrie's eyes were also starting to fill with tears she was still the stronger, braver twin. She put her arm around Mary and said, "Well we can at least make use of the time we have left at this house."
"That's the spirit, we don't have to leave for another month, I should have known that my Carrie would find a way to look on the bright side,” Ma said, giving both girls a big hug.
That month was wonderful, the most fun that was ever had at the Rightworth cabin. After chores the days were filled with swimming in the pond for Carrie, reading and working in the garden for Mary, and picnics for all. Then the horrid day came. The day that the twins had been dreading all month. The day they would leave the only house they had ever lived in. They would be leaving all their friends and family, never to return again.
The day they left was clear and cool. The family drove their wagon into town to meet the rest of the train. Goodbyes had been said, tears had been shed, and now it was time to start the beginning of the rest of their lives. It was 5:00 AM on September 8,1844, a date that would stand in the Rightworth family history for centuries to come. The twins would have liked to crawl back into bed, or at least to hide out in the wagon for the rest of the day. It's not like they weren't used to getting up so early, they did almost every day, but they had cried most of the previous night and were in no walking mood. With the wagon fully packed there was no room for the girls to sit. For the next two hours they walked and walked AND WALKED. Finally it was time to break for breakfast.
Their progress was surprisingly slow so they were now on the outskirts of town. Mary and Carrie scarfed down their oatmeal very quickly and spent the rest of the time exploring around the other wagons. As they were walking by one of the other wagons they saw a girl sitting by one of the big wheels. Mary thought that the girl looked much older, maybe 14 or 15. She quietly kept walking out of respect and shyness. Carrie noticed that the girl held a book and was contently sketching a nearby flower. “Hello!" Carrie said, "I'm Carrie and this is Mary, what are you doing?" she asked.
"Um, hi, I'm Eliza," the girl said quietly.
“That's nice, what are you doing?" Carrie demanded again.
"Oh me, I'm just drawing. I promised my Ma that I would write to her about everything but words can't describe this beauty. I vowed to myself to sketch all the scenery and send it to Ma with my letters,” Eliza said.
"Why isn't your Ma coming with you?" Carrie asked bluntly.
“She can't, she is pregnant. My Pa is staying back with her, my uncle brought my little sister and I here with him. If all goes well Ma and Pa will come in about a year.” Eliza's eyes filled with tears but she tried to hide it.
“How terrible for you,” Mary said sympathetically, "Why did they send you ahead?" Carrie asked.
“They said it was to keep me safe but I think they just wanted to get rid of me for a while,” Eliza said miserably.
“You know that isn't true! I just met you but I think you are a very delightful person. I’m sure nobody would ever want to be rid of you,” Mary said soothingly.
“I'm sorry if I made you sad," Carrie said.
"It's fine, I needed a good talk, and some friends,” Eliza said.
"Maybe this trip won't be so bad after all," Mary said.
“Want to come walk with us?" Carrie asked.
"More walking!" all three groaned, then burst into laughter
The lessons in this story? The twins learned that however bad it seemed, they were lucky to have what they had. They also learned that friendship makes things better.
Megan walked home from school one day in a deep gloom. ‘So what if I would rather work hard to get my own money then steal it from other people, that doesn't mean Ellie has to hate me,’ she thought as she kicked a pebble into the middle of the road. Being dumped by her best friend was bad enough but Megan had more problems than that. She knew that upon arriving home she would not receive a gentle hug and, "What's wrong, sweetie?" from a loving Mother but instead a, "Get out of my way you my big klutz," from her Aunt who didn't have the decency to even tell Megan how her parents died. It had always been that way as long as Megan could remember and it seemed like it always would. Megan was trying to sort out all the problems in her brain when she tripped over a crack and twisted her ankle. “Ow!" Megan tried to stand up but she fell. ‘This is just what I need right now,' she thought. Luckily she saw one of her Aunt's friends coming out of a store across the street. "Mrs. Vanderwick! Help!" The crowded city street was too loud for Megan to be heard. She began to crawl across the street to her Aunt's friend in her panic when she saw a truck driving straight towards her! The driver did not see Megan, who was too scared to move. She just stared at the truck and then fainted.
Megan suddenly sat up and looked around. She was sitting on the ground next to a stack of hay bales that was taller than she is. As Megan took in her surroundings she thought it looked like something out of her favorite book, Little House on the Prairie. Suddenly Megan saw a girl with brown braids come flying out of a nearby log cabin. A taller girl with blonde curls followed at a much more ladylike pace. Her blue dress was the exact same shade as the midsummer sky, which was not tainted by city smoke and smog. Before Megan could gather her wits the blond girl spotted her. "Laura look! There is a girl by our hay pile, she looks sad and confused. Let's see what's wrong!”
Laura rolled her eyes. "But Pa said I could help him chop wood if I finished my chores on time. She is probably just taking a walk from one of the other homesteads," she said.
“You get the water then, I want to meet this girl," the blonde girl said. So Laura walked off and the blonde girl walked over to Megan. “Hello, my name is Mary, are you alright?” she asked.
“Everything is wrong!" Megan cried, “Of course I'm not alright!"
Mary was startled but didn't show it. "Tell me what happened," she said kindly.
"Do you promise not to tell anybody?" Megan asked.
"Cross my heart." Mary said. Something made Megan pour out her entire story to Mary. Mary was a good listener and she helped Megan to get her thoughts straight.
“Wait a minute, you're Mary and your sister is Laura... Do you by chance have a sister named Carrie?" Megan asked in an excited voice.
“Ye-e-esss,” Mary said slowly, wondering how Megan knew this.
“Is your last name Ingalls?" Megan asked, her voice getting high with excitement.
"Ye-e-e-essss," Mary said nervously.
“Oh my gosh you are my favorite character in my favorite book series and your sister Laura is my favorite author!" Megan exclaimed.
"What are you talking, about!?" Mary asked, thinking Megan was insane. So Megan told Mary about the famous Series. "How do I know you're not making this up?" Mary asked.
“Um." Megan had read the books 100 times each, there had to be some proof that they were real. “Your Ma's name is Caroline Quinner and before she married your Pa she was a school teacher. That is what you want to be too when you grow up," Megan said.
Mary just stared at her and then slowly nodded. "Ok, I believe you," she said.
"Good because I need to tell you that γου are going to…”
Mary interrupted Megan before she could finish. "Please don't tell me!" Mary pleaded, "I want to accept troubles and learn from them as they come the way God designed it instead of trying to prevent what he makes happen."
"So you're saying we should just let bad things happen when we could stop them?” Megan asked.
"Sometimes," Mary said, “If God wants something to happen He will make it happen even if we try to stop it, and even if it seems bad at the time I know that whatever happens to me, it will work out for good because I love Him.” Megan was shocked at how much trust Mary had in God. She seemed very happy and content.
“Does that mean being parentless and having my best friend dump me can be a good thing?” Megan finally asked.
Mary nodded. “That Ellen girl does not seem like a very good friend, since you're already here and don't seem to have a way to get home, could I be your new best friend?" she asked.
In response Megan gave Mary a big hug. "But where do I stay, your cabin is already crowded, maybe I could stay in the barn?" Megan asked.
"I have a better idea," said Laura who had been eavesdropping for a good 10 minutes.
"Laura Ingalls!" Mary scolded.
"Sorry but listen, I saw an Indian man and woman walk by our cabin early this morning. In their eyes was the type of sadness that doesn't fade even after the many years have passed. The woman held an empty baby carrier. I think their child died, maybe you could comfort them by staying with them and letting them care for you,” Laura said.
"Maybe that is why God caused you to come here,” Mary said.
"Alright,” Megan said, "Let's go but Laura, promise not to put any of this in your books.” Laura promised and they set out for the Indian camp.
Once there was a girl named Charlet. She was almost 10 years old and as rambunctious as a six year old boy. “I'm going out Mama!” she called as she flew down the stairs of their small house towards the door.
"Aren't you forgetting something?" her mother asked.
“Oh, right,” Charlet got a few crackers from the kitchen cupboard and started back towards the door.
“Something else?" her mother eyed Charlet’s bonnet on a hook by the door.
“Do I have to wear it?" she asked.
"Yes, you do," her mother said firmly.
“Fine, "Charlet said, planning on taking it off as soon as she was out of sight.
"I know what you're thinking,” her mother said.
"How can you know what I'm thinking when I haven't said it?" Charlet wanted to know.
"Mothers know, now keep the bonnet on," was the only response she could get.
“Yes Mama,” she said, running out the door.
"Ladies don't run!” Mama called after her, but Charlet was already gone. Mama sighed, she opened her sewing box and looked at the pieces of purple cloth inside it. This plan better work, if it didn't work, what would? Meanwhile, Charlet was exploring the woods behind their house. What was that glimmering in the distance? She slowly started walking towards it. Was that... a creek! Charlet ran and splashed into the glassy, clear water. After splashing around for a while, she decided to go back to the apple tree and have a snack of cracker and apple.
On her birthday Charlet woke up bright and early. She hurriedly threw on her favorite purple dress and ran downstairs to the special breakfast she only got to have once a year. She inhaled the warm smell of cinnamon pancakes and syrup. There were also apples from the tree outside, crackers, and whipped cream. For lunch she would be able to have whatever she wanted, Charlet wanted chocolate. For dinner they would have the usual pork and cheese cubes. The best thing about dinner was Charlet's best friend Anabel would be there. Charlet sat down and found a small red package at her place setting. "I thought we were going to save all my gifts for tonight," she said, delighted.
"We decided to give you one in advance,” her mother said as she sat down.
"But first let's eat this delicious breakfast while it's still hot," her father added. With that they prayed and dug into the hot breakfast. Charlet wanted to open her gift but a meal like this could not be rushed. Once they were all done eating (Charlet’s parents took longer than she did) Charlet opened her present. As she tore off the red paper, Charlet saw something purple. As she ripped off the rest of the paper, a purple bonnet and apron. "Uuuuum, thanks,” Charlet said, hanging the bonnet on a hook and putting the apron on. At least it was purple.
That night after dinner Charlet and Anabel scurried up to Charlet's room to play with her new doll (Anabel gave it to her). "I should have bought one of my dolls," Anabel said. "I'm bored."
Charlet sighed, “Me too," she said, then she brightened. "I know what we can do." Charlet led Anabel down the stairs and motioned for her to be quiet as they passed the kitchen, they grabbed their bonnets and rushed outside.
"I thought you weren't supposed to go outside after dark," Anabel said.
Charlet shrugged. “At least I'm wearing my bonnet," she said, “Besides, fall is here and it's getting dark so much earlier."
Anabel wasn't so sure. “But your mother said..."
Charlet interrupted, "I was going to wait until you could see yourself but I found a creek.”
Anabel instantly forgot about her fear, "Well what are we waiting for!"
"This is amazing! Want to explore further that way?" Anabel asked, pointing downstream.
"Sure!" Charlet said. The woods were beautiful at night with the trees silhouetted in the moonlight. The creek sparkled like a black pearl under the stars. They had been splashing and giggling for a while when Anabel saw something.
“Is that a CAVE?" she exclaimed.
"I hope so," Charlet said, running towards it. "It IS a cave," she said, pulling Anabel in.
"We shouldn't go in there," Anabel said, worried, "What if a raccoon lives there?"
Charlet rolled her eyes. “Racoons are nocturnal, so they're probably out getting dinner."
"What if they come back to eat it, and have us on the side!" Anabel exaggerated.
“You’re such a scaredy cat,” Charlet mumbled. Anabel would NOT be called a scardy cat.
"I found this cave so I'm going to be the first to go in it," with that Anabel squared her shoulders and marched in.
"What can I say, I know my friend," Charlet said as she followed her friend into the cave.
“Did you hear that?" Anabel asked. They were pretty far in the cave and she was getting scared again.
"Did I hear what?" Charlet asked.
"It sounded like a bat," Anabel said with a shaky voice.
"Did you say b-b-bats," if Charlet was scared of one thing it was bats. She shook it off. "It was probably just your imagination," she said. Both girls were silent for a minute, listening. Suddenly, Charlet screamed! A bunch of rocks fell, blocking the entrance to the cave.
"What is so terrible that you trapped us in here?” Anabel asked in a loud whisper.
"Something brushed against my back," Charlet told her.
“Do you think it was..." Anabel started.
“Bat!!" Charlet interrupted.
“I can finish my own question," Anabel said.
"No, there’s a bat flying over you!" Charlet yelled.
Now it was Anabel’s turn to scream. "We have to get out of here!” she was on the verge of tears.
"How?" Charlet asked.
"We have to stay calm!" Anabel didn't sound very calm.
"Ok stop screaming," Charlet was screaming herself.
Anabel took a deep breath. “Ok, there has to be some way out of here, we just need to find it," she said.
"Ok,” Charlet said, “There's a crack of light over there, maybe we can widen it and get out." Anabel looked at the crack and tried to think where it would be on the outside. “We can dig with rocks," she said.
"Great idea!" Charlet said, looking for a sharp stone.
Anabel leaned back and sighed, "It feels like we have been digging for hours and all I've done is ruin my best dress." Charlet couldn't deny that it had been hours but she could deny that they weren't getting anywhere.
"We did get somewhere," she said. “Now I can stick my hands through the hole and wiggle them a little bit."
Anabel shrugged and then started singing. "I got a God who loves me, who watches over me-e. I got a God who loves me. He's every-thi-ing I ne-ed." Charlet joined in on the second verse. “I got a God who loves me with deep unfailing love. I got a God who loves me. He watches fro-om abo-ove.”
"God will give us strength to get out of here," Charlet whispered. Anabel nodded and they kept singing and digging.
"Charlet! Anabel! Is that you?" came a voice from outside the cave.
“Papa?” Charlet was almost scared to believe it was him.
"How did you girls get stuck in there?" he asked.
“Long story,” Anabel said.
"We’ll explain later,” added Charlet.
"Help! There are bats!" Anabel cried. Papa took his pipe and helped them move away the rocks until there was a hole big enough for the girls to fit through.
"Papa!" Charlet threw herself into his arms. After hugging his daughter and making sure she was ok, Papa became stern again.
“You two are in big trouble for sneaking out," he said.
"We're sorry Mr. Yearlington, we won't do it again,” Anabel assured him.
“I know you won't, now let's go home," Papa said, taking their hands.
"Do you know how I found these girls?" Papa asked Mama.
"Dear me, how?" Mama was quite startled by the earning's events.
"I heard them singing, ‘I got a God who loves me,’" he told her.
"I stitched those exact words on Charlet’s bonnet strap,” Mama said.
"It must have reminded us even though we didn't know," Anabel said.
"This sure is one special bonnet,” Charlet agreed.
“Not as special as God's love," Mama reminded them.
One day Tiffany was talking to her friends at school. “Have you started your history report?" Maranda asked Tiffany.
“No,” Tiffany said, “I tried researching it but it’s just so boring and hard.”
“Too bad you aren't as good at history as you are at math and science,” Andy said.
“Yeah,” Tiffany said, just then the bell rang, “Gotta get to class,” Tiffany said. Andy and Maranda headed to their regular 6th grade class room and Tiffany went to the 9th grade classroom, she was 3 grades ahead in science and math.
When she got home Tiffany's mom asked Tiffany about her day. "Science was great," Tiffany said. "We learned about robots, and on Friday we are going to make some.”
"That's lovely honey," her mom said.
“But I also have a dumb history report due next Monday,” Tiffany continued.
"Well, her mom said, "Why don't you make a history robot.” Tiffany smiled, her mom was just joking but, maybe it would work.
After dinner Tiffany got right to work on her robot. But it did not go well. Tiffany may for may not have kinda sort of maybe just a little bit caught the garage on fire. "Mom!” she yelled. Once the fire was out Tiffany was pretty upset about her science project.
The next day when Tiffany got home she stared at her robot. She should have waited to build her robot at school, but that would give her only two days instead of seven. Tiffany decided to just push a button and see what happened. She pushed it and the room started spinning. When the room finally stopped spinning, Tiffany did not know where she was. She looked around, she was sitting on dry grass, there were woods behind her, and teepees in front of her and a girl on a horse coming right towards her. Tiffany screamed and jumped out of the way. The girl stopped and got off of the horse. She had black hair in two long braids, she had dark skin and a brown dress, she had a purple belt, purple hair ties, and a purple flower necklace. She had moccasins. The girl said something, then seeing Tiffany's blank stare she said in sign language "My name is Calfury."
Tiffany said, “My name is Tiffany" while doing it in sign language. (Any time they say something they always do it in sign language). “Where am I?'' Calfury told her that she was in a Siox tribe. “How do I get back to New York?" Tiffany asked.
“What is New York?” Calfury asked. Tiffany stared at her. Who didn't know what New York was? "I'm not sure, that is... never mind," Tiffany stammered.
Calfury responded, “I know not of these strange things that you speak of, but I do know that you must stay here and rest until you can think straight.” Calfury began to lead Tiffany to the village of tents, Tiffany followed obediently, she was tired.
Tiffany woke up, it was dark but there was a campfire outside. She looked around. She was in one of the tents on a bed which she now saw was stuffed with straw. She looked down and saw that she was wearing a dress a lot like Calfury’s except less purple. The whole thing looked Native American. Tiffany gasped. She remembered her report on Native Americans, she remembered programming her robot before it caught on fire, had she time traveled or had she just teleported? ‘Native Americans do still exist today,’ she thought. Only one way to find out. Tiffany went outside and found Calfury, a girl a few years older than Tiffany, a man, and a woman. “Tiffany,” Calfury said, “This is my sister Amitola and my mama and papa.
"Hello," Tiffany said, “Do you know what day it is?"
Calfury looked confused, “Yes why?"
"I was Just wondering,” Tiffany said.
“It's January 5th, 1522," Calfury said. Tiffany stared at her. 1522! Calfury was over 500 years old! Tiffany took a deep breath. ‘Wait a minute, how will I get home?’ Tiffany wondered. "What's wrong?" Calfury asked.
“I don't know how to get home,” Tiffany said she ran back to where she was when she met Calfury. That's it, where she met Calfury! Maybe she could find something she dropped from home and use it to make something to get back.
Tiffany searched the grass but she didn't find anything. She sighed, why had she thought that would work? Tiffany looked down and saw the bracelet her 9-year-old sister Makayla made her for her 12th birthday. Tiffany sighed again, she really missed her sister and not just her, she also missed her 14-year-old sister, Ariona, and her 16-year-old brother, Carter. She studied the bracelet. The bracelet, that's it! Tiffany ran back to Calfury's camp and bonked into her halfway there. “I'm sorry, are you ok?” Tiffany said in a hurry.
"I'm ok, are you?” Calfury said.
"I'm fine,” Tiffany said, rubbing her head.
“You know I was not talking about your head, Tiffany,” Calfury said. “I meant about getting home, back to your people."
"I think I know how to get home but, could I stay with you for a few more days?" Tiffany said.
Calfury nodded, "Of course," she said, "Stay as long as you like." The next day Calfury showed Tiffany around the village. There was a lady who made dresses with fancy metal stuff. There was a man who made horse saddles and lots of other businesses. Tiffany saw Calfury pay for something with small beads. She used the beads on her necklace to buy two dresses, one she liked and one she didn't like.
That night when everyone else was asleep, Tiffany got out the dress she didn't like and got all the metal off. Then she melded it into a device to get home. She put the bracelet on top. She pressed the button and held her breath and then she was home. Tiffany looked at the robot, in a way it had done what she wanted it to do. She could have learned a lot about Native Americans but she was too busy trying to get home. Then Tiffany had an idea, she went back to 1522 and spent the whole week with Calfury. When she got home she brought the dress she bought and even had her necklace back. Calfury taught her so much about Native Americans that Tiffany got an A+++ on her report! And no time even passed at home while Tiffany was in 1522.
There were lots of hills and Mary suggested turning back many times but Carrie said no every time.
Three more hovers passed and still no flat land. “Carry, it's getting late. Ma will be worried. We should head back to the wagon,” Mary said, "Plus, I'm starving.”
"Oh come on, just a little further, I think I see a berry bush ahead!” Carrie said.
“Oh fine!" Mary said. Once they got to the berry bush, Carrie immediately started eating handfuls of berries.
“Wait!” Mary yelled.
“What is it?” Carrie said in alarm.
“I think those berries are poisonous!” Mary said urgently. Carrie was quiet for a moment and then she laughed.
“And how do you know that?” Carrie asked.
“Because,” Mary said, when Ma said we were moving, I started reading books about plants and animals, these berries look like a picture in one of the
books.
“Bookworm," Carrie muttered. “Look, I think I see a clearing up ahead!”
The two girls ran to the clearing. “It's the perfect place to build a house!” Mary exclaimed. It really was a great place for a house, there was a large flat spot perfect for a house, there was a stream nearby to get water and plenty of rocks for a fireplace, there were also lots of trees around it. “The only problem is that there is no room for a garden,” Mary said.
“I'm sure Pa will be able to level it out,” Carrie said. “Let's go,” Carrie said. “Wait,” said Mary, “How will we remember where it is?”
Carrie thought a minute and then she asked Mary, “Do you have your sewing kit?"
“Yes" Mary said, “Why?”
“May I use it?” Carrie asked. Mary handed it to her. Carrie took out the scissors and cut a piece of red fabric off her dress. Mary gasped. “What?” Carrie asked. “It's not like I don't have other dresses," Carrie said as she tied the strip around a thin tree.
"Okay," Mary sighed, “Let’s go!”
“Can we wait a moment?” Carrie said. “I'm tired and my stomach hurts.”
"It's probably the poison,” Mary said. “We need to get you to a doctor, Ma will know what to do.”
“Can't we just take a little break first?” Carrie asked.
“Oh, fine,” Mary said, so they took a rest.
Mary woke up to the noise of Carrie coughing. She looked around. She was in a clearing with trees all around her and she could hear running water, what was going on? Then she remembered the day before. “Carrie, we have to get back to the wagon, come on," Mary said. When Carrie turned to face her, Mary could tell that she was tired and not feeling well.
“Which way is the wagon?” Carrie asked.
“I think it's that way,” Mary said, pointing straight ahead.
“I thought it was that way,” Carrie said, pointing to the left.
“We will go straight and if we don't find anything then we will go the other way,” Mary said. So they went strait. "AAAAA!” Mary screamed.
“What is it?” Carrie asked.
"Snake!” Mary yelled.
"Aww, where?” Carrie asked.
"Carrie, it's poisonous!" Mary said. Both girls started running as fast as they could.
When they finally stopped running Mary saw something. “Carrie, look,” she said.
“What is it?” Carrie asked.
“This plant,” Mary said, “I think it can cure poison berry sickness.”
Carrie immediately ripped it out of the grouped and ate it. About an hour later Carrie started to feel better.
"Okay, let's go," Mary said.
“Which way?” Carrie asked.
“I'm not sure,” Mary said. And then just when they were going to pick a direction they heard something.
“Mary, Carrie, Marrry, Carrrrie!”
"Did you hear that? Mary asked.
“Yes,” Carrie said, “It sounded like…”
“PA!” they both said together.
“I've been looking everywhere for you girls, where were you?" Pa asked.
“It's a long story," Mary said.
"I thought you were sick,” Carrie said.
"I'll tell you later,” Pa said, “Right now let's get you some dinner.” Pa led the way back to the wagon, and then, there right in front of them was a brand new, beautiful house. It turns out that Pa was never sick and the place where they parked the wagon was big enough for a house. Ma had sent the girls to look for a spot so that they would be surprised. Sometime Pa would clear a path to the spot Mary and Carrie found and build a playhouse for them.
