A480

I GOT A CAMERA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's a Canon PowerShot A480, and it is SO awesome. I mean, it can't compare to the caliber of a camera like Bekah's Nikon D3000, but I don't plan on creating a photo blog with it or anything- I just really enjoy taking pictures, and I've been DYING to obtain my own for so long! So far, I've taken a multitude of random pics of whatever I come across, just to get the feel of the camera, but nothing yet that I'm going to post. I'll make an entry filled with pictures later when the pics are of something actually interesting or absorbing. Well, I actually have taken one good pic. My brother Alex despises my camera because he dislikes me constantly flashing pictures of everything around me- including shots of him. Since over the past day it's become increasingly harder to snap a picture of him before he evades me, I concealed myself on my bed in the room we share and waited as he used our family's boy bathroom which is in our room. And then, straining my ears, I listened and waited for him to emerge. Training the camera on the place where his head would materialize, I focused the camera and... FLASH- I caught Alex just as he came out, and he was looking straight at the A480 with undisguised irritation. *grins* It was AWESOME. Unfortunately, I accidentally deleted the shot. *groans*

Last night, I celebrated my real birthday for the day I actually turned thirteen with my family, and it was blast. I received the A480 (obviously), a capo for my guitar, (really needed one for a couple of songs I recently received), and a pre-ordering of Rick Riordan's (the author of the Percy Jackson series) new book. All in all, it was the best family birthday I've ever had. It's strange though cause I thought I'd feel... different when I turned thirteen. But- I feel exactly the same. No sudden, magic transformation into an older, taller person- no sudden outbreak of acne or anything- no inward feeling of teenager-ness. *shrugs* Oh well.

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Also, on my birthday yesterday, I had to present a speech for a writing class I take- in front of 20 to 30 people (I'm not sure precisely). *shudders* I was really freaked out. At one point, I even slipped out of class and entered the bathroom where I just prayed that God would calm me down- and he did. When I gave my presentation, It was so... easy. The second I got up in front of everyone, things just seemed to go along smoothly and effortlessly. I'm just hoping I get a good grade now, cause the presentation was one of the must crucial assignments in the writing class. But I'm just glad I finished with the speech, cause now- I have no more "school" writing for the rest of the school year!!! My schedule just got a LOT less busy. :D

Jake

13!

Well, not quite- I'm still 12 *sighs heavily*, but I will be 13 on Wednesday. :D Although it was early, I celebrated my birthday with my friends two days ago since it was a Friday, and it was the only way I could do a sleepover. It ROCKED! Okay, first of all, we had this "mystery dinner" thing in my family's garage. It was crazy. All of us received these menus with these nonsensical names on them standing for anonymous foods. Then, we each selected three names on the menus and then "waiters" (my dad, mom, brother Matthew and his friend Ben) took them and went inside our house to get our orders. There were all sorts of wacky foods. For example- "Yard" on the menu turned out to stand for a handful of spinach *grimaces* and "Little Poopies" (I know, crude, but I didn't make up the names!) stood for these milk duds that literally sealed your mouth shut when you chewed while "No Moo Moo" stood for cheese pizza with no pepperoni or sausage while "Dotted Moo Moo" stood for pizza with those toppings. Oh, and all the while, we were in the garage with the garage door open all wearing these cone birthday hats- y'know, the ones four and five year old's wear at their parties. We had to cause it was the "restaurants" so called policy. So while we laughed our heads off ordering stuff off the mystery menus, random neighbors and pedestrians (some that I knew, embarrassingly) were walking by on the street casting us scornful, mocking glances at our "childishness". I mean, I would too if I walked by someones garage and inside were a bunch of teenagers with those cones on. *laughs* Afterwards, we all walked up to a store about one third of a mile away to purchase toppings for ice cream- while still wearing the cones. :D Just for the fun of it, we waved and smiled stupidly at passing cars, and people actually waved back.*grins* What was really funny though was that my brother Alex and friend Josh were deliberately distancing themselves from us, trying to avoid being singled out as friends of the rest of us "cone-wearers". So we arrived at the store, and the employees managing the cash registers could hardly keep a straight face while we purchased the sugar and junk food we needed. Then we jogged back home, took off our beloved cones, devoured ice cream and cake, and then hastened outside for two hours while it was still light out to play two games of intense basketball. Afterwards, we headed out into my backyard and rested in chairs around a blazing bonfire to play Mafia (the best unphysical game in the word). Luckily, I was never Mafia so I didn't ruin the game with laughing and giving myself away. We played a couple games, then went inside, drank root beer, snacked on sour gummy worms and popcorn, and then watched I Walked on the Moon, a film where the comedian Brian Reagen displays his comedy, (he's hilarious! Even, in my opinion, funnier than Tim Hawkins) and also Remember the Titans. Once we were finished with those, it was 3:00 a.m., and we settled down for the night and just talked. Then: ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
All in all, it was an awesome party. I have incredible friends. :D
Oh, one more thing: Thank you SO much Josh for the Fray cd! If you haven't listened to them yet, you've gotta hear Never Say Never and Say When by them- especially Say When. They're amazing.

Well, I've gotta go- Little House on the Prairie!

Jake

Bekah's Giveaway

Alright, here's my answers for the Upon My Return Blog Parade questions:

1. If you had to describe yourself in one word, what would you say:

Jocular? :D

2. If you could go anywhere in the world with anyone you wanted to, where would you go and who with?

Indisputably to Hilton Head, a beautiful island connected to South Carolina by bridge. There you'll find the shimmering blue Atlantic, crystal beaches, and a variety of resplendent restaurants and other places for entertainment *gazes longingly out the window*. Who would I take? My friends Hunter, Caleb, Ryan, Josh, Zach, Seth, and Noah. :D

3. If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

If I could have one superpower it'd be the power to pretty much makes books come... alive, I guess. Sort of like in Inkheart. Like I could just will them into being so instantly I could make Narnia real, Alagaesia real, the Underland real, The Realm real and with all their characters too. Wouldn't that be awesome?!

4. What is one habit that you get teased about a lot?

I laugh WAY too much. I know it's good for your health but the way I sometimes do? I'm going to suffocate myself someday. For instance, last night at a sleepover with my friend Hunter I got into one of my hysterical moods and nearly choked from laughter. It's kind of scary- jk, but yeah, my friends are always using it against me and making me laugh at the most crucial moments. *laughs*

5. What is your food obsession?

Anything CHINESE!!! *thinks wistfully of Spicy Chang's Chicken, Mongolian Beef, and the Great Wall of Chocolate cake at P. F. Changs*

6. What is the best April Fools prank you pulled on someone or that someone pulled on you?

Okay, let me make this declaration: I could NEVER pull off an April Fools prank without laughing and giving it all away. I just can't keep a straight face in those situations.
Someone pull a prank on me?! *scoffs scornfully* Why, I'm far too intelligent and cunning to be deceived by an April Fools pra- here's another habit: I'm way too gullible. You could tell me I'm related to Thomas Jefferson, and I'd believe you, so it's easy to pull a prank on me. But right now, I just can't recall one... I must have fallen for pranks so many times they're all just vague cycles of me being humiliated by impassive, heartless people. *sniffles* jk lol

7. If you were an inanimate object, what would you be?

Umm... a tennis ball?

8. Let's say you could change the world in one way. How would you change it?

I'd either evangelize through writing or music and touch peoples lives, and hopefully then the people would pass on the passion to others.

9. You have a million dollars. How do you spend it?

$1,000,000!!! Wow... Well, first, I'd put away about $200,000 of it in a bank for use the of my five brothers and I for college and cars (I know- I'm a saveaholic). *grins* But you never know. In a couple of years, America's recession could intensify and money would be really scarce. Secondly, I would donate about $300,000 to my church to pay for a building of our own cause currently we meet in a middle school. Thirdly, with 499,950, I would give money to various Christian organizations which can put it to good use. And with the last $50? *grins* Barnes & Noble here I come. :D

10. What is the one thing that always takes your breath away?

The first thing that comes to mind is the ocean. Whenever I go to Hilton Head, SC for vacation, I'm left breathless when I walk out on the beach and behold the undulating expanse of the Atlantic Ocean, glistening under the sun. It's a magnificent testament to God's power and majesty.

11. You are granted three wishes. What do you wish for?

First wish: Okay, this is going to sound really... I don't know, puerile? But I'd wish to be "warped" into the Middle Ages where swordplay and chivalry flourished and become a knight. *grins*

Second wish: I would wish (it's actually more like a prayer) that I would become bolder and more courageous for God and not shy away from his will, whatever it might be.

Third wish (the grand finale): I'd wish for 1,000,000,000,000 more wishes. :D

12. You can spend the day with one character from a book or series you've read. Who is that character?

*gasps* Only ONE!? Oh my word... Well, since I just finished the books and still remember everything about him and how awesome he is, I'd pick Gregor the Overlander from the Underland Chronicles.

13. What is something odd or interesting about you that is not commonly known?

I lived in Saudi Arabia (more specifically in the United Arab Emirates) for the first four years of my life.

14. What is one thing that you can absolutely positively not stand?

Tomatoes, sun dried tomatoes, any kind of tomatoes- I despise them! I take like five minutes each time I put sauce on my spaghetti, trying only to get on the noodles only hamburger and sauce and not the repugnant red fruit. *grimaces*

15. Say you committed a crime. The judge gives you a choice between sentences: twenty years of complete solitude in the mountains or never having another moment alone for the rest of your life. Your choice?

Undoubtedly twenty years of solitude. I would go crazy if I was never alone for the rest of my life, but I think I could survive being alone that long. Anyways, I'm always wanting peace and quiet whenever I read, which doesn't happen much in a house of five boys, so it might be the perfect time. :D

16. What is one benefit that blogging has given you?

The awesome ability to share my experiences, passions, and life whenever I desire. Whenever there's something bubbling inside of me, pleading to get out, I just post it. With blogger, I can post about anything that's on my mind and get my thoughts out. I know, it's an obvious answer, but it's the truth.

17. A perfect day in your eyes would be?

7:30-wake up, brush my teeth, shower, dress, and go downstairs to find a voluminous meal of cinnamon rolls, strawberries, and salted and peppered fried eggs awaiting me

8:00- leave the house and go on a 20 minute drive to Roselawn Stables, the place where I take horse riding lessons, and hang out and ride with my favorite horse Champ for three hours

11:00- return home and have a bunch of friends over to play an intense game of basketball for two hours

1:00- get takeout for lunch from China Dragon and purchase some blackberry Izzes (these incredible sparkling juice drinks)

2:00- play my guitar for 30 minutes

2:30- pop in some earphones and listen to my brother's iPod Nano while I jog to the nearest Caribou Coffee to meet with six of my favorite authors-Suzanne Collins, Christopher Paolini, Rick Riordan, John Flanagan, Wayne Thomas Batson, and J. K. Rowling, and to get a strawberry smoothie and a hot, chocolate mocha

4:00- jog back home and read for two hours :D

6:00- devour a supper of crescents, my mom's white bean soup (SO good), and afterwards have a desert of two ice cream sandwiches

7:00- settle down on the couch and watch American Idol with my family

8:00- then watch an episode of Little House on the Praire (I'm addicted to them) *grins*

8:45- head over to my friend Hunter's house where all my other friends are gathered for a sleepover

9:00- play a game of Settlers of Catan while drinking Butterfinger and Peanut Butter M&Ms shakes

10:00- go and watch the whole Lord of the Rings trilogy

4:30 (a.m.)- read for another hour while the rest of my friends slumber

5:30 a.m.- ZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Jake

Winnie, The Bell, and the Underland Chronicles

That's the name of the dog we're "dogsitting" this week, and for the last two days, I've been assigned to watch, play, and feed her... and she's a LOT of work! But the really aggravating thing is... the bell. Winnie's owners have trained her to report if she has to go to the bathroom by taping a bell to their front door and instructing her to ring it when she needs to go. Frankly, she doesn't use it for its intended purpose. Because it turns out it's her way of dragging me outside to run around and play with her. Now, I'm not saying that's a bad thing. It's fun. But listen: yesterday, I took her on THREE jogs around our neighborhoods block and played and ran around with her in my backyard for two hours. And guess what? Every time when we got back inside, she went and insistently rang the bell again and again until I responded and went back outside. I despise the bell. I can hear it right now as she rings it with that wicked grin on her face. jk But seriously, can't people come up with other ways to teach dogs to get attention? Why not the simple "innocent puppy-eyes" routine or something? Anything but the bell! Oh well, at least I'm getting paid. $-) But, to be honest, Winnie isn't a bad dog at all. She's actually AWESOME. She's surprisingly obedient for her age and really fun to be with. It's just... *glances darkly at his front door* the bell...
Anyways, I'm on spring break so NO school tomorrow! :D My three youngest brothers are gone at my grandparents house up in northern Minnesota for the week so my parents, brother Alex, and I pretty much have the place to ourselves, making it REALLY quiet around here. Perfect for reading. So... I stayed up till midnight last night and finished the Underland Chronicles by Suzanne Collins. They were incredible and COMPLETELY original. There wasn't ANYTHING in the series that's common or regular like elves and dragons or any "over-used" and redundant plots. It's totally fresh and fabricated by Collins, who's an excellent author. I don't really know where to rank her though. Sometimes, it gets to the point where you've read so many phenomenal books, you just can't tell which are the best. Their all so spectacular in their own way. To be blunt, I never thought I'd read the Gregor the Overlander series. I mean seriously- it's about colossal cockroaches, ruthless rats, behemoth bats, scheming spiders, and complaining, insatiable fireflies for pity's sake! But I learned something important after reading them: you can't judge a book by it's characters (even if their cockroaches), cause it turns out, I wouldn't of liked the series half as much as I do if they, or the bats, or rats, or even fireflies hadn't been in them! It's crazy but Suzanne Collins can make you like ANYONE in a novel, no matter what or who it is.
Well, I have 180 youth group in a few minutes so I should probably get ready.
Later,

Jake

Band

Okay, so I know my bro Alex has been posting all about it, but this is my first entry I've ever written about the band I'm in. We're not exactly a band cause we only have about four songs finished, but we're working on more and it's a lot of fun. We recorded on the of the songs, "When You Turned Away", last, last Thursday, and we're about to have another recording session this Thursday, but back to the point- Hunter (pretty much the band's leader) called Alex and me today, saying that the worship director for a nearby city had listened to their songs and liked it. Therefore, he invited us to perform in the city's park for this Music in the Park event thing in July. Although you might think I'm ecstatic, I am actually freaked out- cause in the song, I was the vocalist and would have to sing at the event. I mean, it's different playing guitar, piano, or a different instrument, but singing? *shudders* I don't know. It's out of my comfort zone, that's for sure. But lately, I've been reading Do Hard Things with my dad and brother, and it goes and challenges teens to do stuff hard and out-of-your-comfort-zone. So... I'm pretty torn. I know fear can't rule people's lives. How are we supposed to live the life God wants us to if we're constantly impeded and hindered by fear? I'm just going to have to pray about it... and practice. Maybe at this next recording session I can sing like crazy in front of everyone in the house to practice so I'll be prepared for the park- although that would probably be pretty annoying... So yeah, there's my predicament. Thought I'd just make a quick post about it cause I know lately I've been TOTALLY unfaithful in my blogging and commenting.
Now, to go and read The Code of Claw, the concluding book in the Underlander Chronicles by Suzanne Collins...

Jake

Dull

Sorry for such a long break from blogger. Life's just been... unbloggable, I guess. Nothing of significant interest, unless you enjoy hearing about suffering from two permanent teeth being removed at the dentist and lamentations about school. There's been ONE thing though, that sparked my interest today: Timed essays. Today in the writing class I take, we did them. The essay topic was something like: Does Cooperation or Competition Produce More Success? I was practically twitching with excitement when I heard we we're doing them today. I think I did okay. Being rated on the standard timed essay scoring system: 6 being the best, 1 being the worst, I'm predicting I either got a 3 or possibly a 4. Well... That's pretty much it. All I have to post... *laughs at his pathetic-ness* Now back to the Underlander Chronicles...

Jake

Of Black Diamonds, Bunny Hills, and a Hindering Fear

"There is no neutral ground: every square inch, every split second is claimed by God and counterclaimed by Satan." -C.S. Lewis.

That was my favorite quote presented at the Worldview conference I've attended this weekend. It's been hectic, since my dad, my brother Alex, and I have been going constantly back and forth from our house to a church in a neighboring city to listen to all the messages given by the speakers for Worldview Academy, the organization that headed up the conference, but it's been SO worth it. The conference began Friday night at 7:00 p.m. and went until 9:30, when we were dismissed to go home and sleep and ready ourselves for the next day of numerous conferences. I awoke early, my clock reading 7:05, since we didn't have to leave until 8:15. Curling up on a comfortable couch, I delved into Happenstance Found by P.W. Catanese when, suddenly, fifteen minutes later my dad charged down the stairs, exclaimed that we only had 20 minutes before the conferences started, meaning we had that much time to shower, dress, and complete the 15 minute drive to Nowthen, where the conferences were held. Slapping the book shut, I dashed back upstairs, vigorously shook my brother awake, and then showered and brushed my teeth probably the fastest I have ever done so in my life. Ten minutes later, we were all in my dad's Chrysler Cirrus racing into a McDonald's drive through and ordering breakfast, not having time to eat at home. *grimaces* I shouldn't have gotten a McGriddle. I should've known it would unsettle my stomach. McDonalds food always does- besides Snack Wraps and McDouble's, that is. :D Thankfully, we arrived in Nowthen at the church just in time for the first conference of the day, which I thoroughly enjoyed. But my most favorite were the 2nd and 4th sermons that day. First I'll summarize the second:

Christianity vs. Evolution
Yeah, an EXTREMELY debated and controversial subject. At the sermon, I was immensely enlightened. Christians and Atheists have debated over the origins of the universe for years, but it all comes down to two options: Will you cast your trust in the words of man or the words of God?
A well-known evolutionist wrote: "Christianity has fought, still fights, and will fight science to the desperate end over evolution, because evolution destroys utterly and finally the very reason Jesus' earthly life was supposedly made necessary. Destroy Adam and Eve and the original sin, and in the rubble you will find the sorry remains of the son of god (not capitalized because of the scientist's views). Take away the meaning of his death. If Jesus was not the redeemer who died for our sins, and this is what evolution means, then Christianity is nothing!" -Richard Bozarth.
Here are numerous things that evolutionist's believe. In life there is:

• no God
• no absolutes
• no after-life
• no angels or demons
• no purpose/meaning
• no miracles
• no souls
• no conscience
• no mind or thought
• no freewill or dignity

Yep, evolutionist believe it all. The one I found most surprise (more like shocking) was that they believed we have "no freewill". WHAT?!?! No freewill? So we're mindless robots, machines that don't have the abilities to make our own choices and decisions? Well, according to evolutionists, that's totally what we are. An Atheist taught a class on writing poems at a college (or school, can quite recall). But there was a problem- people have no freewill how can they make poems? We can't create anything either, since we have no mind of thought (instead, they believe we only have brains-not minds or thoughts-that respond to outside stimuli). So, the evolutionists took the next logical step by solving the problem by saying we just already have the poems "within" us. We don't "create" poems, we "have" the poems." So we have beautiful, mellifluous poems within our souls (oh, scratch that, evolutionists don't believe in souls) our brains I mean, that are just... there. We don't create them, conjure them, they're there. Okay then... *raises eyebrow skeptically* But the terrible thing is, most Christians do nothing to combat Atheists/Evolutionist's views. For some reason, there's something that holds us back, keeps us from defending our faith. What is it? Well, we all know, cause we all experience it. Fear. Fear of man rather than fear of God. During the conference, the speakers spoke about the students they taught at a campus in Texas, and how, every Wednesday, they just sent them off to neighboring cities and college campuses to evangelize and question others about their beliefs. As I listened, my heart was clutched callously by the cold hand of fear. Imagine just going out and speaking God's word to others. Telling others about Him. It's such a coveted thing, but people are hindered by the powerful impediment of fear. I am, and I felt ashamed, because in doing so, I obey our culture's message. Our culture says: Keep your faith in your church and homes- DON'T BRING IT OUT OF THOSE BOUNDARIES!!! DON'T SPREAD IT!!! KEEP YOUR FAITH TO YOURSELF!!! And that's what I do... I don't go out and tell others. I just keep it personal. I don't share the love that Jesus' gives. Why? Fear. Hindering, obstructing, impeding FEAR. And I'm ashamed of that. It's something that I have to get rid of in my life. But there's also another factor. What do you tell non-believers? Well, that leads me to the 4th conference.

"Those who wish to succeed must ask the right preliminary questions" -Aristotle. And that's totally true. We must ask the right questions to unbelievers, and the speakers at the conference gave advice on how to question them- the four killer questions:

• What do you mean by (blank)?
• How do you know that to be true?
• What difference does that make?
• What if you are wrong about (blank)?

For example, you engage an Atheist in conversation: (this is the conversation which was played on video at the conference)

Christian: "What do you believe happens once you die?"

Atheist: "I die- the end. Everything just ends there."

Christian: "How do you know?"

Atheist: "Because that's what science says."

Christian: "But what if you're wrong?"

See? The Atheist is stuck. Now he has to think. What if he's wrong? What if you don't just die? The speakers explained that often, that's the best you can do when talking to an evolutionists: make him/her think.

Everyone has faith. Evolutionists have EXTREME faith. They must have exceeding faith to convince themselves that all the beauty and ingenuity in the designs of this earth were created by chance. That we, extraordinarily complex beings, are all simply mistakes. Imagine you're walking on a beach, and you find a computer chip in the sand. Nobody in their right mind would believe it was just created by chance. A computer chip is a complex device! Everybody would agree to that. Then what about our brains? Why are they proclaimed by evolutionists to be created "by chance" if they are so much more complex than any insignificant computer chip! It makes utterly and completely no sense!

There is no neutral ground: every square inch, every split second is claimed by God and counterclaimed by Satan - C. S. Lewis.

I know I already typed that quote at the beginning of this post, but it's important. Evolution and Christianity aren't compatible. Christianity fights, still fights, and will fight science... - Richard Bozarth. They're two different beliefs. Belief in man... and belief in God. As Christians, we must be have a firm Christian faith and worldview, and this these conferences really showed me how ignorant I am. Right now, if I were to be confronted with a knowledgeable atheist, I would probably be defeated in a debate. 1 Peter 3:15: "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer- I might not always be prepared to give an answer, which is why it's so important to construct a solid Christian worldview. I can't let my faith be shaken by all the people who speak out against it and challenge it. I have to be able to defend it.

One of the most memorable moments at the conference was when one of the speakers got up and spoke about a passive faith and an active faith by comparing it to the ranks of ski hills. If you're a passive Christian all your life and always stay on the bunny hills and green circles... what kind of life for Christ is that? But if you really starting thinking and acting like an active Christian, your life will be like a black diamond- but that's where you'll truly be alive. That's where the joy comes: from actively serving God. And at the end of your run, there'll be such great satisfaction and the joy as your ski instructor (God) congratulates you. But if you always stay on those uneventful green circles...

All in all, this Worldview conference was one of my favorite conferences ever. The speakers there had the skill of even the speakers at the FLY convention, which, if you've been following my blog for a while, you've seen me post about. My faith has also been encouraged from it, and I'm going to start praying that I can break through the fear that I of sharing their faith so I can lead a black diamond life. Because seriously... who wants to sit around on the bunny hill?

Jake