Dragon's Flames: Concluded

Dragon's Flames: Concluded
Theresa Margaret

Several weeks after her capture, Eliana tried once more to see Peter in the mirror. Muttering under her breath several words of power, a faint sketch of Peter’s face appeared in the glassy surface. “He must be getting close,” whispered Eliana. She could only see people if they were close to her. The closer they got, the clearer the image.
Unknown to Eliana, Peter had discovered the castle where she was held prisoner and sent a message to her. The sparrow that landed on her windowsill later that evening told her the news.
Eliana, rejoicing that Peter had found her, told the sparrow, “Escarlata is a vegetarian. Maybe Peter can use his potion to create or transform a dragon who, like Escarlata, is a vegetarian. Perhaps then Escarlata will set me free.”
The sparrow flew off quickly to give Peter the news. “That’s wonderful news!” he exclaimed as he drew the potion forth from his tunic. He looked at the words written there and carefully read aloud, Escreetion por mangyc loluth freeyiz dugronette. He jumped when a large, full grown, male dragon landed next to him.
“I am Petruchio, Vegetarian Dragon, at your service.”
Peter grinned and said, “I am trying to rescue my fiancé from a dragon quite like yourself. Will you help me?”
“I will do anything you wish,” replied the dragon, bowing his great head to the ground.
Peter led the way towards the castle in the far-off distance, and the sparrow hurried to tell Eliana of the news. As Peter drew closer, he began to worry of what Eliana would think when she saw him again. I hope she is able to see that I am still me underneath this hideous exterior. I don’t know what I would do if she refused to marry me. He had no more time for worries though since they had finally arrived at the castle.
To Peter’s suprise, Escarlata and Eliana were both waiting to meet them. Escarlata eyed Peter and Petruchio warily. Eliana looked startled when she first saw Peter, but she slowly recognized his smile and sparkling eyes underneath the scorched skin.
“I see I did my work a little too well,” said Escarlata after a long silence. “I apologize, Sir Knight. And who is this?” she asked, turning to Petruchio.
“Petruchio,” replied the love-struck dragon. “At your service forever, my lady.”
“Are you a vegetarian?” asked Escarlata, suddenly filled with curiosity.
“Yes, my beautiful dragon. Will you have me?”
“Yes!” exclaimed Escarlata. “My greatest desire has been fulfilled!”
She was just about to leave when Eliana quietly said, “I offer my congratulations to you, Escarlata. But before you leave, may I ask a question.” Escarlata nodded, and Eliana continued, “May I leave your castle now? I have enjoyed my time here, but I would like to return to my homeland and my love.”
“Of course, my dear. Run along.”
The two dragons turned and left. Eliana turned to Peter, and, able to contain her love anymore, ran to him and threw her arms around him. Peter, though at first shocked, quickly embraced her. After a long while, Eliana stood back and asked, “Peter, I care not about your outward appearance, for I know that you are a good man inside. But if you wish to return to the way you were before Escarlata burned you, say the word, and I will do all I can.”
Peter could only nod his head as he wondered how Eliana could heal the well scabbed burns. Eliana closed her eyes and raised her hands. Faintly whispering words of a forgotten language, Eliana began rocking back and forth. When at last she opened her eyes and stood still, Peter stood before her, as handsome as he had been the day they had parted. Eliana, however, felt something depart from her. As if something had been used up and disappeared forever. She smiled, knowing that her magical powers had been the sacrifice for Peter’s healing. She did not, nor never would, regret it. Together they rode back to their land and lived happily ever after.

Dragon's Flames Continued

Dragon's Flames
Part 2
Theresa Margaret

Every town he rode through shunned him. The women screamed in fright; the men turned away in disgust; the children jeered at him yelling, “Monster! Scar-face!” Luckily, his horse still recognized his good heart beneath the now gruesome exterior. Although the burns had hurt at first, the pain was no more.
Where can she be? wondered Peter as he rode in search of his beloved Eliana. I hope she is still alive.
Suddenly he found himself in an open glade. A small, thatch cottage stood at the far end, and smoke puffed from the tiny chimney. Peter dismounted and tied the bridle to a nearby tree before he knocked on the door.
“Enter,” called a high, crackly voice. Peter took a deep breath and opened the door. Nothing could have prepared him for the sight he saw unless it were seeing his own reflection. A woman so old, so ugly, wrinkled, yellowed, and decrepit had never walked the earth nor would again. By instinct Peter divined that she was a witch or at least a fortune teller.
“What is it you desire?”
“I am seeking the fair Eliana, good lady,” replied Peter who wisely kept all remarks to himself.
“I see. I shall help you as I may.” Peter bowed but said nothing as the crone continued. “This map will show you your way, and this potion will give Eliana’s captor her greatest desire. You have only to speak the spell written on the bottle. Farewell.”
With that the crone turned back to her slow knitting, and Peter, whispering a grateful thanks, returned to his horse. He jumped onto his horse and began galloping down the route marked on the map. He glanced at the potion given him before stuffing it into his tunic, and a big grin rose on his face. At last I will be reunited with my love! Thank you so much whoever you are! The horse sensed his master’s glee and spurred himself onto faster speed.
Meanwhile, Eliana had slowly become good friends with Escarlata over the several weeks that she had been in the giant’s castle. Eliana told Escarlata of her whole life withholding only her magical powers which she was very careful to use only when she was utterly alone. Still she wished for her love and her freedom. She wisely withheld these desires from Escarlata, but still she yearned for the hopeful day when she would be able to live her happily ever after life with her true love.
TO BE CONTINUED.........

Dragon's Flames: Part 1

Dragon’s Flame

Theresa Margaret

Picture This: A young girl in an emerald green dress picking flowers. A scarlet fire-breathing dragon swooping down and carrying her off. A brave knight chasing after them after getting his face scorched by the dragon’s flames.

“Release me, you hideous beast,” demanded Eliana as she flew high above the clouds.
“Never. You are my prisoner, and if you don’t keep quiet and do as you are told, I shall eat you,” replied the dragon smoothly and coldly.
Eliana closed her mouth, but that doesn’t mean she stopped thinking. No, indeed, she would find a way to escape sooner or later. So Eliana remained quiet as they approached the ginormous ruins of a deserted giant’s castle.
The dragon promptly released Eliana when they reached the castle and said, “Welcome to my home. I am Escarlata, and I will show you to your rooms.”
Eliana obediently followed Escarlata, but all the while she was eagerly scanning her surroundings, searching for a possible escape route. Upon entering her new rooms, Eliana instantly knew that she would at least lack for nothing during her time in the castle. There was everything a person could need or desire stored up in those few rooms: books, food, clothing, bedding, washing materials, etc.
“I would like to explain why you are here,” said Escarlata as Eliana turned to face the dragon. “You see, unlike most dragons, I long only for companionship. I’m allergic to meat of all kinds, but I have yet to find a dragon with my food tastes willing to be my mate. So I bring people here to be my companions. You are the first of several who have not died of fright.”
Eliana said nothing, but moved by the silvery tears creeping into Escarlata’s eyes, she laid her hand on the scaly skin.
“Good night, my dear.” Escarlata left the room and locked the door. Eliana lifted her hands, pointed at the food stuffs, and muttered indistinctly. Immediately her favorite dinner began to cook. Satisfied that she had not lost her powers yet, Eliana explored the room.
Meanwhile, we have left the poor, scarred knight roaming the countryside in search of his bride-to-be, and that is where we shall leave him.
TO BE CONTINUED.........

Daughtry Review

Though he wasn’t successful in snagging the title “American Idol” in 2006, the talented singer, Chris Daughtry, has been very successful in making a name for himself. He has come out with his band, Daughtry. His band’s self-titled debut album is definitely one of the best debuts that I have heard from an American Idol contestant.

Daughtry isn’t a Christian band, but some of the lyrics in their album could be directed towards Christianity. In most of the songs, as most secular artists, their songs are directed more towards relationships, breakups, and such things, but Daughtry does not use inappropriate language or ideas in their songs, unlike most secular artists.

The songs themselves are very well-written. What impressed me was when I saw that Chris Daughtry had actually taken part of writing the songs, even some of them by himself, which, I believe, is the way to go. The songs are his in a sense, and thus he got to “know” them before going to the studio to record.

Daughtry doesn’t get too hard rocking. There is actually a lot of acoustic guitar in some of their songs. The tunes are very catchy, and I often find myself humming them far after I listen to the actual song. If I compared Daughtry to any other secular band, I would say they sound most like Nickelback, but with a more soothing tone.

Their album has been very successful. It grabbed the No. 1 position on the Billboard album chart after its ninth week of release. Currently, Daughtry is in the No. 5 position, having been on the chart for 28 weeks, while all the other top 10 have been on for way less.

When the shocking news had come that Chris Daughtry was voted off, and not Katharine McPhee, I was hoping that he would come out with an album anyway. He did, and it was more than I had expected.

Over all, Chris Daughtry’s band, Daughtry, is one of the best things America has gotten out of American Idol.

Padre Kino and the Indians, Part One

From Trisha, age15:

Okay so I wrote this story when I was like 10 for my history co-op, I haven't read it in forever or done any editing to it since I entered it in the fair so hopefully it's not to bad, but I thought I'd share it with you guys. This is the first couple pages:

Padre Kino and the Indians
A story about the Mission Nuestra Senora De Los Dolores

The sun was setting and just about everyone was in his hut at the Nuestra Senora De Los Dolores Mission. Except for a man walking along a stream. He was a padre named Eusebio Francisco Kino, who was a solidly built man and five-foot-six. There was also a Pima Indian girl walking with Padre Kino. Her name was Marie Margarita. She had brown eyes, dark brown hair, and was nine years old and looked like any other Indian girl.

While Padre Kino was walking he was thinking of all the good things that God had made and how good God had been to him. Marie Margarita was thinking a little differently though, she was thinking of the first time she had been at the Mission.

It had started when she was around eight years old in the wintertime. She still had her Indian name, Cactus Flower. She had become sick with influenza. So her parents called the medicine man. He did what he called his magic, but of course it did not work. Cactus Flower just got worse.

Finally, Cactus Flower’s older brother Brown Coyote suggested taking her to one of the padres. He said to his mother and father, ‘‘the padres have helped lots of other Indians like my friend Snakeskin. Why could he not help Cactus Flower?’’

His mother asked Brown Coyote, ‘‘Have you ever met any of the padre’s?’’
Brown Coyote answered, ‘‘Well no, but I have heard that they will be able to help Cactus Flower.’’

His father and mother hesitated, but after a few days, when Cactus Flower was near to death, they took her to Padre Kino since there seemed to be no other thing to do. When they got Cactus Flower to the Mission her parents asked one of the padres whose name was Padre Kino if he would take care of her and try to make her well again. He said he would. So Cactus Flower stayed at the Mission for a few weeks, resting.

While her parents waited at their Indian village, they sent Brown Coyote almost every day to go to where the sick Indians stayed to see how Cactus Flower was doing. Also, while she was there some Catholic Indians came to visit the sick Indians. One day they came over to were she was laying and began to talk to her. They told her about the places were the padres stayed and what they did. After their visit she could not sleep because she was thinking about all that the Indians had told her.

When she saw how happy the Catholic Indians were to be around the padre’s she wished that she could be like them and with them. So the next time she saw a Catholic Indian she asked if she could talk with Padre Kino. The Indian told her that he would try to make her request possible because the padre was very busy and left.

After a few days Padre Kino found time to come and see Cactus Flower. He entered the hut and said to Cactus Flower, ‘‘I heard that you wanted to see me Cactus Flower. Is there some thing you wanted to talk to me about?”

“Yes Padre Kino. I want to ask you if you would teach me to become a Catholic like you have with some of the other Indians?” said Cactus Flower.

“Well, of course!” Then in a more solemn voice he said, “But you know you can not get baptized if you do not learn your prayers, songs, learn about the one true God, and you must learn the Spanish language. You must also learn to read and to write. You also need to learn some math. Do you think you will be able to do all those things? It will take a couple years and a lot of hard work.”

I guess it's not to bad for a ten year old :), I'll post some more of it next week.

~Trisha

Spiderman 3 Review - Caution: Spoilers

Spiderman 3 Movie Review
By: Theresa Margaret
Peter Parker, the icon of NY, is finally on top of the ball. He’s going to propose to Mary Jane (MJ), and everyone loves him. But life takes a turn for the worse. Harry has inherited his father’s curse and is the New Green Goblin. He is sworn to kill Peter because he still thinks Peter killed his father. He and MJ seem to grow farther and farther apart. A new villain, Sandman, has sprung up and seems unstoppable. And an alien substance has bonded with Peter, enhancing his aggression and revenge.
After hurting MJ and making a fool of himself, Peter realizes that he must get rid of the substance. In a church, he painfully pulls the alien substance off himself. Unfortunately, it falls on Eddie Brock, photographer vying for Peter’s position at the Daily Bugle. Eddie is transformed into Venom, and together with Sandman, he plots Peter’s downfall.
Venom hangs MJ high in the sky, suspended in a taxi cab by a black web. Peter, on his way to save her, swings by Harry’s house to ask for help. Harry refuses, and Peter leaves.
Peter/Spiderman arrives on the scene and does his best to save MJ, but the Sandman and Venom together prove too much for him. Then, in the nick of time, Harry appears and saves Peter. His butler had told him the truth about his father, and Harry was now forever friends with Peter. Together they fight the villains. Tragically, Harry jumps in front of Peter just as Venom throws a sword at him. Harry falls, and Peter finishes off Venom. Sandman repents and flies away peacefully.
Peter and MJ watch as Harry dies. Peter and MJ get back together, and the credits roll.
The special effects in this movie were amazing. The villains were fantasticly evil. The acting was, on the whole, superb. MJ was a little too self-pitying, and Peter did act like a fool while under the alien substance’s grasp, but they turned out alright.
This movie was definately more violent than the first two, and it deserves its MPAA PG-13 rating for sequences of intense action violence.
On the whole, this was my most favorite of the three films. The message of redemption and the fact that you always have a choice rang true throughout the entire film. I would recommend this film to anyone, over the age of 13, who enjoys action films or the previous Spiderman films.

Acquire The Fire

A few months ago my friend Chanda invited me to go with her church to Acquire The Fire in Detroit, I have wanted to go the last couple years but it just hasn't worked out, this year it did. This post is what I thought about it...

Friday afternoon we left my friend's church around 1:30, about 15 teens and adults packed into two vans. We had a three hour drive to Detroit, it was filled with lots of rowdiness and anticipation. We got to the hotel we were spending the night at and unloaded all our stuff, we grabbed a quick dinner at Mc Donald's then headed to Ford Field. We found a parking lot by Ford Field and walked to the doors, after we picked up our tickets and made sure everyone was still with us we found our seats. The crowd was huge, 40,000 people, energy and excitement was just filling this huge arena. After the opening ceremony with flag bearers and rope dancers the worship band Hillsong United started playing. They were a good band but the songs they played nobody knew. So even though the music was beautiful the crowd just wasn't being drawn in. After the worship music we watched a full length skit about what goes on inside a teenagers head. It was cute but it got kinda long and repetitive. Then when the skit was over our main speaker Ron Luce took the stage, a passionate and intelligent man who's speaking is entertaining yet dead serious, I enjoyed his speaking very much. At the end of this sermon there was an "altar call", something I just don't really understand. Then to finish off the night Skillet came up and rocked the arena. We pushed our way through the huge crowd as we made our way to the vans, we drove back to the hotel and crashed for the night.

Saturday morning we were all up at 6:00 so we could shower and pack up before 7:30, then we headed to Mc Donald's for a hot breakfast. We went back to Ford Field and found our seats again. Ron Luce got back on stage and gave us another great sermon, even bringing a boat up front for a prop. Then we had some more worship music until lunch. We went back to the parking lot for a picnic lunch we'd packed the day before. During lunch we had the usual entertainment when you have a group of energetic teens, bird chasing and water chugging. After lunch we headed back to our seats just in time to hear Hawk Nelson do their warmup. Then we had some more speakers and worship before Hawk Nelson rocked the stage, they were the best band playing that weekend. After the finished we went upstairs to their merch table, the crowd was crazy, Kirby and I ditched before it got to bad, Chanda stayed and risked her life for a t-shirt. After that little adventure we listened to some more speakers then P.O.D came on, they were really loud and really good. When they were done it was time for dinner, so we headed back to the vans for another picnic lunch and included entertainment. After dinner it was decided that we were gonna leave early instead of staying for the closing ceremony. We packed up the vans and headed home, the ride home wasn't as loud as the ride there, it was filled with prayer and sleeping.

Overall I thought the weekend was good, I really enjoyed the speakers and the music, but I felt like it was lacking something, nothing was really great, nothing stood out as special. I was told by several people that last year was way better than this year, but even still I thought it was lacking. Maybe I just don't understand enough, but the "altar call" I felt was insincere, it didn't hold the power and respect it should have. Maybe I just don't understand the whole "being saved" aspect, but I felt out of place and wondering. Something else that kinda bugged me was that abortion was only mentioned a couple of times the whole weekend, and only by a guest speaker. They kept talking about mission trips, and saving the people in third world countries, but what about the thousands of babies in this country murdered every day. Now, I have nothing against mission trips, I think they're wonderful, and if I ever get the chance to go on one I'll be there in a heart beat. But I also believe they're on an equal level with pro-life activities, you don't have to travel thousands of miles to save innocent lives. I will definitely go again next year if I'm invited, hopefully it keeps getting better and better.

I'll end this with my closing thought. Jesus said "if three or more are gathered in my name, I am with them", so when 40,000 people gather in His name shouldn't we try and make it the best it can possibly be? I believe my generation is the generation that will change the world, so whenever somebody has the attention of thousands of teens I believe that the most should be made of it.

Essay Written 4 Scholarship

My Perfect Christmas Tree
By: Theresa Margaret

We piled into the van and drove off to the tree farm, on our way to find the perfect Christmas tree. One of many things that I love about getting a real Christmas tree every year is all the precious time we spend together. It is wonderful to make the trip a family occasion.

We parked the van and headed off into the field with the saw in hand and sled in tow. The smell of pine needles filled the air, and a slight breeze blew our hair. We all have a say in which tree to get. Stating our likes and dislikes freely, the finding of the perfect tree is a learning experience. We learn to listen to other’s opinions, how to state our own opinions without letting down or hurting another person, and how to freely give up our own desires for those of others.

Everyone took a turn cutting through the trunk of the tree. It was hard work, but many hands make light work so they say. This applies not just to cutting down a tree, but also to family life. There is most definitely hard work and pain in a family, but if everyone helps, the job is not as big as it first seemed.

We sang Christmas carols as the tree got closer and closer to falling. Suddenly, my sister called “Timber!” as the beautiful tree fell to the ground. If we cheerfully set to work at whatever the chore may be, sooner than later the job will be done, and all will feel the fruit of their labor.

We pulled the tree onto the sled and triumphantly headed back to the van. We paid for the tree and piled back into the van having loaded the tree into the trailer. However, we had driven no more than a few hundred few when disaster struck. The tree, which had been loosely tied into the trailer had fallen directly into the middle of the road! My dad began attempting to turn around - not an easy feat with a van attached to a long trailer. Luckily, by the time we had finally turned around after many close shaves of diving into a ditch, a man with a truck had picked up our tree and brought it to us. My dad firmly tied the tree into the trailer, and, after thanking the man, we continued our drive home. This incident can be compared to the need of friends and even strangers in our lives. For even though we may think we are secure in our lives, we may, like the tree, fall from the straight and narrow path. It is then that while we attempt to make a complete turnaround to the right way, a friend or stranger sent by God may lend a hand to pull us to our feet. It is these “angels” who are one of many strong guiding points on our way to Heaven.

As we drove home, the girls rode in the trailer with the tree. It was a joy to see them laughing and screaming as we slowly drove down the road. You must take happiness as it comes to you. If your outlook is always gloomy, then no matter how much happiness you may find, it will not appear as happiness. But if your outlook is bright, and you search for the good in everything, then you will find your cup of happiness to be constantly overflowing.

When we finally got the tree home, my dad took it up on the porch to trim it and drill the hole in the trunk for the base. He stood it up in the stand, and we all stepped back to look at the perfect tree. My dad had to leave for work, but we sisters were given the go-ahead to pull out the boxes of Christmas decorations and begin decorating not only the tree but the rest of the house. First we strung the lights onto the tree from top to bottom with ropes of pearls and red beads. This is true also in life. You must first string the lights, the light of the Word of God and His Blessed Presence in the Holy Eucharist, in your life before you can begin “decorating” it with good works. The “pearls and red beads” of our life are the graces given to us from the Lord throughout our life. They aid us as we try to follow the Light of Christ.

Then the fun really began. We started sorting through the dozens of treasured Christmas ornaments that we had collected over the years. Each girl found her special ornaments, ornaments given to her each year at Christmas time. We laughed as we carefully hung the ornaments on the tree, trying to avoid the prickly needles. Even though the tree was continually growing more and more beautiful, it was not without the price of several pricked fingers. Just as the Christmas tree is not all joy without sorrow or pain, neither is life. There will always be pain in the world, for without suffering there could be no love and compassion for those in pain. So you can’t avoid it; it is always there. But if you approach the pain in the right way, you will come out with less “pricks” than you might otherwise have received. Just as if you place your hand far up on the branch of the tree and pull towards you so that the needles don’t poke you as much, you can always get through a situation with as little pain as possible. But you can’t just let the situation sit there unattended. You must act.

As we lovingly hung the last ornament and stepped back to look, everyone sighed and exclaimed what a beautiful tree it was. Even though it did not look perfect with its crooked branches and leaning trunk, the thought and love and joy that came with the tree made it the most perfect tree in the world. For nothing in this world will ever be “perfect”, but by the grace of God, we may all one day become perfect by His thought, love, and joy! Thus my family’s Christmas tree is the perfect tree because of how it brings us together as a family, how it is a symbol of so many things that are central to living our life well and gaining the eternal goal.

2006 Homeschool Blog Awards

The 2006 (yes, I know, it's 2007) Homeschool Blog Awards are up and running. They have a teen blog category, so go check it out!

Praying for an End to Abortion

From Saul, age 17:

Saturday morning I woke up early to drive to the city, I got to the W's house at 8:30, just in time to ride with them to an abortion clinic for a prayer service. We got there and parked behind the building, we met up with a few other teens from our Homeschoolers 4 Life group and walked around to the front of the building.

I was kinda surprised when I saw the group of people out in the cold. There were probably thirty people with signs and Rosaries, a few I recognized, most I didn't. Fr. Tim, a local priest, and Fr. Peter West from Priests For Life were leading the group. We met up with the group and mingled for a couple minutes, then we were all called to attention and asked to move off the parking lot and onto the stones by the road, we aren't allowed to be on the clinic's property. Then Fr. Peter and Fr. Tim led us in fifteen decades of the Holy Rosary, this lasted about forty five minutes. During that time people driving by were taking notice, some drivers honked and smiled, some honked and made rude gestures, but they all saw us standing there praying, standing up for life.

At the end of the Rosary a lady came up and started talking to the priests, I couldn't hear all of what was being said, but I heard enough to know that the lady was on the fence about the issue, hopefully we gave her the right nudge to show her the truth. She was a nice woman, she didn't try to start trouble, all she did was come and voice her thoughts, that takes guts.

There is someone at this clinic every Saturday at 9:00 AM to pray the Rosary, so this is something I will definitely come to again, I just wish I lived closer to town so I could come more often.

I will end this with a closing thought, something that came to me during the reading of the Passion this morning at Mass. There are over one billion Christians in this world, if one billion people stood up and said no to something they would change the world. Jesus was beaten and killed because the good men in the crowd said nothing while the mob was screaming for his death. Evil gets powerful because good men do nothing. Who will we choose to be, the person who screams for the protection of an innocent life, or the person who condemns an innocent life to death by saying nothing?

Review: Once Upon a Cross

Once Upon a Cross
Reviewed by Teenage Drama Queen, 14

Once Upon A Cross by Thom Lemmons is the story of Janice, a young writer and teacher from the twentieth century and Linus, a first century carpenter in Janice’s fledgling novel. Amidst Linus’ search for the truth about the Man called Yeshua, Janice is in a search of her own: to find healing and the true peace of a God who seems like only a distant dream, or a Heavenly “Hall Monitor.” Even though her father is a pastor, Janice never accepted the saving grace of Jesus and is now stumbling blindly through her life, caught in the hatred of the man who, in her eyes, failed as a father. Linus, plagued with visions of his dead wife and child, is sure he can never love again. Then one day a man wakes Linus from sleep and orders him to build an extra cross for the crucifixion the next day. After delivering the cross to the high priests, Linus discovers that he has built a cross for the young rabbi whose radical ideas have drawn many followers. How could this Prophet possibly deserve to die? Linus sees his mark on the bloodstained cross and knows he must flee Jerusalem. He doesn’t care where he goes; he must get away, and quickly. This book cleverly combines two very different stories into a true message of healing that only Jesus can give. Both characters are searching for God’s love. The only question is, will they find it? Discover for yourself by reading Once Upon a Cross by Thom Lemmons, an awesome message of searching, healing, and grace.

Pro-Life T-Shirt Day

American Life League's National Pro-life T-shirt Day is April 24

Every year in America the plague of abortion takes the lives of more than 1,200,000 human beings. On April 24, warn the world. Wear a shirt with a pro-life message on ALL's National Pro-life T-shirt Day and join thousands of kids, teens and adults in the fight to stop abortion!

Want to show where you stand by wearing the official shirt of National Pro-life T-shirt Day? Please place your order today. April 10 is the last day to order in time to have your “What part of abortion don't you understand?” T-shirt delivered in time for April 24. Click on the shirt to order online, or call 866-LET-LIVE.
[See the attached file]
Official shirt of National Pro-life T-shirt Day
April 24, 2007
$6 each / plus shipping and handling

Adult shirts available in S / M / L / XL / XXL
Youth shirts available in YM / YL
Order online or call toll-free 866-LET-LIVE
Last day to order is April 10!

For specials offers at clearance prices, see our CLOSEOUT page!

Pro-Life Baby Shower

From Jake Plus:

Hey all I just got this from the Stand True newsletter and it sounds like a great idea. Check it out.

http://www.nationalbabyshower.org/index2.html

New Pro-Life Club

Homeschooled Teen Pro-Life Club
by Kathryn Turner

We home schooled teenagers have decided that enough is enough: the world needs to know about what’s happening under the guise of a “Woman’s Choice.” Abortion: it’s one of those things that people hear about, but do they truly know all the facts? After the March for Life, we decided that it was time for us to reach out and show the world the true, horrifying facts about abortion.

We decided to form a Pro-Life group.

Not only were we able to get a few of the March for Lifers, but we also got a few people who hadn’t gone with us.

March 2nd was the first official meeting for the H4L (Homeschoolers 4 Life) Pro-Life group. Held near the capitol, a total of nine teens gathered to get it started: Joy F., Charles F., Jacob S., Laura W., Paul F., Christian O., Catherine B., Rebekah S., and Mary O.

Other members weren’t able to show, due to sickness.

During the meeting, we discussed the vision for our teen pro-life club, and what we’d like to do to benefit the pro-life cause. In daily prayer, each group member was asked to pray for a spiritually adopted unborn child, and for this month, to also pray everyday for Michigan’s Governor, Jennifer Granholm.

For our plans in the future, we want to raise money for Pro-Life organizations, for attending the March for Life, and other such pro-life activities.

We’re also looking into Legislative Day, and praying in front of clinics that perform abortions.

It is a work in progress, but all good things have to start small: just like all humans start out in their mother’s womb. Hopefully, the word will spread, and more people will join our group. These babies need all the help they can get, and we’re going to try to give them just that.

If you are interested in organizing a Pro-Life group of your own, you can get information at Generations for Life.

Homeschoolers Rock in the Science Olympiad

Homeschoolers take regional middle and high school Science Olympiad competition by storm. Read more HERE.

Review: The Village

The Village
Reviewed by Trisha Phillips, age 15

The MPAA rating for The Village is PG-13 for a scene of violence and frightening situations.

The Village is packed with seat wrenching scenes that will keep your attention throughout the whole movie. The villagers are mortally afraid of the ‘creatures’ that live in the woods surrounding the village. The creatures also keep them from traveling to the ‘towns’ outside of the woods. For the past several years they have had a mutual alliance with the creatures, the villagers don’t enter the woods and the creatures don't come into the valley, but lately they have been venturing into the village.

Most of the townspeople are content with living off the land, but when Ivy, blind from a young age, finds out that the only way to save her fiancé from mortal injuries is to travel through the woods into the towns, she takes on the challenge with only her heart and her father’s confidence to guide her.

Throughout the movie you find caring and loving people who all work together to keep their village safe and homely, but nonetheless they are extremely afraid of death and hardships. The end has a very surprising twist, but what else would you expect from the maker of Signs and The Sixth Sense?

Review: Apologia Science

Apologia Science
Reviewed by Jade Blackview, age 17

Around 2000 Apologia came out with a science program for junior-high and high school students. Exploring Creation With . . . , written mostly by Dr. J. Wile, is a comprehensive, creation-based science curriculum. Covering science subjects from General Science to Physics to Advanced Chemistry, Dr. Wile explains God’s creations in a precise, easy to understand manner. All of his course include experiments, making it possible to use this program as a laboratory science. Home Science Tools, formerly Home Training Tools, offers not only the Apologia Texts and answer books, but also supply packages, making it possible to order all of the special supplies need for a particular course. Apologia makes science understandable and, most importantly, fun!

Review: End of Silence by Red

End of Silence
Reviewed by Kathryn Turner, age 14

The Pennsylvania-based Christian rock band Red begins their album, End of Silence, with a piano intro. Orchestral accompaniment eerily filters in. You really wouldn't suspect Red to be a hard rock band, but when the intro is over they kick into high gear with one of their hit songs, Breathe Into Me. The rest of the album is packed with gripping sound that I have never heard before. Their mix of piano, orchestra, and pounding electric guitar adds a very cool, unique sound to their music.

Michael Barnes, lead singer and pianist, puts full passion into the vocals. While he’s only a moderately talented singer, he surely doesn't overdue the screaming. He can make his voice soothing, and doesn't "burst out" very often, but when he does, he truly screams in the opportune parts of the song to keep you on the edge of their compositions.

"Are their lyrics really worth hearing?" you might ask. I think they are. Michael is crying out to God to be "broken down," "to give it all to Him." Even though they don't mention His name, it's clear that they try to send a message about Him, which is the approach of most Christian rock bands. Compared to bands such as Linkin Park, Kutless, and Muse, Red brings a refreshing new sound into Christian music.

The Battle of Crecy

The Battle of Crecy
By The Elf, age 15

In the year 1346, a small force of Englishmen invaded France. Numbers were definitely not on their side; neither, in the opinion of the rest of the world, was weaponry, for they had very few horsemen. Thus, when on August 26 they were attacked by a French army by well over 100,000 soldiers, the results should have been decisive, as they were - but not in the way expected.

The English army had all the time they needed to prepare their position, and they did so, fencing in their baggage and organizing their troops - 11,000 with the young Black Prince, so called for his entirely black armor; 7,000 on the left, protected by a ditch; and 12,000 in reserve with the king.

The French, on the other hand, came to the scene of battle hungry and tired from a full day’s march. The order was given to halt, but due to their huge numbers, it was not passed on or obeyed. They continued forward all the way to the English lines.

Immediately, some French crossbowmen came forward to attack, but a small rain shower came at that moment, followed by the sun coming out behind the English. With their crossbow strings wet and the sun in their eyes, the French advanced very close before trying to shoot, and were met with such a hail of arrows that most of them instantly fell dead.

King Philip of France now gave an order, but not the one you might expect. He told his knights to charge right over the dying crossbowmen! This completed their destruction, and as they struggled, the English continued pouring arrows into the mix with their longbows . The other French divisions circled around this and attacked the Black Prince from both sides simultaneously.

Time and again they charged; time and again, their charges were stopped with pike and sword. Very soon, the French leaders were dead, and the remaining knights were now confused. But then another French division joined the fray, so it was now 40,000 men surrounding the Prince with only 7,000 foot soldiers (the rest of his archers had drawn back.)

At this time, the Earl of Warwick sent a messenger to the king, asking for reinforcements. After ensuring that his son was unhurt, King Edward offered the famous lines, “Let the boy win his spurs,” and remained where he was, giving all the glory to his son.

As the French charged again and again, fresh volleys continued to fall on them. An English longbow-man could fire around five arrows per minute with deadly accuracy, meaning 20,000 arrows were falling on the French every minute! No man or beast could stand this, and after Philip was wounded twice himself, they began to retreat.

Immediately, the English army gave thanks to God for their victory. There was no feast or celebration, just a simple mass giving the glory of the battle to the Lord.

The next day, however, was quite foggy, and many more French were killed by the victorious English when they stumbled upon each other in the fog.

In all, 33,000 French died, including 90 of the highest nobles, while the English lost only a few hundred foot soldiers. This battle began what took another hundred years to finish; namely, the discovery that the knight was not indestructible, and that one archer could be more than a match for one knight. This led to the end of the Middle Ages.

Review: Eats, Shoots, and Leaves

Eats, Shoots, and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation
Reviewed by Jade Blackview, age 17

I’m sure we’ve all read that dry grammar text, muddled through the adjectives and adverbs, and suffered through the dissection of a sentence. Boring right? Wrong! The face of grammar is beginning to change. Eats, Shoots, and Leaves by Lynne Truss makes grammar much more interesting. Kids who grumbled over apostrophes and semicolons will be begging to read this book.

Truss takes a novelistic approach to this dry subject, making it come alive through real-life stories and funny scenarios on how improper punctuation can make things sound totally different. She gives instruction on how grammar is to be appropriately used as well as a bit of history about names and origins. Grammar has never been so well treated before.

Are you: Confused by Commas? Addled by Apostrophes? Puzzled by Periods? This book is for you! Pick up Eats, Shoots, and Leaves by Lynne Truss today for an exciting ride down grammar street!