white house happenings

Civil War Ball: Part 1

2011-07-18T08:03:00.000-07:00

Click on the pictures to make them bigger. :)

Everybody is arriving at the ball! :)

The first dance we did was the Virginia Reel

We definitely needed a break between the dances! It was

SO warm!!

Doing the Carolina Promenade. In the back corner you

can see me dancing with my amazing partner, Andrew. :)

More Carolina Promenade :)

The Patty Cake Polka....one of my favorites! :)

-Victoria

Civil War Ball: Part 2

2011-07-17T22:00:00.000-07:00

More Carolina Promenade

What ya eating Daddy? ;)

hmmm....this looks like some troublemakers. :)

Spencer and Mommy decided to join into the Sweetheart Promenade.

-Victoria

Civil War Ball: Part 3

2011-07-17T21:47:00.000-07:00

The Broomstick Polka (Andrew and Luke are a great audiance

in the background of the picture. :)

During the broomstick polka the last guy to find a partner

when the music stopped had to dance with a broom, we

switched it around for the girls too.

Looks like the broom needs a partner. ;)

Some of the time...ahem...most of the time it got a little chaotic. :)

Dancing the Father and Daughter Waltz

with my Daddy. =)

A group picture of all the kids at the ball...

...then here is EVERYBODY

-Victoria

Civil War Ball 2010

2010-11-14T15:26:00.001-08:00

Andrew is dancing! :)

Spencer and Josh Carnley!

Christina and Spencer

Doing the Virgina Reel

Dancing the Carolina Promenade
from left to right: Jacob Kelly, me, Danny McCurdy, Lizzy Carnley, Spencer White, Mary Kelly.

I got to dance with my handsome brother! :)

Cool Giveaway

2010-08-24T09:42:00.000-07:00

organized junkie has a cool planner that she is giving away. Check it out!

-Marseilles

Makes me Chuckle! :)

2010-07-12T16:23:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine is doing a photography contest at her blog, With Faces Unveiled. The theme for the contest is, Makes me Chuckle.

Thus I entered this picture:
If you have any pictures that "Make you chuckle" hurry and enter them into this contest! I would love to see them! The contest ends tomorrow (7/13/10) at 8:00PM.

-Victoria

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SARAH!!!

2010-07-06T09:50:00.000-07:00

S pecial:

I cannot express fully just how special Sarah is to me!
Maybe in the the following descriptions you'll be able to see
a little better what I mean when I say how special Sarah is.

A n Amazing Sister:

I still remember when I first met Sarah, some ten years ago.
Our ages were five and eight. Whenever we played and pretended
together we were always sister and made a promise to
always address each other as, "Sister." Our mom's laughed...
and now I know why. But Sarah will always be like
a sister to me even though we now don't call each other sister.

R eally Goofy:

We know that we can be goofy together. Often times we are laughing
so hard that we end up not being able to breath.

A bsolutely Adorable:

Sarah, you are adorable! Your inward beauty shines through.

H onest:

One thing I really respect about Sarah is how
incredibly honest she is. I'm never afraid to ask her
opinion for something because I know that she
will always give me a kind and truthful answer.

H appy:

Sarah is always very cheerful when I see her. Her joyful attitude
always inspires me and encourages me to smile more
and have a cheerful attitude to the people around me.

A (great) Adviser:

This ties in with her being so honest. Never afraid to tell me her true thoughts and opinion.

D ear fellow Servant of God:

Sarah and I are so blessed because we are both
able to claim the same Savior. I need never to
fear being separated from my friend for we both
have placed our trust in Jesus Christ.

D ear friend:

Just wanted to re-emphasize that! :)

I ncredibly Humble:

I've never had a friend who inspires me more toward humility.
She is always asking questions and trying to learn
and always showing great humility.

N: Est-ce que vous pouvez m'aider?

This means I couldn't think of anything...that started with N.
But I know that my friend LOVES Paris. In French this means,
Can you help me? So can you think of anything that starts
with an N that describes Sarah?

G REAT FRIEND AND SISTER!!!
Thank you Sarah for always being there to hear me out and to know my thought almost at the same time I do. You are my Austen loving friend (proved by the fact that your phone is Knightly and mine is Darcy) and a fellow oldest sister. Even though our differences include: we don't look a thing alike, you're short I'm tall, and we're several years in age difference we still know each other so well that we can read each others expressions. Someone actually made our day by mistaking us as sisters one time just a few months ago! My prayer is that we'll continue to grow closer in the coming years and that our friendship will continue to be God glorifying. Once again: Happy 15th Birthday!

Proof that we are goofs!

-Victoria

Recent Family Pictures

2010-07-03T12:16:00.000-07:00

-Victoria

Game Night!

2010-07-02T18:39:00.000-07:00

Several weeks ago our volleyball team had a game night to get together, play games, and sign some t-shirts. Here's some of the pictures that were taken on my camera that night. (I can't take credit for most of them! I'm so grateful that other people use my camera to take pictures...I probably wouldn't have way as many without my photography friends! *Grin*)

Looks like a pretty serious game of Pit!

I rather wonder what Christina and I are doing?

um...what card should I play

Playing train wreck!

I think that Spencer and Jacob are playing the
P.E. version of "Simon Says" with the little girls...

I hope you enjoyed the pictures!

-Victoria

Florida Friends!

2010-06-29T10:25:00.000-07:00

Kait Culbertson made this great video. I just wanted to share it with everyone, because these are all my awesome friends as well! :)

This post is dedicated to my Florida Friends:
The Lord has truly blessed me with a bunch of fantastic friends since I've been in Florida. Over time they've involved me in things that I've enjoyed and made lots of memories doing! (examples: ultimate frisbee, volleyball, campaigning, Civil War Balls.) So often they pulled me SO far outside of my comfort zone. But no matter how horribly I failed at my efforts my friends were usually there to encourage me and cause me to laugh at myself. (These are some of the best memories! *Smile*)
I've shared many laughs and jokes with all of you and I just want to let ya'll know how incredibly special you all are to me!

-Victoria

It's that time of year...

2010-06-29T10:04:00.000-07:00

For blueberry picking!
This morning we were able to go pick a lot of blueberries! There is such a feeling of accomplishment when you see all of the blueberries you were able to pick. Even though it was very hot outside we now have some fresh blueberries!

-Victoria

P.S. Be looking for some more posts in the near future! I'm hoping to update as time permits. :)

Fashion:

2010-02-19T14:08:00.000-08:00

How to Wear Long Skirts With Style: I love wearing long skirts and this post written by Christa Taylor has some helpful hints on how to make them look modern and fashionable. Check it out!

-Victoria

Some Funny Pictures

2010-02-19T13:51:00.000-08:00

-Victoria

Family Pictures

2010-01-19T14:40:00.000-08:00

Recently we had some family pictures taken by my friend at www.candidkait.com.

-Victoria

Quote of the Week

2010-01-11T19:19:00.000-08:00

"We never know we go-
when we are going
We jest and shut the door;
Fate following behind us bolts it,
And we accost no more."

-Emily Dickens

-Victoria

Planned Parenthood's Lies Are Exposed

2009-12-22T17:43:00.000-08:00

I originally saw this video on The Rebelution. Take a few minutes to watch it and inform yourself...you will be grateful you did.

-Victoria

Campaigning Adventure

2009-12-22T17:07:00.000-08:00

At the beginning of November Spencer and I were able to do some campaigning for Greg Evers who is running for our district's State Senate. We went with a small group of teens and during the morning walked around a neighborhood to collect signatures on a petition.
We all went door to door as individuals. At first I was nervous having never done anything like that before...but neither had anyone else (except Aaron) so that made the experience so much fun. At the end of the street we would all gather together and share our stories and how many petitions we got signed. :)
I had wanted to be involved in something like that for the last two and a half years and especially when we joined Generation Joshua. Spencer and I really like politics! Doing this with people we knew made the experience even better. Hopefully we'll be able to do something like this again soon!
One of my friends was asked this question while campaigning, "If this guy is running for State Senate why does he need a bunch of kids campaigning for him?"
But reading about our Founding Fathers it is very easy to see that they did not become the great men we remember them as when they were older. They lived great lives and didn't waste their younger years. Most of them dedicated themselves to their different interests at young ages and graduated from college in their teens. It is only during recent times that people have started to believe the lie that younger people can't understand politics.

Our group: (left to right) Kait Culbertson, Katie Holmes, Aaron McCurdy, me, Spencer, Katie McCurdy, and Allison. (Allison split up from us when we where campaigning but joined us for lunch where we took this picture.)

-Victoria

New Orleans: Part 4

2009-12-21T19:58:00.000-08:00

World War II Museum

Before we left New Orleans everybody went to the World War II Museum, which Spencer had been wanting to go to for a long while.

I caught this picture at the perfect time. They didn't even know I was taking it! :)

The trip to the Museum ended our New Orleans adventure, all except the ride home. I hope you've enjoyed looking at all the pictures!

-Victoria

New Orleans: Part 3

2009-12-21T19:26:00.000-08:00

Tour of New Orleans At Night

On the last night we were in New Orleans we walked down to the
French Quarter and walked around. The City was as active during
the night as it is during the day.

Every sign for a restaurant seemed to have an alligator on it. :)

Every time we walked down the street or drove around it seemed we passed this store. Every time it caught my eye and I would remark, "There's the denim den." It served as a landmark and I couldn't help but get my picture in front of it. :)

-Victoria

New Orleans: Part 2

2009-12-21T18:44:00.000-08:00

Eating In New Orleans

Mommy and Daddy packed food for us to take with us.
We cooked and ate in the hotel room...which took quite
a lot of inventiveness, especially since there wasn't a
microwave or fridge.
Spencer still enjoyed his meal! :)
A lack of counter space in the small room caused
the mac and cheese to find a home in the sink.

We did go out to eat one night at Cafe Du Monde,
which was very yummy.

Outside on the pavilion where we ate.
Inside the cafe
Our treat: Beignets and hot chocolate (perfect for a chilly night!)

-Victoria

New Orleans: Part 1

2009-12-21T17:09:00.000-08:00

Pictures From Around New Orleans

Last November we went to New Orleans for several days. Daddy was attending a conference and everyone went a long to see the city.This was the hotel we stayed at while in New Orleans.

Trolleys were very prevalent Downtown

My favorite view from downtown!
The Mississippi River
There were so many old fashioned buildings.
I loved all the jazz music along the streets!
An old church in the French Quarter
The details on the inside of the church were so intrigued.

-Victoria

Things I've Been Thinking About

2009-12-20T18:01:00.000-08:00

Even though I haven't been writing very much lately I have been reading a lot of other people's thoughts and ideas! Here's a few that I liked and really thought were profitable.

-Ever wondered if it can be just as modest to wear pants as a skirt? In this post Christa Taylor gives a few examples of how to make pants feminine. Very interesting and helpful! The Secret to Being Feminine in Jeans.

-Twilight is one of the most influential names in our culture right now, due to the books and movies. It seems to have just exploded and no matter where you turn you can see everything from life sized posters of Edward to little Ken dolls (yes I did see that). But I would caution myself and others not to just follow the popular trend in entertainment because everyone else is. The choices we make big or small will make an impact on our futures. We are to live our lives to reflect Christ. Take heed to carefully understand that I am not condemning you because you might read or watch Twilight- I have chosen not to because of the scriptures clear command in Phillipians 4:8:

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
This passage is what I use to mirror our entertainment of the day...if it doesn't measure up to the scripture then I don't want to waste my time on it.
Anna Sophia and Elizabeth Botkin perfectly explain my thoughts on Twilight in their article, How Twilight is Re-Vamping Romance. Whether you love the movies/books or your not sure what you think or maybe you live under a rock and don't know what Twilight is please take time to read their post to help you formulate your own ideas and convictions.

-No More Halloween by Tim Sweetman. With this topic you might be thinking, Victoria you've got the wrong Holiday we're in the Christmas season. But this article was just too good to pass up. You should read it and challenge yourself to think about what Halloween really is about.

All of these posts above that I've listed have spurred me to think about these topics and I've come to the same conclusion as the different writers. Tell me what you think, I'd love to have some discussion.

-Victoria

Civil War Era Ball

2009-12-20T14:41:00.000-08:00

These pictures are from the Civil War Era Ball we went to in Destin last November! Hope you enjoy a glimpse into what it was like

-Victoria

Re-Enters A Writer Into The Blogging World

2009-12-20T14:29:00.000-08:00

I'm back from my long blogging absence and will hopefully be doing some writing over Christmas break. Not that I expect any of my readers to remember me, but hopefully the next few posts I plan on publishing will bring back a faint memory. If not please enjoy the posts anyways! :)

-Victoria

Dec 11 1941

2009-12-11T13:56:00.000-08:00

December 11 1941

Adolf Hitler declared war on the United States of America bringing us into World War II, which led up to the death of around 500,000 American soldiers.

We will never forget the Americans soldiers who died fighting for us.

-Andrew

Native's Almanac

2009-10-11T16:50:00.000-07:00

A close acquaintance of mine has decided to write a almanac under the pseudonym Josephus. He has been kind enough to allow me to copy sections of his work and post them on here. For those of you who have no idea what an almanac is I will explain. An almanac is a pamphlet on different things relating to that year, such as weather or astronomical events. The Native's Almanac is a collection of papers with titles such as State of the Union A.D. 2010 and Heroes of the Republic. These papers will be dealing with certain events and facts in America both past and present. Josephus will try to have his writings available by 2010 but until then enjoy the posts that will shortly follow this one.

-Spencer

Do Hard Things Session Online!

2009-09-02T19:57:00.000-07:00

I know that I told a lot of people about The Birmingham Rebelution Conference that just weren't able to go. Even after the conference a lot of people asked me how it was. I struggled to try to tell them about the conference without making them sit and listen to me for eight hours. (which was how long the conference lasted.) I often wished they could just sit down and listen to Alex and Brett Harris themselves. THIS VIDEO DOES EXACTLY THAT!

Someone recorded the 2nd Session of the Birmingham Conference, Do Hard Things and posted it online. I found out about it from a Rebelutionary friend's blog who had posted about it. The Do Hard Things Conference has several sessions but this session is definitely one of my favorites!

This video starts out with worship, but in about 5 minutes, it will switch to video, and then in 15-20 minutes, to the actual message. Everyone needs to hear this message!

The great thing about it being online is that (unlike me) you won't have to sit in a pew to listen to it. You are free to fold laundry, clean the room, or exercise while listening to this great session. You can do something productive that must be done while watching something that must be watched! :)
So take a bit to watch this and then leave a comment to tell me what you think!

-Victoria

Heading to the Rebelution Conference!

2009-08-27T07:46:00.000-07:00

My family is really excited about this conference coming to Birmingham. The Rebelution (a combination of the words Rebelling and Revolution) is a website that "encourages teenagers to rebel against the low expectations of our culture" or as the speakers at this conference often say, "to rebel against rebellion." People are also encouraged to "Do Hard Things."
But this isn't just a conference to go to and proclaim to the world, "We are rebels see us rebelling!" At the core and the center of the Rebelution is a desire to glorify God in our rebelling and "Doing Hard Things". Why would anyone want to do hard things? Because "Christ did the hardest thing by dying a death on the cross and we as Christians are called to follow Him." The key verse for the Rebelution is 1 Timothy 4: 12:

"Let no one despise your youth,
but be an example to the believers in
word, in conduct, in love, in spirit,
in faith, and in purity."

The Rebelution Conference is a place to meet like minded teenagers and their parents and to hear the speakers Alex, Brett (and their Dad) Gregg Harris speak encouraging and motivating sessions.
If you didn't register for this conference yet keep your eyes and ears open for next year's conference and see if there is one coming near you. But for now watch this video with clips of the sessions from previous years and visit www.therebelution.com and read some of their articles.

America is Great Because She Is Good

2009-06-30T07:37:00.000-07:00

I sought for the greatness
and genius of America
In her commodious harbors
in her ample rivers,
and it was not there;

in the fertile fields
and boundless prairies,
and it was not there.

in her rich mines
and her vast world commerce,
and it was not there;

Not until I went
into the churches of America
and heard her pulpits,
aflame with righteousness,
did I understand the secret
of her genius and power.

America is great
because she s good,
and if America ever cease to be good,
America will cease to be great.

Alexis de Tocqueville

-Spencer

George Washington on Profane Cursing

2009-06-22T08:19:00.000-07:00

General Order

The General is sorry to be informed that the foolish and wicked practice of profane cursing and swearing, a vice little known in the American army, is growing into fashion. He hope the officers will, by example as well as influence, endeavor to check, and that both they and the men will reflect, that we can have little hope of the blessing of Heaven in our arms, if we insult it by our impiety and folly. Added to this, it is a vice so mean and low, without any temptation, that every man of sense and character detests and despises it.

Boy have times changed! Hopefully it will change again by the grace of God and the influence of godly officers.

-Spencer

That is Dying to Self

2009-06-20T06:03:00.000-07:00

Did you ever notice that it seems like the messages that you needed to hear just drops in your lap at the right time. Like me, you might not even realize that you needed to hear that but then you read it or hear it and it hits you square in the face with truth and meaning. Just recently I was over at agenttimonline.com and he had posted an article. This wasn't the first time Agent Tim had posted this article or I had read it. A little over a year ago I had read it for the first time on his blog. I had loved it so much that I copied it off and put one on the refrigerator and then linked it to share it with you on my blog.
When I was at agenttimonline.com a few days ago reading his most recent post, "That is Dying to Self". I suddenly remembered that I had read this article before and loved it! Somehow over our move from Louisville it had gotten lost and forgotten. Now once again this article is on our refrigerator and I'm re-posting it here. Please take time to read this great article...maybe it will find itself on your refrigerator!

-Victoria

That is Dying to Self

“When you are forgotten or neglected or purposely set at naught, and you sting and hurt with the insult of the oversight, but your heart is happy, being counted worthy to suffer for Christ — that is dying to self.

When your good is evil spoken of, when your wishes are crossed, your advice disregarded, your opinions ridiculed, and you refuse to let anger rise in your heart, or even defend yourself, but take it all in patient loving silence — that is dying to self.

When you lovingly and patiently bear any disorder, any irregularity, or any annoyance, when you can stand face to face with waste, folly, extravagance, spiritual insensibility, and endure it as Jesus endured it — that is dying to self.

When you are content with any food, any offering, any raiment, any climate, any society, any attitude, any interruption by the will of God — that is dying to self. When you never care to refuse yourself in conversation, or record your own good works, or itch after any commendation, when you can truly love to be unknown — that is dying to self.

When you can see your brother prosper and have his needs met and can honestly rejoice with him in spirit and feel no envy nor question God, while your own needs are far greater and in desperate circumstances — that is dying to self.

When you can receive correction and reproof from one of less stature than yourself, can humbly submit inwardly as well as outwardly, finding no rebellion or resentment rising up within your heart — that is dying to self.” — Author Unknown (Taken from Different By Design by John MacArthur).

Oh, that each of us could be one who dies to themselves — oh, that I could be one that is dying to self!

Zach Sunderland: Doing Hard Things

2009-06-18T16:05:00.000-07:00

I first read about Zac Sunderland in an article that Alex and Brett Harris wrote about him on The Rebelution.
Zac Sunderland is inspiring people all around with what he is trying to accomplish...he is trying to be the youngest solo circumnavigator. Zac set out on this adventure to sail around the world by himself when he was sixteen years old. The goal was to get back home before he is 18 because no one has ever accomplished that. Now he is seventeen and is less then two weeks away from home...from his goal. What has driven Zac to try to do this amazing thing that most people would dismiss as impossible? In a recent blog post Zac shares:

I have spent a lot of time out here thinking about what is important and what I'd like to do with my life. I don't have all of the answers but I know this...without God in your life, you have nothing and I don't want to spend my life reading about what other people have done. I want to be the kind of person that people want to read about. I believe that my solo circumnavigation is just the beginning of many more adventures to come. Documenting them and telling others and hopefully inspiring others at the same time is what I want to do.

Zac Sunderland has blogged along his journey about the different challenges he has met up with along his trip, including pirates and storms.
He has been interviewed along the way by different TV stations and was recently featured on the cover of the ESPN magazine with the article titled "Do Hard Things". But what most of the magazines choose to ignore is that Zac is homeschooled and a Christian. Many of my fellow homeschoolers are trying to stand on the shoulders of the generation before them and reach to even greater heights.
Read more about him on his website or blog.

This video is from the beginning of Zac's trip when he first set out. In it you get an introduction to why he is trying to accomplish this journey.

-Victoria

In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years."
-Abraham Lincoln

Visiting the Tall Ship

2009-06-13T13:43:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago our family, accompanied by the Gay's, set out to visit the "Juan Sebastian de Elcano". She had come to Pensacola to celebrate the 450th anniversary of the discovery of Pensacola. She is the third largest tall ship in the world. After standing in a long line we boarded the ship and began a self guided tour. We loved ever bit of it and thoroughly examined it from port to starboard.

After that we went to The Whistling Squirrel and had some southern food. But my all time favorite part of the restaurant was the pictures of the modern military aircraft that they had in the hall!

So all and all we had a great day and it was so much fun!-Spencer

"Come What May" The Movie

2009-06-11T17:37:00.000-07:00

I can't recommend this movie enough! So often our entertainment today portrays children as an inconvenience or a nuisance and purity before marriage as unnecessary. Come What May is a pro-life movie that promotes courtship and purity. This movie was made by homeschoolers and for most of them this was their first acting experience. A lot of people who have seen Come What May tell me that they don't like it because the acting isn't very good and it isn't very professionally made. But most people cannot say that this movie does not have an amazing story plot!

Come What May is about a young man, Caleb Hogan that starts attending Patrick Henry College. His father is a Christian but his mom is a feminist attorney. She tells Caleb that he can go to Patrick Henry College as long as he wins the Moot Court tournament. The subject of that year is to try to overturn Roe vs. Wade. Caleb is sure that he cannot win if he says that abortion is wrong. His partner Rachel and him clash as they disagree over what to argue in Moot Court. Caleb must eventually choose whether he wants to argue the winning argument even though it is wrong or debate the hard argument and put everything at stake. Along the way Caleb learns how difficult it is to stand up for your convictions.

This is a great movie! I would highly recommend it if your looking for something different than what Hollywood puts out, that is family friendly with Christian values.

Check it out!

-Victoria

The 2009 Do Hard Things Tour

2009-06-11T14:02:00.000-07:00

Two years ago my family went to the Indianapolis Rebelution Conference. We had a great time listening to the speakers (Alex, Brett Harris and Gregg Harris), meeting like minded teens and their parents, and being challenged to do hard things for the glory of God! We made a lot of memories and this year I'm excited that once again we're going to get the opportunity to go to one of the conferences. This year my family and I are planning on going to the Birmingham Rebelution Conference! We are blessed that this years conference is only a couple of hours away from us. At the Indianapolis Conference I was surprised to see that some people had traveled from as far as Nebraska and Florida. (Last year there were some people from Europe at one of the conferences!) Since then I have gotten to know a Rebelutionary who went to the Indianapolis conference and lives in Nebraska. She shared with me, "That conference was well worth the 17 hour drive." So if you live close or far try to take advantage of this movement and go to one of their regional conferences. You won't be sorry. Also go to their website (www.therebelution.com) and read some of the things they write about!

-Victoria

Will I see you at the Conference?
Are you going to another location for The Rebelution Conference?
What do you think of The Rebelution movement and what it is doing?

Spencer's 13th Birthday Party!

2009-06-11T12:47:00.000-07:00

On May 31st my family gave Spencer a Birthday Party. Our family doesn't usually do big parties for birthdays but the thirteenth birthday is special. Instead of telling Spencer about it from the beginning we allowed him to figure it out as we went along...it was so much fun!
During the ceremony Daddy focused on a biblical hero King Solomon...then he gave Spencer a sword, that was called King Solomon's sword!
Here are a few pictures from the party:

Benjamin Rush on education.

2009-05-09T18:56:00.000-07:00

Excerpt from
OF THE MODE OF EDUCATION PROPER IN A REPUBLIC
By Dr. Benjamin Rush

I proceed in the next place, to inquire, what mode of education we shall adopt so as to secure to the state all the advantages that are to be derived from the proper instruction of youth; and here I beg leave to remark, that the only foundation for a useful education in a republic is to be laid in Religion. Without this there can be no virtue, and without virtue there can be no liberty, and liberty is the object and life of all republican governments.

Such is my veneration for every religion that reveals the attributes of the Deity, or a future state of rewards and punishments, that I had rather see the opinions of Confucius of Mahomed inculcated upon our youth, than see them grow up wholly devoid of a system of religious principles. But the religion I mean to recommend in this place, is that of the New Testament.

~Spencer

Pictures from the Renfroe ball

2009-05-06T09:47:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago my family went to a ball where we were taught and danced Civil War Era dances. Here's a few pictures that I got from the ball.

Etiquette of the 1860's Ballroom:

If, in the course of conversation,a lady repeatedly interjects the
word "sir,"she is being exceptionally reserved. It is a sign that
she does not desire his acquaintance; she is merely being polite.

Yay! A new family picture!(Spencer and Jessica McCurdy)

It is best to carry two pairs of gloves, for you may soil a pair, &
then you may slip unperceived from the ballroom, change the soiled pair
for a fresh pair, and avoid that mortification.

When an unpracticed dancer makes a mistake, we may apprise him of
error;but it would be very impolite to have the air of giving him a lesson.(Andrew and Victoria)
In dancing, the performers should endeavor to wear a pleasant and festive countenance.
A lady who declines dancing with a gentleman, should afford him
some reason; the gentlemen...receiving graciously her answer.(Andrew)
It is expected all dancers will participate in some dances with other partners.(me, Spencer, and Andrew)

Back row, from left to right: me, Katie McCurdy, Kait Culbertson, Jessica McCurdy, Lizzy Carnley
Front row, from left to right: Spencer White, Josh Carnley, Matthew Carnley, Danny McCurdy, and Andrew White

"Dancing is, in itself, a very trifling and silly thing; but it is one of those established follies, to which people of sense are sometimes obliged to conform; and then they should be able to do it well!" -Lord Chersterfield

-Victoria

A New Post...Finally!

2009-05-06T09:41:00.000-07:00

A lot of people have frequently reminded me, "What happened to your family blog? You never write on it anymore."
Hopefully now that school is slowing down for summer and our schedule is getting a little less busy I'll begin writing again. (I've got quite a few posts in my imagination that I can't wait to get published!)
So this blog is up and running again, be looking for new posts!
Although I have to say I rather enjoyed all the comments I got when I wasn't updating the blog... :D

~Victoria

The Moving

2009-02-05T19:53:00.000-08:00

We moved from Kentucky to Florida. We had a big moving truck! I could run back and forth in it...that is before it got packed up. The first day that we were moving two people came to help us pack up the truck. The next day there was one. The next day there was four people. Some friends came over too! We got to play toy air planes and guns. It was a fun day! We went out in the backyard and hid in the shed and then we popped out to shoot bad guys. The whole moving process was very fun for me...until we got sick. After we got better we headed down to Florida. In Florida we got the truck unloaded very fast! We had a lot of help from the people at church. Then one of Victoria's friends came over to help us organize. (Side note from Victoria: Thanks Jordan!) I got out all my toys while they were organizing and started playing. I had lots of fun playing too! Spencer and I played out in the backyard a lot. A couple of times our family has gone out into the woods in the back of our house. Sometimes there's snakes out in the back too! Just to let you know Spencer helped all the guys load and unload the truck. We are now settled into our new house. I like it a lot!

-Andrew

Update

2008-12-16T14:58:00.000-08:00

Posting on the blog has been rather sporadic lately. But here's a short update on what's been going on. I think most of our readers know we're moving to Florida. With moving comes the craziness of packing...but thankfully that's all over. On Thursday through Saturday we loaded the truck amid freezing temperatures and snow flurries. The driver came and got the truck on last Monday. We had planned on leaving out this morning but we have snow and ice on the ground right now. Hopefully we'll be able to start our trip to Florida tomorrow.
Saturday is our unloading date down in Florida. Please pray for a safe trip down and a smooth rest of the move. I don't know when I'll get another chance to post. I'll try to keep everyone updated.
I hope everyone is having a wonderful time celebrating our Savior's birth this Christmas season. Merry Christmas!

-Victoria

Raising of the Dome

2008-12-16T11:08:00.000-08:00

At the seminary there is a new building under construction. Last semester they had the rising of the dome. That was a really fun experience that I'm sure I"ll always remember! I decided to go ahead and post a few pictures here so ya'll could see them.

First there was prayer.

The dome on the ground.

Then everyone got to sign the dome.

You can click on the picture to enlarge it and see our names.

The Dollar for a Drink Campaign

2008-12-16T10:46:00.000-08:00

This campaign was started by a fellow Rebelutionary, Joshua Guthrie. What is Joshua's vision? Involve fellow christians to...

Give up one Drink
Give one Dollar
Help build on well in Sudan

Few people have the funds to build a well on their own for people without any source of clean drinking water. That is why Joshua is asking people to only donate as much as they can...for some that might be a dollar. So far the dollar for a drink campaign has raised 7,200.The challenge is to raise $8,000 (the amount needed to dig a well) BEFORE CHRISTMAS 2008!

Here is how Joshua defines Dollar for a Drink:
Dollar for a Drink is a non-profit organization that is raising money for fresh water wells in Sudan, Africa. We are working with Baptist Global Response, which is a humanitarian relief organization similar to World Vision and Samaritan's Purse. Dollar for a Drink is a "turn-key" operation. We raise the money for the wells, and BGR puts them in. 100%* of donations will be spent towards the building of the well(s).

Joshua has inspired me with his vision to give drinkable water to people in Sudan. It's not to late to help. To find out more about dollar for a drink, amazing facts about how much people need water, how to promote this organization or even how to donate visit www.dollarforadrink.org.

-Victoria

Fall Pictures

2008-12-01T07:11:00.000-08:00

Snow!

2008-11-21T19:47:00.000-08:00

Yesterday it was really cold outside! When we were at the seminary large snow flakes began to fall. The temperature continued to drop and by the time it was dark there was a very, very thin layer of white on the ground! I had my camera with me so I was able to capture a few pictures.

The library...you can see snow flakes falling.

These flowers still had fall colors even with a thin coat of white over them.

The snow was sticking on Daddy's jacket and hair. The big white
spot on the left side is a snow flurry that landed on the
camera just as I took the picture.

Our front steps.

Our van.

-Victoria

Andrew's 8th Birthday!

2008-11-18T19:10:00.000-08:00

I love my younger brother!

Andrew always wants to play something,

He's loyal to his battles...even when I'm studying my schoolwork,

He makes me laugh really hard when he's silly,

He's my faithful partner and buddy!

I love you Andrew and hope you had a great birthday!

Love,
Victoria

Great Giveaway...

2008-11-18T08:35:00.000-08:00

and this is the LAST DAY! Over at joyfully at home you have a chance to enter this giveaway to win a bag made by Marie-Madeline Studios. So hurry on over there to enter to win a bag!

-Victoria

Always Vote for Principle

2008-11-04T11:49:00.000-08:00

"Always vote for principle,
though you may vote alone,
and you may cherish the
sweetest reflection that
your vote is never lost."

-John Quincy Adams

-Victoria

Fireproof: The Movie

2008-11-02T17:31:00.000-08:00

Several weeks ago my family went to see Fireproof together. This movie was exciting, humorous, and amazing! There were a lot of dramatic and tense firemen scenes but there was also a lot of funny humor mixed in. The gospel was powerfully proclaimed and so was purity. In one of the scenes Caleb Holt (the main character, played by Kirk Cameron) kisses his wife. But since Kirk Cameron has committed to never kiss anyone except his wife they brought in his real wife and dressed her in the actress' clothes so you really can't tell that Kirk Cameron is actually kissing his wife. (Click HERE to see an interview with Kirk Cameron about this.)
Most people say this is a great movie for couples but I think anyone can glean from the wisdom in this movie! We felt comfortable watching this movie as a family since we knew we wouldn't be bombarded with bad words or other disagreeable contents. Because of a few tense scenes this movie might not be the best for smaller children.
Since this movie was made by Christians I really wanted to support it. I wasn't disappointed by what I saw! Sherwood pictures did an amazing job making this movie.
From the Fireproof blog, October 30:

As FIREPROOF prepares for its sixth weekend in theaters, more than 100 theaters will be adding it to their offerings. In all, 887 theaters across the country will be showing FIREPROOF. An interesting aside: through today, the end of the fifth week, the movie is still playing in 80 percent of the theaters where it opened on September 26!

I would highly encourage you to go see this movie while it is still in theaters and with this many theaters you shouldn't have a problem finding it near you! If you've already seen Fireproof I would love to hear what you thought of it!

-Victoria

P.S. Something interesting that Andrew observed is that all of the movies Sherwood Films has made begin with an "F" Flywheel, Facing the Giants, and Fireproof.

John Piper video on the Presidental Race

2008-11-02T17:25:00.000-08:00

This is a great video, please take the time to watch it. In this short video John Piper covers some of the difficult issues concerning this presidential race.

-Victoria

Andrew's Dream Job

2008-10-29T06:00:00.001-07:00

If you ask a seven-year-old what they want to be when they grow up their answers can be quit comical. They can range from Roy Rogers to Elvis. I have a little friend who wants to be a Jedi. But my wise young brother Andrew knows that their is no hope in those dreams. What does he want to be? Nothing but the best for my brother. He wants to be the President of The United States of America. You might laugh but I'm looking forward to having the Commander in Chief as my brother. He is already campaigning and has racked up quit a score among our friends. He has promised me a ride in Air Force One and his limousine. In fact he is giving out jobs. So get in while you can. Our family is always joking about Andrew White living in the White House.

Andrew White 2038!

-Spencer

Spencer's Promo Video

2008-10-16T06:26:00.000-07:00

-Spencer

Samuel Adams on Freedom

2008-10-14T09:57:00.000-07:00

I believe that our government is not only becoming more and more corrupt but is also moving steadily away from the Constitution (the recent bailout bill is a fine example of this). That scares me! But what scares me even more is how politicians in Washington refuse to stand up for our rights. Samuel Adams in his Article Signed "CANDADIS" says:

And if a minister shall usurp the supreme and absolute government of America, and set up his instructions as laws in the colonies, and their Governors shall be so weak or so wicked, as for the sake of keeping their places, to be made the instruments in putting them in execution, who will presume to say that the people have not a right, or that it is not their indispensible duty to God and their Country, by all rational means in their power to RESIST THEM.

If you would please take the time to read this wonderful article. You can click on the link above or here. When I read this I just kept on seeing our present situation. So please read it!

-Spencer

Fall Favorites Tag!

2008-10-14T08:46:00.000-07:00

Over at "A Pondering Heart", she's doing this fun tag where you can answer what your favorite things are about fall. (Although I originally found this at "Joyfully at Home".) One thing I've enjoyed about living in Kentucky is to see the dramatic difference from summer into fall! So here's some of my favorites.

1. Favorite Smell? The fall wind that greets you when you step outdoors with a slight smell of bonfires!
2. Favorite Food? I love pumpkin, chocolate chip bread and muffins.
3. Favorite Color? A warm red
4. Favorite Drink? Hot tea with cream and sugar or hot chocolate and apple cider. (Hmmm...are you noticing a pattern? Whenever it gets cooler out I love to drink warm drinks.)
5. Favorite Treat? Apple cake.
6. Favorite Place to go? During the fall it's so lovely to go on walks through the woods. The crisp breeze beckons, the leaves crunch under your feet, and you get to see the beauty of God's creation all around you!
7. Favorite Candy? Anything with chocolate. :D
8. Favorite Movie to watch? Pride and Prejudice. (The A&E version.)
9. Favorite Clothing to wear? My long wool skirt and my pea coat.
10. Favorite Outdoor Activity? Raking the leaves into a pile and jumping into them with my youngest brother!
11. Favorite Football Team? Ahem...I don't really keep up with football.
12. Favorite Fall Holiday? Thanksgiving. Several times it's fallen on my birthday so that's really fun.
13. Favorite Haunted place? you know haunted means “frequently visited”? We go over to Southern Seminary a lot. It has quite a few lawns that I love to walk through.
14. Favorite Food at Thanksgiving Dinner? That's hard! I like the turkey, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, and rolls.
15. Favorite Pie? Pumpkin or apple.
16. Favorite Fall Hobby? Collecting leaves, knitting something warm, or reading a good book.
17. Favorite Fall Memory? Thanksgiving is my favorite time of fall. The last few thanksgivings we've invited several families over to our house. It's so much fun to have everyone gathered in your house and to hear so many voices. Afterwards we would always go out into the dark back yard and play tag until we got too cold.
18. Favorite Fall Sight? The leaves on the trees turning to different colors.
19. Overall Favorite thing about Fall? Feeling the crispness and coolness in the air it's always exciting to see the change of session's after a hot summer.
20. Overall Favorite Season? Hmmm...I think it's a tie between winter and fall. They're both so beautiful!

-Victoria

P.S. I'd love to hear some of yours if you don't have a blog feel free to post them in the comment section.

My Reading List

2008-10-13T11:17:00.000-07:00

The Norton Anthology of American Literature Third Edition/Volume 1:
This book is serving as my literature for this year. I'm beginning to forge my way through this rather thick book. Over the different pages it includes different writings of Americans from the past such as John Smith, Jonathan Edwards, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Phillis Wheatley, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and many others. I have found it challenging reading the many different writing styles and I've had to read at a slow pace. But I have also enjoyed stretching my imagination and learning a lot of things.

I Kissed Dating Goodbye by Joshua Harris:
I think I can safely say that this is one of the most well known book written on the issues of dating and courtship. This was the first book Josh Harris wrote at the age of 21. It is written in a truthful and sincere way. He tackles some serious issues but mixes humor into the book. I love the different stories he shares throughout the different chapters to make the points he's sharing come to life. After hearing several people talking about I kissed dating Goodbye I finally decided to pick it up and read it. I'm really glad I did because now I understand why people date and how truly horrible the system is and I know better how to defend why I am going to do courtship.

Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem:
I've truly enjoyed reading through this book with some other teenagers and young adults on the Rebelution! This week I'm reading chapter 56 through the end of the chapter! I've learned so much through reading this book it is definitely on my favorite book list. Wayne Grudem is a wonderful writer and excellent communicator!

Mary Bunyan by Sallie Rochester Ford:
This is a wonderful book written on the life of Mary Bunyan the blind daughter of John Bunyan who wrote Pilgrim's Progress. I cannot tell you how many times I have read this book and never ceased to be encouraged and challenged. The language and style the book was written in is captivating being written originally during the 1800's. I promise you that if you can possibly get your hands on this book you will love it! Every time I read this book I am affected by how much courage and trust in God the Bunyan's had. They were willing to say in every circumstance, "Lord your will be done not mine." This book brings to life the challenges, romances, and determination that Mary Bunyan faced in her life.

-Victoria

Turning the tides of evil with the gospel

2008-10-09T09:50:00.001-07:00

Wow! May Christians everywhere be so bold in the face of danger.

~Spencer

Fellowship and Fun with Friends

2008-10-01T11:43:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I was able to spend some time up in Indiana with my dear friends Megan and Brittany Dunphy and their family. It was so great to be able to see them again after several months of being apart!
Since we were all not feeling very well Sunday morning we decided to stay home from church and not spread our ickyness. So we all got our bibles and had a bible study together in the living room of their house. I enjoyed the time we spent reading our favorite bible verses and talking over them. It was a great time of sharing the convictions that God has laid on our hearts. Even though we started out with sharing one passage each, it seemed like whenever one person shared a passage that led another person to think of another passage and we all just bounced ideas off of each other. It was a great time with fellow sister's in Christ!

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,
always in every prayer of mine making request
for you all with joy,
for your fellowship in the gospel from
the first day until now.
Being confident of this very thing,
that He who has begun a good work in you will
complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.
-Philippians 1:3-6

-Victoria

Don't Passively Accept Evil

2008-10-01T11:38:00.000-07:00

"Without justice, there can be no peace . He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it."
-Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

A Tribute to my Dad

2008-09-21T20:03:00.000-07:00

Both of my parents have had a huge impact in my life but in very different ways. My Mom has been a role model of femininity and women hood while my Dad has shown me all my life what a man's role is. I love to watch them living out their God given roles!I feel confident submitting under Daddy's leadership. I respect him for his wisdom in so many situations. Often I turn to him for advice and knowledge.
Daddy has a vision and a focus for life. (Serving Jesus Christ and equipping others with the gospel.)
He has shown me true perseverance the last few years as he has pursued his pHd while working several jobs. I know it's been tough at times but it's been a great example to all of us! I'm excited to see what will happen in the next few years!
But my Dad wouldn't be who he is without God! I love to see the different ways God has worked through Daddy's life - and since Daddy is the leader of our family we're able to see God work through all of us as a family!

Happy Birthday Daddy! Thank you for being my hero! I love you so much!
Victoria

My Dad has been the greatest dad ever! When I have a problem he will always help me with it and I always feel a lot better. He is a great example to me in my Christian walk. He's a joy in the good times and the bad!
Happy Birthday Daddy!

Love Your Son,
Spencer

My Dad is a very great Dad!
Happy Birthday Daddy! I love you and I like having you as my Dad. I'm glad you had a great birthday!

Love,
Andrew

Happy Birthday Jonny! I am a blessed wife. I pray that Christ will continue to make you more like Him this next year.
Love,
Marseilles

Kristi Burton: Fighting Against Abortion

2008-09-18T17:39:00.000-07:00

Kristi Burton is an inspiration to me. I found out about her from an article on therebelution.com. Whenever she was just 13 she decided to dedicate her time to fighting for those who are unjustly killed by abortion before they are born. Kristi founded an organization called Colorado for Equal Rights and just last May her organization took on the challenge of getting 76,048 signatures for a petition. She had the support of over 1,300 volunteers and 500 churches and she got 131,245 voters’ signatures! Now the petition is on the November ballot.
I applaud Kristi for taking on this challenge and doing what seems like the impossible! I would encourage you to watch this video and spread the word about the Colorado for Equal Rights organization and what they are doing. Be in prayer for the future of the fight against abortion. There are so many people around the world that are trying to raise awareness about how horrible abortion is. Also be in prayer that God would work through this petition and that it will be passed in November. Continue to fight for those who do not have a voice!

-Victoria

The Wisdom of John Adams

2008-09-10T12:20:00.000-07:00

"Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."
-John Adams

-Victoria

Dr. Voddie Baucham on CNN

2008-09-09T14:42:00.000-07:00

This video is a must see! We are all so encouraged by Dr. Voddie Baucham as he strives to show others what the scripture reveals about a women being our Vice President. He boldly proclaims where he stands and then never backs down.
I don't think I have to affirm that my family agrees with Dr. Baucham on his convictions. There are many others around the America who are also wondering, how can we vote with a clear conscience for a women to be our VP whenever the scripture clearly teaches that women are to be keepers of the home and followers, not leaders? Look around and you will see within the last few days the blogosphere has erupted with Christians questioning what everyone is so willingly following.
But in all that we do may God be praised and honored!

-Victoria

Is it right for a women to be VP?

2008-09-04T14:09:00.001-07:00

I've often wondered that as I think about this coming election. Senator Obama is very liberal and constantly against everything my family believes and now Senator McCain has made his VP choice of Sarah Palin. This has left some Christian families with nobody to vote for (without going against their beliefs) and an even tougher choice of what to do.
Some people might still be wondering, what is wrong with having a women for a VP?
I would like to suggest these posts to you to read:

Did McCain Make a Pro-Family VP Pick?
The Evangelical Two-Step
"Ten Reasons I don't want to be VP when I grow up"
Why Sarah Palin Inspires Us

These are four very well written articles about why our country shouldn't have a women as a vice-president.

-Victoria

Are there any Little People?

2008-09-04T06:22:00.000-07:00

About a month ago, now Tim Sweetman wrote an article for boundless magazine. It's titled No Little People. This article encourages people to be content with where God has placed them. Even if it doesn't seem like God is doing amazing things in their lives.
This served as a great reminder to me of how I'm to live my life. Take a few minutes to go and read it...I am assured that it will impact you.
Click here to read No Little People.

-Victoria

Making Salsa

2008-09-03T06:16:00.000-07:00

I mentioned in an earlier post that we would be learning how to make salsa soon, and last week we did.

Pealing the tomatoes.

Waiting inside for the tomatoes to be peeled and the next process to begin.

After making the salsa and cooking it. The salsa is put into the jars.

Getting the lids out of the water.

Sealing the cans...

and putting them into the water.

-Victoria

A Day At the State Fair!

2008-08-21T12:46:00.000-07:00

Trust in God

2008-08-20T06:33:00.000-07:00

Where God guides
He always provides.

-Author Unknown

I found this quote in the back of one of my Mom's old bibles. She had forgotten that she had put it there and couldn't remember where she got it. I don't know who the author was who said this but I also haven't done any research on it. This quote though is a constant reminder to my family that God will not lead you somewhere and then just leave you hanging. We must always trust our futures to God.

-Victoria

Cool Olympics Tracker!

2008-08-19T12:54:00.001-07:00

Go USA!

-Spencer and Victoria

Olympic Medal winners at NBC Olympics.com!

We're back...

2008-08-19T10:36:00.000-07:00

Yes, we where gone on a trip down to Florida for a week, so that is my excuse for the absence of posting. Hopefully now I'll be able to write more. :D

-Victoria

The Chapman Family On Good Morning America

2008-08-09T08:34:00.001-07:00

This came on last Wednesday morning. It is really amazing how God has used this family and all that they have been through!

-Victoria

The 2008 Summer Olympics have begun!

2008-08-09T08:13:00.000-07:00

Did anyone watch the opening ceremonies for the Olympics last night?
We enjoyed watching all of the amazing things that China performed this year. All of the technology was really interesting. We could see China's desire to truly do better then had ever been done before.
Then came the march of Nations, several nations we know well such as Italy, Australia, Canada, Japan and America but there where others as always that we really wondered where they where and how to pronounce them. (The Olympics are really great for testing your geography!) One thing that struck me was that with each nation that marches in you really get a glimpse into their culture. You get to see their complexion and their costumes, the way they carry themselves and how large they are as a nation.
The lighting of the torch was truly amazing. Seeing the man up so high for so long was truly awing to me since I am terrified of heights.
Some people might think it's silly to get this excited about the Olympics. But they only come once every two years...and the next summer Olympics will be in four years. But for now we have the rest of the Olympics to look forward to watching! Go USA!

-Victoria

Do you watch the Olympics?
If you do, what are you most looking forward to seeing?

The Louisville Slugger Museum

2008-08-09T07:44:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we went to the Slugger Museum. This is where all the bats are made for baseball players. We went several years ago with Mee Maw and Grandpa but we had never been with Daddy. So yesterday we where able to go as a family.
We got to go on a tour through the plant where the bats are made and see them in the different stages, which was very interesting. We where able to see the different woods that bats where made out of, maple and ash. At the end of the tour we where given a miniature bat to take home.
After going on the tour we where able to see a special exhibit that had baseballs signed by different presidents of the United States. The oldest ball was signed by Teddy Roosevelt.
We went through the museum and learned about different players and their loved bats. There was a room set up like the baseball field and the announcers booth was off to the side. We where able to go into the dugout and sit there also.
The boys had a lot of fun going to the museum and I learned a lot about baseball.

-Victoria

Due to camera problems I wasn't able to take any pictures. ;)

Men O' War

2008-08-05T15:45:00.000-07:00

This is a really cool movie made by Isaac Botkin author of Outside Hollywood. He and his brothers and sisters did this over a course of five weeks as a teaching tool for San Antonio Film Academy:

Hope you enjoy!

~Spencer

Zach Hunter: A Modern Day Abolitionist

2008-08-04T09:42:00.000-07:00

Zach Hunter has challenged so many people of all ages with his passion to end modern day slavery. Before hearing about Zach Hunter I had no idea that there was still a large number of slaves in the world today. Zach has written two books Be the Change and now Generation Change, which was just released last April. I've read Be the Change and would highly recommend it. The first time I read Be the Change I had a hard time putting it down! Zach is an excellent writer and is great at communicating his message.
Ever since before Generation Change was released I've been wanting to purchase it and read it. Now over at bookschristian.com for a limited time if you buy Zach Hunter's newest book, Generation Change then bookschristian.com will donate a dollar from each purchase to Zach's organization, Loose Change to Loosen Chains. I'm hoping to buy this book at this time.
Now is a great chance to be able to read Zach's book and at the same time help to free slaves! So while this opportunity is still available I would suggest you purchase a copy of Generation Change...and while your over there you might want to get Be the Change too. :D
In this interview Zach shares about his passion to end modern day slavery, how you can help to end slavery, and about his organization Loose Change to Loosen Chains.

-Victoria

Learning how to make stewed tomatoes

2008-08-01T13:07:00.000-07:00

This morning we went over to some friends house and they taught us how to make stewed potatoes.

Step #1 Picking the tomatoes:

First we went out to their large garden and picked the tomatoes that we would be using. We all picked probably about 2 bushels.

Step #2 Washing the tomatoes:

Then Sahlin, Spencer and Evan made a line and washed the tomatoes. I was informed that the first bucket would soak the tomatoes, the second would wash most of the dirt off and by the last bucket the tomatoes would be totally clean. :D

Step #3 Boiling the tomatoes/pealing the outer layer off/cutting the stems off:

I can't cover all of these combined steps since I was occupied with parts two and three. (Which is where this picture was captured.) Boiling the tomatoes in the hot water then transferring them to the ice box caused the outer layer to peal of easier. These steps were especially challenging for Spencer since he really doesn't like tomatoes.
Mommy and Mrs. Cassandra stayed busy boiling the tomatoes then cutting them whenever we had completed our steps.

Step #4 cooking the stewed tomato recipe:
Here's a few of the tomatoes in the sink waiting to be cooked.

Step #5 Fill the jars/put them in the pressure cooker to seal:

Mrs. Cassandra and Mommy boiling the jars.

The jars of tomatoes being sealed in the pressure cooker.

Thanks Mrs. Cassandra for teaching us! We had a great time! Stay tuned because hopefully in a few weeks we'll learn how to make salsa. :D

-Victoria

I must venture foward!

2008-07-30T07:56:00.000-07:00

"I must venture: to go back is nothing but death;

to go forward is fear of death, and life everlasting beyond it!
I will yet go forward!"
—Christian in John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress

I found this quote on Josh Harris' blog. Although I've never read Pilgrim's Progress through all the way I thought this quote was great!

-Victoria

Your Grace is Enough!

2008-07-29T13:38:00.000-07:00

This song is one of my favorites right now! Whenever I first heard Your Grace is Enough the words that jumped out at me strong were "You use the weak to lead the Strong". It just awed me as I looked through my bible and realized that God does use those that are so unworthy, even His disciples where fishermen and tax collectors. How will He use us?
As I sing through the song I have to ask myself, is God's grace enough? God's grace and love are so much better then popularity and coolness in the world's sense, God is always present and never failing. I have come to realize that since becoming a Christian . This is a victory song for Christians all over the world that God's grace is enough!

-Victoria

Picking Peaches

2008-07-29T07:39:00.000-07:00

Picking fruit is so much fun...but peach picking has to be my favorite! Once or twice every season we go up to a farm in Indiana (Huber's Farm) that has a large variety of different fruits they grow.

Daddy and Andrew filling their box.

Peaches must be one of my favorite fruits! They are so yummy!

Daddy and Spencer carrying the two heavy boxes of peaches to the van.

Trip to the Creation Museum!

2008-07-29T07:19:00.000-07:00

Not last Saturday but the Saturday before my family went to the creation museum for the day. Since my Dad's a pastor he and Mommy got in for free and Spencer, Andrew and I got in half price. Since Cincinnati is only a few hours away from Louisville this made a really fun day!
It was a really fun day. We got there at opening time and stood in line...even that early it was really crowded and the cars where pouring in but other than the slight inconvenience that many people caused we thought it was great since it showed that people were learning about creation and God's word.
The museum combated the ideas of Evolution by walking us through the different views between Evolution and Creation. It also took us through the first few scenes on the Bible, including the creation through the flood. There was so much I learned, including how the world existed before the fall and what they thought the ark and the flood might have been like.
There were a lot of outdoor tables where we could eat the lunch Mommy packed for us. Outside the scenery was beautiful, including swinging and suspended bridges over the water.
A room inside the museum was dedicated entirely to dinosaurs. It was wonderful to hear the view on these creatures from a Christian view. Someone had asked me before if I believed that dinosaurs really existed. I had told her that I did but I wasn't sure how to defend it other then that there has been a lot of evidence found. Some scholars on a short video we watched defended the argument biblically by pointing out Job 40:15-18 and chapter 41 when it mentions the Behemoth and the Leviathan. (It is not certain that these are dinosaurs but the Behemoth especially seems like one.)
I hope you enjoy viewing all the pictures and I would highly recommend this museum to anyone!

(To make the pictures easier to read click on them.)

-Victoria

The Sinking of the Titanic and Great Sea Disasters and The Birkenhead Drill

2008-07-18T08:09:00.000-07:00

A Book Review:

Note: I have decided to combine these two books into one review since they are so much a like.

The Birkenhead was the first iron hulled vessel of war and was known for her speed. She could make the journey to the Cape of Good Hope in a matter of only 45 days where it would take other ships 64 days. On the final voyage of the Birkenhead she set out with 638 men women and children aboard. She was carrying troops of military reinforcements to the soldiers in the Kaffir Wars, her destination was the Cape of Good Hope.

Then, on the morning of February 26th 1852 sometime before two o 'clock she struck a rock ledge less then a mile off the beach of Danger Point. Once the Captain realized what had happened he ordered that the ship reverse engines. This caused the iron hull to scrape against the rock ripping a huge hole in the bottom. An interesting note that was mentioned in this book was that this fatal decision, to reverse engines was also made by the Captain of the Titanic speeding the sinking process of both ships.

All the passengers gathered on deck, everyone realized the seriousness of the situation, for the ship was sinking fast. There were not enough life boats for everyone to get away safely...so the decision was made that the women and children would be saved while the men would stay aboard the ship. There was no hope of saving the ship and it was known that there were sharks circling the sinking Birkenhead. Nevertheless the men stepped back and helped the women and children aboard the lifeboats. About 20 minutes after the Birkenhead hit the rock she split in two and sank. More then 400 men died that night, eaten by sharks or drowned. But all the women and children where saved!

In The Birkenhead Drill it tells the story of the Birkenhead but it also has the testimonies of several men who survived and lived to tell the story. I think it always makes stories more interesting whenever the there are tales told from an eyewitness. Also this book was a very easy read since the it was only 64 pages long. (At the end there was a few pages that listed the names of those who survived and were killed so that made it a little longer.) I was able to read the book in 45 minutes.

The Sinking of the Titanic and Great Sea Disasters is filled with information! It tells so much about the Titanic and the people aboard it. I really learned so much about how confident everyone truly was of this ship. The chapters cover everything from the building of the Titanic to stories of people on board the Carpethia and people in New York. This book is so great because it has a lot of wonderful sketches and photographs that illustrate the book. It also compares the Titanic to other ships that have sunk.

Most people don't want to remember or think about these stories and the losses that were suffered aboard both the Birkenhead and the Titanic. But it is impossible to forget the great heroes and heroins and the legacy they left behind. They truly lived and died showing us that, "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends." (John 15:13)

The Birkenhead Drill
The Sinking of the Titanic and Great Sea Disasters

-Victoria

Books I'm Reading

2008-07-16T14:45:00.000-07:00

Spencer and I are going to start sharing about the books we've been reading. Hopefully we'll be able to provide truthful, christian reviews about certain books. I'll be posting a list of the books I'm reading so that I'll be able to outline what I'll be writing about in my reviews. Unfortunately I don't have a list of the books Spencer's reading...so I guess it will just have to be a surprise! :D

Victoria's reading list:

Gulliver's Travels by Jonathon Swift:
I haven't read this yet but it looks very interesting! It was penned in 1726 and said to be one of the most compelling books ever written.

Kipling A Selection of His Stories and Poems by John Beecroft:
This book just contains a few of Kipling's stories such as the well known Jungle book and a few shorter works. Daddy thought this would be a good book to get me introduced to the writings of Kipling.

Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem:
I've been reading this book with the Forum on the Rebelution for about 10 months now. I love everything I've learned from this book. It is rather thick but the chapters are very short and relatively easy to understand especially if you know what you believe theologically. It has been challenging to stay on schedule but this week I will be reading chapter 41 (Death and the Intermediate State) and chapter 44 (The Church: It's Nature, It's Mark, and It's Purposes).

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen:
I love Jane Austen she is such a wonderful and captivating author! I haven't read a lot of her books but I'm hoping to start with Sense and Sensibility. I have seen the movie that was based on this book and in the two chapters I've read so far there exactly the same.

Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christy:
This book was so enjoyable to read! Agatha Christy so vividly explains her characters that you are never left to wonder how they look or act. It was comparable to if she had pictures. Murder on Orient Express was very different from your average mystery book - I never figured out who the murderer was until the very end whenever the detective found out. All the passengers on the train have such different personalities and express themselves in so many different, rather humorous ways.

The Birkenhead Drill by Douglas W. Phillips:
Most people don't know the story of the Birkenhead or just how similar the the happening and catastrophes of this ship are to the Titanic. The Birkenhead sunk about 60 years before the Titanic but the thing that is familiar is how both on the Titanic and the Birkenhead men stepped aside and chose horrible deaths over letting the women and children die.

The Sinking of the Titanic and Great Sea Disasters:
This book has compiled stories of survivors from the Titanic and other people surrounding the accidents such as a few stories from passengers on the Carpethia (which rescued the people in the lifeboats from the Titanic.) This book also contains a lot of pictures and sketches of the Titanic and it's passengers. I enjoyed the chance to read this book so much because it told every detail, fact, and theory.

-Victoria

The Real Art of Conversation

2008-07-09T06:18:00.000-07:00

"The real art of conversation
is not only to say
the right thing
in the right place,
but, far more difficult still
to leave unsaid
the wrong thing
at the tempting moment.

-Dorothy Nevill

-Victoria

Do you have a Holy Ambition?

2008-07-07T18:39:00.000-07:00

This video is a little longer then most you tube videos at 7 minutes and 45 seconds but the message is so vital! I would encourage you to watch it in it's full extent and then take this video and share it. Do we have a holy ambition?
I have recently decided, after much prayer and consideration, that my holy ambition is,

To be a supportive daughter to my parents and an encouraging sister to my brothers. In the future I want to be a faithful wife to my future husband and a loving mother to my children. I always want to be a faithful servant to my Lord Jesus Christ. My prayer is that people will look at my life and see a reflection of Christ!

But I believe that in my life there will be different seasons. So whatever else God might throw in if He sees fit to do so I will willingly accept!

Some thoughts for consideration:
-Before this had you ever heard the word holy ambition?
-Did you know what it was?
-Do you have a Holy Ambition?
-If you do have one what is it?

Please share your thoughts!

-Victoria

Stories About Honduras

2008-07-07T11:32:00.000-07:00

Last week a friend of our family, Mr. Rob Hadding came to stay with us for a few days.
He told us about his mission trip to Honduras with his church. It truly opened my eyes to how needy some other countries are.
According to the book Operation World Honduras has a population of 8,202,633 people. Most of them are Spanish and the primary religion is Catholic.
But Operation World says:

The devastating super-hurricane 'Mitch' in 1998 was a major setback with 60% of the country's infrastructure destroyed. Many decades will be needed to recover from it. Unemployment is 40%. (Mr. Rob told us that most people earn only about two dollars a day that have jobs.)

I thought it was rather interesting that while in Honduras Mr. Rob and the people from his church that went helped to build a bridge over a river. This river was located between about five villages and during the dry months people could cross this river by just wading but whenever it rained traveling between the villages was made impossible. This bridge made transportation easier and definitely safer.
I love hearing tales about mission trips even in the United States. It really helps me to understand how truly blessed I am!

-Victoria

Picking Strawberries

2008-07-06T12:23:00.000-07:00

This summer we've enjoyed picking fruits from nearby farms just over in Indiana. We've picked bunches of blueberries and ever so many strawberries.
I've been meaning to write about our strawberry picking adventure and post some pictures for several weeks now.
We got up early in the morning and went to our friends the Carmichael's house where we all squeezed in their SUV and rode up to Hubard's Farm together.
Whenever we got to the farm we rode in the back of a tractor out to the strawberry field. After picking for several hours and accumulating quit a few strawberries we headed home.
Above is: Spencer, Andrew, Morris, Millage, Fulton, Mrs. Betsy Carmichael and me.

The next day Mommy and I spent the afternoon in the kitchen making jam. I cut all the stems off several carts of strawberries and Mommy worked over the stove.

It was all lots of hard work but the finished product is delicious!She prepares her bread in summer
and gathers her food in harvest.
-Proverbs 6:8

-Victoria

Happy July 4th!

2008-07-04T09:17:00.000-07:00

As we have our picnics and parades, listen to speeches, eat watermelon, and watch the fireworks as has become the 4th of July tradition, I invite you to think of the countries that don't enjoy the freedom that God has given us here in America.

Think of the countries under the rule of powerful dictators or corrupt leadership and thank God that we can elect our own government.

Think of the countries that can elect there own leaders but whose country is dirt poor and never have enough to eat and thank God that we are a wealthy nation.

I also invite you to think of those who protect the freedom we have here. The men and woman of the Navy, Air Force, Army, Marines, and many others who fight the never ending battle to secure our country and free others. Thank God we have citizens willing to lay down their life for their country and pray for their safety.

Take time to think about the many blessings God gave and still does give to our country each and every day and also pray for our leaders, citizens, military, etc. for while we have a pretty good country there's a lot of negatives so please pray for those!

Have a great Independence Day!

~Spencer

Beautiful Sunset!

2008-07-02T09:05:00.000-07:00

Lyrics to the song Indescribable by Chris Tomlin.

On our trip home from Florida we where blessed with a beautiful sunset as we drove through Alabama! I captured a few pictures of it on the camera as we drove along. Hope you enjoy!

Impacting the Culture

2008-06-27T10:19:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

I just found a great giveaway over on www.heartsforthefamily.blogspot.com thanks to Marty Hadding!
It is a great set of DVD's that they're giving away for free entitled, Reclaiming the Culture. As Christians it is so important that we impact our culture with the biblical view of the family and this family is doing a really great job over at www.visionarydaughters.com! The Botkins have blessed and challenged our family with their views and they are interviewed on some of these DVD's in this set. Raising a daughter in this culture who wants to follow God and be a keeper of the home and not go to college is quite a radical view in this day and time. Their documentary, The Return of the Daughter, helped put our convictions into words so that we could share it with those around us.
We can't wait until their next documentary this time for men comes out, The Battle For Civilization.
Note: The contest is over tonight at midnight so you only have a short amount of time!

-Marseilles

Seeing Family Again!

2008-06-24T14:07:00.000-07:00

After leaving Pensacola we travelled on down to Santa Rosa Beach Florida. My Aunt April and Uncle Danny lives right off a private beach and so we spent most of the time on the beach. We got to stay there for a week and a half and Daddy got to stay a few days at the beach before having to head back home. Also my Grandparents came up for a few days and spent some time with us too!Bottom Row: Spencer, Andrew, Aunt April and Ethan. The Top Row: me, MeeMaw and Grandpa.
The only family members that we didn't get to see on my Mom's side was my Aunt Star, Uncle Armando and my cousins Armani and Olivia.
Here's some pictures I have of them from the last time we saw them which was back in two and a half years ago.

I know from pictures that I've seen that Armani and Olivia have gotten a lot bigger. We miss you guys so much!
It was so great to be able to see almost everyone again! We had lots of fun.

Santa Rosa Beach Slide Show

2008-06-24T09:40:00.001-07:00

The Blue Angels Part 2 In the Museum

2008-06-20T14:13:00.000-07:00

Whenever the show was over we went inside the museum where the air condition was up really high! It felt great!
First, the pilots came in and to sign the slips of information we had. The lines where so long though that we only got the Captain's signature.
(the one closest to us in the picture.)

There where of coarse a lot of planes. Spencer found one that especially interested him though. Coincidentally he found the plane that he had just written a post about a few weeks earlier on our blog...the SBD Dauntless.

The museum was very interactive. You could walk through a space that felt like you where on an aircraft carrier or an area that felt like you where on an army base in the Pacific during World War II.
My favorite area was the World War II home front. It felt like I was walking through a 1940's small town.

The pictures above are a World War II washing machine. We also got to walk through a section of what a traditional 1940's house would look like.

Here's a picture of Andrew listening to a speech on the radio. Don't you think there should be The Walton's theme song playing in the background?

Mommy is in front of the candy and popcorn center.

Spencer where he always is: In front of the news stand.

Andrew is in front of the movie theater.

My favorite must have been the little general store. The prices where
hilarious. But I loved the phone and the post office the best.

The museum was such a great learning experience and it didn't seem like we got to spend way enough time looking around, but there was so much to see!

-Victoria

The Blue Angels Part 1 Seeing them Fly

2008-06-20T13:41:00.000-07:00

While in Florida Daddy and Mommy took us to see a practice play of the Blue Angels flying. We got up really early in the morning and drove to the Naval Base where able to see them fly at 8:30.
The morning was really hot but it was so amazing to see them flying! Whenever they would come flying into view the crowd would always get excited and say something like, "Ohh! Wow! Ahhh!"
The show lasted for 45 minutes. Here's some pictures I was able to get as they would zoom by!
Note: You can click on any of the pictures to enlarge them.

While the show was going on we where allowed to go inside the Fat Albert and walk through it. While walking through I realized how much cooler it was inside! :D

"The guys" inside the Fat Albert.

It was a lot brighter outside, that's why Andrew's covering his eyes.

I think it was a really great experience for our family to be able to see The Blue Angels fly. The last time I had seen them was whenever we actually lived in Florida almost eight years ago. I still remember seeing them flying overhead but now I can remember it so much better. It was lots of fun and the 45 minutes just flew by! (Okay that was a bad pun!)

-Victoria

Visiting with Family and Friends

2008-06-20T12:44:00.000-07:00

Whenever we went down to Florida we where able to first go and visit Daddy's side of the family who live in Pensacola and Southern Alabama.

Here's a picture of us with Aunt Beverly, Uncle Steven and Reese on a tour of their beautiful farm! (We had to take turns taking the pictures. :D)

It was really a challenge getting everyone into this picture! I remember all of us girls where laughing about something... though I'm not sure what. We finally did get a picture with the cousins. The front row from left to right is Reese, Andrew and Lindsey's baby Braydon. From left to right on the couch it's Megan, me and Lindsey and then everyone knows the person on the top of the pyramid!
Here is a picture of us with Baw Baw my Grandmother. It was so great to be able to spend time with her and get to see her again. This time I saw her she taught me the basics of crocheting. I'm still trying to catch on! :D

We also got to visit with so many other family members that I didn't get picture's with.

(Ahh! I thought the pyramid up above was hard...this was ten times harder to get.) While in Pensacola we also got to visit with some of our friends, the Hadding's and the Bryant's. These are the kids that where willing to sit in the picture. From left to right on the very bottom there's Emily Hadding and Lynnlee Bryant. Squished on the bottom part of the couch is Andrew, Spencer, me, Sarah Hadding and Aaron Bryant. On the top of the couch is Alice Bryant, Abigail Hadding, Sydney Bryant and Sam Hadding. (Missing from this picture is little Claire Hadding who really did not want to take a part in the pictures!) Altogether there where twelve kids! We all had such a great time playing games and visiting.
It was so much fun visiting everyone that we haven't seen in forever! We made lot's of great memories.

-Victoria

Father's Day Post

2008-06-20T12:32:00.000-07:00

No we haven't disappeared from the blogosphere altogether! We've been gone on a trip down to Florida so be looking forward to a series of posts about that and tons of pictures. Also I for Father's day I confiscated my Dad's password to his blog and wrote a post on there. To read it you can click here.

SBD Dauntless

2008-05-22T09:34:00.000-07:00

I was so surprised when, for my birthday, one of my presents included a model airplane, The SBD Dauntless dive bomber. I had

wanted a model airplane since a week before when I discovered the model section in our local Ben Franklin and Michaels craft stores. The SBD Dauntless was an amazing airplane, used during WWII as the US Navy's primary carrier-based dive bomber. It was a especially recognized after the Battle of Midway where it sunk 4 Japanese aircraft-carriers the Akagi, Kaga, Soryu and Hiryu. It was known to be able to absorb a lot of damage before it went down, for example after the battle of Coral Sea one SBD Dauntless returned from the battle with 200 holes in it's airframe! All and all it was a neat airplane. I am currently waiting to get the cement and paint I need to build it. I am so exited and my friends couldn't have picked a better model for my first try!

~Spencer

P.S. To learn more about the SBD Dauntless click here

Happy Birthday Spencer

2008-05-21T19:18:00.000-07:00

Today is Spencer's 12th birthday. He has been such a blessing to our family...and to me especially!
As brother and sister Spencer and I have always shared special opportunities together. I have so many fond memories of the games we used to play and make up together to entertain ourselves. As we grew older Spencer and I had so many things we always did together such as bible drill and just last year Spencer and I were able to be baptized together by Daddy. I am so glad that Spencer and I are not just brother and sister but we're brother and sister in Christ! A lot of the time we'll share the same thoughts, disappointment and excitements. (Although I have to say that I usually show my excitement more then he does.)
A great example of this is just last Sunday I was talking to a friend and she shared with me how she is reading through her bible in 90 days. She motivated me to do it and immediately I knew who would do it with me-yes, Spencer. He is always up to meeting a challenge with me!

Proverbs 27:17 says:
As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

As Spencer and I have gotten older our friendship has grown in Christ! I am looking so forward to seeing it grow even more in the future.
Thank you Spencer for being such a great brother to me! Keep being a shining light for Christ in the world of darkness. We love you so much! Happy birthday, I hope you have a great day!

Love,
Victoria

If anyone would like to say something special to Spencer on his birthday

Abort73

2008-05-21T11:53:00.000-07:00

I have very recently realized what great opportunities t-shirts are to endorse something you like or support. I've always loved my Do Hard Things t-shirt but just a few weeks ago I found a website that is against abortion. Abort73 is a great website because it is a wonderful place where people can go to get informed about abortion. The slogans on the t shirts are usually "mysterious" and so is the name of the website. I mean, how many people know what Abort73 stands for? (click here to find out.)
They have a huge selection of t-shirts to choose from and so I ended up ordering one from the clearance section. Click here to see a close-up of my t-shirt and while your over there check out their other shirts. There are so many different ways to support Abort73 and spread a great message!
(Caution: There are some graphic images.)

-Victoria

Spreading the Word

2008-05-14T12:21:00.000-07:00

I just had to post this video after Dr. Orrick was telling the story behind it on several Sundays ago during church. He was using this video as an example of guerrilla evangelism in his sermon.
I don't remember if this is exactly how it went but I'll try to tell it as accurately as I can.
He told us how he first shared the video with one of his classes then someone from that class posted it on u tube. Now you can search for this video on the Internet and find it on a series of different websites. Surprisingly, Dr.Orrick wasn't aware of this until the Dean of Boyce college told him about it and how he had shared it with his class. Now everyone from this fellow Professors class has memorized it and was showing it to their friends. "This is a great example of guerrilla advertisement!" He told Dr. Orrick. But Dr. Orrick compared it to guerrilla evangelism.
In case you don't know what guerrilla evangelism is Dr. Orrick explained it this way to all of us, guerrilla evangelism is when the leader creates something (in his case) and then the people that he shared it with go out and spread it to their friends and it keeps being shared and takes on a life of it's own. During this time the leader has hardly done anything, all the publicity has been done by the followers.
I've seen this happen with so many different things. It's so wonderful to see different people within their own circle collaborating together and in the end completing something big together! The excitement of one person telling another person about something is contagious. How have you worked together with someone and completed something that was to large to do one your own?

-Victoria

Origins of Mother's Day

2008-05-12T06:41:00.000-07:00

I thought it would be a good idea to on the day after Mother's Day to tell you a little history of how it originated. The only problem with that idea was I myself don't know anything about how it originated! So I went to the online wikipedia and here is what I found:

Different countries celebrate Mother's Day on various days of the year because the day has a number of different origins.

One school of thought claims this day emerged from a custom of mother worship in ancient Greece, which kept a festival to Cybele, a great mother of Greek gods. This festival was held around the Vernal Equinox around Asia Minor and eventually in Rome itself from the Ides of March (15 March) to 18 March.

The ancient Romans also had another holiday, Matronalia, that was dedicated to Juno, though mothers were usually given gifts on this day.

In some countries Mother's Day began not as a celebration for individual mothers but rather for Christians.

- Here I'm going to skip over the part about how it originated in England and Ireland and skip to how it originated in the U.S. but if you want to read the whole article click here.

The United States celebrates Mother's Day on the second Sunday in May. In the United States, Mother's Day was loosely inspired by the British day and was imported by social activist Julia Ward Howe after the American Civil War. However, it was intended as a call to unite women against war. In 1870, she wrote the Mother's Day Proclamation as a call for peace and disarmament. Howe failed in her attempt to get formal recognition of a Mother's Day for Peace.

Her idea was influenced by Ann Jarvis, a young Appalachian homemaker who, starting in 1858, had attempted to improve sanitation through what she called Mothers' Work Days. She organized women throughout the Civil War to work for better sanitary conditions for both sides, and in 1868 she began work to reconcile Union and Confederate neighbors.

When Jarvis died in 1905, her daughter, named Anna Jarvis, started the crusade to found a memorial day for women. In 1907, she passed out 500 white carnations at her mother’s church, St. Andrew’s Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton, West Virginia—one for each mother in the congregation. The first Mother's Day service was celebrated on 10 May 1908, in the same church, where the elder Ann Jarvis had taught Sunday School. Anna chose Sunday to be Mother's Day because she intended the day to be commemorated and treated as a Holy Day. Later commercial and other exploitations of the use of Mother's Day infuriated Anna and she made her criticisms explicitly known throughout her time ^[2].

Originally the Andrew's Methodist Episcopal Church, the site of the original Mother's Day commemoration, where Anna handed out carnations, this building is now the International Mother's Day Shrine (a National Historic Landmark). From there, the custom caught on—spreading eventually to 46 states. The holiday was declared officially by some states beginning in 1912, beginning with West Virginia. In 1914 President Woodrow Wilson declared the first national Mother's Day, as a day for American citizens to show the flag in honor of those mothers whose sons had died in war.

Nine years after the first official Mother's Day, commercialization of the U.S. holiday became so rampant that Anna Jarvis herself became a major opponent of what the holiday had become. Mother's Day continues to this day to be one of the most commercially successful U.S. occasions. According to the National Restaurant Association, Mother's Day is now the most popular day of the year to dine out at a restaurant in the United States.

For example, according to IBISWorld, a publisher of business research, Americans will spend approximately $2.6 billion on flowers, $1.53 billion on pampering gifts — like spa treatments — and another $68 million on greeting cards ^[3].

Mother's Day will generate about 7.8% of the US jewelry industry's annual revenue in 2008. Americans are expected to spend close to $3.51 billion in 2008 on dining out for Mother's Day, with brunch and dinner being the most popular dining out options ^[4].

-Spencer

Happy Mother's Day!

2008-05-10T13:27:00.001-07:00

This post is dedicated to my Mom. Mother's Day is a special day when our heart and minds are turned to our Mothers. I am so blessed to have the Mom that I have! Ever since I can remember she has encouraged me to share every hope, love, and passion with her. She is the first person I want to tell when something exciting or disappointing happens to me! I can just look around me when I'm outside my home and see how great my Mom is. She is a true example to me of selflessness, one example of this is that she chooses to homeschool me and my siblings. She teaches us herself and for that I am truly thankful! My Mom has taught me how to love the home and the small everyday things I do in the home. Now I truly enjoy being able to help her by taking on some of the chores that she has taught me how to do. So many times Mommy has kindly pointed out to me how I can do better in my Christian walk. Since she probably knows me better then anyone in my life right now she also knows my shortcomings better then anyone else. At the time I usually don't see her corrections as kind and helpful but as I look back through my life I can now see that I am a much better person because of my Mom and the insight that she has given me. I have seen my Mom interact with her friends and even people that just enter her life for a moment. One thing that has struck me is that she is always so encouraging and friendly! I consider it really stepping outside of my comfort zone to introduce myself to people and carry on a conversation with them so I love to watch how my Mom does it and imitate her. Thanks for being such a great example to me, Mommy! -Victoria

Mommy, I want you to know that I really appreciate all the sacrifices you have made to raise me into a godly man. You have always been there for me in my Christian walk and have, many a time, put me back on track when I have strayed. Though I might have not liked it then I now look back on it as a learning experience I would have been sorry to miss. Your grateful son, Spencer

I love my Mommy! She teaches me schoolwork and she reads to me.

-Andrew

We all hope you have a wonderful, happy Mother's day, Mommy! We love you lots! From, Victoria, Spencer and Andrew