Twinsight....

Hahahah, I look at this and laugh, because it pretty much sums up mine and Gina's relationship. Crazy, funny and a little...well, weird. :) But I'm sure siblings are like this as well, so what's the difference between having a sister and a twin? I'd say it's almost exactly the same. For all you out there who have ever thought: man, I'd love to have a twin-  it's the same as having a sister, but with a few added problems. For example; whenever we go anywhere new, it takes a long time for people to know who we are individually, as the first impression they get is: oh it's the twins. And we are, from then on, collective, until proven otherwise. Which isn't great. Also... people assume you're okay on your own because you've 'got each other' but frankly we're just like everyone else in that we love to meet new people! So... there are pro's and cons same as any other relationship. But a definite, definite pro is that you have a 'sidekick' a 'wingman' a 'best friend for life' from the minute your born. And you can only thank God for that. :) (And obviously being asked the same questions over and over for most of your life is a little dull... in fact, I'll give you a taster:

1. Are you two twins?
2. How do you tell the difference?
3. Are you identical?
4. Who's the older one?
5. How far apart are you?
6. Are you really similar?
7. Are you telepathic?
8. Do you like, have each others clothes and things?

Etc. Etc. This post was inspired because, when I went to meet my Team (that I'm heading out to Tanzania with in January) on it was a girl who was also a twin, and a guy who was also a twin. Different situations but it was weird being able to relate over something that had previously only ever put me apart.... and it was a nice change! So I thought I'd enlighten those "normal" people out there who weren't born at the same time as someone else, as to exactly how that feels. And in summary:

 It's a happy coincidence, a bonus, a blessing and a joy, and a disadvantage all at once. And I wouldn't have it any other way. 

Book Review

THE 'MARK OF THE LION' SERIES

 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR

These books, in my humble opinion, are some of Francine Rivers' best work. They're so well written and brimming with subtle christian messages and ideals, tackling tricky christian and modern issues under the pre-text of fiction.

Set in the fall of Jerusalem, it tells the story of a young early christian girl who flees from death into slavery. The girls presence in the family that buy her, acts as a catalyst- destroying preconceptions, roman values, views on faith, views on love. Though it's set thousands of years ago, it's a book that speaks very much to the attitudes and thoughts of today's world, and into the hearts of those who read it.

Hadassah- the main character and christian slave girl- is such an inspiring character, I am in awe of whoever was able to dream her up! However, when we first encounter her, she is as far from a heroine as possible, a mere weak and feeble child. But this is the beauty of Rivers' writing- whilst Hadassah's faith is crumbling as the romans destroy and kill those around her, and she questions God's role in such horror, she is relatable to so many people today. People who only seem to encounter God as a man outside to blame for pain, death, and failure.

But through suffering comes strength. Rivers builds up Hadassah's character and faith in equal measure, and we are witness to a fantastic display of courage and a great example of trusting in God to all extents, even when stepping the line between life and death. It gives us hope, that we can grow in faith and strength just as Hadassah did.

Now, it wouldn't be a Francine Rivers book without a thread of romance; and so enter:

Marcus- He is the eldest son and, like Hadassah, begins as less of a hero than you might think. He is not the stead-fast, strong, hard and honest, humble christian man that Michael Hosea is in 'Redeeming Love'- no, Marcus has a string of girls and a mind focused on making money, recieiving his inheritance and living life only on his terms. When he meets Hadassah, he encounters the God she believes in and things start to change. Only inside him. He has no room for God, and yet his heart yearns after Hadassah, and an unbelievable romance develops until even he is forced to question God's role and existence.

Asides from the two main characters, there are a string of subplots as different people involve themselves in Hadassah's life. Julia, Marcus' sister, and their relationship is very much a focus in the book, her life a sad tale that winds up and down throughout the series in an irregular and exciting manner. Atretes is a German who was taken from his life by the Romans as Hadassah was, and though for the main part of the series the two slaves lives rarely meet, his story is one that develops intently in the last book.
Essentially, Francine Rivers had the premis for an amazing book, and was able to manipulate and twist such a story into an epic christian narrative. It contains so many lessons, so many tearful, joyful and wonderful moments, that yes, I have no bad thing to say about it.

 Favourite Quote:

 "Christ forgave the crimminals sins, but did not take him down from the cross."

-A Voice in the Wind, Book One.

 

Spontaneity in Nature

So A2 Results were posted this summer, and though I'm not going to tell you what I got (!) I was extremely happy with my photography- so here are some pictures that contributed to the part of my topic called 'Spontaneity in Nature'.... (using a cross-processed colour film)

Diamond Jubilee Year

Maybe this post is a few weeks late. But this deserves mentioning nonetheless.
It's about the Diamond Jubilee.
Let's get one thing straight: I've never been patriotic as such. I love my country, and I love the monarchy but I've never been a raving luny about England in the way of shoving flags at people and buying up all the merchandise!
That being said- this Diamond Jubilee weekend was absolutely 'spiffing'! We celebrated a delightful Queen who's served us all with dedication for 60 years- if that doesn't deserve a flotilla, then what does?? She's been ever open about her faith too, her protestant roots not just carved from tradition but evidently from a truly Jesus centred heart, (very evident in her speech this christmas.)Perhaps it's fair to say her service mirrors something of Jesus' own character... her service reflective of the greatest Servant King. How exactly has she served? Well she's travelled the globe, the common-wealth, represented us brits, defended the faith, no doubt passed and questioned laws, become the scapegoat, carried the burden of our economic and social failures and lifted us up in our sporting and additional success. She's never cracked under the pressure, dictated, greedily grabbed for power or taken out anger on us, her fickle and capricious subects. We, the people, have been able to look up to her for sixty years- and what an example she has set. Queen Elizabeth II has been the face of the country for some time now, and what we celebrated recently was that it is a face we can be glad of showing not just on coins, stamps, or banknotes- but around the world.
I write in all earnest when I say this: God Save the Queen!
Personally, I celebrated by joining a church 'party', watching the pageant and concert (sadly on TV, we weren't able to travel to London to join the throngs of monarch-enthusiasts!) having my aunt over (who waved flags enthusiasticaly at the Tv!) and strewing the house in cornwall and bath with red, white and blue. I wish I had taken more pictures. It felt unifying to the rest of the country. It felt happy. It felt like we had something to be proud of.