The Easter Journey

Jordan, Me, Yoseph, Kate, & Karen

Catrina & a Roman guard

Every year my church, Cross Pointe Church of the Nazarene, puts on the "Easter Journey." It is a dramatic walk-through of biblical Jerusalem one year after Jesus' death. People can come and experience a marketplace filled with various shops they can buy from, Pilate's palace, the Temple, Calvary, Tomb and much more. the "Easter Journey" is a really cool event that opens the Gospel to our community in an unique and inviting way.

The annual tradition of the "Easter Journey" was started nine years ago by my very own mother and another lady from our church, Moey Wright. That first year paper covered the walls and there was only a few places to visit. Now the church walls are covered with cloth, painted canvas, and Styrofoam,  the hallways have paved roads, and there are ten different rooms to visit.

Pilate & his wife

a Jerusalem passageway

Ever since that first "Easter Journey" took place, I've looked forward to Easter more because the two weeks prior are always filled with excitement and fun. Every night is a different adventure. You never know how it'll turn out. Plus the people's reactions and responses to things vary from group to group. It's very entertaining.

Martha in her house

the Disciple John in the Upper Room

The "Easter Journey" is definitely something I look forward to. Two years ago Cross Pointe decided to take a break from doing the "Easter Journey." This was majorly devastating. I'd been completely involved in the "Easter Journey" for so long that it didn't feel like Easter without it. It just wasn't the same. So, last year when we started it up again I was SUPER excited. I'd definitely missed it the past year.

the Ark of the Covenant

So, today was the first night of the "Easter Journey" this year. I'm excited because I've looked forward to it all year long pretty much right after the last one ended. I can already tell that this year's "Easter Journey" is gonna be the best one so far. You should definitely come check it out. It's awesome!

Early Mornings

There's nothing more brutal than having to wake up before the crack of dawn. I mean seriously, if the sun's not up why should we be? Oh, that's right we shouldn't. Normal human beings actually wake up at decent hours, and they especially don't force other people to wake up before daylight arrives. They'd be rude if they did. Obviously though, not everyone are nice normal people. Some people are cruel and make poor victims get up extremely early. I don't know why they have to do it. Honestly it's not nice and no fun.

Early mornings are sheer torture. They're the equivalent of nails on chalkboards, Mondays, your favorite sports team losing the championship by one point, gas price raising, and seeing someone vomit. Suffering all around. I think early mornings should be banned. I think that would do the world a TON of good. Just imagine all the things we could accomplish if we're not sleep deprived. The possibilities are endless. Sadly though, I have another horrid early morning tomorrow (4:30am), so I'm gonna get some very precious and rare sleep. Night!

What If Animals Were Fat?

Think about this with me. What if animals were fat? What if when you would go on African safaris you would see fat animals everywhere? Now, obviously fat animals couldn't survive in the wild because they would either get eaten by other animals, or they would starve to death because they couldn't catch any animals, but what if all animals were actually fat? The world would probably come to an end because all the animals would die because they'd all be too fat to do anything but lay around. There's a reason you only see fat domestic animals. Survival. I guess it would make hunting animals extremely easy though. Anyone could kill an animal then no matter how bad their aim is because the animals wouldn't go anywhere fast. Most likely animals would go extinct, and we would be forced to become vegetarians. How terrible would that be? I know I love my meats and don't want to give them up for anything, so I would hate it if animals went extinct. I'd be miserable, and I'd be cursed to dream of nice juicy steaks every night for the rest of my life. Yeah, I'm really glad animals aren't fat because that would just cause a total worldwide disaster. I'm really thankful God didn't make fat animals. If you're wondering where in the world this came from check out the video below. It's hilarious!

Saying Goodbye

Today I had to say goodbye to my brother because he has to go back to Ohio in order to work. I didn't want to because I love having my brother around (even if he does occasionally get on my nerves), but I did anyway. I hate goodbyes. They're always hard. Knowing you're leaving or being left by someone and won't be able to see them for a while if ever is always tough. I guess I should be used to it by now considering how many times I've left places and people, and I guess I kinda am, but that doesn't make it any easier. And, why should it? Being separated from people you care about should never be easy. If it is then something is definitely wrong. God created us with a need and desire to be with people (especially ones we love). Even I, who loves to be myself, still need the company and relationships with others. We would have a pretty lonely life if each of us were left on our own. Lucky for us though we aren't. God saw that we were lonely, so he gave us companionship with each other. It's a cool thing. Unlucky for us though we can't always stay together. We sometimes (or oftentimes) have to be separated from families and friends and are forced to go through the grueling process of saying goodbye.

A Love/Hate Relationship

Brothers. You can't live with them and you can't live without them. I love my brother. I love hanging out with my brother doing whatever. I don't care as long as I get to spend time with him. Most popularly we play video games, usually Xbox 360, but also Nintendo 64 (kickin' it old school). He lives in Ohio now, so I never get to see him anymore, so what little I do see him is never enough. Most often we get along, but you know brothers. They all love to tease and get on your nerves. We hate this and get mad at them, but that makes them love it even more. I don't know why they have to do this. I don't see why we can't always get along, but apparently, we're not allowed. I guess it's against the rules or something. Anyway, normally John and I get along great. We love spending time together, and I can take his teasing. There are however, a few occasions where he takes it too far. It usually doesn't end too well. I don't like this because I just want to hang with him, but it still happens. Soon after though we become best buds again, and it's all good like it never happened. Luckily, this rarely ever happens because our time together is rare and precious. Speaking of which, John came home for my birthday last Thursday, so I'm gonna go chill with him.

From Siberian Husky to Naked Mole Rat

 So, if any of you don't know, Siberian huskies don't shed. Instead, once or twice a year they blow (shed all of their fur in a short time in order to grow a new one suitable for the coming season/weather). When this happens it's best to shave their fur. This saves you and your husky a lot of trouble. Now, usually they don't start blowing until spring, but do to the abnormally warm weather we've been having lately, Dekz started blowing recently. So, when I got home from school today, I pulled out his razor and went to work. He was extremely well behaved during this process considering his crazy self, so this made it easier. About 45 minutes later my handsome Siberian husky was replaced by an abnormally large naked mole rat. This is okay though because even though he looks odd, I could tell Dekz was happy to get rid of all that fur. Plus, I know his thick coat will soon grow back.

Upon request my topic this week will be my mother, Catherine Ann Case. Now, I am not writing about her what she wants me to, but I am writing about her just the same. My mom is slowly going crazy. A lot of times when my mom is speaking she gets stuck on a certain word and cannot get it out for the life of her. I can always tell what she is trying to say, but I always pretend I do not. I also laugh and tell her to "use her words."  Other times she does crazy stuff like falling asleep every time she watches a movie, or when she gets super excited over small things like remembering everything she has on the grocery list that she forgot at home. My favorite thing my mom does is laugh hysterically at herself when she thinks she is funny even though she is totally not. She is actually being stupid at that point, but I never tell her this because I am such a nice daughter. ;) One really funny thing to do is watch my mom trying to do the dance pad on the Xbox or Just Dance on the Wii. She is not hand-eye coordinated enough for either of those. Watching her attempt either of those makes for a good laugh. It never gets old.
Beyond all her craziness though is an extremely caring mother who I know loves me. She always does her best to help me out, provide for me, and even spoil me on occasions (My sister, Catrina June, always complains that I get spoiled way more than her and that I get away with more than she does, but that is just because she does not know how to work the system like I do and lacks presentation. (lol) I tell her this, but she never listens to me or takes my advice.). My mom is also a very strong woman in enduring everything that life has thrown at her. My mom is definitely not perfect, but I would not trade her for anyone.

Today, after school I headed straight to Barnes & Nobles to buy a newly released book. Afterwards I headed home really excited. I turned left off of Route 13 and onto Bi-State Boulevard heading towards Delmar. There are two turn lanes at that light and I was in the one farthest left. Beside me was a gold car driven by an elderly man. We both turned onto the road, and if you don't know the right turn lane ends so the man had to get over. We were side by side when I noticed that he was getting awfully close to me. I immediately thought to myself, Is he getting over? No, he wouldn't do that he can see me. I'm a bright red minivan right next to him. But, he kept getting closer so I realized that he was getting over. I blared my horn, but he kept coming over until he rammed into the side of my van. I slammed on my brakes and he went spinning in front of me and he hit the front of my car. He proceeded to spin to my left and the next thing I knew he was back on my right and speeding to get away. At this point I was totally freaked out and terrified so I just pulled into a driveway. The truck that was behind me sped after the elderly man and flagged him down a little ways up the road. One pedestrian witness called 9-1-1. I called my mom not knowing what else to do. She asked me if I was okay. I said yes. She then told me she was on her way and then hung up. The lady who called the police then came over and checked on me to see if I was okay. I told her I was and we then proceeded to talk about what happened. She assured me it wasn't my fault, but I knew this already. Later, when the cop arrived she and another lady told the police what happened. Everything worked out in the end. There was only a few minor damages done to my van because the elderly man's car took most of it.

This was my very first accident and I thank God that no one got hurt and that it wasn't my fault. To new drivers like me my recommendation is that you NEVER get into a car accident if at all possible. It is terrifying, nerve-racking, and no fun.

Snow Days

Oh the joy and excitement when you wake before the crack of dawn like any other school day and look outside the window to find a white blanket of snow covering the ground. You go downstairs, turn on the TV, and check the news for cancellations. You wait forever because with your luck you just missed the "F's" so you wait until they come around again. Finally, it gets to the "E's" and wait in suspense hoping your school is listed. Then, victoriously, "Faith Baptist School: Canceled" pops up at the bottom of the screen and it is in that moment when the feeling of utter ecstasy takes hold. You feel that life is finally worth living. You are overjoyed with delight and you can't help but celebrate. After awhile of excited celebration you get overwhelmed with exhaustion due to awakening so early so you head back upstairs, collapse onto your bed, and fall into a blissful sleep to awaken at a decent hour.

As a follow up to last week's post, here are a few more reasons why my cute Siberian puppy is crazy. First, sometimes when he's sleeping Dekz will be lying on his side and will move his legs like he's running (My guess is that he is chasing something in a dream.), and other times he lies on his back and sleeps like a person. 

Next, Dekz's two front paws are more like hands than paws. He uses them to grip and grab things like my legs and arms. This helps him accomplish the next reason why he's crazy which is that when you dance, or just move your hips form side to side, Dekz will jump up on you and place his front paws on your waist and "dance" with you. This is really cute, but it makes it hard to play Just Dance on the Wii since he becomes the uninvited partner. Finally, Dekz is crazy because if you tell him to lay down and stay somewhere (like his room) he will slowly sneak out by Army crawling across the floor with his butt in the air.

This is Dekz. He is my one-year-old Siberian Husky, and he is very crazy. For one, he thinks he is a lap dog and loves to sit on my lap. He loves attention and will shove his head under my arm demanding that I pet him. Second, Dekz loves bread. I am mean loves it. Any time someone in the house has bread Dekz knows and is is right there sitting and waiting to be given a piece. He will choose a piece of bread over any dog treat or bone you offer him. Any morning that I pack my lunch and decide to make a sandwich, the second I open the bag of bread Dekz is right there beside me hoping to get some. Another reason Dekz is crazy is that when he gets really excited he runs around the living room and leaps like an antelope. Finally, Dekz is the smartest dog I know and yet does the most stupidest things sometimes. For instance, whenever he gets in trouble, he goes running upstairs to my room and hides under my bed even though I always drag him out and back down to his room for timeout. My puppy may be an extremely crazy dog, but I still love him.

This is my first post on my blog for Mr. Zockoll's English class.