Friday, May 30, 2014

Yet another Tag

I'm sure ya'll are getting triad of this. This is my third tag for the Leibster Award. =P It was by Alyssa over at http://bitsnspurs.blogspot.com/ But here goes anyway. 

Rules:

Thank and link back to the person who nominated you
List 11 facts about yourself
Answer the 11 questions asked by the blogger who nominated you
Nominate 9 bloggers who have fewer than 200 followers (you can’t nominate the blogger who nominated you)
Ask them 11 questions
Let them know about the nomination

Okay, so ANOTHER 11 facts.

1. I sleep with stuffed animals
2. My favorite song is Healing Begins
3. I love rubics cubes
4. I can't solve a rubics cube to save my life
5. Mini is my favorite size
6. Which is probably why my favorite car is a Mini Copper
7. I love silly putty
8. I talk to my characters while I'm alone
9. My characters respond
10. And yes, me and my characters know were nuts
11. I'm in a weird mood right now


My questions:

1. Do you sing?
I have the ability to use my vocal cords but as to carrying a toon.... lets just say I don't preform

2. Do you prefer ice cream or frozen yogurt?
Nether. I like them both pretty much equally.

3. What is your favorite musical genre?
Classical. Other then that just general Christian stuff. =)

4. What is your favorite color?
Light purple.

5. What is your favorite horse color?
I don't like horses. Okay I HATE horses. But I guess if I had to choose I would say dark brown.

6. Do you ride horses?
I have the ability and the resources but not the desire.

7. Do you live in the city or country?
Country.

8. What is your favorite food?
Chicken Cord un bule

9. What is your favorite movie?
Matthew. Bell and the Beast and Amazing Graces.

10. Do you enjoy pizza?
Yes.

11. Have you ever been to Spain?
I wish. But no.

My questions:
1. Where is your favorite place to read?
2. Where is your favorite place to write?
3. Do you prefer city or country?
4. Who is your favorite musician?
5. If you could visit one (Live) person right now who would it be?
6. If you could travel to one time period when would it be?
7. Who is your favorite character you've ever 'Met'?
8. If you could go anywhere where would you go?
9. Do you like Nancy Drew?
10. Whats one thing you would like to accomplish this year?
11. How many elephants are underground?

I'm lazy. If your reading this and you want to, your nominated.

-Mikayla-

Monday, May 26, 2014

Tag!

Hey Everyone! Deborah over at http://deborahocarroll.wordpress.com/ tagged me in the Liebster Award! =D So, this is the second time, but its still fun. =) 


Rules: 
1. Thank the person who tagged you and link back to them
2. List 11 facts about yourself
3. Answer the questions given you by your tagger
4. Give the same number of questions for the next people to answer
5. Tag that number of people (who are supposed to have less than 200 followers)
6. Inform the tagged ones that they have been nominated

Okay here are 11 facts about myself: 

1. I love paper dolls
2. I prefer the NIV Bible
3. I LOVE the Nancy Drew computer games
4.  I don't like fantasy
5. I've never been out of the US
6. Getting the mail is one of my favorite parts of the day
7. I enjoy cleaning
8. I love gumball machines 
9. I own a typewriter
10. I love cork topped glass gars
11. I love answering questions


1. Do you name your electronics
No, I think naming objects is weird

2. What color is your hair?
Light brown with golden tips

3. Do you prefer libraries or bookstores?
Bookstores, I get to keep the book

4. At this moment, if you could magically have any kind of food (or drink) what would you wish for?
Chicken Cord On Bule

5. If you had to pick between never drinking tea or coffee again, which would you choose?
Coffee. I hate coffee so it would be easy to give up.

6. Who is your latest favorite character that you’ve “met” and why?
Amanda McMullen, shes a very ordinary girl who helps out someone and ends up getting thrown into an adventure. Its very interesting writing about someone who has the same reactions you do. =D 

7. Do you own multiple unused journals/notebooks and if so how many?
I have a whole file drawer full of unused notebooks and jurnals. I work through them pretty fast though so that varys. =) 

8. In your writing, are you a plotter or a pantser?
Both. Some books I just write till I type those wonderful words "The End." Sometimes I plot out the whole book before I even start typing "Once Upon A Time" 

9. What’s your favorite genre?
Historical Fiction and Contemporary Fiction. =D

10. Favorite theme song from TV or movie?
Ohh, so many to chose from. I find myself humming the McGyver theme the most though. =) 

11. Happy endings? Tragic? Bittersweet?
Happy. I can't stand tragic or bittersweet endings.

Here are my questions:

1. Where is your favorite place to read?
2. Where is your favorite place to write?
3. Do you prefer city or country?
4. Who is your favorite musician?
5. If you could visit one (Live) person right now who would it be?
6. If you could travel to one time period when would it be?
7. Have you ever traveled out of the country?
8. If you could go anywhere where would you go?
9. Do you like Nancy Drew?
10. Whats one thing you would like to accomplish this year?
11. How many elephants are underground?

I've already tagged people for this one so if your reading this and want to do it, consider yourself tagged. Leave a comment if you do it!

Thanks Deborah! =D
-Mikayla-

Friday, May 23, 2014

Fun Facts and words

I feel awful, I haven't done a fun fact or word in over a month. =( Forgive me pretty please? 
Okay, as most of you know I'm a BIG Nancy Drew fan. I own all the original 56 books, most of the Her Interactive games, some companion books, two TV series and a movie. I'm just a bit of  a fan. =D Over all that fandom I have acquired some interesting facts about Nancy Drew, some of which I'm sure ya'll know. =) 

1. In the revised version of #5 The Secret of Shadow Ranch George is teasing Nancy about liking about a cowboy and she says "What would Ned say?" but Nancy does not even meet Ned til book seven. 

2. There were two original writers of the series, Mildred Wirt Benson who wrote up to book 30, The Clue of the velvet mask, then Harriet Stratemeyer wrote the rest. 

3. Carson Drew's middle name is Campbell. The p is silent just so you know.

4. When they revised the books in the 1950's they changed Nancy's age from 16 to 18 so that she could legally drive her car in all states.

5. In all 56 books Ned gets kidnapped twice.

I hope you enjoyed this!
-Mikayla-

Saturday, May 17, 2014

Update

Hey everyone, I thought I'd give ya'll an update seeing as a few things happened this week I thought ya'll  would want to know about.  
First off is that I got a cellphone!! Or at least I'm going to once it arrives in the mail. =) I am SO excited!!!!!! Its going to be for texting only because I've got a thing against talking on the phone. (Don't ask me why) It should come on Wednesday!!! 
And also, I started an Amazon Wishlist! I had so much fun adding all my stuff. Okay so that's stupid but I had so much fun with it today I just had to share about it. =)
I also have started back up on editing my Robin Hood after an extended break which really excited about. =D Also there may be a third book in the series if all goes well. =D
Some things I'm adjusting to: Having my all but two of my siblings gone every day, Doing about a third of the work around the house, having less time for school in the morning due to chores, It being summer and the house being quiet.

As for an update on today it wasn't my best but it wasn't really my worst ether. =P
How are Ya'll doin'?
-Mikayla-

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Get Back Up Again

Since my last post was about getting back up again I decided to share with you the story I told you about. =) I hope you enjoy it!


Get back up again
By Mikayla H


My skates slid out from under me and I landed on the ice with a thud. Sighing, I stood back up, glad no one was there to witness the mess I was making of my routine. It had been a bad week, and the stress of it all was coming out in my skating. My trainer had died, and I had lost two competitions, leaving me feeling confused and depressed. Everyone told me I had talent, and I loved doing it, but sometimes it didn’t seem worth it to spend all my time on something as petty as a sport. I spun, slowly lifting my leg until I was looking up at the heel of my skate. My blade made a satisfying swishing noise as it spun, kicking up ice shavings as it went. I brought my leg down and slid over to the benches on the edge of the rink.  Taking a seat, I untied my pastel pink skates. They had been a gift from my parents on my nineteenth birthday last month. I slipped on my shoes and hung my skates over my shoulder.
I stepped out into the almost empty street and took a deep breath of the chilly winter air. I loved the cold; it was so crisp and fresh. A shiny blue bus came into view right as I rounded the corner; I picked up my pace, glad that I had caught it in time. The machine next to the driver chirped happily as I slid my pass, and I took a seat near the front. The city flew by as the bus picked up speed, and I sighed as I remembered there was one last competition the next day.
“It’s just a competition Gracie; you don’t have to do it.” I whispered to myself reassuringly. But somewhere my brain was yelling at me that I couldn’t give up before I tried.
“Drury Hotel.” The bus driver called, opening the door.
I was the only one who got off at the tall building. It wasn’t much to look at, but it was where I called home for the week. I went inside and took the elevator to the third story and unlocked my room. It was a comfortable little place, with a kitchenette attached to the living room and a small bedroom. It was perfect for a week from out of town, and I enjoyed having the time to myself.
I plopped down on the couch and slid my ice skates off my shoulder. I sat for a moment, enjoying the stillness of it all before I turned on my laptop and typed in my password: Persevere. Why did I set it to that? I thought sighing; I didn’t really want to persevere right now. I clicked on my browser and opened up my Yahoo account, hoping an actual person had emailed me instead of the ten or more automatic updates that usually sat in my inbox. By some sort of miracle there were three emails from real live people, the most interesting of which was from my big sister, Ester.
Hey Gracie, It read.
Mom told me about your competitions, I am so sorry. I wish I could have been there for you but with collage and all it was just impossible. I know you’ve got one more competition so let me know how it goes.

            Just do your best and leave the rest up to God. Know that I’ll be cheering for you! 
                   Lots of Love, Ester
I smiled; Ester always knew what to say and when to say it. I closed down my computer and hurried to get to bed. It had been a long day and I was tired.
*******
            Why does morning always come so soon after I’ve gone to bed? I slammed my hand down on the small clock; succeeded in making it fall to the ground and turn off at the same time. I swung my legs over the side of the bed and stood up, wishing I didn’t have to go anywhere today.
            “Do you want me to enter, God?” I asked, only half meaning it as I picked out a pair of jeans and a polo shirt. “I mean, it’s just a contest. Does it really matter that much?”
            A little voice in my head was saying it mattered a lot, but I was reluctant to accept it. I was tired, worn and ready to give up.
            “When you are weak I am strong.” The verse played itself over and over in my head, refusing to let me forget the hours I had spent memorizing it and others like it.
            I took a quick shower and dressed, and then I grabbed my bag with my skates and outfit in it and went down to the bus stop. I probably could afford a rental car, but I didn’t like traveling alone. I loved being able to see new people every time I go somewhere.
            The bus didn’t take long to get there, and I sat next to a man who didn’t speak English, causing me retreat to my phone to scroll through endless Facebook updates till we arrived at the skating arena. I hopped out, pausing for a moment to look up at the huge dome on the building. I walked through the revolving doors and to the sign-up desk.
            “Name?” The lady droned.
            “Gracie Nolan.” I smiled, hoping to get something other than a scowl out of her.
            “Here’s your papers, make sure you don’t lose them,” she said, shoving a large envelope over at me. “The contest will begin in an hour.”
            “Thank you,” I said, almost laughing. It didn’t seem right to laugh at a woman like that, but sometimes I just found humor in weird places.
            “The lady’s dressing rooms are down there and to your right,” she said, pointing towards a crowded hallway.
            “Thanks,” I said again and walked into the mass of girls waiting to get into the dressing rooms.
            “Aren’t you Gracie Nolan?” someone next to me asked. I turned and discovered a girl whom I guessed to be around seventeen.
            “Yes, who are you?” I asked, smiling as I shook her outstretched hand.
            “Arianna David.” She grinned “I saw you yesterday, you were really good.”
            “Obviously not good enough, I lost.” I sighed, though it sounded more dramatic than I meant it to still fit my mood pretty well.
            “You’re a lot better than I am. This is my first contest and I got ranked twenty-second.” She said, her shoulders dropped.
            “Don’t worry; I got ranked twentieth, so I didn’t do much better than you.” I smiled encouragingly.
            “I hope I don’t lose again.” She sighed.
            “You know that old saying, ‘If at first you don’t succeed try, try again.”’ I laughed. “It’s not fun sometimes, but it sure does work.”
            “But standing back up makes you feel a bit dizzy sometimes.” Arianna sighed and I was sure she meant it both literally and metaphorically.
            “Well, good luck!” I said as we got to the dressing rooms.
            “Good luck.” She smiled.
            I changed into a pale blue, long-sleeved shirt that went far past my waist. I was told I probably lost appeal, because my outfits were not like the other girls. But I liked the way I dressed, and I didn’t see any reason to wear something immodest just to get some more attention.
            I tossed my short brown hair into a pony tail and put some hair clips in to keep it out of my face. Then I took a long look at my short figure in the mirror.
            “You can do it, Gracie.” I said determinedly. “You’ll be great, even if you don’t win.”
            Still unconvinced, I gathered my bag and, after asking directions, went to the seating designated for the competitors. It was a full hour before it started, and then I watched as one after another girl did her routine.
When I saw that I was next I went down to the floor, strapped on my skates and warmed up a bit. Then, before I knew it, I was being called onto the rink. I slid out, making a wide half circle before I stopped in the middle. The judges were in front of me, my competitor behind me and the audience all around me. My heart thumped as I sat for an agonizing moment waiting for the music to begin. Finally, it began. My fear soon melted into determination to get my routine right. With every move I completed I felt more and more confident. Then was the hardest part of the routine, two triple axles in a row. As I went in for the first one I took in a deep breath and bit my lip. The jump, spin and landing, I made it! I went in for the next one feeling reassured – the jump, spin and then thud. I hit the ice, but not with my blade, and I went shoulder first into the guard wall. For a moment all I could think about was how much it hurt, I was pretty sure I had dislocated or broken something. Then I realized I needed to get back up, I could still finish my routine, but it didn’t seem worth it. Then I remembered what Ester had said: “Do your best and leave the rest up to God.” Somehow I managed to summon enough courage and strength to stand up. The whole auditorium was dead silent as I slid back out. As I began spinning the whole crowd started to clap along with the music. I crouched down, extending my arms and one of my legs. Then I straightened up and I brought my leg above my head and held onto the blade. The pain remained just as strong, but it didn’t matter to me, all I could feel was the encouragement of the whole audience. I amazed even myself by only making one more mistake in the routine.
As the music faded out and I slid back to my starting point. I smiled bigger than I ever had. If I won the competition or not didn’t matter to me anymore. I had won a victory I found more important: being able to get back up again, even after apparent defeat.
As I slid out of the rink I thanked God for small victories, because they give us the strength we need to fight the bigger battles.

I hope you enjoyed it! Please, comment and tell me your thoughts!
-Mikayla-

Not that I think ya'll would do anything like this but please do know this is copyrighted!  


Monday, May 12, 2014

The Liebster Award

Hey, I got nominated for The Liebster by Michaela over at Stepping Toward The Son and honestly I have no idea what the word Liebster is but I hope its fun. =)






Rules:
~Link back the person who nominated you 
~List eleven facts about yourself 
~Answer the eleven questions asked by the blogger who nominated you 
~Nominate 9 bloggers who have fewer than 200 followers (you can't nominate the blogger who nominated you)
~Ask them eleven questions
~Let them know of their nomination!


Eleven facts:

1. I LOVE Amy Carmichael
2. I love Get Smart
3. Most of my new book plots come from inspiration I get on Pintrest
4. I have never been out of the country
5. I love room decorating
6. I'm having a lot of trouble writing right now
7. I'm listening to 'Words' by Hawk Nelson 
8. My favorite color is purple
9. I adore studying World War II and Henry II's time period
10. I REALLY enjoy school. Honestly 
11. My parents let me skip Algebra

Michaela's Questions:

1. Who is your favorite Disney princess? Well, I'm not big into the Disney Princess's but I guess I would say Bell.
2. What is your favorite season? Spring. Without a doubt. 
3. If you could go anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? Colorado, South Carolina or England. I can't decide. =)
4. If you could have tea with any book character, who would it be? Um, Annabeth from Annabeths War by Jessica Greyson I guess or maybe Salah from A Different Kind of Courage by Sarah Holman.
5. List your five favorite foods. Spaghetti, chocolate, candied orange slices, Chicken Cord un Bule and Yorks.
6. What is your favorite class in school? My favorite subject is Science: I love learning how things work. i like Astronomy best. History comes close though. =) 
7. Vanilla or chocolate? Chocolate!
8. Coffee or tea? Tea, preferable sweetened and iced. I HATE Coffee.
9. Pearls or diamonds? Pearls. But I like Sapphires best.
10. If you could be the heroine in any movie, who would it be and what movie would it be for? Amanda from Scarecrow and Mrs King, which is a TV series but shes my favorite TV character ever. I guess I love her because shes much more real then any other movie character I have ever seen, not to mention she had the cutest personality. =D
11. What is your favorite song? Healing Begins by Tenth Avenue North


My nominations: 

Jessica Joy at ( Almost ) Perfectly Pink
Tinde at Tindes Life
Olivia at A Book and a Smile
Mikayla L. 

Unfortunately that's all the people I know with under 200 followers. =P

My questions: 

1. If you could meet one purson who would it be and why?
2. Why did you begin Blogging?  
3. Who is your favorite fictional character? 
4. Whats you favorite subject in school?
5. Do you enjoy dancing?
6. If you could go one place where would it be? 
7. What is your favorite book? 
8. Whats your favorite Movie and TV series?
10. Did you notice there was no number 9? 
11. Iced or Hot tea?
12. How many elephants are there underground?

Friday, May 9, 2014

Days when you learn a lot

                                                       Days when you learn a lot #1

I actually don’t know if this will be a series or not but I wanted to share with ya’ll some of the struggle that I have that I know some of you can relate to. Or maybe it will just make you feel better that someone else has the same problem as you. =)
All this week and last I've been working on a entry for a contest on Your Story Central. I wrote, rewrote and edited it to what I thought was as good as it could get and I submitted it on the 2’nd. I was so excited, I checked the blog several times a day for the results, I got pumped up about what I would do if I won. Today they announced the winners.
I wasn't among them.
I cried. Honestly, I was really disappointed. It was hard to except that something I had worked that hard on wasn't good enough to win a contest. I understood that there was probably a lot of entry’s and that for every contest there had to be losers but it was still a disappointment.
Then I looked at my entry’s title. Get Back Up Again. Do you know how much meaning that holds when your lost in disappointment? Then my sister gave me a gift, saying she loved my story, even if the judges didn't.
It was right then that I decided the next chance I get I’m going to enter that story into another contest and another and another. I’ll keep perfecting it till I can make it worthy to win a contest, or even if it doesn't ever win a single prize it will hold a special place in my heart because it helped me, and is helping me, learn to always get back up again.
I just wanted to share the last line of the entry with ya’ll because I felt it had good meaning for this post.

I thanked God for small victories, because they give us the strength we need to fight the bigger battles.

Someday I’ll share the whole entry with you. =) Also later in the day I found the perfect quote on Pintrest to go with this. =)

"A strong person is not the one who doesn't cry. A strong person is one who is quite and sheds tears for a moment then picks up her sword and fights again" -Unaccredited- 

Thanks for listening ya’ll!

-Mikayla-

Monday, May 5, 2014

A Jew in a gentile’s world

Hey, I've got a story here that I entered into a contest, it didn't win but I thought you might like it anyway. =) Please tell me what you thought!

A Jew in a gentile’s world
I hurried up the mosey hill, the wind playing with my dress as I went. The basket at my side tipped as I lost my footing, threatening to spill the berries inside. I chided myself but kept my rushed pace, my mistress would be mad if I was not back by the morning meal. I came to the top of the hill into view of the palace I paused for a moment to take in the sight. The whitewashed stones that made up Lord Pilate’s house seemed to glow from the light of the sun which was just barely peeking up from the ground. It was the morning after Passover, but nobody here cared, it was just like any other day for both servants and masters. I knew people thought I was odd, a young Jewish girl working in a gentile’s house. But I believed Yahweh had sent me here to be a witness to the people here. I walked around to the back of the house where the servants door was and slipped in, almost unnoticed in the hustle of preparations for the meal.
“Abigail, your finally back. I thought you had gotten lost.” A middle-aged lady said as she looked up from the bread she was kneading.
“I’m sorry Hannah, it took me a bit longer then I thought.” I said setting down my basket.
“It’s okay child, just go fetch me some water.” She smiled.
So I grabbed the bucket by the door and strode back outside and to the well. Tying the rope to it I lowered it down until I heard a splash of water then I slowly raised it back up.
“You, servant.”
I whirled around and came face to face with a man whom I knew by his cloths to be a high priest.
“Go inform Lord Pilate that we have a prisoner that needs his attention.” He said curtly.
“Won’t you wait inside?” I asked gesturing towards the house.
“We cannot, we would be ceremonially unclean. Ask Pilate to come out to us.”
I bowed silently, taking the moment to look at the prisoner. So many criminals had been brought to Pilate that I had gotten used to them. This man looked like a regular Jew, nothing special in his features or manners but I didn’t have any time to study him, I had duties to attend to. I rushed inside to the grand hall where Pilate was seated on an elevated chair, his costly robes draped around him.
“Lord Pilate.” I said bowing “There is a group of high priests with a prisoner for you.”
“Tell them to come in.” Pilate sighed, taking a drink from his goblet.
“They wish for you to come to them” I repeated “or else they will become unclean.”
“Yes of course.” Pilate said, seeming to snap into focus all the sudden as he stood up. “Guard, take the prisoner away while I talk to the priests.”
I retreated back through the door and out to the well again where I watched while the guard took the man away and Pilate came out. I listened while hauling my bucket up again.
“Who is it that you have brought to me?” Pilate said as he came down the stairs.
“Jesus of Nazareth.” They said.
I nearly dropped the bucket again at the mention of his name, I had heard many things about this man and the great miracles he had performed, surely there were false prophets but this man did not seem like the others.
“What charges do you bring against this man?” Pilate said.
“If he were not a criminal we would not have handed him over to you.” One of them said.
“Take him yourself and judge him by your own law.” Pilate said, frustrated.
“But we have not right to execute anyone.” The Jews objected.
The expression on Pilates face remained like a stone but I was surprised. They wanted Pilate to kill him even before they had told him of the charges.
“I will go and speak to the man.” He said turning and leaving the priests to talk among themselves.
 I hauled the water inside then slipped into a dark corner of the hall, greatly interested in what the prisoner would say.
The guard brought Jesus in and stood back, leaving Pilate to his questioning.
“Are you the king of the Jews?” Pilate said, standing right in front of the man.
“Is this your own idea” Jesus asked “Or did others talk to you about me?”
“Am I a Jew?” Pilate said, the irritation showing in his voice “It was your people and you chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it you have done?”
“My kingdom is not of this world. If it were my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place.” Jesus said calmly.
“You are a king then!” Pilate said victoriously.
“You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth, everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”
“What is the truth?” Pilate asked and without waiting for a response, he turned and left.
When the guard had taken Jesus back to the dungeon I slid out of my hiding place and stood for a moment in the empty hall. Why was I so interested in this man? Surely he has performed some great miracles but not all prophets were prophets of Yahweh. I believed in Yahweh but did I believe this man was sent by Yahweh to save us?
I shoved all these thoughts aside and went to help prepare the morning meal.
********
I sighed as I hauled another bucket of water into the house; it had been a long day. It was mid-evening now but the house was still buzzing with people. Jesus had been sent to Herod when it had been discovered that he was a Galilean then he was sent back and now Pilate was questioning him with the high priests. On top of that Pilate’s wife was having a bad day and a crowd was gathering outside, waiting to hear what would happen to Jesus. I peered into the courtyard where they were questioning him:
“Do you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?” Pilate’s voice boomed.
Jesus remained silent and I could see the surprise on Pilates face.
“I will go to the judges seat, so the people outside may hear my verdict also.” Pilate said and I hurried away from the door and up to my mistress’s room where I had been summoned.
“Mistress Claudia, you called me.” I said bowing to her.
“Yes, I want you to deliver a message to my husband. Tell him: ‘Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal in a dream today because of him.’”
I bowed and left, hurrying to the judge’s seat and delivering the message. Then I stood towards the back of the balcony and listened.
“I have come to tell you I find no basis for a charge against the man named Jesus.” Pilate said and there was a grumbling from the crowd. Two guards brought Jesus out and I winced, they had given him the customary treatment, a beating. He was bleeding in several places but he had a purple robe on and a crown made of thorns, they were a way of mocking him for claiming to be a king.
“Crucify him!” The high priests called from below.
Pilate stood up and motioned for the guards to follow him, I stayed close behind, carrying a goblet of wine if ever Pilate should want it.
“Where do you come from?” Pilate asked Jesus almost pleadingly. But Jesus gave him no answer. “Do you refuse to speak to me? Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?”
“You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.” Jesus answered, “Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.”
Pilate seemed to be stunned for a moment then he hurried back outside and I followed.
“You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him and have found no basis for your charges against him. Neither has Herod. As you can see has done nothing to deserve death. Therefore I will punish him and release him.”
“Release Barabbas!” They cried out in one voice.
I gasped, Barabbas was a murderer and they would pick him over a prophet?
“What should I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” Pilate asked.
“Crucify him!”
“Why? What crime has he committed?”
“Crucify him!” They cried louder.
“Bring me water.” Pilate ordered, and I did. He washed and dried his hands then said: “I am innocent of this man’s blood. He is your responsibility.”
“Let his blood be on us and on our children.” The crowd yelled.
 I turned towards Jesus, a tear slipping down my cheek. He looked at me, a tear sliding down his face as well. I turned and left, busying myself with my work.
********
It was early on the Sabbath morning and I was kneaded bread in the almost empty kitchen. Jesus had been crucified, confirming the fact that he was not the Redeemer as I had hoped. One of Pilates guards had been stationed at the tomb, along with others to insure no one would steal the body and make it look like he had resin from the dead. I had little hope of that though deep inside I still thought he might. The air outside was cool as I went to draw water from the well. The sun touched the earth with its yellow rays, making the dew shine like stars.
A was about to lower the bucket when I noticed one of the guards who had been stationed at the tomb coming up to the house looking dazed.
“What happened?” I asked running up to him.
“While I was at the tomb, a group of women came to prepare the body and while they were there a great earthquake arose and a man whose appearance was light lightning came and rolled away the stone. The tomb was empty and he said ‘Do not be afraid, the man you are looking for has risen from the dead.’”
I took a step back, to surprised at first to believe it then with mounting joy I turned and ran all the way up the hill at back of the palace and danced with joy.
As the sun rises out of the darkness, so the son of God rose from a dark tomb.
I am Abigail, a Jew in a gentile’s world.

-Mikayla-