Friday, April 20, 2012

Peacherino Monthly 9!!


Peacherino Monthly
A newsletter for Christian homeschoolers
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Worldview
This is a very exciting time of year.  The weather is warming up; the temperature is going from chilly and brisk to warm and sunny.  Leaves and flowers are budding on the trees; the grass is greening rapidly, and growing just as fast.  Step outside and you will catch the scent of freshly mown grass, the smell of charcoal and hotdogs cooking on the grill, hear the gentle hum of a distant lawn mower.  And if you live where I do, you get to watch the enormous tractors plowing the empty cornfields and sowing new seeds.  Yes, Spring is quite thrilling.  And in its beauty, we can discern a story.

The progression of the seasons does tell a story, if you know where to look for it.  Think about it.  Start with Spring: life.  Spring tells the story of birth, young animation, and gradual, beautiful maturity.  Summer rolls around, and we see a full-grown existence.  The verdure is fully grown, and warm sunny days are in their prime.  Then comes Autumn.  We see the slow decay of life.  Gradually, living things pass away.  The trees become bare, and the days cool rapidly.  Finally, winter.  Winter is the story of death.  Green is a thing of the past, a color of bygone imagination, too far away to remember and intangible to comprehend.  Wouldn’t it be sad if the development and evolution of the seasons ended here?  It would be a sorrowful thing if death were the end of all, the final part of the act, the last leg of the journey.  Life would have no meaning, there would be nothing to pursue.  But there is spring again.  Spring seemed so far away that it might never have come.  But of course, as always, it does.  Life is in the air again.  More hot dogs and grass clippings.  And the cycle goes on.  It’s a beautiful story, and, I think, a familiar one.

Along with the miraculous beauty of spring comes several holidays.  These holidays tell the story of deterioration, death, and then new life.  On Good Friday, we observe the death of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.  For crimes he didn’t commit, Jesus was nailed to a Roman cross by his own people.  For hours he hung in agony, stakes driven through his hands and feet, speared in the side, suffocating slowly.  But that wasn’t even the worst part.  Jesus had to experience full separation from God, His Father.  After all, he had to take the punishment deserved by human beings in full; human beings, by their sinful nature, deserved full, torturous severance from God’s holy, perfect spirit.  Jesus, the Son of God, died a pagan criminal’s death.  Winter set in.  All who had known and loved Jesus were devastated.  There was nothing they could do, nothing they could have done, to save their God; unbeknownst to them, He had been born for this very purpose, for human sacrifice to save all mankind.  Miserable and alone, the disciples, who now felt their lives were pointless, had no knowledge of what they should do.  This winter was a cold, harsh one.

But we’ve seen this pattern before, again and again and again.  Birth, life, death… and then resurrection.  After three days of misery, Mary and a few others found Jesus’ tomb empty, Roman guards asleep ‘like dead men’, and the enormous stone rolled away from the mouth of the burial chamber.  Two angels greeted them.  By now, they were probably a bit freaked out.  I mean, the body of their God was missing, Roman legionaries, notoriously strong, hearty, fearless men were rendered unconscious, and supernatural, rather powerful beings were at the scene of the ‘crime’.  The angel told the women: “Why do you look for the living among the dead?  He is not here, he has risen!”  (Luke 24:5)  Now the women are REALLY excited.  They rush back to Jesus’ disciples and tell them all of the things that they had heard.  The disciples, however, did not believe the women because their words seemed ‘like nonsense’ (Luke 24:11).  But Peter and John sprinted to the tomb (Peter was a BIT faster) and found things exactly as the women had said.  The Bible says: And he (Peter) went away wondering what had happened (Luke 24:12).

Meanwhile, Jesus made his first appearance since his resurrection, as he approached two of the disciples making their way along the road to Emmaus.  However, these men were kept from recognizing Jesus (Luke 24:16).  Jesus engaged in a very interesting conversation with his new companions.  They told him of all the things that had happened in the recent days, and of their doubt regarding Jesus’ resurrection.  Jesus listened, and then rebuked them for their lack of faith.  The men still did not recognize the Lord walking with them, and hospitably offered to let Him stay with them.  Jesus accepted.  As the three were eating, Jesus ‘took the bread, gave thanks, broke it, and began to give it to them.  Then, their eyes were opened, they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.” (Luke 24:31)  Now, they knew exactly what was going on.  They hurried back the way they had come to inform the others of what was happening.

At about the same time that these two men were informing others of Jesus’ appearances, Jesus himself confirmed these rumors by showing Himself to the 11 disciples.  He greeted them pleasantly, as usual.  However, the disciples were panicked, for ‘they thought he was a ghost’ (Luke 24:37).  Jesus proved to them that He was indeed flesh and bone, eating solid food and pointing out his scars and wounds from his recent ordeal.  Jesus then ‘opened their minds’ (Luke 24:45) and began to teach them from the Scriptures.  Afterwards, Jesus led his disciples to the vicinity of Bethany, where he blessed them.  He then ascended, where he currently sits in glory with the Father.

This is the story of Easter.

Jesus still lives, and, because of this amazing story, we can live to.  Before this amazing act of mercy and love, men were doomed to live in death.  The cycle ended in an eternal, deserved winter.  The changing seasons would never finish.  But now, because of our loving God, spring comes again.  And it is an eternal spring, one that will never end.

Hallelujah, what a Savior!


And on the cross, when Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied!
                                        

Before I Go...
A Quick Blurb...

English rules...

1. 'Fat chance.'  'Slim chance.'  Fat and slim are opposites, but those two phrases mean the same thing!
2. 'That's cool!'  'That's hot!'  Hot, cold, OPPOSITES.  But, again, those previous phrases mean the same thing.
3. (If you have parents who grew up in the 80s, they'll understand this one): 'That's good!'  'That's bad!'  You know where this is going... good and bad are OPPOSITES... so why the darn heck can they be used to mean the same thing?!  Because ENGLISH RULES!

But really, since when does "break a leg' mean good luck?


--Sam Parker
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Bible corner
One-of-a-kind

“Who am I?”
The question dawned on me when I was eleven years old. Who was I? What was my purpose? Who was the real Talia? At the time, I didn't know.
Around my friends, it was extremely difficult for me to be myself – whoever that was. All I knew was that the goofy girl act I pulled in front of them was not me. But for some reason, it was hard not to be that way when I was around them. “Hyper” was the word that described my “friend face,” the mask I donned when I was around my friends.
But then something changed. God reminded me of a Bible verse my summer camp leader the year before, Nora, had shared with the whole cabin:
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
God showed me that I am me – creative, talented, unique, one-of-a-kind me, and I don't have to be anyone else. He showed me that everything I truly am makes up the real me – what I like to do, what I believe, what I don't like, and so much more. I don't have to pretend to be someone else to try to please people or get them to like me. I realized that I was looking for my security in other people, in what they thought of me. But God showed me that what others think doesn't matter – what He thinks matters. I asked God to make me genuine, and each day He is doing just that.
Did you know that you are one-of-a-kind too? God made you with dreams, ideas, thoughts, hobbies, interests, dislikes, and so many more attributes and qualities that make up YOU! You don't have to pretend to be someone you're not to try to get people to like you. If they don't like you for who you truly are – a one-of-a-kind creation of God – then that is their loss.
I love who I am, and not in a conceited way. I know that God is where I find eternal security and worth and love, and that I will only be truly complete when I am resting in His arms.
--by Talia DeAndrea

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Things you don’t know about…
The Flower Color Wheel

Flowers are blooming everywhere during spring time. They are used as decorations and are put in rooms as air fresheners. But flowers are mostly used as gifts for various holidays and occasions. Many people don’t know that the different colors of flowers have their own special meanings.
Red- a red flower symbolizes love
Pink- a pink flower symbolizes happiness and joy
Orange- an orange flower symbolizes excitement and enthusiasm
Yellow- a yellow flower symbolizes friendship and lightheartedness
White- a white flower symbolizes innocence and humility
Purple- a purple flower symbolizes dignity and pride
Blue- a blue flower symbolizes peace and openness
If you were one of these flowers what color would you be?
Now you know the different meanings of these beautiful colors. So next time you buy a flower for a friend or family member, remember that the color of your flower can make a world of a difference.
--by Emma Campbell
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Sports
Ahh football, I miss football. I almost miss football as much as I’m excited for the next football season. (Did that make sense?) Oh yeah! Speaking of football; the ‘finesse goody-goody’ New Orleans Saints were caught setting bounties on their opposing team’s players. That means the Saints were paying (giving bonuses to) their defensive players to deliberately injure the opposing teams players! The players and the defensive coordinator Gregg Williams (who was the master-mind behind the whole thing) were pooling their own money to pay the bonuses! And they lied about it for three years!

 The Saints got hit hard with punishments: a one year suspension without pay for the Saints head coach Sean Payton, Ex-Saints defensive coordinator and current defensive coordinator for the St. Louis Rams Gregg Williams suspended indefinitely, 500,000 dollar fine for the organization, the General Manager Mickey Loomis was also suspended without pay for the first eight games of the 2012 season, the assistant head coach Joe Vitt is is suspended without pay for the first six  games, and finally, the Saints forfeit their second-round draft picks for 2012 and 2013!

As I’m writing this...word is spreading across America that the future Hall-of-Famer Peyton Manning (a former Indianapolis Colt) is now a Denver Bronco! The Broncos then traded their beloved Tim Tebow to the New York Jets.

In the NBA...the Chicago Bulls and the Miami Heat are dominating the Eastern Conference, and the Oklahoma City Thunder are leading the West. Also, in an odd turn of events, New York Knicks head coach Mike D’Antoni up and resigned midway through the season.

Aren’t you excited for the upcoming baseball season?! Okay okay, you probably not. But I am! I’m also probably the only 14 year old in America that has a Fantasy Baseball team. My Seattle Mariners are kicking of the 2012 season the 28th of March IN JAPAN!
          

--Athletically Yours,
          Nathan Woodruff

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Photography






Music… it means so many different things to so many different people. For me, music is a getaway from my normal life, escaping to a place of beauty… all of the instruments above are my own, and each one puts me in a different mood. How does music influence you?

--by Kiera Sterken



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Short story
Part VI.
A man has just convinced the people to ignore the magical boats, and find safety inside the shelter…but Meredith knows he is wrong.

Meredith looked around her, as the people swam into the shelter and disappeared inside.  She watched helplessly as one by one, they left her as if she no longer mattered.
Tanya turned to Meredith, seeming distressed.  “I’m sorry,” she said.  “I have to go with them.”
Meredith shook her head in disbelief.
“You have to come too,” Tanya said.
“No!” Meredith cried, her voice suddenly strong.  “I will not go with those…those ungrateful people!  I am not their leader and I am not meant to be!  It’s time for me to go home.”
The oars began to row again, taking her farther and farther downstream.  Tanya watched from inside the shelter, seeming sorry to see her go.
“Goodbye!” Meredith called, feeling guilty.  Tanya waved her hand in friendship; Meredith nodded, turned around, and didn’t look back.

* * *

Meredith jerked awake.  She’d fallen asleep?  She didn’t remember.
She found herself leaning against a gnarled tree, sitting in soft green grass, the wind rippling through her hair.  The family orchard grew all around her, and the blue sky stretched out across the horizon, calm and comforting.
Meredith stretched and found her sketchbook lying beside her.  She picked up her pen and paper, and aimlessly as her mind wandered elsewhere.  Hadn’t she dreamed of something?  And someone?
Glancing down at her paper, Meredith realized she’d drawn a castle.  Adding a few finishing touches, she turned the page and drew a river with a building beside it.  The picture seemed to be missing something – she added in a rowboat for good measure.
“Meredith!”
She heard her mother call from far away.  Grabbing up her sketchbook, she ran towards the house and arrived just in time for dinner.

* * *

Meredith slept in the next morning, uncharacteristic of her usual rule-oriented self.  Instead of rising at 6:30 as she always did, she hit the snooze button and slept until 9:00.  She reminded herself that it was summertime.
Stumbling out to the kitchen in a bathrobe, she poured herself a bowl of cereal and grabbed an orange.  Sipping a glass of juice, she reached into her bag of library books and pulled out the first one she found.  Meriel.
Strange.  She hadn’t checked out that book.  But the book looked interesting, so she opened it.
The book was blank.
Well, not exactly.
The centers of the pages had been cut out, so the book was hollow.  Inside, there lay a letter.
As if abruptly remembering something from long ago, she opened the letter with an peculiar sense of dread.

Meredith,
We’ve been captured by rebels soldiers.  If you are willing, come.  If not, I forgive you.
Tanya

Everything rushed back to her.  She’d forgotten Meriel…but now, her choice to leave the people at the shelter had come back to her.  And yet, despite her mistake, Tanya’s letter seemed to offer her a second chance.
Meredith stared at the letter, her face troubled.  Inside herself, two voices warred against each other.
Why should she go to Meriel?  It was not her country.  She was not supposed to be its heroine.  Why should she be responsible for people she cared nothing for?
Why shouldn’t she go?  How could she choose to miss an opportunity to help others?  They needed her.  Finally, she was needed and wanted.  And now she did not want to go.
Meredith physically shook her head, lost in the decision she must make.  Time in Meriel seemed different than time on Earth.  What was happening now in Meriel, to Tanya and the people?  Perhaps it was already too late.
Then you don’t have to go, one voice said.
Then you must hurry, the other urged.
Meredith ran to her room, planning to turn up her favorite classical music, curl up in a chair, and try to sleep.  But she tripped over a barricade of books in front of her doorway.
Then she remembered.  Before she’d rushed outdoors, she’d decided to rearrange her bookshelf in alphabetical order.  So, she’d pulled every book out, and laid it on her floor.  She tripped over a stack, which avalanched over.  One book in particular fell open and slid right in front of her.
The book was her Bible.
Open to Philippians.
Philippians chapter 2, to be exact.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.  Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.

There was her answer.
“All right,” Meredith said aloud, as if making a solemn vow to herself.  “I’ll go back.”

To be continued…

--by Kara Siert
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Word of the month
fusty
\FUHS-tee\
adjective:
1. Having a stale smell; moldy; musty.
2. Old-fashioned or out-of-date, as architecture, furnishings, or the like.
3. Stubbornly conservative or old-fashioned; fogyish.
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Contacts
Kiera Sterken – captain1998@att.net

Talia DeAndrea – girlzofgod@gmail.com

Sam Parker – gocubsgo914@hotmail.com

Kara Siert – karasiert@googlemail.com

Emma Campbell – songbird4198@aol.com

Nate Woodruff – coltsrulenw@yahoo.com

Also, we have a blog!!! Visit us at www.peacherinomonthly.blogspot.com

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Peacherino Monthly 8!

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO sorry this is so late!!! I have been a major procrastinator lately, but I finally got around to this! Enjoy!


Peacherino Monthly
A newsletter for Christian homeschoolers
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Worldview
We all feel it.  Often, in one form or another, we all experience it.  Longing.  Ever gotten that feeling when something is so beautiful or amazing that it completely takes your breath away?  Perhaps a stunning rainbow?  Or an incredible snow fall that leaves the world blanketed in a frosty layer?  Something so amazing and breathtaking that you want… more.  What you're seeing is not enough.  You want more.  You are overcome by pangs of longing.  You never want that snow to go away.  You never want that rainbow to disappear.  So you grab your camera.  Snap a few pictures.  But you know that they won't turn out.  This is something that must be experienced only in the moment.

This happened to me this past summer on my trip to Michigan.  My family and I stayed with some friends on the East arm of Grand Traverse Bay.  We lodged in a cabin on the lake-side for a week.  On the final day of our trip, my sister, a good friend, and myself woke up at five in the morning.  We lugged our three kayaks to the beach, and launched into the bay.  After paddling in silence out into the middle of the water, we stopped and held on to one anthers' kayaks.  All was quiet.  The world was dark.  The only sound was that of the small lake waves gently lapping at the hulls of our vessels.  Then, suddenly, the world was filled with light.  The sun was rising.  It peeked over the pine trees, casting a gentle orange glow over the beach.  As we watched, the silence snapped like a twig, and nature came alive.  Immediately, the birds began singing.  We heard frogs from the shore.  We sat there awhile, and then slowly paddled back to shore.

I have never seen anything as beautiful as that sunrise.  I mean, I've seen a lot of beautiful things, but this one was different to me.  It reminded me of Genesis 1.  "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  And the earth was void, and without form, and the spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.  And God said, 'Let there be light.'  And it was so."
And guess what?  The light was good.

The image of the sun coming over the trees and radiating the soft glow of the dawn is an image forever ingrained in my mind.  As I watched the sunrise unfold, I was overcome with that longing.  Later, I would ask myself: 'For what was I longing?'

I was longing for my home.  In other words, I was homesick.  Homesick for my house here in Indiana?  No.  I was homesick for my REAL home… not any place here on earth.  See, my real home is in heaven.

When we see something truly spectacular, I believe that we may be glimpsing the tiniest portion of what heaven is  going to be like.  And when we see this tiny portion, we have a moment of realization: this earth is not our home.  Sure, the world has some 'nifty' things to offer, but these will all pass away.  We are far from our true home, our final destination.  You know when you're on vacation for a long time, and you find yourself missing your bed?  It's like that.  We're away from home.  We've been away for a while, and we still may be for a time.  But the amazing thing is that Jesus Christ has given us the opportunity to eventually go home.  By dying on the cross, Jesus provides us with the passage, the 'passport' as it were, to our home… in heaven

Are you going home?

Before I Go...

A Quick Blurb
Have you ever watched the show AFV, and then felt guilty because basically all you were doing was laughing at people as they hurt themselves?  You know, going off bike ramps into a tree, or slamming their heads in a car hood or something?  I always feel bad about this.  But I guess, at that point you just have to say: "It's only funny until someone gets hurt.  Then it's hilarious."

-- by Sam Parker
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Bible corner
Chosen
Last night, my devotional book (“Four Sevens” by Tom Hudzina) instructed me to read Luke 10:1-24. This particular passage is about Jesus sending out the seventy-two. I was mildly, though not entirely, familiar with the passage, and I thought it was really neat. In case you too are unfamiliar with it, in Luke 10:1-24 Jesus sends out seventy-two people to preach about God's love and Christ's forgiveness. Jesus gives strict instruction for the people to follow. One part I really, really like is Luke 10:21-22 (NIV). Verse 21 says:
At that same time Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, and he said, “O Father, LORD of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way.
God revealed Himself to the ones who would listen numerous times in the Bible – to the shepherds, the little children, the thief hanging on the cross next to Jesus, the prostitute who cried and poured perfume on His feet, and many others. Now check out what verse 22 says:
“My Father has entrusted everything to me. No one truly knows the Son except the Father, and no one truly knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”
At that moment, something struck me: I was chosen! I had accepted the truth of God's love, repented of my sins, and was saved by Jesus Christ! God had chosen me to reveal Himself to! I have a relationship with the Creator of the universe! Isn't that an amazing thought?
I recently discovered a quote by C.S. Lewis that I really like. Here it is:
“He died not for men, but for each man. If each man had been the only man made, He would have done no less.” - C.S. Lewis
Do you see what that means? Even if you were the only person on the planet, Jesus still would've died for you. He loves you that much, and more! You are chosen. Can't you feel God tugging at your heart, saying, “Come to Me. I'm enough. Trust in Me. I will never leave you, and I will never forsake you. I love you.” Don't turn your back from the One who loves you so much that He would die a cruel and terrible death for you. He was pierced for you. He was nailed to the cross for you. He bled for you. He cried for you. He loves you. You are chosen.

-- by Talia DeAndrea

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Comic



So sorry it's sideways, my computer wouldn't cooperate!



-- by Melody
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Things you don’t know about…
Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola has such a great taste, I think everyone loves this soft drink! You may think you know everything about this fizzy beverage, but I bet the history of coke may surprise you.

John Pemberton, a pharmacist from Atlanta, Georgia was making concoctions in his backyard sometime in May of 1886. After a day of mixing and stirring, John had made an odd looking beverage that tasted amazing! At first, Pemberton had no idea what to name this funny tasting beverage, but with the help of his book keeper, John found the perfect name for his drink, Coca-Cola.

The very same year, at a nearby pharmacy, Coke was first sold to the public. Soon, the love for Coca-Cola spread throughout the town of Atlanta, and everyone was talking about this fantastic drink!

Now, more than 1.7 billion servings of Coke are consumed every day, and what was once a crazy concoction is now a multimillion dollar company.

--by Emma Campbell
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Sports
Hiya!
In case you didn’t know, I’m Nathan...the new kid on the block.
I’m gonna do a quick update on what’s been going on in the sports world this last month.

Unless you guys live in a remote island in Micronesia, or you generally just don’t care, you know that the New York Giants won Super Bowl 46! It was an incredible game capped off by a miraculous catch/pass from Eli Manning (Super Bowl MVP) to Mario Manningham...if you haven’t seen it yet, you can watch it here. Now we have to wait TWO WHOLE MONTHS until the NFL draft rolls around and the 2012 season officially starts again!

The NBA season is in full swing. The Oklahoma City Thunder are dominating the West...and The Chicago Bulls are leading the East. Jeremy “Linsanity” Lin is sweeping the nation. I will explain for those who don’t have a clue what I am talking about: Jeremy Shu-How Lin, an undrafted Harvard grad, came out of nowhere when he got his first NBA start on February 4. He then led his Ney York Knicks on a seven game win streak where Lin scored a total of 168 points. This is a magnificent and moving story since Lin faced speculation not only because he was a Harvard grad, but also because he was Asian-American.

In other sports news; with the NBA season starting late due to the lockout, it’s already about half way over. The MLB season kicks off on April 4th with the reigning champions The St. Louis Cardinals at The Miami Marlins. In the NHL; the high powered Detroit Redwings are leading the league in points scored and the New York Rangers are dominating Eastern Conference.
--Athletically Yours,
Nathan Woodruff

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Photography






The simple joys of driving in the middle of nowhere… also known as Kansas (; I am easily delighted by the small things in life… a street sign, some railroad tracks… they just make me so happy! Finding the beauty in the little tidbits isn’t something that everyone experiences. But God has blessed me with an eye for detail, and I love it!
-- Kiera Sterken
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Short story
Part V.
The king’s people are under attack from rebel soldiers!  Will Meriel’s plan save them?

Meredith ordered the women and children to the forest as the ground rippled once more.  Swords clashed behind her as the fathers fought the army.  More and more of the rebels poured out from the castle. 
            The ground shook once more; screams erupted through the air.  Yet Meredith urged them not to stop.  They must keep going to the forest of safety, before the tremors grew even worse!  As she ran, Meredith felt something shift underneath her foot.  She looked down to see a small crack in the ground.  She kept running.
            “What is this?” Tanya cried.  She turned Meredith’s attention to a spider web of cracks, all over the ground.  The two girls stopped running and stared in horror as the cracks widened. 
            “What can we do?”  Meredith murmured, not expecting an answer.  “There’s nothing we can do.”  As she stared hopelessly at the ground, a child’s cry interrupted her thoughts.
            “Look, Mommy!”  A little boy waved one arm to his mother; with the other, he clung to the tree.
            “Climb trees,” Tanya said. 
            “What?”
            “Tell everyone to climb the trees.”
            A small sapling in the distance tumbled into one of the large cracks.
            “Are you sure about this?  What if the trees…?”
            “It’s worth a try,” Tanya insisted.
            Women and children struggled up the tree trunks, perching themselves on branches or clinging tight to the tree’s bark. Meredith and Tanya scrambled up next, after helping others into the leafy boughs. 
            As they stared down at the desperate fight, something sparkled.  Meredith could see water rising from the cracks.  Soon, a few inches or so of water covered the ground.  A flood? 
            “The trees could be washed away,” Tanya said.  Even as she spoke, the water rose higher.
            “To the trees, to the trees!”  Meredith yelled at the men. 
            Several of the king’s men remained to fight so that the others could wade toward the trees.  One man lost his footing in one of the cracks, but swam back to the surface, coughing.
            Meredith glanced over in Tanya’s direction, and saw tears filling her friend’s eyes.  “I feel so hopeless,” she exclaimed. “There are eleven men down there, giving their lives fighting so their comrades can swim to safety.  And there’s nothing I can do to help them!”
            “You’ve helped me,” Meredith said.  “You’ve helped the women and children…”
            As the last of the men reached the trees, a huge surge of water came from the west.  A giant wave crashed into the castle and into the remaining men.  The rebel army and the king’s men remaining in the water disappeared as the huge wave of water swept them away.  Tanya wept even more, probably thinking of the good men who were taken away along with the rebels. Victory, it seems, is always bittersweet. 
            But Tanya and Meredith had another job at hand.  Would another wave of water possess enough force to crack the tree trunks?  Their place of safety didn’t seem so safe anymore.
            “Look at this!” a voice called out.  Meredith followed the shout to a group of men clutching at the shelter.  “There’s a boat back here!”
            Meredith looked at Tanya in surprise.  The men at the castle were their men – those who had fought off the soldiers while the others had swam to the trees!  They hadn’t been swept away after all – somehow, they’d manage to grab a hold of the shelter’s stones!
            “There are a lot of boats back here!”  another man added.
            As if they’d known about the danger, the people who had lived in the shelter had kept rowboats behind the building.  The men climbed inside and rowed them over to the trees.
            “Hurry,” Meredith added, “in case another wave comes.”
            The women and children climbed inside, and soon everyone was packed into the little boats.  Tanya and Meredith sat side-by-side, looking out at the watery world. 
            Something splashed beside me, and I looked over to see the oar moving.
            “Wait,” Meredith said.  “We haven’t decided where to go yet.”
            “I didn’t do anything,” the rower said.
            “Never mind then.  Listen, everyone, we have to decide where to –”
            Another splash.  Someone’s oar had moved.  Then another, and another.
            Except, no one was touching the oars.  The boats were rowing themselves!
            “This is a trick!” someone wailed.  “These boats weren’t left here by the shelter – they were left here by the rebels!”  All the people began to cry and moan. 
            Meredith wanted to stand up in the boat and yell to get everyone’s attention, but she wasn’t sure if that would overturn the boat or not.  “Listen,” she said loudly.  “Listen!  Maybe these boats aren’t from the shelter, but maybe they are!  They’re our last resort.  We can’t stay in the trees forever.  We’ll just have to take the chance.”
            “No!” someone – a young man – objected.  “You say, ‘We’ll just have to take the chance.’  I say, ‘We’ll just have to take a vote!’  You’re not the leader of our mission.”
            “Fine then!” Meredith shot back.  “I’m not the leader of this…‘mission’.  You are!”
            The young man looked shocked for a moment; then he stood up.  Meredith glared at him as he began to make a long speech about how they mustn’t stay in the boats, and that they could swim inside the shelter and climb up the stairs.  They would be safe there.  He was praised by “Here, here!” and “That’s the way to do it!”
            Have I failed? Meredith wondered.  Or is my job in this whole mess finally over?  Will I be allowed to go home now?
            But as she looked at the people, she felt a dreadful sense of foreboding.  She knew, she just knew that that man had convinced the people to make a wrong decision.  

-- by Kara Siert
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Word of the month
Pettifog
 \PET-ee-fog\
 -To bicker or quibble over trifles or unimportant matters

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