Replication: The Jason Experiment by Jill Williamson

   Lemme tell ya something: If you don't want to read this, you must be crazy.
   If you're looking for an exciting adventure, filled with Christian values, incredible characters, and scenes that can make you laugh and cry at the same time, then look no further. Replication is a must-have if you loved Jill's Blood of Kings series. If you haven't read those yet, I would strongly encourage you to pick up a copy of each (By Darkness Hid, To Darkness Fled, From Darkness Won.)
   Replication is a story about fifty-five clones living in a secret lab in Alaska. More specifically, it is about clone J:3:3, otherwise known as Martyr.
   The clones believe they have been created to expire on their eighteenth birthday, and through their deaths save hundreds of people from the toxic air. But when Martyr escapes to see the sky just once before his death, he discovers the truth about the Jason Experiment with the help of a highschooler named Abby Goyer. Together, they must unveil the true reason for the Jason Experiment, and expose the man behind it all.
   This is such a cool book. The storyline is very original and intriguing, and the characters are very believable and well-created. Of all the characters, Martyr has to be my favorite. His innocence and funny lines, as well as his sacrifice for others, really makes him stand out. I just couldn't get enough of the guy :)
   One of the things that just really brought the book to life was how real everything was. Fishook High didn't have a whole lot of students, so there was co-ed PE and a rotating schedule. There was only one African American person in the whole school. OH. MY. GOODNESS. It's Lusk, Wyoming! In Alaska! How cool is that?
   The powerful story and character combined result in a laughing so hard you double over and crying so much you need a box of tissues experience. If Jill Williamson wasn't already near the top of my "favorite authors list" she definitely shot right up there when I finished Replication. This book definitely gets five stars.

   Replication: The Jason Experiment is available on Amazon.com in hardcover form and for the Kindle, and on Barnes & Noble in hardcover and Nook format. More information about it can be found here: http://www.replicationbook.com/

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

     I had patiently awaited the DVD release of the fourth Pirates movie. When it finally I arrived, I forgot about it. Go figure. However, Mom saved the day (and a very boring night) by having it sent to us via Netflix. I was very excited to see the latest installment of one of my favorite movie series, but having seen it, I would warn you not to get your hopes up if you are a Pirates fan.
     The movie starts out as almost all the Pirates of the Caribbean movies have: Jack is in a sticky situation, and he finds some overly creative and far fetched way to get out. This is actually repeated many times in the film, and each time the method of escape becomes harder and harder to believe.
      There is, of course, romance to make up for the disappearance of Orlando Bloom and Kiera Knightly's characters, Will and Elizabeth. The love between the missionary and the mermaid is interesting and entertaining, but that between Jack and Angelica was just.... uhg.
      On Stranger Tides provides the same amount of action and daring-do as its predecessors, but there was quite a bit of down time. Sure, it was filled with backstory and dialog, but it wasn't anything you'd really care about missing. In other words, you probably wouldn't even bother to tell someone to pause the movie as you took a bathroom break or replenished your popcorn. Especially considering you wouldn't be missing anything "LOL" worthy. I think my brother and I only laughed during 3 scenes.
      The whole film was ultimately disappointing, especially the endings, which were awkward cliffhangers that left you unsatisfied. The film had three separate endings: one for the missionary and mermaid, one for Jack, and one for Angelica. All three were quite poorly written, especially Angelica's. In At World's End, the ending was well done, in my opinion. Elizabeth and her kid are living happily together on their little island and we see Will sailing towards them. Cool. Good ending. Kill it there before it suffers a long, painful death, unless you're really confident the next movie will be a hit.
      Go ahead and rent it and kill three spare hours, but I wouldn't recommend buying it, unless you've seen it already and thought it was awesome.

Camp Grace 2011

Well, this post is slightly overdue.
June 26-July 2 I was at the most amazing and blessed camp in Wyoming: Camp Grace (put on by the American Missionary Fellowship.)
You may remember my post from last year. (Camp Grace 2010) This year wasn't so different from the last, except for different classes, new memories, closer relationships to friends, and a stronger walk with God.

The Classes

The titles of the classes I had this year were The Christian Atheist, Slave To...?, and Being Who God Has Made Us.
In the Christian Atheist we were given the books "The Christian Atheist" (by Craig Groeschel), and we discussed how we can be Christians but live as though God isn't in our lives. I think that hit home with a lot of the senior high class. It did for me, anyway.
Our next class, Slave To...?, taught about how we switch from being a slave to sin to being a slave to God.
Being Who God Has Made Us we learned about who God is and finding His will in our lives.
Each of the classes were soo fun to go to and I learned so much. Being at a Christian camp is awesome, because you get to be in fellowship with so many other Believers.

Chapel

Wow, talk about passion! Tears were shed and lives were changed. I was so thrilled that Scott Stinson was the speaker, because when he talks about God and the gift of salvation he fills the room with electricity. God was definitely speaking through him that week.

Missions

I chuckled when I learned that the missionary went to school and camp with my mom. She and he husband worked with DELTA ministries. They taught on how Acts 1:8 is basically the game plan for spreading the Gospel, and how we can evangelize in our neighborhood, country, and world. It was neat to see my mom (who was a cook again this year) get to know her old friend again.

 Recreation & Surprise Time

For recreation again this year we played volleyball and human stratego (if you've never played that game before... go do it!!) But we also got to enjoy some very creative relay races. Unfortunately, we didn't get to climb to the cross this year.
Surprise time, like always, was hilarious. I volunteered the first night and got chosen. I wonder if I have some sort of mental problem, volunteering myself for public embarrassment over and over again?  I walked up there and was shoved to the front of the line of high school girls. The gig was "The Bachelor." And the bachelor was none other than this single guy named Travis, who I've known for years. I step up to the plate and my minute to woo the bachelor starts ticking.

Now, in order for my amazing pickup lines to make sense, you must know that Travis is a science teacher.
Here goes. "The speed of light... It's really fast, and um... Shines like your eyeballs. You know, I didn't do so well in science this year... with scientific notation especially... But I know that together, we can figure out scientific notation!"
Ten seconds left. I scramble for anything that might impress Travis.
"The Lord of the Rings are my favorite books AND movies!" I shout just as my time runs out.
Next up was Laura (who I competed against last year). Then Kirsten. When it came time for Travis to give his flower to the girl he choose, he handed it to a girl in the crowd because he couldn't make up his mind.

All In All...

It was another fantastic year at a fantastic camp. I feel so blessed that I have been able to attend six years in a row. I had wonderful cabin mates. Great classes. Best friends. A post-camp neck ache. It was marvelous.
But it wasn't all fun and games. It was deep. Spiritual. Reviving. Maybe it's just being up on a mountain, but when I'm at Camp Grace, I always feel closer to God. This year, I'm taking that closeness down off the mountain. It's coming with me. I hope others made that decision also. Don't leave your closeness with God, the time spent in devotion and prayer, up on that peak.

In His Service,
Brenna

(go to Facebook if you would like to see more photos)

SDW: Day 7

Ah, it has taken me long enough to get this posted, no? What with Camp Grace and all (a post on that coming up shortly), I would say my delayed posting is excusable. ;) So, I now present to you the long awaited seventh piece of writing. Enjoy.

The Redemption

Another wave comes crashing down
Upon the distant shore
Scattered memories lie all around
Upon the hardwood floor

Of all the dreams I've had of late
This one is the worst
Because of violence, scorn, and hate
Rest cannot come first

Salvation cries from hills afar
Hearken to its call
Doors once closed now stand ajar
Enter now or fall

I can take the broken, beat-down path
Many oth'rs have trod
Though friends and family would laugh
I could walk the empty sod

The road less traveled could give me peace
From my life's lonely schemes
Perhaps this road would cause to cease
These horrid, restless dreams

I sink to my knees, cry out to Christ
And hope He's heard my prayer
Sweet rest comes with my sacrifice
And I know He has taken me There

Thank you for reading, to all of my faithful followers. I hope you liked the seven days of writing. :)

In His Service,
Brenna

SDW: Day 6

Ah, sorry it has taken so long. Seems like all I've been doing for the past two weeks has been riding, branding, riding, and.... branding. And then going different places in between. Anyway, this piece is one of my personal favorites. Enjoy.



I don't want to go home and face the music,
Because the symphony they compose
Isn't beautiful.
Everyone is playing a different song
That no one can follow.
Two instruments duel for the main role,
Each trying to play the loudest.
Their noise causes an unbearable clamor
And even the most resolute must cover their ears.
Angry notes, full of contempt, are thrown back and forth
Until they can play no more.
The crowd waits in collective silence.
Who will play the next hate filled note?
Who is angry enough to continue?
The crowd still waits with bated breath,
And when they raise their instruments again to their lips
The audience cringes.
There is no telling what may come next
Until it happens....
And suddenly it does.
Now, the battling couple turn to their audience of one
And unleash all of their fury on the crowd.
The crowd is silent, but tears trail down its face
As it takes its undeserved punishment.
Who would have guessed that this would be the end,
There being to victor, but instead prey?
And it will continue on this way until the ticket expires,
And the crowd must leave.
A pity that such an innocent audience must endure
A discontented symphony.




In His Service,
Brenna

SDW: Day 5

While I should be studying to take my driver's permit test, I sit here. Typing.  You had better enjoy this.... :P



I can't eat. I can't sleep. I can't even be without You.
I am in no way complete or perfected when You are not within me. At times I can't even breathe, because You are not here.
You consume my soul and my very being. Yes, my whole life. All that I am and ever will exist to be! You own everything I am. You are my Master, and I Your humble servant.
What am I without You? A shell. A living, breathing, cadaver. Cold, heartless, dead, and completely undone.
Never leave me! Never cause me to be cast into such a state of despair, of helplessness, selfishness, and hate!
Never leave me, and don't let me leave You.


In His Service,
Brenna

SDW: Day 4

We're already to day four?!?! Where has the time gone?


I lay quietly upon the naked earth.
The smell of the flowers fills my nostrils,
And the green grass tickles my face.
I am completely at peace in in this field.
I sigh contentedly as the breeze tousles my hair.
There is no time here... no deadlines.
There are no busy people milling about, and yet I am not alone.
There is a presence, so serene,
And so powerful.
The presence, it is the source of the peace.
The presence grows stronger, and I can feel it behind me,
As though it is human.
I roll over and smile when I find that
It was no human at all.
No, because the presence that stood before me
Was not of the flesh.
He is perfect, completely unsoiled
By an earthly thing.
He smiles at me,
And I laugh with pure joy.
He lies down beside me
And whispers in my ear.
We lie for unmeasured amounts of time
Just talking.
Finally, we both stand.
He gently takes my hand,
And we walk towards the never-ending sunrise.
I am home.



In this, I decided to use sunrise instead of sunset, because it represents a dawning of a new, glorious day. I didn't want to put sunset, because it seems to foreshadow a coming of darkness. Even though I love evenings and sunsets far more than sunrises, I figured a sunrise sounds more hopeful.

~Brenna

SDW: Day 3

See, I told you I am a very busy person. So, after missing a day of posting, here is your third bit of writing to savor:

Who shall call upon the Lord?
He who has a heavy heart?
He who longs for comfort and strength?
He cries upon the grass,
He whose sorrow reaches below the sea,
Who has lost his dearest possession:
His son.
The Lord cries with the wounded man,
For He has felt his loss.
"Sons!" God cries out, "What loss can be equaled?"
The Lord knows His creation's sorrow well.
He sympathizes with the son-less man.
He weeps with and holds His child.
But then the mourning must end,
When the hope of morning dawns.
The Lord lifts the chin of the man,
And smiles softly at him,
Though His eyes tell of pain.
"It must stop, this mourning.
But never forget your loss.
Your son is as Mine,
He resides in My land now.
They shall be together,
And both shall come down from the Heavens
With a grand host.
We shall all be reunited again
In the clouds." 

Hope you enjoyed. :)

~Brenna

P.S... Don't like it in poetry form? Let me know! The only reason I format it that way is that I believe it is easier to read.

Seven Days of Writing (SDW): Day 2

Now for the second installment of SDW. Not as good as the last. Mostly a bit of rambling, really. But, here goes...

 I see the clock upon the wall
And wish it would just move faster.
I wish that time would pass much more quickly
For so many reasons.
I'm stuck here in this boring class
And the only thing I have to do is doodle
And write rhyme-less poetry.
I cannot listen to this man
Who claims to be a teacher.
He must have ten-year
To keep on babbling.
On and on he talks,
Speaking words that fall on deaf ears.
I think of freedom and I sigh.
If I gained freedom
It would be much sweeter were it spring.
Since I began writing these pointless words
Several minutes have passed
But not enough.
I beg the hands, "Please!
Oh, please pass by those tiny points
Just a little bit faster."
Beautiful
Pointless
Meandering Poetry. 

You've probably guessed that this was written in that dreadful third hour science class, haha. :) Hope you somewhat enjoyed it.

~Brenna

Seven Days of Writing

I haven't written a blog post in months. I send my sincere apologies to all of the people who are bored enough to check and see if I've posted anything new. Sorry.

Although writing at the moment is seems to be just outside of my grasp, I can supply you with things written in the past. In a third hour science class. (The only reason I will miss Mr. Brackeen's science is that is where all of my best poetry was written.) So for seven days (because I could only find seven pieces worthy of sharing) I will show you what was accomplished during school. Each night in the following week...or two (I am a very busy person, you know)... I will post a new piece of writing. Everything from rhyming poetry all the way down to story-like pieces, some in the form of poetry.


This one is one of my favorites. It actually rhymes, and you guessed it, was written in Mr. Brackeen's physical science class. I don't have it named, so I would love suggestions. :) It is a bit dark, but of course has a spark of light in the end. The darkness was an experiment, to see how well I can generate and portray emotions in my writing. I hope some of it also relates to experiences people have had. Anyhow, please enjoy.

Breath of the darkness
Envelopes my heart
Escaping this emptiness
Could tear me apart

The demons, they claw
To gain sway of my life
I have this one flaw
That will bring me to strife

This knife-like pain
Cuts deep into me
It's Satan's gain
That no one can see

On the outside I smile
Like everything's fine
Yet, all the while
I'm crossing this line

To step into evil
The easiest path
My fast-fading will
Heralds much wrath

I long to turn back
Redeem myself
But hope I lack
Even love itself

Is it all right
To fumble in dark
Dark like night
Unwelcome by lark

Or is it far better
To tread in light
Where shackles and fetters
Wrists do not bite

I don't want to be captured
By things I should fear
But instead be enraptured
By Christ's suff'ring tears

Please excuse my lack of rhythm and meter in the poem. It's something I haven't yet mastered... or much been taught. :)
Six days to go!


~Brenna

A Saga of Many Things...

Ah! My first blog post in months! I have to say, it's nice to finally have the inspiration to sit down and write once again. My recent completion of some truly amazing novels have helped to fuel it, I believe.

School-wise things have been going quite well.  Although I sometimes miss the perks of homeschooling, I still love public school. Getting to see and meet people has opened many doors for me, and getting to see friends is fun everyday. I can honestly say that I have become much more outgoing and more confident in social situations since I started.

The other day I finally got around to finishing the book my brother gave me for Christmas, Kestrel's Midnight Song. It was spectacular, and truly breathtaking, which was no surprise after all of the raving reviews I had heard. It deserves a post of its own and a full review, which hopefully I will someday produce. If not, I will leave you with this: J.R. Parker will not leave you disappointed or angry, but fulfilled and happy and waiting for his next work to hit the shelves.

I also just finished, literally a few hours ago, Immanuel's Veins by Ted Dekker. You all know that I'm a HUGE Dekker fan, and this latest work just proved to me why I am. I was a bit.... puzzled by the first part. Puzzled is not quite the right word. I don't know what would be. But as I neared the 50% mark (yes, I was reading on my Kindle :D ) I began to see things more clearly. The ending delivered a powerful message that left emotion clogged in my throat until just recently. After I had read the final word of that book I wanted to run around the house screaming, "I've been saved by the blood!!"

Oh! Saturday, I went to a monster truck show in Rapid City with the family and found it quite.... disappointing. :(  I guess I just went in with too high of expectations. A couple of trucks roared around in a circle and drove over a pile of cars a couple of times. I was expecting a few more cars to be crushed, but I suppose.... The arena was awfully tiny. The motorcyclists were pretty cool though! They performed some amazing tricks. 

And so as this day draws to a close, so does my spring break. My nights of staying up until three watching movies and reading and lounging about all day. So ends my freedom from school and homework. So ends my freedom of the never ending bus rides! So ends my freedom of wearing sweat pants all day! So ends my freedom of!....... Ahem, well, yes. Anyway. I am very sad that my spring break is coming to a close, but it does mark the beginning of that last final stretch before spring actually begins. Before the snowing finally becomes more and more infrequent, before the tiny blades of green grass begin to push up from the soil, before the meadowlarks begin their constant singing, and before I can finally stop wearing a sweatshirt all the time because it's so cold EVERYWHERE. Sadly even in the school. >_> Yes, I am very much looking forward to spring and summer. But until then we shall have to be content with the current conditions of many things.

Farewell for now!

In His Service,
Brenna