From Spencer

Do you like trains?

This is all random stuff

For christmas I am so lucky because I got a kitten!!!!! He is the cutest thing ever. I will post a picture of him on here as soon as my mom downloads a picture of him on the computer. I like to eat candy. I weigh about 69 pound. Allison is 13. She is doing a dance in front of me.

This is a picture of spencer in a coat my dad says it is a girly coat but my mom thinks it is cute. I got knitting stuff for christmas and a lava lamp. I like food but I am not fat!!!!
Aubrey:)

Jenessa Is No Longer MIA

I really like making these titles. They are so much fun! Anyways, Merry Late Christmas to all. And I know I shouldn't brag, but I really wanted to write about what I got, and if Jamie got away with it, then so shall I. The main things I was really excited to get were an accoustic guitar (YAY!), that book by Dieter F. Uchtdorf "Your Happily Ever," and every-occasion LDS songbook for piano, Harry Potter 7 Part Two (the movie), and lots and lots of chocolate!
I have a quick story to tell that I told my mom, and she said I just had to put it on the blog because it was so funny. It happened about a week and a day ago. So in language arts, we had to do these book reports called "Book Talks" and in them, we had to bring four visual props to help tell the story. My friend Ally brought "Mockingjay," the third installment of the "Hunger Games" trilogy. To portray Peeta, a character, she brought this barbie type of doll...but of Justin Bieber (she said her cousin gave it to her as a joke, but I know better...she loves him). So after her book talk, I asked if I could just play with him in my next class. After wheedling her into saying yes (In which I had to take a vow promising I wouldn't abuse him or let anyone else touch him), I brought him along to my next class: seminary. (I should have known right then to not show his girly face-which was lightly covered in makeup) Anyways, I start playing with him and bending his joints in impossible positions, when my friend Joe says, "What the heck? Why do you have a Justin Bieber doll?" (Joe sits behind me in seminary; keep note of that.) Joe gestures to the doll, and says to let him hold the doll. I say yes after vowing to hurt him in auto shop or chemistry (we share those classes as well) if he did anything to the doll. Joe gives the doll back a minute later, perfectly fine...until I realize he took the shoes off. I whispered, "Joe, give me the shoes back, now! I need them. I took a vow!" But he refused. So I saw his iTouch laying on his desk, where we were playing a word game before the bell rang. I grabbed the Touch and said, "Fine, I'll take this and you take the shoes." I started to play the Touch, but look down and realize I accidentally froze his iPod. Shoot! So I just hide it and pretend to keep playing with it. Realizing I had tuned out Brother Ford, I listened in time to hear Joe say, "Yeah, Jenessa has a voodoo doll of Justin Bieber." (What the heck is going on?!) Everyone turns to look, and I'm holding the doll, kind of confused and starting to blush. After everyone stops laughing (I was too, because it was quite hilarious), Brother Ford asks me to read some quotes on voodooism, and how it's bad, since I had a "Justin Bieber voodoo" doll. (Luckily, the voodoo part was in the lesson for that day, but still...) After reading the quote, Joe starts tugging on my jacket hood and asks for his Touch back. I said not until he gave me back the shoes, to which he replied, "I don't have them." Obviously, he did. But I humored him and turned to two of my other friends, Maddi and Sara, sitting on either side of Joe. Both said they didn't have them, and Sara laughed. Finally, since Joe wouldn't stop tugging on my jacket hood, and we were starting to draw attention AGAIN, I gave him back his touch and said, "Ha ha, I froze it. Now you can't play it." He stared at me, then said, "You can't freeze them. It's impossible." I said, "Nuh-uh. I know how to freeze them. I did it on purpose. So haha on you." (which was of course a lie, since I froze it on accident, but really? I had to get one point at least. And it sounded cooler than, "I stole your touch, but froze it and didn't even get to play it.) He told me he knew how to unfreeze it, and kind of shrugged off my taunts. I finally asked again for the shoes, and again, he said he didn't have them, all the while hinting towards my feet. I located them on the floor by the side of my desk, picked them up, and put them back on, giving Joe a withering look (Or so I like to think it was withering). I safely delivered Justin Bieber back to Ally, and she never found out what happened. ;)
That's really all that's going on with me. I'm kind of bored because I have nothing to do, but one of these days my friend Emily should be giving me a call. (Might I add that I absolutely appreciate Trey's friends? They just take him away every day to hang out. Thank you James and Dakota! Freedom rings at home!....Okay, just kidding, but it is nice to have him out of the house.)
So my dog, Stitch, got bones and a squeaky toy from Santa. He gets a toy every year, and by the time we are done opening presents, he has pulled apart the toy and bit up the squeaker. This year, we can't let him keep it, and we have to hide it, but he always knows where it is. He keeps barking because he just loves this toy so much. (Honestly, I don't know why, but he completely adores this toy. All he wants to do is fetch it and chew it a little before fetching it again.)
Guess what? New years is in five days. Got those new resolutions?

Happy Holidays from Mount Orab

Hi guys! We are missing you today, as we are everyday. We wanted to tell you that we are having a fun day! We went to church, had brunch, dinner and games with our friends. Baxter had a great time playing with his new toys today and he also has really loved eating new food! this week he has tried turkey, ham and strawberry jello. Baxter got a singing/dancing puppy, shape sorter box, stacker, and a screaming monkey that he is TERRIFIED of. I feel awful admitting it, but it cracks me up! We are slowly trying to desensitize him to it and he is doing better today than yesterday with it. We try to laugh at the monkey and have him hold it. Today it screamed near him and he looked around looking a little panicked but he hesld it together. We love you all so much! Have a great day!

Merry Christmas from Arizona!

Hi Everyone - Uncle Joseph took me to get Christmas flowers! It's sunny and warm here (which you can't tell from what I'm wearing, but I'm used to it being hotter!) and I wanted you all to have a picture of what Christmas in Phoenix is like. Today we had Mexican food and Mexican chocolate cake (chocolate cake with cinnamon and serrano chili powder). Tamales are a traditional Christmas dinner here so Joseph and I had tamales today. We wish we could all be together for Christmas and miss you all. Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas To Everyone From Kaitlyn!

     Today is Christmas Eve, as you can all tell by it being December 24. I am very excited for Christmas. Yesterday I thought, "Wow! Tomorrow is Christmas Eve!" Time has been going by so fast! But it's sad because we have no snow. We are having a dead grass color Christmas, not a white Christmas. :( But Christmas traditions are fun to do when there is no snow on the ground.(because you would probably wanna play in the snow) There are plenty of fun traditions to do.
     Even though it is Christmas and you get a bunch of presents from your family, friends, and Santa Claus, you need to remember the true meaning of Christmas. You can still play with your toys and presents, just remember that we are actually celebrating Jesus' birth. That is what this holiday is about. It is also about giving. So help out your friends and family when they need it, and don't be lazy.

From Kaitlyn,
                       MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!

The love of God — the most desirable above all other things

By Susan Evans McCloud

It is December. The air is bitter cold, the skies a sullen, lifeless gray. We shiver every time we leave the warmth of house or car, and steel ourselves a bit — enjoying the Christmas season, but wishing the weather was not so harsh.

In December 1838, Joseph Smith, his brother, Hyrum, and four other companions were suffering the severe cold of Liberty Jail. On the last day of October they had been wrenched from their families, chained, starved and threatened with death by a mob of angry men clamoring for their blood.

As the Prophet’s mother, Lucy, described the scene, “No tongue can ever express the sound that was conveyed to our ears nor the sensations that were produced in our hearts. It was like the screeching of a hundred owls mingled with the howling of an army of bloodhounds and the screaming of a thousand panthers all famishing for the prey which was being torn piecemeal among them.” ("History of Joseph Smith by His Mother," p. 405)

The food the prisoners received was poor and scanty. There was no bedding; they lay atop a thin covering of straw strewn over the cold floor.

Four days before Christmas, Emma Smith arrived to visit her husband. No one can guess at the feelings of their hearts as they attempted to cheer one another. For two days she remained in the prison cell with him. Perhaps in some small way they celebrated the date of Joseph’s birth: Dec. 23, 1805 — the prophet turned 33 years old as he approached the day upon which the birth of the Savior is celebrated.

Surely that day meant more to the youthful prophet than to anyone else. He was a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, he had accepted the calling of ushering in the last dispensation on earth before the Savior would come — come again, in all his splendor, glory and power.

Here his young follower sat, huddled in a filthy prison while his beloved family and people suffered bitter persecution. And all — as the Prophet clearly understood — for the Savior’s sake. “I know the scriptures and understand them,” he more than once said ("Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith," p. 361) “… I am learned (in the things of God), and know more than all the world put together. The Holy Ghost does, anyhow, and He is within me, and comprehends more than all the world; and I will associate myself with Him” ("Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith," p. 359).

It is another Christmas season now. What are the reasons and motivations behind what we do: the parties, the presents, the carols, the decorations and trees? What do we think as we make lists and purchase items? As we fashion homemade gifts or make breads, cookies and Christmas candies for sharing with others? What desires arise in our hearts and make them glad?

What was the reason for the Prophet Joseph’s humility, obedience and submission that Christmas-tide? Surely it was, above all other things — love.

Love of the Heavenly Father who appeared to him in the grove and instructed him in the work that would lie ahead. Love for his son, Jesus Christ, who is the Savior and Redeemer of all who learn of him, love him and come unto him. Love of the Saints who had recognized truth and were learning to embrace it. “I am at all times willing to give up everything that is wrong,” Joseph said, ”for I wish this people to have a virtuous leader” ("Documentary History of the Church," 6:412).

At this season, we hurry and scurry, we work and prepare, and at times become frustrated, discouraged, even angry at the things that stand in our way. Unexpected trials and difficulties loom up to daunt us and remind us of our weaknesses and frailties — or of the cruel uncertainty of most things in our mortal lives.

But one thing is certain, and the young prophet knew it and clung to it, during the long days and weeks of Liberty Jail — during the months and years of his tempestuous and challenging life.

Speaking to Nephi, the angel declared: “Behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father; Knowest thou the meaning of the tree which thy father saw?

“… Yea, it is the love of God,which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men; Wherefore, it is the most desirable above all things. … Yea, and the most joyous to the soul" (1 Nephi 11:21-23).

We seek that love, we hunger for it — we are heirs to it as the sons and daughters of God. We cannot recognize or name the countless gifts our Father has given us, culminating in his Only Begotten Son to redeem us and bring us home to him.

In the scriptures, we are promised that we can feast on that love, we can feel it encircling us and warming us, if we bring that light foremost so that it can shed its warmth and happiness in our hearts.

It’s a cold dark world around us, but the light of Christ is here — and the tender, condescending love of our Father who sent him to us.

May that love uphold us through all the winters of our lives as it did the young Prophet Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail in the winter of 1838.

Jesus Dinner 2011, OHIO Style

Hey guys! Jamie and Leo here. We had a great day today with Ethan, Hillary, Allison, Aubrey, Spencer, Chandler, Reese and Jack! They came down from St. Paris to join us for TONS of food and some great scripture reading at the Jesus Dinner! Leo and I have done it every year, wherever we are and we invite family (if they are near by, last year we got Kristy and Joseph and this year Ethan and Hills!) and also some close friends that we want to share the awesome tradition with. Leo made super good fish and or friend made clam chowder. It was super yumm!!! Love you all so much! I will post more tomorrow...maybe.

Jenessa is Back in Action

Who put all those vidoes up? Like Trey's? Just wondering.
Anyways, I have a really sad announcement to make. Right now, I am on the computer during lunch break, and my next period is auto. The sad news is: this is my last day of shop in auto. I want to cry :(. I love the class so dang much...
I might write later, but yeah. I just wanted to get my heartbreak out somewhere...
:) Happy thoughts to all!

Little Drummer Boy

Here's a great version of Little Drummer Boy. The guy in the video, Sean Quigley, did all the music and shot the video. Pretty talented, huh?

<3 Kristy

Twelve Days of Christmas Link

A Little Holiday Cheer

Trey's Voci Dori group does The Twelve Days of Christmas. Last year I think they took state and they are hoping to do it again this year. Trey has had a lot of concerts in December and is doing another one tonight. He said his favorite has been the one at Assembly Hall on Temple Square. This song is a little Christmas, '80s, and Justin Bieber all in one. Enjoy!

Spencer

    HI  This is Spencer  is  your  name  Bob

I SAY TO COMMENT!!!

COMMENT OR ELSE!!!!!

YOU WILL REGRET IT!!!!!!

PS. I WILL PUT A PICTURE OF ME ON HERE SOON!!

I LOVE ALL VERY MUCH AND A MERRY CHRISTMAS AGAIN GUESS WHO!?

Merry Christmas

•     I would like to wish you all a very merry christmas and give you a list of things to watch in December!

• Mr. Krueger'sChristmas
• Fred Claus
• Elf
• The Origanal Christmas Classics
• Nora's Christmas Gift
• The Story Of The Other Wise Man
• The Nativity
• The Santa Claus
• The Santa Claus 2
• A Christmas Story
• The Polar Express

Tell me if you have anymore movies and post it on the blog!

Love, Aubrey:)

Kid History

Hi everyone! Has anyone besides me and Jamie (I think that's how you spell it) Kid History? Well if you haven't its the funniest YouTube video ever (well videos) you all have to watch them!  All you really have to do is go to www.youtube.com and type in the search bar Kid History Episode 1  its all about these little kids who tell stories about there dad and uncle.  Its really funny because the dad and uncles act it out!  you have to check it out!!!! There is episodes 1-7 (because episode 7 just came out) It may not seem funny at first but once you watch all the episodes it is really funny!I love you all!

                                                Love Aubrey=)                                              

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!!!!!

This is a picture of Jack. He is so cute he could bring the spirit of Christmas out of  anyone. That's why I chose this picture to be part of my Christmas greeting so have a Merry Christmas and always remember what Christmas really means.

love, Allison

ALLISON SAYS A!

                                               Okay guys so Allison here, as you can probably tell. I have said A. there is a background story behind the title. We have a crazy random kid in our young men group in the piqua ward and his name is Neil. so, we were playing hangman and the kids in my Sunday school class and we were going around in a semi circle guessing letters one at a time. we reached Neil and he suddenly blurts out- "NEIL SAYS N!" Ever since then I have made it a priority to make sure that I say things in third person occasionally. now a few things to address-

THINGS OTHER PEOPLE HAVE POSTED

thank you for all the holiday wishes! again happy birthday to Kaitlyn, hope you really love young women.

thank you for all the cute pics of your family Trisha. the little ones look so cute!

thank you for all the news. we only have Jamie, Leo and Baxter out here you know, and I can rarely get on my e-mail so I am glad I can get on this blog! Thanks Grandma!

I hope you had fun at the world fair at BYU Kaitlyn. I went to it in third grade and it is a pretty awesome experience!

                                                MY NEWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

so Jamie recently told me her real name is Shelly. Is it true? anyone who knows please tell me! until then I am calling her Shelly.

so our school is having their annual talent show in January. I am on student council so I got to help plan it because I'm on the committee that plans the talent show & Assemblies. I've decided that I'm going to try out which means I cannot be a judge. A lot of people have been asking me what I'm going to do, and I have decided I am going to sing. It's actually a relatively new talent that I have discovered. Grandma & Kaitlyn have heard me sing a couple of songs- and maybe if i get to sing for the talent show I'll post a video.

      Only other news is my birthday is the 30th of December  and Christmas is the 25th! love Allison.


Joy To The World, Jenessa Wrote (I'm going for a Christmas theme)

Here's a special Christmas video I made just for all of you :). It features a special friend that is kind of close to reindeers like John and And You and And You, etc. (Watch Arthur Christmas for those reindeer names.)

Anyways, happy late birthday to the one and only Grandma. We all love you so much.(*sigh* This video sure is taking some time to upload. I mean, it's not that long. It's only a minute and thirteen seconds, or something like that...) Huh, I don't know what to do....Count reindeer, dream of a white Christmas, stuff my head in a stocking..I just wish it would load!

I hope you guys are all doing well. Not freezing or anything. Because here, it was 19 degrees yesterday morning. I was freezing my tail off the entire day.

Hey, you wanna see some family-friendly videos? Check out:

-Kid History: What Christmas Means

-Nick Pitera: One-Man Disney

Season's Greetings From Kaitlyn!

Holiday brings happiness and joy to everyone! Especially the great Gale family! I love my family. We just set up our Christmas tree last week. It looks amazing! I hope your  holidays are amazing and fun. I hope you have fun decorating! I love you all! Happy Holidays!                         

        Happy Holidays!

                                                                                                                 

A Merry Thanksgiving to All, and to All a Filling Night

Hey, everyone! This is Jess, Kaitlyn, and Marissa. We are here to wish you all a happy Thanksgiving (but Kaitlyn who already did). We miss you guys in Ohio. Everyone here says, Wish You Were Here, with a picture of a turkey and all of us with rotund bellies.
Not much to say really. I am up at Grandma's with Marissa and Kaitlyn. (Yes, this is the oldest grandgirl writing). I apparently just made Marissa sad.
We might write more later, but we just wanted to say hi!

Happy Thanksgiving!

       Hi everybody! This is Kaitlyn! I am watching the Thanksgiving Parade on CBS! It is so awesome! Which is your favorite float? I love them all so far! What is you favorite thing about Thanksgiving? Watching Football, playing Flag Football, Eating the feast, Giving Thanks for everything, watching the parade, playing games, or spending time with your family? I love all of those things on Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is probably one of my FAVORITE holidays! What about you? Have a great Thanksgiving, (don't get too fat :) and I can't wait to see you all again! (I will see some of you at Grandma's tonight) LOVE YA!!!

Kukuaw ShiEn (Guess what language?)

Hello my dear family. This is your cousin Jenessa typing. I have some matters of business to address:
1)Holy stinkin' cow, look how cute Tillman and Oliver are in these pictures! Oliver is getting so big, and look at his smile! And Tillman-those blue eyes are gorgeous!
2)Happy birthday Kaitlyn! (I was going to say, "Wow, you're in double digits now!" But I realized that you ought to have reached double digits about three years ago...)
Not much to say (I said that last time and look how much I ended up typing). Right now, my school football team is up north playing for state. Desert Hills vs. Hurricane. Right now, Hurricane is up by..six? :( But I'm crossing every crossable part of my body.
Because of the state playoffs, we got out of school early. It was pretty fun, leaving so early, though it cut down in my class time....
Uh, soon, I'm going to upload a picture of me...not a good one. Well, I consider it good, but it's not a posed one or anything. It's me with bedhead, and it's pretty funny because when I woke up and looked in the mirror, one piece of hair was sticking straight up, and it was curly too. I hope I captured it in the picture. If not...you missed out.
In my photography class, we're going into our studio next week and taking professional pictures (well, our teacher, a pro who's been in lots of magazines, will be taking our pictures) of each of us, so maybe I'll post those for you to see.
Love all of you so much that it ranks somewhere between popcorn and ice cream, and Swedish fish! Viral hugs! Viral kisses!
PS I really meant my title as a greeting. It's in some foreign language. Can you guess what language? (And you can't just put it into googletranslate. That stuff is nonsense for this language.)
Happy searching. :)

Tillman and Oliver

Hey guys!  This is a cool idea.  I just wanted to post some updated pictures of Tillman and Oliver for you.  Nothing much new here.  Both boys are doing really well.  We miss everybody!

Snack time

Playing in the leaves

Going to Grandma's

Halloween

Bed head

I forgot to rotate this. Oh well. No time now.  

Hey Spencer

Hi this is Collin. Spencer, I don't really like hamburgers. Why do you ask? I was going to comment but it got messed up and I couldn't post it... :P

Wassup?!

           Hey guys! I love you and miss you! I hope everyone has a good Thanksgiving next week! Not up to much, only thing interesting is my b-day on Friday. Oh, and yesterday I went to BYU's World Fest. It was really cool. It was were we learned about other culters. Sounds kinda boring, I know. But they gave out alot of cool stuff. But I had lots of fun. Oh, and I would like to say thanks to Allie! Thank you Allie for your post about me. I love all you guys and I miss you! Hope you have a good Thanksgiving next week!
                                                       ~Kaitlyn~

                                     

Jenessa says, "Greetings, earthlings!"

Hey, everyone! I'm sure you know who this is by the title.And yes, you are all earthlings, I'm pleased to announce. Just in case anyone was confused into thinking they came from some other liveable planet, of which, I know none. Anyways, I am really excited to be keeping up with all of my beloved family through this blog, so a big thanks to the brilliant combined minds of Hillary and Grandma. And thanks to all those who are keeping up to date, which is kind of a struggle for me. I really enjoy reading all these posts..
Well, I don't really have much to tell, just stories about homework, which are not the ideal topic of interesting posts, if you know what I mean.
(PS A shout out to all my fellow GBI members, you know who you are. Hope you are ready for tasks...when we actually are together again.)
I do have one interesting thing; no, two:
1-I am a part of a website, flickr.com, for my photography class, and you guys are all welcome to check out my photostream (the pictures I have taken and uploaded). The shortcut to my page is:
fllickr.com/jkstokey
and 2-I am in a very amazing class that I absolutely love...Auto Shop! It is so much fun, and I suppose I'm writing about it, because, honestly, how many girls take a car class? In my own class, there's only one other girl, and in all of his (my teacher's) classes, there's only six girls out of over 100 students, so it's a big deal to be his student if you are female. I guess I'm saying all this because I am surprised with how much I adore this class. I go to it every day, even though I'm on an A/B day block schedule. For those going into a school with this class, I highly reccomend it, because it is so much more fun than even I expected, and I was expecting to like it. Well, I love it. And I know so much about cars now. (I even know more about cars than all four of my brothers. Hahaha!)
Um...tonight for mutual we're watching 17 Miracles, which is an awesome movie. Marissa, Kaitlyn, it's that pioneer movie we went to with my mom and Grandma. I like this movie, even though it's kind of solemn and melancholy and sad, but I am excited to watch it tonight. (A large part of that goes to the "snacks" portion of the evening, but still.)
That's about all I can think of to post right now.
Love you all!
PS For all you lucky people with free time, check out these sometime:
Light the World on Fire by Brit Nicole (it's an enlightening song by a pop-gospel singer)
Harry Potter "Friday" Parody (youtube it)
Nick Pitera-Disney Medley (youtube it)
and of course, for Jamie,
SAM TSUI!!! Jamie introduced me to him and I think right now he is my favorite singer (or one of them, besides Enya and a few others)
Oh, and to answer your questions, Allison dearest:
1-My favorite color is blue (woowoo blue!)
2-My address is (Okay, I did have it, but I am worried for security reasons, so I will email it to you through your email address...) I was worried about this security before I changed my address, so I wrote this -> (I sure hope that this really is private so that no one outside of our family can see, or else I might have an unwelcome creature show up on my doorstep)
3-Oh, you know, planes and clouds
4-March 27, 1996 (Yay! I'll be sixteen in less than six months!)

Leo, Jamie and Baxter

Hi guys! We miss you like crazy and are so excited about this fun way of keeping track of everyone!  We are doing great and are really enjoying Mount Orab, we especially like being so close to Ethan and Hillary's family (only 2 hours!).  Leo is the ward mission leader and I am the early morning seminary teacher, I really enjoy it.  Baxter has some good friends here, Calvin(4) and Mason (2), they share toys and play with him and Mason calls him "Maxter" which is too cute!  Leo is doing really awesome with school and really enjoys his days that he spends in the clinic.  He meets with patients by himself and then goes to the doctor, tells him what he thinks and the doctor usually agrees with him after looking over the chart and then goes in with Leo and delivers the news to the patient.  The doctor that Leo has been shadowing is our family doctor which is really nice but Leo is starting a new rotation next week with a doctor we don't know.  I get to have physical therapy on my hips.  My right pelvic bones is rotated anteriorily and causes a lot of pain when I walk, sending sharp pains up and down my leg and bum...not super pleasant...  We miss and love you and can't wait to hear what you are all up to!

this is Spencer.  I want to say hi to Dylan and Collin.  Dylan when did you lose your tooth?  Well I have two loose teeth.  Collin Do you like hamburgers?  Please answer on this blog.  Love Spencer.

Happy Birthday to Kaitlyn!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

Congrats Kaitlyn on turning twelve on November 18th! Hope you will love Young Womens! I love you A ton!

Love allison!:)

Young women in excellence ( continued)

Here's my Story-Allison:)

ZARIA’S GIFT

            Zaria reached Mrs. Tilak’s house, her chest heaving from the heavy stich in her side.  She stood upright, breathless from running almost ten streets to get there.  Zaria knocked some of the dirt from her cloths but was not able to disguise the filthy, sooty state of her clothes.  They were here only pair and Zaria could not afford to wash them.  Zaria let out a deep sigh, recognizing defeat and dropped her skirt.  The petite thirteen year-old leaned on her toes and rapped her knuckles twice on the thick iron door.  Zaria took three steps back as the door was answered. 

            “Oh, finally!  I was thinking that you might not show up!”

            The speaker was a tall, stately Indian woman.  Her face was beautiful, with almost a carved quality to it.  The woman’s hair was the color of ebony, and was braided in an exquisite bun that wrapped around her head and gave her the appearance of a woman of high standards, which she was.

            “Well come in!” exclaimed Mrs. Tilak.  “You’ll catch your death in the cold!”

            Mrs. Tilak ushered Zaria into the large entry way of the house and helped Zaria remove her wrap.  “Thank you,” whispered Zaria.  “Thank you, ma’am.”  The twelve year old girl curtsied and kissed the kind Mrs. Tilak on the cheek.

            Mrs. Tilak kissed Zaria on the forehead and hugged her tightly.  Sweet, sweet  Zaria.  She was so young but she worked so hard.  Mrs. Tilak held her tighter and ignored the soot and dirt that was beginning to wipe onto her hands and dress.  Mrs. Tilak pulled away and grimaced at the long black streaks on her hands.

            “Zaria!”

            Mrs. Tilak grinned and laughed.  She took the petite girl’s hand and said, “That will be the cook.  She is at her stretching point.  Christus Jubilante is tomorrow and she has almost all of the pies done.

            Zaria felt a lump rise in her throat and tears swelled in her eyes.  Christ’s Jubilee!  She had nothing to give.   No, she thought, I have my heart to offer.  But that is not enough for the priests.

            Zaria hadn’t realized that Mrs. Tilak had put her hand on Zaria’s shoulder.  “Are you alright?”  Mrs. Tilak asked gently.

            “Fine.  Mrs. Tilak, can I …”

            “Zaria, I know what you’re worried about and of course you’re invited to our house for Christ’s Jubilee.”  Mrs. Tilak smiled with a kind endearing smile.  “It will be okay, I will persuade Mr. Tilak.”

            Zaria was overjoyed, but she still felt a cold anxiety in the pit of her stomach.   Mr. Tilak was a chief priest, and though Zaria didn’t really know him, seemed cold and cruel.  Mrs. Tilak had told Zaria countless times she wanted to adopt Zaria, but Mr. Tilak wouldn’t let her.  “That dirty thing is only here for work!” Mr. Tilak had said.

            Zaria twisted her skirt in her hands and said, “Mrs. Tilak, I have nothing to give.”

            Mrs. Tilak rand a hand through her hair and sighed.  She reached her hand in her pocket and pulled out three shiny coins.  Mrs. Tilak smiled and placed the coins in Zaria’s palm.  “Now go and buy yourself a gift.”

            Mrs. Tilak laughed as Zaria hurried out the door.  The girl was so willing. So hardworking and Mrs. Tilak really hoped she would come to be part of the Tilak family one day.

            Zaria raced down the streets of town weaving in and out of people as she dashed to an old, abandoned house on the edge of town.  Zaria opened the door and let herself in. 

            The inside was just a small, cramped room with a small cot and there was a single lamp shining in the corner.  Zaria raced to the bed and slumped down onto the thin material.  With fumbling fingers, Zaria pulled out a small parcel wrapped in brown paper from inside her coat.  She hastened to unwrap it and pulled out a long piece of beautiful, silvery cloth.   She felt it in between her fingers, and was careful not to smudge it with her dirty hands.  Zaria was going to make her gift from this cloth--the gift to her master, the Christ.

            Zaria knew that she could have probably spent the money on food or a bath.  Zaria’s stomach rumbled and she pulled her coat closer to her as she shivered.  Suddenly, an idea struck her.  She would sew a robe for her master.  Zaria would make it a robe fit for a king, the king of all kings.  Jesus Christ.  But she would have to hurry if she wanted it to be ready for tomorrow.  Everyone would shame her if she had no gift. 

            Zaria pulled out a basked full of colorful thread, scissors, and sewing needles from under her cot, and she began to sew.  Rows upon rows of neat, beautiful stitches appeared as Zaria sewed through the night.  Though she grew weary, and her eyes grew heavy she kept on piecing together her Master’s gift.  Zaria lovingly cut and stitched every last bit of the cloth together.  It was almost time for the sun to rise by the time Zaria finally finished and fell to sleep.

            The next morning Zaria found herself at the alter in the cathedral of Christ, and in just moments, she would offer her gift to her Savior. 

            Zaria looked up as a priest’s shadow fell across the alter.  It was the High Priest, Sir Caldwin.  His piercing blue eyes looked at her small, dingy figure disapprovingly   “What have you to bring, Orphan?”  Sir Caldwin eyes lit up when Zaria pulled from beneath her coat the magnificent silk robe.  He greedily grabbed it from her, and ran his hands over the gleaming material.

            “So beautiful! Exquisite!” Murmured Sir Caldwin, his hands and eyes feeling and examining every inch of the robe.  “And for someone so young…incredible.”

            Sir Caldwin face turned into a mass of red anger.  He suddenly threw the robe back on Zaria and raised his hands as though to slap her.  Zaria shrunk and cringed, hands over her face, waiting for the blow.  It never came.  Zaria slowly moved her hands down from her face and heard a familiar voice ask, “Sir Caldwin, what is the meaning of this?”

            It was Mr. Tilak!  Sir Caldwin spoke slowly, with a determined air.  “Sir, this girl’s gift is unacceptable.  It is not good enough.  And she is too small and dirty.”

            Mr. Tilak’s next workds surprised Zaria.  “This?”  Mr. Tilak leaned down and picked up the robe and shook the dust off it.  “Tis a masterpiece?” 

            Mr. Tilak beckoned to Zaria, and  the startled Zaria stood up.  She followed Mr. Tilak as he walked across the room.

            “Come with me, Child.”

            Zaria found herself in a small room with several closets and a large bathing font.  She watched as Mr. Tilak rummaged through the closets for an object of some sort.  He’s looking for a whip, Zaria thought glumly.  He’s going to beat me.

            But again Mr. Tilak surprised her.  He handed her a beautiful dress.  The type rich girls in the streets wore, with bows and lace.  Zaria spoke tentatively.  “Mr. Tilak, what is this for?  I am not a rich girl.”

            Mr. Tilak looked surprised “For you my girl, of course!  Bathe and dress.  I will turn my back.” He said.

            Zaria had never felt anything like it.  The water felt warm and heavenly. The cloth of the dress was satin, and felt soft and warm against her skin. Zaria felt like she had died and gone to heaven.  When she had finished dressing she tapped Mr. Tilak on the back and he turned to face her.

            “Ah,” Mr. Tilak gripped Zaria hard on the shoulders. “I thought so.  You look beautiful, Zaria.”

            Zaria was a little shocked by the reaction of a man she thought so cruel, but she let him take her hand and lead her back to the font.

            Zaria caught a glimpse of a beautiful, stately young woman, and looked around the room for the young, wispy beauty.  Mr. Tilak turned her to face the water again.  “It is you.” Mr. Tilak whispered.  “That is you, Zaria, my child.”

            Zaria was beautiful.  Suddenly she caught the wide smile on Mr. Tilak’s face.  He was beaming brightly, but his eyes betrayed a hint of sadness.  “What is wrong, Mr. Tilak?”

            “Oh, Zaria,” Mr. Tilak’s eyes were wet.  “I owe you an apology.  I’ve really loved you forever.  I’m sorry we just didn’t adopt you.  I had to test you.  It thought I had to make sure you could be a Tilak.  I’m sorry.  So, so, so, sorry, Zaria.”

            Mr. Tilak handed Zaria the silk robe and hugged her tightly and whispered.  “You and your faith are the greatest gift of all.  Welcome to the Tilak family.”  Mr. Tilak murmured, “I love you Zaria.”

            Zaria hugged her father back and let all her pain of the years go.  She hugged the Savior’s robe to her chest and began to cry.  ZariaTilak said a silent prayer of thanks for her faith, hope and new family, and her Savior.

         

Beautiful

The day

The night

The moon

Beautiful

Midnight

Twilight

The Stars

Beautiful

The Sky

The Milky Way

The Fireplace

Beautiful

The Three Day Wait

The Resurrection

The Atonement

Not Just Beautiful

Sacred

                                    Here is my poem!!!!:)

Young Women in Excellence!:)

                          

HI YA'LL! This is Allison. I have four things to ask and one thing to tell.

1. What is your favorite color? (Mine is green!)

2. What is your address? (This one is extremely important if you want to get one of my awesome, homemade, Christmas gifts!)

3. Whatz up?

4. What is your birthday? (I am not a stalker so don't worry!)

Here is my thing to tell- I recently had young women in excellence on Wednesday! I drew an AMAZING picture in oil pastels and wrote an awesome story called Zaria's gift- if you want to read it LOOK BELOW!!!!! I also wrote a poem called Beautiful- again SEE BELOW!!!!!!!! This was a totally awesome experience considering that this is my first young women in excellence! I am also pretty proud of myself because I finished my faith value project! Ten hard hours of harsh labor work! Not really, it was actually really fun! Love you all with a BIG FAT HEART!

Like this one!!!!!!!

Aubrey/Me

Hi everybody! this is me Aubrey (well on the internet) I miss you all so much! I can not wait to see you in Utah this summer! I go to <GRAHAM MIDDLE SCHOOL> very interesting huh....? I have 4 teachers who are uhh NICE WELL THEY HAVE TO BE NICE alot. I love you alot I can not wait to see you all in Utah next summer XOXOXOXOXOXxox. Little and big!I have alot of ummm interesting ideas for next summer! I will have a picture of me once I figure out how too!!:)

welcome to the blog

I am having a great time in Ohio.  It is fun to visit with Ethan, Hillary, Allison, Aubrey, Spencer, Chandler, Reese, and baby Jack!  I've also seen Leo, Jamie and Baxter.  We stopped in Kentucky to visit my neice, Heather and her family.  I'm excited for the blog and hope it is fun for everyone to keep in touch and up to date on what is

The Gale's!

Today Ethan took Spencer and Chandler to Lowe's to do the wood building project. They made these science experiment kits. Chandler would not take his apron off because he was so excited! When they got home they tested out their kits and did some cool science experiments.

And here is a picture of your new cousin Jack Christian Gale. He was born on October 3rd, 2011 at 10:08 pm. He weighed 8 pounds 6 ounces and was 21 inches long. We named him Jack because we just like that name, and Christian because a Christian is a follower of Christ. He is a really happy baby and only cries when he is hungry or has a poopy diaper. (He hates poopies!) His hair looks kind of red so we will see when he gets older if it stays that way. He can't wait to meet all of his cousins when we come to Utah this summer!!

Here's a picture of Reese playing with a pink wig. Reese is our sweet boy. He is really sensitive and will cry easily if he is scared or if he gets hurt but he also loves to give hugs and kisses and is very quiet.

Here is a picture of our whole family at the hospital. I don't know how all 8 of us fit int he picture, but we did!

We love you guys and miss you!