I want to present a challenging question to all bloggers.  The following is a post that I began writing several months ago, but I didn't decide to post it until now - the day I am moving to my new blog (which can be accessed by typing www.amandaread.com).  This isn't exactly a "farewell" since I am still blogging and will probably Iframe this HSB blog with my new blog...but in a way it is, because I am leaving aspects of this familiar blogging atmosphere behind.

"If for some strange reason I had to withdraw from the blogosphere, how would that affect my life?"

Mom and I asked ourselves that question not too long ago, and the plain, unfussy answer is: it wouldn't affect our lives at all.  Sure, it would be somewhat disappointing to those of us that enjoy blogging, but it wouldn't disturb our lives in any way at all.  As I started thinking about what sort of outlet the blogosphere is and how I should properly use it, I gradually arrived at writing something I have never written before: a blog post on blogging itself.

I have been blogging for over two years now, and have been involved in writing on the internet for nearly five years.  Through all of that I have been able to observe and gain experience in the workings of the internet and the way in which it is used and abused by humanity. Yet amazingly, despite its potentially addicting appeal to me, blogging has never become a major part of my life or my family's life.  We don't live for the daily interaction of comments upon comments and immensely cluttered sidebars and sitemeters and hand-me-down-blog-awards (note: I do not intend to condescend the good will of those that invented the numerous creative awards, but goodness - after the splendid Blogging With A Purpose Award and Blogging Reflection Award why did everybody and their brother think they needed to make a new award?  It has devalued the significance of blog awards!).

I like to visit the blogs of people such as Susan Wise Bauer, Anna Sofia and Elizabeth Botkin, Diana Waring, Tiffany McDonald...People that don't blog to get a life, they blog because they have a life.  Their blogging is a simple, informative, conversational hobby that shares knowledge and in turn offers entertainment, comfort and literary fellowship to those that are inspired by what they do.  It doesn't matter how often they update their blogs or how much traffic their sites get - that isn't the point.  The point is that they only blog when they have something worth saying.

In recent years there has been an enormous campaign of sorts to encourage people of all ages to get out there and start blogging, particularly homeschoolers.  We definitely want to encourage more good people to blog, and I think it is probably advisable that blogging skills be developed in many aspiring and accomplished writers - or even people that aren't necessarily into writing, but have interesting messages to share nonetheless.  A great amount of good influence can be made.  Unfortunately, a great amount of garbage can be produced as well, especially when the art of blogging becomes blown way out of proportion.  I won't discourage anyone from starting a blog or from continuing a blog, but I would like to see that everyone has their priorities straight (including myself).

To put it simply, proper blogging is an outlet for sharing information, not gaining a social life.  It's all fine and good to have friends and of course, the whole idea of blogging is to gain an audience.  However, getting too personally involved with your audience can be terribly distracting.  As the Bible warns:

"A man of too many friends comes to ruin..." ~ Proverbs 18:24

As soon as you become extremely chummy and cliquish about blogging (or any social interaction, for that matter), you will likely end up with your mind consumed with concern about your reputation, popularity, and an inflated sense of your own importance on the internet.  The sad thing about losing your mind is that once you've lost it, you don't realize it's gone.  For your safety and sanity, it's best to not get too personal in the blog world.  You certainly shouldn't be boring and impersonal - blogging should be unique, enjoyable and entertaining.  But in terms of relating to other people, remember that your blog isn't exactly a social networking site like MySpace or Facebook in which close friends might chatter and play and give inside jokes or taunts (and even on those sites you must guard your tongue from running out of control).

There is nothing wrong with being a little chipper, but think of blogging this way:

Imagine you are at a conference at which friends, acquaintances and complete strangers are giving speeches and displaying their works of art and research.  In such a place, how do you converse, laugh or argue with others?  You discuss politely when you have something to talk about, you share thoughts, stories and ideas, but you don't rudely draw attention to yourself or expect everyone to grovel before your opinion. 

That's basically what is going on in the blog world: you are in a public atmosphere with a wide audience.  On top of that, what you say can never be completely erased or hidden - and you are always labeled with some discreet form of identification (your IP address).  I don't completely understand the technical aspects of the cyber world, but as far as I know, you have to be careful.

If all of that completely freaks you out, then blogging probably isn't for you.  If you are going to be on the internet, you shouldn't be trembling with paranoia and self-consciousness.  There is always the privatizing of blogs and entries and profiles, but if you get immensely overwhelmed by that, you will likely end up with your mind consumed with concern about reputation, stalking, and an inflated sense of your own importance on the internet.  So at either of these two extremes, you've lost your mind.

Do you see what ultimately goes wrong in both circumstances?  Overtly investing your emotions and life into blogging.  In other words, getting too personal.  When you write on a blog, you are completely welcome to exert your passion into your topic, but do not either drag all your fellow bloggers into a clique revolving around yourself, nor drag yourself into a private box that is just taking up internet space.

FLATTER ME THIS, FLATTER ME THAT

Another skill bloggers need to develop is courteous commenting.  The oft repeated line is "if you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all".  That is a good tip, but there is another type of bad commenting besides criticism - and it may be worse.

"A man who flatters his neighbor is spreading a net for his steps." ~ Proverbs 29:5

"Let me now be partial to no one, nor flatter any man.  For I do not know how to flatter, else my Maker would soon take me away." ~ Job 32:21-22

"He who rebukes a man will afterwards find more favor than he who flatters with the tongue."

~ Proverbs 28:23

Oooh, the tickling of the ears.  Now, there is nothing wrong with complimenting someone on their writing style, musical or dancing or artistic talent, or photographs, etc..  People need some sort of encouragement to keep them going, and we want to take every opportunity possible to draw attention to things of good report.  But in reality - and even more so in virtual reality - there is a strong need for sincerity. 

The simple fact is, people weren't created to be fanatically adored and worshipped.  Mankind - and even angels - can't handle such pride.  We have seen repeatedly what has happened to idolized and hounded celebrities.  Can you imagine what would happen to an idolized and hounded blogger that in turn ends up thinking they're a celebrity?

From what I've seen so far, flattery in the blog world is mostly chatter generated by enthusiastic blogging fans that apparently don't proof read their comments.  The flattery lies in telling a person over and over again that everything they say and do is right, correct, charming, amazing, etc. before thinking twice about whether or not that person actually needs to hear that...over and over and over again.

The problem is that before long those sorts of commenters begin commenting on the person - that is, the blogger - rather than the blog.  The result is a fanatical attachment to a person that they may very well only be acquainted with via the internet.  Once that sort of fanaticism has been developed, the comment section and/or C-Box/Flooble box/communication what-you-may-call-it can fast become more like a celebrity gossip column than a pleasant center of discussion (and that sounds especially ridiculous when the subject of discussion is not a celebrity).  It doesn't take long for innocent but empty blabbering to turn debates and casual topics into vicious gossiping outbreaks.  I've never been infected by an outbreak, but I've watched it take place from the distance.  It is sickening.

Way too often are conflicts kept heated due to people wasting their time involving themselves in it. 

"A worthless man digs up evil, while his words are like scorching fire." ~ Proverbs 16:27

"Like one who takes a dog by the ears is he who passes by and meddles with strife not belonging to him." ~ Proverbs 26:17

If you ever happen to eavesdrop on a conflict, DON'T grab the dog by the ears, even to defend your favorite blogger.

~ ~ ~

Such activities, needless to say, do not encourage good blogging.  They simply drag out the involved bloggers' emotions, families, lives and relationships in ways that are not appropriate for the blogosphere.

Good bloggers are able to sharpen their minds in debate by focusing on an issue worth discussing - without making themselves the issue.

"He who gives an answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him." ~ Proverbs 18:13

"Do not go out hastily to argue your case; otherwise, what will you do in the end when your neighbor humiliates you?  Argue your case with your neighbor, and do not reveal the secret of another, or he who hears it will reproach you, and the evil report about you will not pass away." ~ Proverbs 25:8-10

So, that brings us to a dose of what our hyper-energized modern society needs anyway: common sense and simplicity.

·                    DON'T LIVE TO BLOG OR BLOG TO LIVE

Blogging isn't meant to become a lifestyle, but rather an outlet for sharing information or journaling about your lifestyle.

·                    MAINTAIN AN UNCLUTTERED INTERNET LIFE

Taking on too many blogging activities is just like taking on too many offline activities.  It will stress you out and wear you down.  Consider occasionally taking a fast from blogging to renew your mind and creative resources.  Cutting down your blog-devoted time will not cause the world to cave in.  Make sure you have a reality check: does the blogosphere really need you all the time?

{As a side note here, I'll mention that though this may not always be the case, the majority of these blog charades are caused by women.  I think that we women have an inherent weakness in idle chatter.  Running our mouths comes naturally (just look at how much I've written!).  As the following women say...

"Christian women have many new, high-tech alternatives to the old, pedestrian gadding-about. Now we can “be idle, wandering about from [blog] to [blog]; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which [we] ought not,” (1 Timothy 5:13) without even leaving our own thresholds. It’s more easily justified, and therefore we must be even more vigilant to keep our consciences tender and our hearts willing to be convicted."

~ Anna Sofia and Elizabeth Botkin

http://visionarydaughters.com/responding-to-a-rumor/

"Sometimes you have to focus really hard and ignore some of the loud, intrusive voices that invade your home - whether it is electronic invasion through TV or the internet, or whether it is the phone ringing off the hook and people trying to pull you in the wrong direction, taking your focus off of your primary calling, or whether it is catalogs in the mail or a ladies' group needing assistance only you can provide. Don't submit to the tyranny of the urgent mentality that is so easily forced on you. And don't let your girlfriends intrude on your family time. Friends are important, but they should be down the list after your God, your husband, your children. We certainly should not be shunning our husbands or neglecting the discipleship of our children because we need some 'girl time.' If you have time leftover after the first priorities, for friends and fellowship, then enjoy it to the hilt."

~ Christine Read

http://fairhillsfarm.com/weblog/2007/12/12/simplifying-priorities/}

·                    POPULARITY ISN'T WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT

Remember, anyone in the world can become popular if they try hard enough.  All it takes is a little irrational devotion.  If so, is it worth making popularity your sole goal? 

Don't be offended if you don't receive tons of comments.  Remember that there are plenty of readers that read blog posts without commenting.  It's better to have a few substantial, genuine comments instead of tons of empty "you rock" or "you suck" sorts comments.

• NEITHER HARASS PEOPLE, NOR FEAR HARASSMENT

"Let your foot rarely be in your neighbor's house, or he will become weary of it and hate you."

~ Proverbs 25:17

The same can be said for putting your foot in your neighbor’s blog.  For some odd reason, some people really do get fed up with people that are almost too friendly.  They are sure to enjoy your comments, but as soon as you begin nagging them – even nicely – with private messages, e-mails, etc. they may very well build up an irrational resentment towards you.  They develop a sort of allergic reaction, you might say.  It causes both sides involved to become sensitive and frustrated.  They get tired of feeling obligated to respond (perhaps regarding an issue they don’t care to discuss) and they begin feeling uncomfortable with communicating on such a personal basis.

However, if someone seems to be harassing (or “stalking”) you, don’t let it go to your head.  If you think you should not be communicating with them, quietly drop out of the deal by not responding (after all, if you don’t have any personal information out in public, what is there to fear?).  If the person is malicious, by all means report them – but if the person is just friendly to the brink of annoyance, don’t start a slanderous campaign against them and assume that every other person in the world is out to get you.  For one thing, it is extremely silly and for another – it will drive you out of your mind!  It will lead you to extrapolate absurd things at your first impression of every person you see on the internet (pride and prejudice all over again).

Once again:

"Do not go out hastily to argue your case; otherwise, what will you do in the end when your neighbor humiliates you?  Argue your case with your neighbor, and do not reveal the secret of another, or he who hears it will reproach you, and the evil report about you will not pass away." ~ Proverbs 25:8-10

In conclusion, I must admit that in the past two years this blogosphere has gradually become subject to dramatic inflation.  It doesn't seem the same anymore.  I hope to see more bloggers strive to create great blogs instead of great social clubs as time goes on.  The internet has become a virtual Tower of Babel that is being raised higher and higher...

MAY YAHWEH HAVE MERCY ON US,

~Amanda~

"That man was ahead of his time," the old businessman Walter Williams quips to the naive young Reporter at the back of the room. "But the more obvious it becomes that he was right, the less people listen to him."

The chatter in the classy, sparkling dining room of the Waldorf-Astoria dies down as the audience turns its attention to a distinguished gentleman at the head table.

"It's only been twenty years, Harvey. That's young for a law, don't you think?" mentions the lovely Mrs. Anna Kelton Wiley, at least thirty years younger than her husband.

Still stately at the advanced age of 82, Harvey Wiley, our hero, graciously tells his story once more...the story behind one of modern America's most complacent tragedies.

"The events that led to that complex yet ignored history humbly came about in the beginning by simple observation," says Harvey, his style of speaking as enrapturing as ever. "When there is so much progress, people tend to forget."

Flash back to Kent, Indiana in year 1863. An 18-year-old Harvey Wiley sets out from his family farm to go to college. He witnesses the cultural and industrial changes of the day experiencing everything from lectures at Hanover College and Harvard University, serving in the War Between The States, apprenticing with a country doctor and finally studying over seas at the Imperial Health Laboratory with Dr. Eugene Sell.

There something dawns on him: increased industry results in a demand for a nearly mechanical production of food. The manufacturers are beginning to resort to the use of toxic preservatives (i.e., formaldehyde in milk, sodium benzoate and copper sulfate in canned goods, sulfur dioxide in dried fruits...), adulteration and misbranding. It will become slowly but surely more difficult for people to provide safely for their families as this unnatural revolution takes place. It is now that Harvey feels a calling to seize upon this pressing issue that is invading his own country. He returns to the States to resume a teaching position at Purdue University and begins informing the public of such hazards by writing for science magazines.

His experience gains him the position State Chemist at the State Board of Health. At a convention in Missouri he meets Commissioner of Agriculture Dr. Loring, who is so impressed by Harvey's work that he secures an offer for him to become Chief Chemist of the United States Department of Agriculture.

He arrives at the archaic Washington, D.C. of the late 19th century, bearing the responsibility of being a high ranking agricultural scientist challenged with maintaining diplomacy and resolve despite changing Presidential administrations. His days get busier, but he refuses to let go of his desire to reform the nation's chaotic food and drug industries.

As the late 1890's roll to and end, he is in his 50's and far from family and close friends - apparently a confirmed bachelor. Surprisingly, at this wearying time in his life he meets a beautiful young woman named Anna Kelton. He is immediately smitten with her poise and dignity, which fully embody all the charms he scientifically described in a humorous poem he wrote in a Harvard Laboratory that portrayed his "Ideal Woman" - which, as a man of high standards, he previously presumed he would never find. The seeds of their romance are sown. After Anna (who happens to be 33 years younger than Harvey) leaves her secretarial post at the Bureau of Chemistry, they only occasionally see each other throughout the next decade. The script follows Anna Kelton's life to add another dimension to the story: American society's view of the crucial issue, including the involvement that women had in it.

Becoming restless and determined, Harvey Wiley finally decides there is ample evidence for presenting the case of the nation's health to its leaders. "So far there has been too much argument about the effect of chemical preservatives on health," he says, addressing a conference of delegates debating about food regulation. "I propose to find out by scientific experimentation what is the truth about a question of such vital concern to the consumers of the nation. Someday we will have a law,"

His confidence mysteriously infuriates an unimpressed audience member at the back of the room - George McCabe, a suave young lawyer ambitious to become the most powerful legal official in the USDA. How dare Dr. Wiley propose a significant law without consulting him first?

The Scottish-born Secretary of Agriculture James Wilson holds McCabe in high esteem, repeatedly following his advice in dealings with Chief Chemist Harvey Wiley, not realizing the increasing grudge he has against him.

Being the honest scientist that he is, Harvey, along with his capable and discerning assistant W.D. Bigelow, conducts experiments to further validate his convictions. A group of young men volunteer to test the consequences of consuming tainted foods. The studies of "The Poison Squad" draw much attention from the press. Harvey Wiley's excellent analytical presentation convinces a congressional committee to approve his plan and allow him to help draft the bill - much to Solicitor McCabe's loathing.

The politics of the scenario draw in another catalytical persona of interest: President Theodore Roosevelt. Roosevelt has conflicted with the perfectionist Chief Chemist occasionally, but he is impressed by Harvey's common sense and integrity. Roosevelt signs the Act into Law on June 30, 1906, drawing cheers from all the citizens except some unreasonable businessmen - one of whom is Walter Williams. Williams, ambitious and impatient to have a profitable industry no matter what practice, consults with Solicitor McCabe along with others in his clique to weaken the law.

Solicitor McCabe influences the well-meaning but wavering Secretary Wilson to appoint a board of elite conflicting scientists - "The Remsen Board" - to counteract the enforcement of the Pure Food and Drug Law in one of the most misunderstood and ignored crimes in American government. McCabe ultimately constructs a nemesis of convoluted bureaucracy that drives a schism between Harvey, the President and Secretary Wilson, ultimately making himself the superior authority over the law. Once McCabe gains this power, he discards and manipulates prosecutions in order to allow the illegal practices that the careless food and drug industries prefer. Thus begins the complex friction that will haunt Harvey Wiley and the nation forever.

When a court in Harvey's home State of Indiana begins hearings on a case regarding their manufacturers and the State Board of Health, Harvey and Bigelow are among the government chemists summoned to clarify the dangers of preservatives. Solicitor McCabe issues an order preventing them to testify, which results in the case being brought to the Supreme Court. When Bigelow and one of the manufacturers that abolished sodium benzoate in his products testify the truth, Walter Williams suddenly realizes that he has been on the wrong side. When he withdraws his prosecution and admits that Harvey is right, Solicitor McCabe is furious. Though he could retreat from his lost and sickening cause, McCabe has for so long fought against Harvey Wiley that his most ambitious desire now is to defeat him.

The climax is reached when the Association of Food and Drug Officials convention takes place in Denver, Colorado. Elections are held to determine leaders that will be influential in upholding the Pure Food and Drugs Law. When the wrong candidates are elected due to Solicitor McCabe's campaigning, the Remsen Board's faulty science is upheld and support for the Law is undermined.

The worst has arrived for the Pure Food and Drug Law and its staunch founder, Harvey Wiley. The leaders that have gained the most power over the issue have practically silenced the debate in front of the outraged public without a hint of remorse. Perhaps the only vindication left is the Moss Committee Investigation during which Solicitor McCabe is forced to admit that his decisions have been deliberately antagonistic towards the Chief Chemist.

The honest investigation clearly favors Harvey, but to no avail at the time. It will all be a preserved but untouched record of history as time goes on. Just as Harvey has decided that his service in Washington is dwindling, he happens to run into Anna on a streetcar. He asks to call and proposes that very afternoon.

In 1912, Harvey Wiley resigns from the Bureau of Chemistry. With his new bride, Anna, at his side he moves to the countryside of Virginia where they will raise two sons in the years to come.

Return to the Waldorf-Astoria Dining Room in 1926. Harvey Wiley's speech is ending.

"If the Bureau of Chemistry had been permitted to enforce the law as it was written and as it tried to do, what would have been the condition now?"

At the back of the room, Walter Williams, remorseful, turns away from the Reporter and leaves.

"The health of our people would be vastly improved and their life greatly extended..." Harvey continues. The indomitable Harvey's battle has not ended, but the battleground has changed. He bears his frustration with the understanding and warning that neither industry nor government nor science can save a nation. It is the family that must preserve health, strength and values for the future generations.

Now his conviction is understood. Foreseeing the demise of the nation's health, he continues to write voraciously. Among his many writings is his story of the Pure Food Law in which he portrays one of the elements in history that contributes to the mystery of how the most blessed nation in the world has unnecessarily suffered under its own indulged weakness. Harvey Wiley closes his book with the compassionate hope that one day its audience will remember its responsibility and be moved to action.

~ ~ ~

Well, I hope you've enjoyed a brief history lesson, if nothing else.  There are lots of exciting things that I've been busy with that I hope to write about soon.

Take care and May the LORD Bless!

~Amanda~

I didn't get to make a post on the first day of March, so I will begin this post with what occurred then.  Our friends the Williams kindly invited Rachel, Joseph and me to accompany them to a splendid performance of Fiddler On The Roof.  I saw the movie many years ago, and I think the JSU Drama Department performance was very well done.

The story is set in Anatevka, a small village in Russia in the year 1905 - on the eve of the Russian Revolutionary period (which goes right along with my upcoming study).  It follows the life of Tevye, a Jewish peasant and father of five daughters who says that living in their village is like being a "fiddler on the roof"; seemingly crazy, haphazard and risky, yet precisely balanced and preserved by Tradition. The drama and comedy (and of course, the music...live orchestra at the theatre we went to) unfolds into a very entertaining family story that ends on a rather sad note...the political culture changes invade and end up moving even the villagers grounded by Tradition to scatter about the world.

I found myself humorously thinking that a "Fiddler" set in our era would begin the other way around: people trying to withdraw from the modern mayhem to find some sort of Tradition to balance with in the first place!

~~~

Our soap supplies arrived this week, so we were able to make glycerin soap on Friday.  The process is amazingly simple and fun, but you will have to wait and read the details and see the photographs (whichever decent ones out the 50 make the cut) in the next issue of The Girlhood Home Companion.

I've returned to my WVWW Year II Audios (did I mention that I haven't been studying while I was finishing up the screenplay?) and have enjoyed the lectures on The American Revolution, John Locke, The Declaration of Independence...I am way too into it most of the time.  I like to rewind and re-listen constantly (just as I reread pages in books - and then rarely finish them).  My little portable headset CD player has been much appreciated, but suddenly the rewind button quit working (I took that as a sign).  I am thus now forced to listen attentively while resisting the urge to rewind and get that tiny historical detail.

As soon as I finish those, I have to drill through Geometry.  Then I study to take the infamous ACT and then - I'll be considered a "Homeschool graduate".  Oh...and Dad finally got me a driver's manual to study for my permit.  That's probably the subject I could care the least about (if that goes below math, that is really saying something), but I have it to do.

~Amanda~ 

THE MAP OF EXCELLENCE

Colonial America, being the turning point for the Old World and the starting point for the New, ought not be misrepresented.  The people and politics of the continental experiment could not have been perfect or utopian, and neither did they strive for such unrealistic ideals.  The uniqueness and excellence that the first founders put into the young civil government had nothing to do with power politics or even a blasé and tolerant democracy. 

No, it had nothing to do with making perfection, but rather having a completely Biblical understanding of imperfection.  By unanimously acknowledging CHRIST as CREATOR, SAVIOUR and SOVEREIGN and stating HIS WORD as Law, the people were given the responsibility of holding themselves as well as their elected leaders accountable.

With this outline of government in place, it was only natural that a generational mindset of education take place.  It was extremely important to the citizens that their children had a firm Biblical foundation and a respectful and discerning understanding of their heritage.  From the first literary primer to the college admissions requirements, a classical, practical and Biblical method of education was greatly esteemed.

As the colonies began forming a responsible government and learning style, society remained complementary to it.  A nation is, after all, built upon the family, and the family and its social setting were well balanced, with men and women accepting their different yet equally important roles.  It was not in any way a lifestyle to be ridiculed as primitive, but rather an instance in which workforce and home were regulated appropriately.

Now, it is not necessarily probable that people of that time were more righteous individually than they are now.  But the best way to evaluate the quality of social life is to examine what activities and beliefs are appreciated, tolerated or frowned upon.

In that particular era, the Church was considered valuable to both the family and the state.  Institutions for higher education made religious views and reputations as important in a student's life as academics.  The Great Awakening further challenged and revived the people's concept of GOD's Providence in their country and reminded them of the dangers of complacency.  Fellowship and unity among believers was vital.

Thus, as that era of history came to a close, the young nation of the United States of America inherited its hard earned success.  Colonial America was not a shamefully blind and arrogant and irrelevant figment of past civilization, but rather the map of excellence that steered the country to greatness out of an age that was politically tumultuous worldwide.

___________________________________

That was an essay I wrote for World Views earlier this year.  If I had a lot of extra time on my hands I probably would have rewritten the whole thing and been more detailed before posting it, but I guess it will have to do.  I already had this set for November 22nd, but it took me so long to edit out the errors my sloppy typing fingers created that I didn't make it before the splendid festivities of the past week set in.  We had our delicious Thanksgiving meal at lunch time on that pleasant rainy Thursday, beginning with The LORD's Supper to thank GOD for the ultimate gift - salvation in CHRIST.

We had dessert at our great-grandparents' house.  The weekend that followed was wonderful, with visiting friends and family.  Recently we've enjoyed playing a Biblical trivia game called "Bible Baffle".  It's a lot of fun!

Rachel and Jillian (who was visiting) sent out the Priceless Purity e-zine.  It's a good one, and I think all of you will enjoy it!

I spent today planning more so than studying.  I want to really work at managing my time better.  I don't want the internet - even blogging - to be my big "thing".  I want my "internet life" (haha...;-D) to be uncluttered and purposeful.  I still want to be able to get a blog post out at least once a week, but my other writing priorities will have to be my main focus.

I'm done with Chemistry, so I hope to successfully accomplish Geometry and the rest of World Views of the Western World within the next few months.  I want to especially focus on historical research, since I will probably end up majoring in History at a nearby college someday (I have no intentions of leaving home, believe me) and I'm also interested in writing historically themed scripts.  But I also don't want thoughts of college to become my big "thing".  I don't want to be intricately involved in anything that draws me away from what I believe the LORD is calling me to do in life.  I only want to focus on things that will help me develop my skills and talents.

MAY GOD BLESS,

~Amanda~

As the ways of the world expand and become more complicated, things that should be sharp and clear become hazy, dull and nearly unobtrusive to some.  Is the majority simply too weary to debate ancient cultural traditions that have since been commercially modernized?

One chilly night in Ithaca, New York my parents turned off most of the lights in our house and after eating a light supper of tomato soup (why do I remember these things?) we quietly retreated to the little room that was Dad's office.  Nothing drastic or important was going on.  But I was 3 years old and slightly bewildered.  The reason for our actions was simple: it was Halloween, trick-or-treaters were out and we had no candy in the house to give out to anyone.  In attempts to avoid an awkward confrontation, we "hid".

Halloween never interested me.  I've never been one to get into dressing up, knocking on neighbors' doors or eating candy.  I've never been one to get intrigued by horror, no matter how silly.  My parents told me that it wasn't a good thing to celebrate because of its original and permeating affiliations with death and the devil, so I developed convictions against it and never devoted much mental energy to the issue.

A couple of years later, an approaching Halloween found me 5 years old and in Garmisch, Germany.  My closest little German friend (well, she had a German accent and her mother was German, but her father was an American in the military), Elaine, shared my interest in horses.  One day her mother brought me along on an outing to the library.  As Elaine and I listened to her mother read aloud a happy-go-lucky picture book about children deciding what to be on Halloween, her mother light-heartedly asked us what we wanted to be on the occasion.  "A horse!" said Elaine.  At first I payed little attention, but after further imaginary thought about Elaine harmlessly skipping around playing horse, I said, "A unicorn!".  When I remembered that the topic we were discussing was actually regarding that forbidden day which Dad referred to as "Satan's birthday", I felt deeply humiliated.

A few years later, another approaching Halloween found me 8 years old and in West Point, New York.  An outspoken little friend that attended public school (and was very proud to remind us of it) named Savannah loved playing with Rachel.  Savannah, about the same age as Rachel, many times played nicely enough but talked a lot.  Upon discovering that we didn't celebrate Halloween, she began her inquisition.  Her family never perceived it to be evil and participated in it fully.  Why should we think any differently?  She still wasn't finished with the inquisition regarding our homeschooling, so she threw that one in there too a few times as the controversial day drew near. 

I responded repeatedly with everything I could think of regarding my family's convictions about Halloween and trick-or-treating.  But she wasn't silenced.  She insisted that everybody does something on Halloween.  If we didn't celebrate it by trick-or-treating or decorating, then what did we do?  "Nothing," I said over and over again.  She still wasn't convinced.  Out of final desperation, I said the most radical thing she had ever heard: "We hide from trick-or-treaters."

That wasn't entirely true, of course.  It was a mere reference to the quiet evening in Ithaca and the errands and restaurant outings we frequently took on the 31st of October.  Interestingly enough, Savannah was satisfied with that response.  Days and weeks later, parents all over the military post were talking about the Reads' mysterious habit of hiding from trick-or-treaters.  When Savannah's father asked my father about it, my parents were understandably a bit irritated and amused at my debating style.

A couple of years later, another approaching Halloween found me at the age of 10 and in Huntsville, Alabama.  Our friends and acquaintances in Huntsville never interrogated me much at all, but they remained curious about our veto of the day which to them meant laughs and treats.  "You know, it's really nothing to celebrate," they mentioned casually, "you just knock on somebody's door and they hand you a bowl of candy."

When I recited their statement to my mother, she replied, "That's like when people that aren't Christians say they're not really celebrating anything when they celebrate Christmas.  The fact is, they still are, they just don't want to admit it."

MAY GOD BLESS,

~Amanda~ 

me·di·a1      /ˈmidiə/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[mee-dee-uh] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation

–noun

1.	a pl. of medium.

2.	(usually used with a plural verb) the means of communication, as radio and television, newspapers, and magazines, that reach or influence people widely: The media are covering the speech tonight.

–adjective

3.	pertaining to or concerned with such means: a job in media research.

—Usage note Media, like data, is the plural form of a word borrowed directly from Latin. The singular, medium, early developed the meaning “an intervening agency, means, or instrument” and was first applied to newspapers two centuries ago. In the 1920s media began to appear as a singular collective noun, sometimes with the plural medias. This singular use is now common in the fields of mass communication and advertising, but it is not frequently found outside them: The media is (or are) not antibusiness.

~Amanda~

Recently I saw an online article about intellectuals disputing the authorship of Shakespeare's writings.  They said that Shakespeare, "being a provincial lad", could not have possibly written such excellent dramas regarding law, politics, philosophy, history, etc.  I have never dissected this issue in depth, so I can't claim to know if this elite hypothesis has any substantial backing.  But it appears to me that more than just honest presuppositions are behind it, as unwittingly as it might be.

So many seem to believe that in order to be a significant and worthwhile individual you must go through an accredited system of learning that inches you towards excellence on its own time and terms.  I see no difficulty in believing that if a man such as William Shakespeare could read and write, he could learn whatever he wanted to learn and ultimately produce some of the greatest literature in the world.  Is that overreaching at all?  It seems difficult for the modern mind to grasp.

There are some people that can excel in the conventional way of studying. Yet just because you have not been educated according to the same circumstances as the average intellectual does not mean that you cannot think.  In fact, in order to write anything outstanding, it would be advisable to learn how to think outside of the politically correct box.  I have read and attended Shakespeare plays, and the below bio sketch aligns with the nature of the dramas: 

"William Shakespeare was born in April 1564 at Stratford-on-Avon, located in one of England's fairest rural settings.  The beauty of the region deeply influenced him, as he was a close observer of God's world, the world of nature and human beings. 

His schooling was brief, but intense.  Besides Latin, the required works in English were the catechism, Psalter, The Book of Common Prayer, and the New Testament. 

Many echoes from the Bible and the prayer book are found in the writings of Shakespeare.  In fact, he refers to the Bible more than any playwright of his day.  The Scriptures not only gave him the conviction of a moral universe under God, but having a Christian background and framework helped to fire his imagination."

- "Shakespeare's Influence on Great Composers", from The Gift of Music: Great Composers and Their Influence by Jane Stuart Smith and Betty Carlson

"If a person should master Shakespeare and the Bible, he would find all that is greatest in human thought. With the exception of the Scriptures, Shakespeare's dramas have surpassed all other works in molding modern English thought."

- Halleck, a professor at Yale University  

No wonder Shakespeare is so controversial.

MAY GOD BLESS,

~Amanda~

When most contemporary writers attempt to explore the literary motivations of the renowned Jane Austen, they often follow a nearly stereotypical trend of thinking.  Because she so masterfully portrayed the cliques and prejudice of Regency era society (a study of human nature quite relevant today), it is often assumed that she must have been feministic and somewhat rebellious, or else she would have given a less sharp view of her culture.

I was relieved to see that Becoming Jane does not follow that trend as closely as one might expect.  The young Jane (played by American actress Anne Hathaway - who did surprisingly well in my opinion) is seen as quiet, introspective and slightly eccentric, but not rebellious.  She is a middle class country girl, content as long as she is allowed to be.  She is happy for her elder sister Cassandra's initial engagement, and of course, very absorbed in her writing.

Jane - unique and eccentric to family and friends, but not rebellious

The elements of the film that began to confuse me were that of Mrs. Austen's rash, unsympathetic attitude towards Jane and her literary talent as well as her "Mrs. Bennet" like behavior.  At certain points of the movie I almost thought I was watching one of Jane Austen's novels being played out on the screen.  From what I read years ago, the Austen family was not nearly as tense and socialite bound as the characters of Jane's novels.  I'm sure that she based some of her writings on experiences in her life, but I doubt they were that autobiographical.

When the dashing and worldly young lawyer Tom Lefroy (played by Scottish actor James McAvoy, also quite well) bounds into the scene, the atmosphere becomes amusingly more conflicting.  His elite character slyly taunts Jane, as he tells her she needs to "have her horizons widened" and learn more about "the real world".  Some of the best dialogue scenes in the film are her clever rebuttals to his argument for worldly novels.

The dashing and worldly Tom Lefroy

The story follows the gradually intertwining lives of these two very different characters as they both experience the typical money/family struggle and each learn a thing or two about propriety.  The expected romantic plot eventually sets in.  Not surprisingly, the match is unfavorable to aware superiors.  Contemporary cinematic patterns of passion and tragedy begin to rise, with a thread of history still left.  Cassandra's fiance dies on a mission trip, and Jane is pressured to marry a "Mr. Collins" type suitor.  Tom Lefroy pursuades Jane to elope with him, hoping they will escape their trials and tribulations.

As they are part way along in their rendezvous to Ireland, the breathless and passionate Jane becomes the wise and sensible Jane who realizes her foolishness and decides she cannot do such a thing to her family and the Lefroy family.  She returns to her home, much to the relief of her family, particularly her mother, who has also sobered down substantially.

While the movie attempts to make some interesting use of the more obscure issues in Jane Austen's life, it is still a conventional movie about an unconventional authoress.  You will walk away feeling like you haven't exactly learned much about the writer herself, but because no one claims to really know much about her, there isn't a whole lot to say on the matter.  The acting is good, dialogue witty, characters believable and plot surprising.  There is a brief 1-second-or-so long unnecessary thematic element or two not worth discussing, but beyond that the movie is about as nice as any little paperback historical fiction novel. 

I read about the film in a screenwriting newsletter some time before I watched it.  The critics praised screenwriters Kevin Hood and Sarah Williams for not being "slaves to history" and instead using it as "a launching pad to combine threads and events into a much tighter story for the screen".  While dramatizing history you have no choice but to take a little artistic license in order to make a long story fit into an interesting 2-hour segment.  But you have to remember that you are still telling a story about an actual person - not a figment of your imagination...and most of the time the more historically probable is actually more intriguing to the audience that is interested in the historically based film in the first place. 

One interesting point the secular critics did make was, "What makes this love story stand out, odd as it may sound, is the complete lack of physicality between Jane and Tom...only a handful of stolen kisses. They walk chastely though the woods and along streams. They discuss books. Some of their most physical interactions are the various society dances they attend...Keeping to the sensibilities the real Ms. Austen became known for...this screenplay is all about language and subtlety..." 

 Perhaps a little path has been paved for more becoming dramas rather than trashy flicks.

Becoming Jane - a conventional movie about an unconventional authoress

MAY GOD BLESS,

~Amanda~

That surprisingly odd question appeared in my mind one day after struggling for an excuse as to why I had not completed a contribution to the Priceless Purity e-zine.  Througout the days, weeks, months and believe it or not, years I will spend an enormous amount of time imagining things to write.  Usually it's while I'm accomplishing some other necessary task at the same time.  That's one of the things I love about writing.  You can essentially "write" anytime, anywhere, in your head.  But getting the discipline to harness your thoughts on paper or computer screen can be challenging.

If I'm busy with reading or researching one particular week, I'll consider using the upcoming weekend as a time to write whatever I really want to write.  Some times I stick to that goal.  Often times I don't.  Writing, even fun writing, can be a lot of work.

With this screenplay I've been working on, I ended up having to write a lot of scenes out of order.  That isn't a bad thing, necessarily.  My piano teacher at Judson College taught that me that I could work on a long piano piece measure by measure out of order.  Margaret Mitchell wrote her famous novel, Gone With The Wind in chapters out of order.  C. S. Lewis wrote The Chronicles Of Narnia series out of sequence.  Alex Kendrick prefers to write his scripts last scene first, as he supposedly did with Facing The Giants.  But you still must abide by order in some way.  You have to work especially hard in your editing.

But what does that have to do with whether or not you are really a writer?  I suppose I have always had this idealistic goal in my mind regarding writing.  I repeatedly fall back into thinking that if I am indeed a real writer, I should be able to - no matter what issue might be at stake - immediately state my point eloquently and articulately when I want to.  Perhaps it is just like working with my paintings.  It takes lots of focus, lots of practice and unfortunately, I tend to be extremely slow and methodical in the process.

There have been a lot of blog awards passing by lately.  I've received a total of five so far.  They have placed upon me the pleasant duty of awarding others. Note: If any of you have already received the award I'm giving you, don't worry about giving it out again.  Just count it as an extra vote for your blog. :-)

 {Bestowed upon me by Jocelyn Dixon}

I subsequently award to:

OldFashionGirl's 2nd blog - OldFashionPonderings She reflects on old fasioned things for us to enjoy!

Rose I love the way she writes!  Her writings always touch a familiar topic in an interesting way.

IloveyouGod - Brooke When I visited her blog I knew the writer was a winner before I knew who she was.

lotrsavvy - Jennifer The word "Reflection" is in her blog's very title!  One of my favorite places to visit.

LadyJaneGrey  I always enjoy a visit to Lady Jane's blog. Pleasant and fun and contemplative all at once!

 {From TheLordsDaughter, BelovedPeace and ChristineDaae}

christianmusician1 - Arya I wanted to give her all three awards, but she's already filled up with awards! Wow! One great blogger.

Sparkles - Jenna She must be the very definition of Rockin' Girl Blogger!  Keep up the blog, it's wonderful.

Clarissa - She always has something interesting to share and discuss!

DancingFeet - Briana One of my first HSB friends, and her blog is still has one of my favorite blogs to visit.

walkbyfaith - Alicia A wonderful conversational blogger.

{Charmingly presented to me by Cornflower and Bluejane}

I subsequently present to:

SouthernBelle - Doesn't everyone like Southern Belle? She has a pretty and inviting blog.

rjdjohn316 - Every blogger needs to visit Rachel Dixon's Milk and Honey Tea House for a taste of hospitality and food for thought!

QueenBee - Abigail Read is a determined blogger that sticks to her subject...she also happens to be my little sister.

PonyPassion - Mary Read keeps her blog written nicely and loves horses and art...she also happens to be my little sister.

BrielleCostumes - Nice is an understatement...Brielle is absolutely amazing in her skill!

Now for a few updates...

I decided not to enter the Three-Page Treatment Competition at the SAICFF last month (the deadline was Sept. 1st).  The festival is best geared towards those that intend to produce and distribute their movies independently, which I know I could not do personally with this script.  I do hope and pray that if I ever get any screenplays produced they will be directed by godly directors, however....as well as reach a wide audience.  I can't wait to see more independent Christian filmmakers distributing widely.

Thanks to the LORD and my parents, I now have a laptop.  It's an Acer Aspire 5630-6288 that works wonderfully.  Dad, Abigail, Beth and I spent all day Monday first at Wal-Mart then Circuit City trying to find the right kind.  Everything new has Windows Vista now (urgh...), but oh well.  Marketing schemes, man.  But it's good enough for me at the moment.  It even has a DVD/CD producer program (hmm...filmmaking...), along with an extremely addictive Orbicam.

 

 

  

"Beware how you trifle with your marvelous inheritance, this great land of liberty, for if we stumble and fall, freedom and civilization everywhere will go down in ruin."

~ Henry Cabot Lodge

SEPTEMBER TENTH, TWO-THOUSAND AND ONE CLOSED as a happy Monday evening in my memory.  We were just then settling in our huge house at the quaint town of Marion, Alabama.  Piano lessons and ballet classes and our first pet cat and so forth were discussed in childish persiflage by my eleven year-old self and seven year-old sister, Rachel in our new bedroom.  Everything was comfortably correct enough.

The next morning I awoke with a start.  It seemed as though I had just had a bad dream, yet couldn't remember a thing about it.  The weather through my window was brilliantly sunny, and the house was calm, yet for a quirky moment I couldn't bring myself to get out of bed.  I lay there, staring blankly, until I heard shouting from my mother. "AMANDA!" Confused, I tried hard to figure out if I was in trouble or had slept in too late or had caused some other bizarre disturbance in the household unwittingly.  "AMANDA!" Why does everything feel so funny? I know I'm not sick...I'm not grounded...

Six-year-old Joseph appeared at my doorway.  As usual, he was dressed in his hobbit attire, complete with belt and dagger, fumbling with a play ring.  He was always a quiet boy that sorely disliked conflict or argument of any sort.  It struck me as nothing unusual that he was standing there with a nervous and timid countenance, preparing to give me a message.  "Amanda," he began, looking at the floor awkwardly, "um, Momma wants you to come downstairs."  That was it?  As though I couldn't tell already...alright, now things are getting annoying. I hopped out of bed clad in my handmade light-blue flanel nightgown, provoked out of my daze. 

"Joseph! Why can't you speak up and explain things better?" was my agitated response (in fact, I must humbly admit that I have abused that line even to this day).  Rachel was beginning to wake.  I walked towards the stairs, still bewildered.  "What is going on?" I said, preparing to thoroughly interrogate Joseph.  He apparently didn't want to discuss daily events with his wordy elder sister.  "Um, well...something on the TV..." he reluctantly attempted to mention.  Oh, please.  Nothing on the TV ever concerns us.  This was not turning into a pleasant morning for conversation.

"AMANDA! THEY ATTACKED THE PENTAGON!" was Mom's outcry from downstairs.

By now down the first step of our first flight of stairs, I wheeled around, facing Joseph. "The Pentagon?" I said.  As military children we were especially aware of the significance pertaining to the iconical geometric building.  In fact, Dad originally had an opportunity to take a job at the Pentagon before we decided to move to Marion.  Furious and mystified, I dashed down the long stairway, my hand gliding over the fire station looking red metal rail which was a left over from the days when our house served as a dormitory and post office.

I finally arrived in the den to find Mom standing in front of the entertainment center, the plain yet decorative furniture that encased the television set.  On the screen before us was Fox News' conveyance of the insulting antagonism: The Pentagon, wounded and raging with fire and smoke.

"They attacked the Pentagon! Can you believe it?" said Mom, pointing at the screen with the remote.  "Who did this?" I asked, almost surprised at myself for beginning to smirk at the offenders I didn't even know.  "Is this the beginning of World War III?"  I apparently have a habit of voicing odd questions when feeling pressured.  Joseph entered the room.  Abigail and Mary, only four and two years of age, had little to state on the subject.

"They attacked the World Trade Center towers too," said Mom.  "This is war."

"This is war, hobbit." I stated to Joseph, standing next to me.  But we were not in any sort of mood for amusement.  I specifically remember sight of the Twin Towers falling...towers that we had several times in the past driven by. 

Dad was in Montgomery that morning.  Stepping outside in the yard that day, the strangest thing that struck me was how normal and safe everything could appear.  It was evident that the skies and been silenced; not an aircraft passed by, with the possible exception of the metallic zing of fighter jets as they patrolled the nation.

There still remained a slim feeling of heroism and justice in discovering that a few Americans, rallying together and refusing to surrender to the terrorists that claimed dominion of their airplane, fought and turned the airplane off the enemy's intended course.  I repeatedly demanded to know who dared to cause the hi-jacking attacks.

My journal entry on September 11, 2001:           

When I awoke in the morning, it was true.  The World Trade Center Towers had been attacked by hi-jacked planes.  The Pentagon was attacked by yet another hi-jacked plane.  Grief and weeping seem to have taken over our nation - Land of the Free and Brave.

September 12, 2001

The towers of the World Trade Center are now nothing but a pile of rubble.  The fire at the Pentagon continues to burn.  Thousands have been killed...Who did this?  We seek to know.

The name we were given to blame since that Tuesday of terror was Osama bin Laden.  The crowd of Islamic women and children praising the attacks on TV footage left me even more infuriated.  We learned that Saddam Hussein, who ruled a murderous regime in Iraq, also posed a threat because of his shady concurrance of terrorism and hatred towards America.

The next few journal entries were filled with general youthful sentiment for the United States of America.  But one day my pondering was a bit different, yet similarly inscribed in blue calligraphy:

Oh Nation, we stand together as one, but we are not strong, not brave, nor great, though we seem through our own eyes and the eyes of other nations, we are not.  We cannot put our faith in the military, nor the government.  Any victory won is not ours, but THE LORD'S.  We are known as Land of the Free and Brave because we are HIS Nation - let us not forget the Pilgrims, and the Prayer at Valley Forge.  We are one Nation, Under GOD.

I was still a silly eleven-year-old girl and didn't know how to get my point across much better than that.  I repeatedly wrote out little such addresses that would most likely be read only by me and my siblings (which now get a good laugh at them), yet I was never completely discouraged from it.  These six years later, we have seen the trials and triumphs of the War on Terrorism.  We have also continued to witness the internal illness America suffers from - a drowning, swampy and godless culture.

The LORD's Providence upon this country came from HIS gracious blessing towards the believers that prayerfully founded this nation. 

"We have staked the whole future of American civilization, not upon the power of government, far from it.  We have staked the future upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to sustain ourselves, according to the Ten Commandments of  God."

~ James Madison

We must not lose sight of the vision while we still have a chance to glorify CHRIST on this earth.   

"The end is to improve our lives to do more service to the Lord the comfort and increase of the body of Christ whereof we are member that ourselves and posterity may be the better preserved from the common corruptions of this evil world to serve the Lord and work out our salvation under the power and purity of His holy ordinances...

...We shall find that the God of Israel is among us - when ten of us shall be able to resist a thousand of our enemies..for we must consider that we shall be as a "City upon a Hill"..."

~ John Winthrop

PRAYERS FOR THE NATION AND THE WORLD,

~Amanda Read~

Some one said recently that they think "Homeschools are the monasteries of the new dark ages".  Kevin Swanson mentioned it in his lecture on Multi-generational Homeschooling.  Ah, certainly that is a powerful ambition.  We are here to guard and treasure the WORD of GOD, to excel in wisdom and intellect, preserving our historical heritage...since without vision, the people perish. 

That isn't over reaching.  That is quite simply the idea in the first place.  But since our era finds our nation so drifted away from the idea in the first place, society seems unnerved by it.  Education has become dumbed down to drudgery - meager intellectual aspirations with no wise or logical purpose, so much so it requires that grades and graduation be attached for the sake of labeling success.  Do you want success?  Never conform yourself to school.  Make school conform to you and yourself conform to CHRIST.   

     A few people might remember my first venture into the world wide web as the writer and editor of "The A Place To Read Gazette".  I began that at age 13, and after my extremely opionionated articles managed to reach only a small (yet very tolerant) audience (and I struggled with computer technicalities), I practically gave up on it.
     A year to two ago my mother and sister suggested that I take up some new fling on the internet: blogging.  I was hesitant at first, simply because I wasn't sure that I would keep it up long enough for it to have any value.  But I finally became a member of HomeschoolBlogger, and now cannot imagine living without one!
    I am now 17 years old and a junior in highschool (coming up on senior).  I have been homeschooled all my life, and raised in a strong Christian conservative family.  I am the eldest of eight children.  About two years ago my father retired as a Liutenant Colonel and Russian linguist in the U.S. Army.  He leads our family devotions daily and our home church on Sundays, now works from home and has a dream of founding a Creation Science/Civilization History museum in the Southeast.  My mother has always been a Keeper at Home, and writes articles on nutrition and homemaking.  My 14 year old sister, Rachel, is one of the founders and managers of Priceless Purity (www.pricelesspurity.org).
    We live at "Fair Hills Farm", our 22 acre homestead in Northeast Alabama.  We raise heritage breed chickens, have cats and a dog, and are working towards producing as much of our own food as possible.  I built and designed our website, www.fairhillsfarm.com, on which I write various articles about chickens.  I enjoy art, playing the piano, history, science, webdesign, reading, nature journaling, photography, filmmaking, studying World Views and the works of C.S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, William Shakespeare, Jane Austen, Francis and Edith Schaeffer and so forth...
     I am currently writing a historical movie script that I hope to complete this year and LORD willing get produced someday in the near future.  My highest aspiration is to influence the world for CHRIST in whichever way HE see fit - whether it be in daily homestead and household tasks or writing books and films.
     If anyone is looking for forerunners of a second Reformation, count me in!  Carpe Diem!

"And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of CHRIST."
~ Philippians 1:9-10

"Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of GOD, that HE may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on HIM, because HE cares for you."
~ 1 Peter 5:6-7

"Commit you way to the LORD, trust also in HIM, and HE will do it."
~ Psalm 37:5

"Be diligent to present yourself approved to GOD as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth."
~ 2 Timothy 2:15

As I have said before, it is especially important to be resolved in your convictions on the internet where freedom of speech is greatly abused.  More Christian bloggers need to be considering this!

Writing can be significant for both righteousness and evil.  Written words place the thoughts and worldview of the author into a domain that allows them to be vastly influencial - very often even beyond the life of the writer in this world.  It takes little thought to realize the lasting cultural impacts of people such as John Calvin, William Shakespeare, Jane Austen, J.R.R. Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, Charles Darwin and Karl Marx.

The internet is an amazing invention.  A mysterious machine developed out of mere code, it enables people from different nations, languages, cultures and beliefs to congregate in one very loosely restrained atmosphere of tolerance.  It can be both a podium and a pit.  It is thus impossible to please both GOD and the world - and we will be confronted with challenge constantly.

Whenever you make a new blog post, great or small, think for a moment about how it may be accessed by the public and what audience might take it to heart.  As The Rebelution Forums assert: "As a member of this forum you have committed to pursue excellence in your writing, from the content of your post down to the spelling. Before you hit 'submit', ask yourself the question: "Will this post bless or equip my brothers and sisters in Christ?" If the answer is 'yes', double-check for spelling, punctuation, capitalization and grammatical errors, then post it! If the answer is 'no', don't post. We're going for quality, not quantity."

As much of a stretch as it may seem, consider for a moment if CHRIST were to return at this moment.  We who are HIS Followers shall be raptured, but everything that we have written will be left behind.  Some unbelievers on earth during the brief time afterward before its total destruction may still have a chance to be influenced!

Anything we sincerely accomplish for the will of GOD is not in vain.

Blog With A Purpose!

GOD BLESS,

~Amanda~

Apparently, the seed of scientific endeavor will germinate even in the soil of amusement.

Try it at your own risk.

~Amanda~

Never take advantage of Providence, I must humbly admit.

Right now I am continuing my study of the Reformation, which is including a study of the hymns written by Martin Luther.  I'm always trying to learn new songs to play on the piano as it is, so I decided that now is a good time to start mastering hymns, one of which is A Mighty Fortress (A Mighty Fortress is our GOD...).

I'm also working on Beethoven's Piano Sonata "Pathétique" and whatever else I happen to find (I'll be studying Baroque music soon, so Bach and Handel are on my list).  I've been playing Mozart's Rondo Alla Turca for six years now, probably much to the agitation of the surrounding listeners (too many notes!  Calm down already!).  I also enjoy playing Debussy's La Fille Aux Cheveux de Lin.

I've started working extra hard on Chemistry, so as to complete it before summer time (April is my ideal).  I actually enjoy it.  Though I am not keen on mathematical things, true Science really doesn't aggravate me quite as much.  It employs a sort of 3-dimensional math (if that makes any sense).

My chief flaw (one of them, anyway) is over complicating things.  It is usually the simple concepts in math or music or whatever that throw me off balance more so than the complex things.  I often overthink and overwrite, sometimes until I have gone nearly in circles.  Just reviewing the essays and stories I wrote a few years ago humiliate me.  I'm having to sort through a lot of them for my portfolio.

We are considering raising a heritage breed of chicken this year, most likely Dominiques.  We will probably have to order some to arrive early next month so they will be laying well by summer.

I must stay optimistic about things.  I must not over complicate and over think and over work until I turn frustrated and critical and bitter.  Believe me, that is my natural tendency.  The quest for perfection.  But that often times turns into such a worthless ambition! 

The Church before the Reformation had become so ridiculously pompous and worldly - John Wycliffe and John Hus and Martin Luther (to name only three men) looked past that at the time and saw that the WORD of GOD is not a giant book of complex and petty rules, but rather straightforward and pure truth.  Sola Scriptura - The Scriptures Alone -  that is all we truly need to dwell on.

I was reminded recently of the immense blessings we take for granted day by day.  A good friend of mine from a homeschooling family, Grace (age 16) left on a Mission trip to Uganda on the 10th of this month.  She won't return to the States until the 7th of February.  She is staying with a family that has four children.  The family's eldest daughter, Talitha (also 16) has been suffering from whooping cough.  She also came down with 12 hour malaria but was miraculously healed from that.

Grace and the family she is staying with needs a lot of prayer.  Sometimes I forget in the midst of the days in which I fall short of my ideals that in this nation, which has been remarkably blessed, we have often misconstrued success.

I remember seeing in the old gym at Marion Military Institute and handwritten banner on the wall which said, "Victory belongs to those who are willing to pay the price".  WHO paid the ultimate price?  JESUS CHRIST.  Thus, "The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory belongs to the LORD." {Proverbs 21:31}

HE is A Mighty Fortress - we need only to submit to HIM.

GOD BLESS,

~Amanda~

Now, at this moment, I don't feel like doing much of anything.  Or maybe I just want to do too much at once.

Our Grandfather from Tuscaloosa visited today (my mom's dad).  He brought us some venison (along with some turkey and ham for lunch).  He told us a lot of great stories about farming in Illinois years ago.  A lot of it was very similar to stories we learned from Laura Ingalls Wilder.  Isn't it amazing how much has changed just since World War II?

Speaking of change, I have started delving back into my World Views of the Western World studies, and am fascinated by the changes that took place from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance to the Reformation.  I wrote about my study of Dante's writings in an earlier post. 

It is really amazing - how the Renaissance, in all of its brilliance, fell so short of the truth.  It was an era of enlightenment - yet it shaded the Word of GOD.  Everything was suddenly man-centered, and culture struggled to find ways of success, meaning and redemption within their own finiteness.

The Reformation restored the balance and revealed that mankind needs only CHRIST for salvation - not our works, not our genius, not philisophical doctrine and certainly not purgatory.  When one honestly returns to the Scriptures and accepts JESUS, they will find the burden of sin lifted.  When one applies the Bible to everything in life, the culture is greatly influenced and works and intelligence put back into a righteous perspective.

While doing historical research for my script, I noticed that another sort of "enlightenment" began to take place in the late 19th century.  The theory of Evolution, Psychology, Socialism, Communism, Feminism and massive Industrialism all began to rise at the same time.  The majority of our culture changes today have their roots in this second Renaissance.  Though some improvements in technology and so forth may be fine and good, the emerging of Liberalism has proved to be detrimental.  That imbalance has returned and culture now takes on this mockery of justice and morality - and parades man essentially as nothing.

It was expressed by Francis Schaeffer that our culture today needs to experience another Reformation.  Someone once said that perhaps a second Reformation can take place through the next generation of Christians - largely due to the homeschooling movement.  Those that have been educated in the Biblical World View can have a tremendous influence.

I hope and pray that I may be priviledged enough by CHRIST to take part in another Reformation.

MAY OTHERS PRAY THE SAME,

~Amanda~   

Than what this era suggests!

Not to land in the middle of an abstract notion, mind you.  That is not my intention at all.  But I was once again brought to the awareness of "What the world expects" vs. "What GOD commands" in my own life.

Jennie Chancey made an elegant - albeit crucial point in a Letter that Rachel forwarded to me ("Letter" sounds more classic than article).

God’s Word is so rich and His ways so rewarding! We should always turn to the Bible (both “old” and “new” testaments!) to find out what the Lord would have us do. Unfortunately, too many modern Christians look everywhere else for answers before turning to the Word (just look at all the “Christian” psychology and counseling books in Christian bookstores).

This problem is particularly acute with Christian women, since feminism has slowly but surely crept into the church and stolen our hearts while we were not feeding them with God’s precepts and commands.

So many families believe that a young woman, like a young man, is “free and independent” at age 18 or age 21 and should leave home to strike out on her own. This is in total opposition to God’s teachings...I have had time to really dive into the Word and find what God requires of the Christian woman. I do not claim to understand it perfectly, but I do encourage you to hold fast to what God tells us to do. His Word is true and pure, and we cannot go wrong if we follow Him! Starting in the Pentateuch (Genesis through Deuteronomy), we see that God made woman for man. As much as the feminists hate the idea, it is true. Conversely, man was made to protect, cherish and nourish the woman. 

Men who are not doing that and are not loving their wives as Christ loved the church are covenant-breakers. Women who refuse to stay home and obey their fathers or husbands are also covenant-breakers. They are inverting God’s created order, which is God-Man-Woman-Animals. Today we have Animals-Woman-Man-God. Just take a look at what our society holds dear and who gets the most press time! Christians must strive to return to God’s created order...

...Moving on to the books of the law, we see in the case laws (these are the laws which tell us how to live the ten commandments) that God puts a daughter under her father’s protection. He is to help her to remain pure until marriage. He is to guard her from all the “Mr. Wrongs” in the world while she waits for Mr. Right. The whole purpose of the “bride price” and the bride’s dowry was not to sell women like cattle—as feminists like to assert—but to show how valuable a godly daughter is and to protect her in case her husband turns out to be a dud (heaven forbid). The bride price (one year’s wages) and the daughter’s dowry (whatever her family gave her) were hers alone. The husband could not touch that money! Isn’t that something? It was hers to invest and use as she saw fit. What an amazing principle! This is how the Proverbs 31 woman could “consider a field and buy it” and use her own earnings to plant a vineyard.

I actually wondered about that until I was at least 11 years old.

When I thought of the United States of America, I imagined for awhile a wide panorama of politicians and celebrities and average citizens that were all "strangers" to me.  When I was 10, during Election 2000, I began to realize the importance of prayer and admiration for godly leaders.  It is no easy task to be one in today's era, I'm certain.

Actually, it has probably always been that way.  I surprised myself by reading from Psalm 1 to Psalm 20 in one reading this morning.  I want to write down here of the compelling verses...

"How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers!  But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in HIS law he meditates day and night.  He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers.  The wicked are not so, but they are like chaff which the wind drives away.  Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgement, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous...Now therefore, O kings, show discernment; take warning, O judges of the earth...Arise, O LORD; save me, O my GOD!...Salvation belongs to the LORD; YOUR blessing be upon YOUR people!

Selah...

Answer me when I call, O GOD of my righteousness!  YOU have relieved me in my distress; Be gracious to me and hear my prayer.  O sons of men, how long will my honor become a reproach?  How long will you love what is worthless and aim at deception?

Selah. 

But know that the LORD has set apart the godly man for HIMSELF; the LORD hears when I call HIM...Many are saying, "Who will show us any good?"  Lift up the light of YOUR countenance upon us, O LORD!...In the morning, O LORD, YOU will hear my voice; in the morning I will order my prayer to YOU and eagerly watch...The boastful shall not stand before YOUR eyes; YOU hate all who do iniquity.  YOU destroy those who speak falsehood; the LORD abhors the man of bloodshed and deceit...There is nothing reliable in what they say; their inward part is destruction itself.  Their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue.  Hold them guilty, O GOD; by their own devices let them fall!...My soul is greatly dismayed; but YOU, O LORD - how long?...O LORD my GOD, if I have done this, if there is injustice in my hands, if I have rewarded evil to my friend or have plundered him who without cause was my adversary...let him trample my life to the ground and lay my glory in the dust.

Selah...

The LORD judges the peoples; vindicate me, O LORD, according to my righteousness and my integrity that is in me.  O let the evil of the wicked come to and end, but establish the righteous; for the righteous GOD tries the hearts and minds...GOD is a righteous judge, and a GOD who has indignation every day.  If a man does not repent, HE will sharpen HIS sword...From the mouth of infants and nursing babes YOU have established YOUR strength because of YOUR adversaries, to make the enemy and the revengeful cease...What is man that YOU take thought of him, and the son of man that YOU care for him?...YOU make him to rule over the works of YOUR hands; you have put all things under his feet...I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart; I will tell of YOUR wonders...For YOU have maintained my just cause...the LORD abides forever...and HE will judge the world according to righteousness; HE will execute judgement with equity...Put them in fear, O LORD; let the nations know that they are but men.

Selah...

Why do you stand afar off, O LORD?...In pride the wicked hotly pursue the afflicted; let them be caught in the plots which they have devised...The wicked in the haughtiness of his countenance, does not seek HIM.  All his thoughts are, 'There is no GOD'.  His ways prosper at all times; YOUR judgements are on high, out of his sight...He says to himself, "I will not be moved; throughout all generations I will not be in adversity."...O LORD, YOU have heard the desire of the humble; YOU will strengthen their heart...so that man who is of the earth will no longer cause terror...For behold, the wicked bend the bow...to shoot in darkness at the upright in heart.  If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?...Help, LORD, for the godly man ceases to be, for the faithful disappear from among the sons of men.  They speak falsehood to one another; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.  May the LORD cut off all flattering lips...who have said, 'With our tongue we will prevail; Our lips are our own; who is lord over us?'  Because of the devastation of the afflicted, because of the groaning of the needy, 'Now I will arise,' say the LORD, 'I will set him in the safety for which he longs'...YOU, O LORD, will keep them; YOU will preserve him from this generation forever.  The wicked strut about on every side when vileness is exalted among the sons of men...The fool has said in his heart, 'There is no GOD'...There they are in great dread, for GOD is with the righteous generation...Who may dwell on YOUR Holy Hill?  He who walks with integrity and works righteousness, and speaks truth in his heart...who honors those who fear the LORD...he swears to his own hurt and does not change...wondrously show YOUR lovingkindness, O SAVIOR of those who take refuge at YOUR right hand...I love YOU, O LORD, my strength...The law of the LORD is perfect...May HE grant your heart's desire and fulfill all your counsel!  We will sing for joy over your victory, and in the name of our GOD we will set up our banners.  May the LORD fulfill all your petitions...now I know that they LORD saves HIS anointed...Save, O LORD; May the KING answer us in the day we call."

I cannot vote for another year and a half, but I will pray.  I hope that many more Christians besides myself will be motivated by the importance of these elections...and the timeless Psalms of King David.

PRAYERS FOR THE NATION AND THE WORLD,

~Amanda~

Osama bin Laden - how dare he!   Are you prepared to handle one of my dramatic spells?   That threatening evil man.  He wants to prevent me from going to Washington.  I know it!  I cannot stand him.  Al Qaeda is so unreasonable, in fact, that if they came across my blog, I'm sure they would want to put me to death.    An insignificant 16-year-old Homeschooled Christian American young woman that likes coffee, is bad at math, and can never seem to accomplish anything quickly.     These terrorists are uncannily capable of placing themselves in terrifying predicaments upon which the premise may evoke slight hilarity.  Oh dear...I need to be careful about what I write...I am so angry.  They have been my enemies since I was 11 years old.  What would the world be like without terrorists?       Rachel and I thought about that one afternoon in the canoe.  "If they heard everything we say about them," she said, "they would want to kill us."   What an odd era in which we live!  I very out of place at times.   Speaking of...   I might do a blog transfer some time soon.  I'm considering becoming either "Sincerely Amanda" or "Lady Amanda".  Most likely sincerely - as I am already established under that username elsewhere.     ...       PRAYERS FOR THE NATION AND THE WORLD,   ~Amanda~

Comments

Sep. 21, 2006 - hi

Posted by RichMan

just came 2 say hi well hi lol

Sep. 21, 2006 - From Jillian:

Posted by jillian

Oh yes, I'm sure they would bomb us the second they heard of all the things we've said about them! I know I would probably get nuked (sp?) for the things I've said! Haha! Interesting post Amanda - I didn't expect it! ;) ~Jillian~

Sep. 21, 2006 - Model?

Posted by jillian

Hey Amanda! I was just looking around your blog a moment ago, and I couldn't help but smile every time I saw that picture of you and Rachel on the slideshow. You look like you were posing for a magazine or a professional photo! You could pass as a model or something! Maybe you should take a picture of me like that - it takes talent to catch a perfect shot like that one. Haha! Anyway, I just want to say I think it's a real cute picture! God Bless, ~Jillian~

Sep. 21, 2006 - WOW! Neat!

Posted by joseph4jesus

WOW! That's neat I wish we could go there too and see the library of congress! Anyway, Bye! -J4J

Sep. 22, 2006 - hi

Posted by RichMan

i just came to say hi c ya richman!!!!!!

It is quite remarkable that a mere date has become a gilded title - mention just the words "September Eleventh" or "Nine Eleven" and it is immediately associated with its dreadful occurance in year 2001.   I was 11 years old when it happened, and my siblings (that were born by then) and I remember it vividly.  So much has changed in the past five years.  It has gone by both exhaustingly rapid and agonizingly slow at the same time (ahem...does that make any sense?).     There have been victories, however.  There have been triumphs that I believe were works of Providence.  Yet it has indeed been wearying.  We have to be in constant prayer for our leaders, allies and soldiers.   We started watching The Path to 9/11 last night.  It is very realistic, and I hope that it will intrigue its viewers enough to make them understand where this war began (instead of filling their minds with Bush-Bashing propaganda like the majority of the media).    The flag has been slowly but surely rising up the mast.  If only no one tries to pull it down again!   PRAYERS FOR THE NATION AND THE WORLD,   ~Amanda~   Post Scriptum - I read Ecclesiastes 9:11 - end of chapter last night.  Interesting portrayal of wisdom.

Comments

Sep. 12, 2006 - I am hoping that our country will start turning to God...

Posted by Jocelyndixon

in times of trouble. I can't believe it has been 5yrs since 9/11. It doesn't seem that way! I hope you are doing well and you will stop by soon! Garo galu vaer (Have a Blessed day!) Sincerely, Jocelyn

Sep. 14, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Clarissa

I like your blog! I'm going to add you to my friends list. Hope to see more of your posts.

Complacency is really a most intriguing word, as it brings to light both pride and humility in one breath.   My siblings and I are fortunate in so many ways.  We have never been forced to sit in a bland classroom for hours on end.  We now enjoy a lovely place in the country (though it is not perfect by any means).  I wouldn't venture to condemn any of our liberties and gifts as instruments of spoiling, but on some days I am challenged as I look at everything on a wide, pure scale.   For instance, we are approaching September 11th for the 5th time since the devastating terrorist attacks - and have past the anniversaries of multiple natural disasters - yet already complacency has settled over the nation again.   We were all thrilled at the idea of visiting White Oak Vineyards early yesterday afternoon for a family field trip.  We are considering planting some grapes on our land as well, and this little expedition proved to be very enlightening.  We tasted the fruits off the vine (Red Muscadines are the best), tasted Kudzu honey, and Mom and Dad tasted a few wines at the winery.  We picked Mirette up from the vet just before then, so she sat in the shade of a tree in her carrier (refreshingly cooler day, I must say).   At our departure our enthusiasm remained kindled by the fact that our grandparents were scheduled to visit us later in the afternoon.  We did a brisk tidying up before they arrived, and afterwards we had a nice time.   I sat on the front porch with Mom, Grandmomma and Rachel for awhile, sipping coffee on a pleasant evening.  Dad and Granddaddy examined a chainsaw, and all the children at one point were distracted by a wild boy on a motorcycle that drove around our driveway (we need a gate - and a fence).   As the grandparents were preparing to leave, Grandmomma and Mom both began wondering where 2-year-old Beth had wandered.  She was no longer parading around with her older siblings.   Mom always investigates the swimming pool in our backyard before anywhere else when Beth wanders.  The swimming pool - a real gem of a place that sparkles not only with tempting water, but also with a much anticipated call for responsibility, caution and genuine common sense.   Red Alert attention was called to all when Mom's sentence was broken by screams, "YOU ALL - HELP - SOMEONE!"  I ran towards the pool, tossing my cup and saucer in the yard.  As we gathered around the pool, we saw Mom pull Beth's slight, pale figure from the water.  She was still holding little Ben in her other hand (he was quickly passed from me to Rachel to Grandmomma by turns).  Beth had been doing a backstroke under water, still moving her arms and legs in attempt to keep afloat (she swims well in her floatation bathing suit) despite her now weighty shirt and denim skirt.  Mom heard her making mumbling noises as she struggle to get a breath.   Dad quickly performed somewhat of a heimlich maneuver on Beth, thus squeezing water out of her lungs.  Mom picked her up and tried to bring her to reasonable conciousness.  It was a mortifying sight:  Beth was looking awfully delirious, and her complexion had developed a greyish hue.  She began throwing up the rest of the water (I hate to write of such, but it was actually a relieving sign).   The daylight was quickly fading by then, and we all stood around outside screaming at her to wake up.  It was horribly traumatic for everyone.  All of us were on the verge of erupting with mass hysteria, but Granddaddy comforted everyone by repeating calmly in a low voice, "She's going to be alright."   Grandmomma was relatively calm, but naturally extremely concerned.  "I don't know, Chris..." she said to Mom repeatedly, and they both agreed that she needed oxygen.  Mom brought her into the house, laid her down on the sunroom floor, removed her soaked clothes and changed her pull-up.  There was a confused and uncertain mindset flooding everybody's thoughts, yet we all prayed both silently and out loud.  I started blowing in her face and humming lullabies to get her to stay awake.   "Dad, what do you want me to do?" I asked, expecting to be commanded to dial the dreaded emergency number: 9-1-1 (symbolic numerals are unnerving at times, aren't they?).  There was a feeling of humility resonating throughout the house.  Dad had a rigid look, and Mom nervously said, "Don't just stand there, call 9-1-1 - or somebody do it!".  Dad dialed the number without hesitation.   I literally got down on my hands and knees and prayed, "LORD , JESUS - YOU could do it for Jairus's daughter, please restore her!  Breathe in her the Breath of Life like Aslan did to the statues." (stories and allegories that enter your mind at times like that can really help you clarify your thoughts).  Mom tried to count Beth's labored breaths and pulse rate.   Joseph and Mary paced the area weeping bitter tears, and Rachel graced the tragic Southern Belle repose: bursting into tears and fleeing the room.  She apparently sought refuge at the pond - with only moonlight -  and later Granddaddy sat with her on the porch swing.  The other children gradually retreated to that direction as well (David was remarkably oblivious to the danger).  Abigail and I were becoming rigid - and I, at least, was trembling to fight back tears (weeping and gnashing of teeth...).   Emergency workers began to arrive quickly (Dad was worried at first that they wouldn't be able to find our property).  Grandmomma held Ben in the rocking chair while Mom warmed Beth up in a quilt on the sofa.  The technicians began to examine her, commenting on what a pretty little girl she is.   Just then the phone rang.  I noticed on the caller I.D. that it was a call from another Christian homeschooling family: The Clarks - some of our closest friends.  I picked up the phone to hear 14-year-old Jillian on the other end.  She was calling to see if Sarah (age 8) could talk to Mary.  I hurriedly explained that we had encountered a "horrible scare".  She was very surprised and said she would call again another time.   An elderly lady attempted to see if Beth could respond to us well, asking her to do finger motions.  She was looking improved (though shy and tired) and when I asked her to fold her hands she understood me very well (oh, but she looked so pitiful with those little white hands folded!).   They gave her some oxygen by holding a little tube up to her nose.  The oxygen gave her a much needed boost in strength.  I took Ben outside in the front yard for some fresh air.  I now know what a terrible feeling it is to witness flashing ambulances in your own driveway.  I did, however, feel encouraged enough to begin educating Abigail on the purpose of backwards letters on the front of the ambulance.   Finally we all resolved to go inside to see how she was doing.  A man that had not seen us all said with a jovial tone, "Oh, another one - and another..." as the multitude of children began to enter the sunroom.  The cheerful, tranquil atmosphere that was in the room began to lift our spirits.  Beth was still tired, but smiling and telling us that she "fell in the poos".   The curious technician inquired what religion we belonged to.  "Just plain old Protestants,"  Dad replied.  "We take as many as THE LORD will give us - we're just glad HE didn't take this one back."  We could hear their radio flooding with emergency calls - including one concerning a teenager that was not breathing.    In that one room - that one house -  our little insignificant piece of the nation and the world - it seemed to me as though the whole world was closing in.  It was claustrophobia of the mind.  I realized how blessed and fortunate we truly are.   The vehicles and technicians departed, and Mr. Clark called to find out how little Beth had progressed.  The Clarks and some other friends visiting them had a prayer meeting after I told Jillian the news.  THE LORD GOD heard our united prayers!   Our grandparents remained just a little while longer.  We put on Bethy Linda's charming pink dress that Grandmomma gave to her for her birthday.  She was more alert by then, just weary.  Mom gave her a bath later on, which she enjoyed.  She is certainly not afraid of water - and today she ran around as happy and energetic as ever.  She has had no symptoms of pneumonia, etc. at all.   We have always tried to be observant and responsible to prevent such disasters, but it is so effortless to take peace and progress for granted that we often fall into complacency in a number of things.  It is not good to be overly stressed and worried about various things, but when we get too high in self-confidence, it takes an unfortunate humiliation to bring us back in to recognition of the fact that we are weak and HE is strong.    I suppose that the extremes of being too stressed or too lax both result in a sort of subtle pride - the attempt to bring everything under our finite control.  We have to have constant help in "hanging on the balance" - as I mentioned in an earlier writing.  Then we can rest in that infinite security and tranquility that only THE CREATOR AND REDEEMER can bring.   PRAYERS FOR THE NATION AND THE WORLD,   (and may GOD BLESS!)   ~Amanda~

Comments

Sep. 10, 2006 - Some Criticism (forgot how to spell it, perfectionist...so if it is spelled wrong, so be it.)

Posted by Ballerina4Him

I don't believe such a well detailed post was such a good idea. I can't read the entire thing, ever! LOL! Try to make sure you can write it out in such a way so that it doesn't sound like a forein language, or get on my nerves. And you made some errors. Mom said "NO! BETH!" when she saw Beth, not what you put down. I'm pretty sure, too...I will have to remind you to finish your school before writing such long and drawn out posts. It probably consumed 2 hours of your life... Haha, Your criticizing sister, ~Rachel~

Sep. 22, 2006 - Rachel - I OBJECT!

Posted by jillian

Oh pish posh Rachel! Amanda, I must say that was very well written, and I DID take the time to read it, and it was very well written, and your observance and details inspire me! The one point where you said that you got down on your knees and prayed that prayer gave me that choken up feeling you get when you are touched. Very well written Amanda! I have to say that you have talent for writing - my Mom and I were saying the other day that you should write a book! ~Jillian P.S. ~ I know you probably won't read this post (since it was written quite a while ago), but I wanted to comment on the amazing job you did writing! ~*J*~