Things I've Been Thinking About

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

Do Hard Things Session Online!

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

"Come What May" The Movie

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

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!

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:

Pictures from the Renfroe ball

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

John Piper video on the Presidental Race

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

The Wisdom of John Adams

"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

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?

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

The 2008 Summer Olympics have begun!

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?

Impacting the Culture

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