The Best Days

The Best Days

by 

Gracelyn Beaulieu (age 16)

I remember many events in my life, but I would like to tell you two of the biggest, and I believe most important, days of my life.

Until I was about four years old, my family and I went to a Nazarene church. Because of some changes in the church, Dad and Mom decided to look for a new church to attend. At a young age, I did not know why we were leaving and really did not care, since I did not understand. Looking back, I realize why we left is because of the faithful prayers of my grandparents and their pastor and his wife. My grandparents had prayed for years that Dad and Mom would decide to go to their church. I am so grateful!

I do not know which church we were going to at the time, but when I was four years old, I thought I trusted Christ as my Saviour. I remember watching a movie about Jesus dying on the cross and I became very sad. I wanted to accept Him into my life.

After visiting a few different churches, we visited Church Hill Baptist Church in July, where my grandparents attended. I remember walking in with my parents and sister. Pastor Wiley came up to greet us at the door and his two daughters hid behind his legs. Soon they appeared and we became good friends.

My parents and sister got baptized that autumn. My parents asked me if I wanted to be
baptized too, but I said I did not want to because I was scared. That was not true. My brother told me I was probably too young to be baptized, but I knew the true reason. In November of that year, the same day they were baptized, we became members of Church Hill Baptist Church. I will never forget that day.

When I was five years old, I was battling if I was truly saved or not. Yes, I knew I needed to trust Christ at four, but did I really know what it meant? I meditated on it for a couple of years. I did not want to talk about it to anyone. Dad would help me with my Sunday school papers often and would talk to me about it. He told me he did not want to see me turn out to be like the people he witnessed to. A few times I told myself and the Lord that I would get saved at this certain day, but I was not ready yet. I never wanted to admit that I knew I was not saved.

On April 12, 2011, when I was eight years old, I became God’s child. I was lying in bed at night and could not go to sleep. I was worried about where I would go when I died and knew I needed to get saved. I knew I was lost and on my way to Hell. Jesus died for our sins so we could trust Him and live with Him forever someday. I was rejecting the truth. God’s Word says in Romans 10:13, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” I got up and told Mom. She came in my room and I prayed. What joy and relief to know that I did what was right- to know that I was headed to Heaven with my family! Dad was gone to a men’s Bible study, but when he got back, I told him. I told my sister, too. They were so happy. I got saved at 8:10 on a Tuesday night.

On April 17, 2011, I was baptized. I knew that I was saved and wanted to get baptized
immediately. You don’t have to be baptized to go to Heaven. God only says we must be saved- to believe in Him. But baptism is an act of obedience. Being baptized shows other people you were saved. God commands us in His Word that after we are saved, we need to tell others. Share the news of salvation! At our church, one must be saved and Scripturally baptized before they can become a
member.

I love my church family; I am right at home. I have learned many things at my church that I know I would not have learned at the Nazarene church. Pastor Wiley gives us youth many opportunities to serve. I am very thankful to God that He brought us here and that Dad and Mom obeyed His will. I am so blessed to be a member of Church Hill Baptist Church. I would like to invite you to come visit our church, especially if you are searching for a Bible-believing church. At Church Hill, visitors will find that they are welcomed.


(Assignment for Lesson #14 - Memories)

If you are between the ages of 13 -18,

(or know someone who likes to write stories)

I would like to post your story here.

Send me an email. I'd love to read your story!

The Funny Boy

The Funny Boy

by

Gracelyn Beaulieu

Once upon a time there was a boy named Clyde. He thought of some funny things and did some funny things. Often, he would come up with jokes. His hobby was to make people laugh. Sometimes, he would not even do it on purpose. While playing outside games he would fall so often in such funny ways. Even he would laugh.

One day his mom was reading to him and his twin sister, Cassidy, when he discovered something. He and his sister were sitting on the living room rug, listening to their mom read about the Civil War. He lay down on the rug and started laughing. Of course, his sister wanted to know what was so funny.

“Why are you laughing?” said Cassidy.

“Children, are you listening? Listen to the lesson,” said their mom.

Clyde kept covering his mouth to not laugh out loud, but then he just burst out laughing.

“What is so funny, Clyde?” said their mom.

Cassidy was thinking, Finally I get to know what is so funny!

Clyde said, “Have you ever seen someone talking while looking at them upside down? Mom looked so funny while she was reading to us. Lie down, and look at Mom while she reads, Cassidy.”

Soon both children were laughing so hard that their mother thought they did not get anything out of the lesson. It looked completely backwards, like she was talking upside down. It is one of the things that just tickles someone’s funny bone and you can’t help but laugh.

(Assignment for Lesson #13 - Silly Stories)


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(or know someone who likes to write stories)

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Send me an email. I'd love to read your story!

A Brave Soldier

A Brave Soldier

by

Gracelyn Beaulieu (age 16)

Once upon a time there was a World War II soldier named Richard Beaulieu*.  He grew up in Maine in a large family with eleven siblings.  At the age of eighteen, he enlisted in the United States Army.  He only enlisted because he knew he should serve his country.  Richard was sad though; he knew he would be leaving the people he loved, freedom, and just the comforts of home.  Although he did not want to think of this question, he did wonder if he would ever come back.  

Richard had a sister named Gabrielle who had married his best friend, James.  Richard knew James growing up, since they went to school together.  James moved to Germany and became a German citizen after he and his wife were married.  He decided to enlist in the army as well.  There was one problem: James and Richard were going to fight on opposite sides as enemies!

With a heavy heart, Richard left his home to dutifully serve his country.  After training, Richard went over on a ship to Germany.  On the ship, the soldiers learned that the war was over.  When Richard found out he was not going to literally fight, he was so happy.  Even the captain of the ship yelled, “Praise the Lord!”.  He would not have to fight against his best friend and brother-in-law.  Richard went to France, England, and Germany.  His job was to find injured people, bury the dead, and help the cities get back in order again. 

After being in France for a few weeks, he received a letter from a German soldier who was a friend of James saying that James had not been seen since the soldiers’ camp one week ago.  Richard had hope he would be found.  Having that hope, he joined up with a group on horseback looking for James.  Growing up, Richard often wondered how people could just be lost.  Obviously, someone had to see him and maybe even be with him.

On the Wednesday of the second week that James had been lost, Richard separated from the group.  Going through some woods, he saw some horse prints in the dirt.  He decided to get off his horse so he could examine them. They looked fresh!  As he kept walking, he heard some rustling.  Quickly he called, “James!”.  Then all the sudden he saw a shadow, and someone walked around the tree.  Richard’s feet could not move as he watched the German soldier coming closer and closer. 

What a surprise!

After Richard recovered from his surprise he said, “James!  What happened?  Where have you been?  I can’t tell you how happy I am to see you!”  He ran to James and gave him a manly hug.

James replied, “Calm down! I am still alive.”

Then, realizing that James looked pale and hungry, Richard asked, “When did you last eat? Here is some bread from my sack.  I will get you back so you can eat a meal.  I was so worried I would never see you again, James.”

James replied, “I haven’t eaten for two days; I ran out of the corn bread and dried berries I had.  I did find some blackberries yesterday, though.  On Monday of last week, I thought, since we were not busy at the time, that I would go to the general store in town and pick up some souvenirs for my family.  Well, I decided that I would take a shortcut through the woods.  Other soldiers had talked about using it when they were in a hurry.  Since I also wanted to write my family a letter, I took the shortcut…and got lost.  It became dark and, apparently, I kept wandering farther and farther from camp.  I am so thankful you found me.  I had left my compass back at camp.”

Five months later, they were done picking up after the war.  In September, they were able to return home.  James and Richard went to James’ home in Germany and picked up Gabrielle to go back to America.  James and Gabrielle decided to move back home to Maine where the rest of the family was.  Telling stories around the campfire, especially, brought back memories for James and Richard.  Some made them laugh and some made them cry.  They never forgot the time James got lost and how Richard went searching to find a beloved enemy! 

*This is not a true story, but Richard Beaulieu is my grandfather.  He served in World War II and was on a ship when they said the war was over.  He had to clean up.  A few years after coming back from his service, he married Theresa, my grandmother.  Together they had 4 girls and one boy.  Pepere tells us some stories about the war sometimes.  My grandfather is still alive today and at 92 years old is in good condition, praise the Lord!  My grandmother is also alive at 88 years old!  I am privileged to be their granddaughter.

(Assignment Lesson #12 - Climax)


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(or know someone who likes to write stories)

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"Good Friends"

Good Friends
by 
Grace Beaulieu
(age 16)

Once upon a time there was a girl named Priscilla who had freckles.  She did not just have freckles, but also red hair.  She literally despised the way she looked.  Her parents told her she looked beautiful, which was very true.  They told her God made her that way, and His creation was very beautiful.  She did not believe her parents because she was too selfish.  She thought her looks were bad.  When Priscilla was twelve, her parents got her braces because her teeth were crooked.  She did not like her teeth but did not like the look of braces with freckles and red hair.  But she thought it was better than having crooked teeth. 

                Priscilla had two good friends named Anna and Erica.  They were really kind towards her.

One day Anna said to Priscilla, “You are very pretty; I wish I could have red hair.”

Agreeing, Erica said, “Yes, someday I hope to have a red- haired daughter with freckles, but not braces since they are expensive.” 

Even though Priscilla went to church every week and was taught how coveting and selfishness were wrong and that you should be happy the way God made you, she would not listen.  She was taught well at her Christian school and at her church.  Her parents were quite concerned for her ways and thoughts, especially since she only loved going to church to see her friends.

                One day, when Priscilla was thirteen, there was a new boy who came to school.  Andrew, who was fifteen, loved to tease- especially girls.  When he saw Priscilla, he thought she was beautiful, but teased her instead.  He told her, “Why bother have braces? You would look prettier with your crooked teeth with that red hair.  Your face looks like a red pepper with moldy spots.”   He was trying to get her attention, and he got it all right.  She kicked him!  

Scolding him, her friends told him how she thought about herself.  They said that she would never be satisfied with her looks.  That incident changed Andrew.  He wondered what he could do to apologize.  He felt so bad for what he had said.  Andrew thought she was the prettiest girl he ever saw but didn’t dare say so.

                Priscilla did not go back to school for a whole week, because she was embarrassed at what had happened.  All morning, she ignored Andrew, and at lunch she took off to a nearby walking bridge.  It was her favorite spot since it was so pretty.  Andrew came up behind her, which startled her. 

Andrew said, “Please don’t leave.  I have something to say.”

Priscilla said, “Okay, I won’t.  But, hurry, I do not have much time.  I have to get back to school.”

“I feel really bad about what I said last week.  It was not nice, and I will not do it again. When your friends told me about what you thought of yourself, I wanted to take my words back.  God makes beautiful things and when one does not like their looks, it is belittling God’s creation.  God loves us so much and He is so good to us that we should praise Him for making His creation.  He made us!  I am very sorry for what I said.  I can understand if you do not want to forgive me, since I hurt you.  You are pretty, since God made you that way,” said Andrew.

Crying, Priscilla replied, “I have been such a fool to think that God should have made me differently.  I realize that I need to trust Him as my Saviour. I do forgive you for what you have said.  Because you teased me, I trusted in Christ.  Thank you for allowing the Lord to use you that way.”

They became good friends.  Priscilla was very glad about her red hair and freckles and never complained again about how she looked.

Assignment for Writing Lesson #9 (Dialogue)

If you are between the ages of 13 -18,

(or know someone who likes to write stories)

I would like to post your story here.

Send me an email. I'd love to read your story!

Evan's Special Chicken

                                                                                             

Evan's Special Chicken 

by 

Gracelyn Beaulieu
(age 16)

Chickens are fun pets to have!  Having chickens is very entertaining. One time we had a mean rooster who flew into the fly tape we had up in our chicken coop.  It was quite a funny sight!  He did deserve it, poor guy.  We were able to take it off after a few minutes.  Often there is excitement of some kind, whether if one gets hurt, has bugs, or lays an egg.  The rooster will surely come when his hens squawk.

Once upon a time there was a 14-year-old boy named Evan who loved chickens and after some time, his family finally got some.  He cared for his chickens with much love and care.  He cleaned their coop every two days.  He also checked their food and water at least twice a day.  Whenever one wasn’t well, Evan would feed it by hand, patiently.  Six of his chickens were bought fully grown ready to lay, but two of his chickens were bought as chicks.  Evan named his cute chicks Copper and Sunshine.  Sunshine became Evan’s favorite chicken.  He taught it to come when he called its name.  Sunshine came to him at the first sight like a dog would.

One day, a hawk came when Evan was in the chicken coop.  It was coming right towards Sunshine!  Quickly, Evan threw a rock at the hawk, which scared him away.  To Evan, his chicken Sunshine was just as important as a dog.  She laid her eggs very faithfully. 

When Evan was eighteen, he could not find his hen anywhere.  After a few days, he gave up hope that it would come back.  He realized that a hawk or fox must have taken her.   It was so sad for him.  He remembered Job 1:21b, which says, “The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”  It was hard to accept the fact that Sunshine had died, but Evan thanked God for his special chicken.  When his family bought new chickens later, he named one Sunshine.

Sometimes we have animals and people who come and go in our lives.  We should always recall Job and his attitude.  God brings things into our lives to teach us something or to be a companion.  We need to remember that relationships on earth may be here for years and then leave, but a relationship with God will be forever.

Assignment for Basic Writing Lesson #9

If you are between the ages of 13 -18,

(or know someone who likes to write stories)

I would like to post your story here.

Send me an email. I'd love to read your story!

True Friendship

True Friendship

by

Gracelyn Beautlieu

Once upon a time there was a girl named Celia that grew up in Oklahoma on a ranch. Celia learned to ride a horse when she was six years old.  Her dad, a rancher, had several horses.  The family owned a golden retriever named Shadow which loved Celia.  He loved playing outdoors, getting the mail with her, and protecting his young mistress. 

  When Celia was eight, she and her family went to visit her oldest sister Carolyn at Heartland Baptist Bible College. It was about four hours from where they lived.  At the church, a girl named Fidelia made her feel at home immediately.  She asked her if she wanted to go to her Sunday School class.  Celia loved making good friends. At her sisters’ graduation she saw Fidelia again.

One time, Celia wrote to Fidelia and asked her if she wanted to come ride horses. For Celia’s tenth birthday her dad bought her a beautiful brown mustang. She named it Friendship.  They rode horses together.  Fidelia was a very good friend.

One day Celia’s parents told their family they were moving to Maine.  They realized it was the Lord’s will for them to encourage a pastor and his family who had visited their church. They were going to live on a farm, but not with a lot of horses. Even though Celia knew it was the Lord’s will, she felt so sad. They had to sell all their horses except Friendship.  They also kept Shadow.  It was so hard for Fidelia and Celia to part, but they knew they would see each other again in Heaven, if not on earth. Fidelia comforted and encouraged Celia that God would be with them even when they don’t know anyone else.   Celia and Fidelia wrote to each other for a while, sometimes once a week.   

With God’s help, Celia adjusted to a new home, church, and good friends. Their new pastor, Pastor Jones, had two daughters who Celia and her sister Lillian became good friends with.  With the business of high school, Fidelia and Celia stopped writing. They did not forget each other, though.  When Celia was sixteen she got a letter from Fidelia. She told her they were moving to the Africa to be missionaries.

Celia and Fidelia were twenty when they next met. Celia went to New England Baptist College in Connecticut.  There she found out that her roommate was Fidelia.  They regained their friendship that they had in the past.  They were both going to college to become missionaries. Fidelia and Celia were going to work with deaf and orphaned children in Africa.\

(Assignment for Lesson #5 - Basic Writing Lessons, Setting)


If you are between the ages of 13 -18,

(or know someone who likes to write stories)

I would like to post your story here.

Send me an email. I'd love to read your story!

Thomas

THOMAS

by

 Gracelyn Beaulieu

(age 15)

When I was around six or seven years old, I really wanted my own dog.  My sister had gotten a poodle, border- collie mix when she was eight.  My dad also had a German shepherd named Buddy. Sugar, my sister’s dog, was very sweet and loved almost everyone, and Buddy was a good protective dog. He would follow Dad to work every day. Even though we had two wonderful dogs, I still wanted my own dog. 

Finally, one day, Dad told me that after Buddy died I could get a dog. I was so very happy!  I did not want Buddy to die though. When we were on vacation, my other sister called us. She said that Buddy was very sick and could not stay standing up. Dad had to go home and take him to the vet to be put down. I felt so sad.

In October of 2011, when I was eight, Dad and Mom approached me and said we would go look for a dog. They had already looked at Mainely Puppies in Oxford, Maine, which only sells small dogs. They told me I might not get a dog that day, but we would look. I really wanted a cute, small puppy so I could always hold it. We went to Mainely Puppies which sells adorable dogs, but it stinks there!

When we walked in I saw this dachshund, Pomeranian, and shih tzu mix. I immediately thought I did not want him, because he seemed unkind to me and barked a lot. He had a brother, which did not look like him. He was very cute, though. I tried holding other puppies, and Mom suggested I hold him. Well, I did, and I immediately loved him. He was so sweet! I walked out with him.  He is a long-haired dog, and sheds a lot. He is black with some brown on his paws and eyebrows.  Sometimes he sounds like a hound dog when he barks, because dachshund is a hound.

 On our way home, my family asked me what I would name him. I thought of a family who was moving to a different state that were good friends of ours. Their last name is Thompson. I decided to name him Thomas, not thinking that that name is in the Bible. I am glad it was also a Bible name.

Thomas was very scared, at first, in our home. He would bite me sometimes. Then it came to him, that I fed him and took care of him. He loves licking me a lot. He loves me and my family, but very few other people.

He is very protective of me. He would bite people’s ankles off if he had to. Thomas does not like children or men, mostly. He is very mean to them, which is too sad. Children would love to pet him, because of his cuteness, but not of his mannerism. He dislikes being cornered and forced to let someone pet him. One man did that, and Thomas bit him. It served the man right!

Thomas was six years old on May 8^th of this year.  Next month we will have him for six years.  I am blessed to have my own dog now for six years.

                                                            

Assignment for Lesson #4 (Basic Writing Lesson - Adjectives)


If you are between the ages of 13 -18,

(or know someone who likes to write stories)

I would like to post your story here.

Send me an email. I'd love to read your story!

Fluffy and the Crippled Man

                     

               

Fluffy and the Crippled Man

by

Gracelyn Beaulieu

(age 14)

            On a cold, winter day, a crippled man decided he would go for a short walk. He had not been for a walk outside in a couple of days. While the falling snow was lazily drifting down, he could still see well enough.  

            Limping along, he looked ahead and saw something brown lying in the fluffy snow.  When he had come to it, he noticed it was a tiny field mouse. He quickly realized it was not dead, because he saw it shivering. The crippled man picked it up and walked back home with it snuggled up in his warm pocket.

When he sat down on the couch in his house, he patted it and gave it a little warm water. It instantly perked up and made a little wince. He decided to name his little friend Fluffy, to remember he had found it on a cold, snowy day.

Fluffy was the crippled man’s second pet. His first pet he already had for five years. It was, a cat named Joy. Joy loved mice, especially catching them.  With that being written, you can just tell that Fluffy and Joy were not the best of friends.

One day, the crippled man gave Joy some milk, and cut some cheese for Fluff. 

All of the sudden the telephone rang. He went and answered it, leaving the slice of cheese on the counter. The mouse was impatiently hungry! Fluffy climbed up on the counter to have his snack, while Joy was slurping up her milk.  The man was obviously not paying attention. Joy, knowing that animals are not supposed to be on the counter, happily jumped up to bat Fluffy off.  Squealing, Fluffy ran across the counter and down over the side. Joy, close behind, knocked over a vase of flowers and broke the vase.

           The crippled man hung up the phone just in time for a scared mouse to be rescued into his hands. Fluffy and Joy were scolded, but so was the crippled man for forgetting to feed his animal before he picked up the phone.  

(assignment for Lesson #2 - characters)



If you are between the ages of 13 -18,

(or know someone who likes to write stories)

I would like to post your story here.

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The Secret Message

                                                            

A Secret Message

 by

Gracelyn Beaulieu

(age 14)

Once upon a time, there was a man named Habakkuk who had not seen his brother Haggai in a long time. His brother had left the family many years ago when he was eighteen years old. Habakkuk is now twenty-five, and Haggai is twenty-three. Haggai left his family because he wanted a new and different life. His parents raised him in a Christian home, but, sadly, he did not want that type of life. He wanted to get away from God.

            One day, when Habakkuk went to town, he stopped at a farming store to get grain. He saw that his brother had gotten a job there. What a surprise to see him after these years! Realizing his brother did not know he was there, he did not talk to him in case he would run away.

He thought, "I so want to talk to my brother, but how do I after so many years?"

Now you see, Habakkuk was a Christian, followed the Lord, and went to church. His brother, on the other hand, was not a Christian. Habakkuk got a brilliant idea. He decided to leave a secret message on Haggai's doorstep. This is what the note said:

Dear Haggai,                                                            

I am an old friend that would like to be friends again.

Over the last five years I have finished college, 

gotten married, and have bought my own home.

Please leave a letter for me in the same spot you 

found this one if you are interested.

                                              Sincerely,

                                            A Friend

They exchanged a few letters back and forth. Haggai finally wrote that he hoped that they would be able to meet someday soon.

The last note that Habakkuk wrote to Haggai said that he was a Christian. He told him that just as spring shows new growth and the snow kind of washes the dirt away, that it reminds him of how when we repent from our sins, the Lord washes our dirtiness, our sins, away. He wrote that he had gotten saved in the spring five years before.

Habakkuk invited him to lunch at his house for 12:00 on a Friday afternoon, two months after they had started writing.

KNOCK! KNOCK!

 "Hello, Haggai," said Habakkuk.

"You are the one who has been writing to me?"

"Yes, I am. I was afraid you would not accept my invitation to see you again."

"Thank you, Habakkuk, for still being a good brother to me after these years that I have been gone."

Habakkuk and Haggai began to know each other really well again. They had done fishing, taken walks, and even went to church together. Because of what he had last written, and how he had shown love and forgiveness, Haggai saw his need for God's love and forgiveness too. Habakkuk had the privilege of leading his brother to the Lord that Friday.

(Assignment for Lesson #2 - Subjects)

If you are between the ages of 13 -18,

(or know someone who likes to write stories)

I would like to post your story here.

Send me an email. I'd love to read your story!