New Orleans: Part 1

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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!

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

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

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