Places to Visit

Monday, February 28, 2011

The Tour of A Wonderful Church


The full sanctuary from the front. What a wonderful place to worship!


The Lady of the Church


Two lovely ladies who wish they lived in this time period.


This was the King's box. In America it was left empty to signify our Religious Freedom! That was my favorite part!


No, I have no idea what Sarah was doing!


Our sweet colonial Lady!!


We were able to tour American Village the other day during one of their special programs and we had so much fun!!! This first post concentrates on the church and the neat things we found in it. I have to say, the church was my favorite part by far. I would love to film there (or get married there!! :) . It was a great place to photograph!!

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Things I Hear My Siblings Say

This morning Michael had hot chocolate!!! He has a special recipe we make for him, a lot of water and milk and very LITTLE chocolate!!! And he always adds....

A Mookie-Ho-Ho

For those of you who don't speak Michael, that is a marshmallow!!!

He is now mopping the stairs because we are having two families over from church tomorrow and the house needs some tidying!

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Day 28: A scar you have and it's story.

A Scar and Its Story
Okay, this is funny now. However, at the time... it was NOT.

On my right pinky, I have a scar that has been there for about 8 years. Rachel and I were playing and she had scissors in her hand. I would not have tickled her if I had known that. But tickle her I did. I snuck up behind her and grabbed her. Needless to say, it scared her and she whipped around taking some of my finger with her. I did not need stitches, but it made a large scar that is still with me today!

Day 27: A physical feature you love.

A Physical Feature I Love - Hands.

I love hands. The way they move, and bend, and shake, and tell stories. Your hands carry scars from life, they tell stories words can not express, and they greet people. They share handshakes, and greet people we know well or have just met.

A symbol of marriage is worn on the hand. The symbol of hardwork is carried on the hand.

Yes, I love Hands!!!

Day 26: A childhood memory.

I will always have memories of of many things. Some happy, some sad, some wonderful, others not. But I will always remember sleeping with all my siblings in the same room before we moved out of our old house.

Michael wasn't around then so there were only 7 of us. But, we loved it. Together.

That is what life is about. Being with those you love and who love you. That is all it is about.

Day 27: A Recipe

I know.... I am WAY behind... so here you go.

A Recipe For A Happy Family

Ingredients
Two Loving Devoted Parents
1 or More Sweet Obedient Children

Directions
Mix all in one house for at least 18 years. Salt with loving discipline and sweeten with good old fashioned love. Cover in God's word and serve to all the world.

Serves Any Number.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Happy Birthday Jamie!!!

Of all the things to blog about, Facebook about, or "Tweet" about, this is the NEXT best!!! The Fifth Girl of Our House has her birthday today!! February 22!!!

Jamie Nicole is Nine today!!!!

We LOVE you so much Jamie! You are a light in our life, you are a sweet heart to all of us, and we love you so much.

Joyful
Adorable
Merry
Independent
Eager


Love, Your Big Sister

Happy Birthday George Washington!!!

Of all the things to blog about, Facebook about, or "Tweet" about, this is the best!!! The Father of our Country has his birthday today!! February 22!!!

To celebrate his birthday, I am re-blogging somethings Doug Phillips had on his blog. Please remember the Father of our Country today. In God We Trust!

Here are a few of the reasons why George Washington was our greatest and best president:

  1. He came to the office with the greatest track record of principled and proven leadership of any president in history:
    From his early days serving under General Braddock in the French and Indian Wars; to his life as a citizen planter and as an elected political leader in Virginia; to his role as Commander in Chief during the War for American Independence, and finally as president of the Constitutional Convention, Washington came to office with a widely recognized track record for patriotism, service, self-sacrifice, and principled leadership.
  2. He repeatedly acknowledged and honored the God of Scripture in his public acts, resolutions, speeches and private letters; and he used his office to teach the American people that justice must be built upon true religion:
    Washington is responsible for official resolutions that mention the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, and point to Christ; he established the precedent of taking the presidential oath upon the Bible, and he formally told the American people in his Farewell Address that justice required true religion.
  3. He warned against a party system, and urged principled politics: In his Farewell Address he wrote:
    “It serves to distract the Public Councils, and enfeeble the Public Administration....agitates the Community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms; kindles the animosity of one....against another....it opens the door to foreign influence and corruption...thus the policy and the will of one country are subjected to the policy and will of another.”
  4. He opposed foreign entanglements and American interventionism in unjust foreign wars:
    Not only did George Washington keep the new nation out of foreign wars, but he exhorted future presidents to do the same, making this a key theme of his Farewell Address.
  5. He demonstrated fiscal self-control and he opposed debt:
    Washington wrote:“...cherish public credit. One method of preserving it is to use it as sparingly as possible...avoiding likewise the accumulation of debt....it is essential that you...bear in mind, that towards the payments of debts there must be Revenue, that to have Revenue there must be taxes; that no taxes can be devised, which are not...inconvenient and unpleasant...”
  6. He demonstrated executive restraint and established critical precedents that would model self-control for future presidents of the United States:
    Washington had been offered the supreme authority of a king and refused it. At the high point of his military power, he had willingly submitted himself to elected officials. As president he established the principle that presidents should not serve more than two terms, and he made no attempts to unconstitutionally extend the authority of the executive as did many of his successors.
  7. He left office with the most distinguished and unblemished record of principled and visionary leadership in our history:
    He was the leader in the fight for independence; the man principally responsible for the ratification of the United States Constitution; the first president of the United States; the only president to be elected unanimously by the Electoral College; responsible for the First Cabinet and the Appointment of the first ten justices of the Supreme Court; and the author of the most recognized and important inaugural speeches and farewell addresses in American history. Of this legacy, Henry Cabot Lodge wrote: “...no man ever left a nobler political testament.”
Read the Rest of Mr. Phillips post HERE.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Day 24: A movie no one would expect you to love

A movie no one would expect me to love, hmmm....

I love movies of all kinds and I really don't know if anyone would be surprised or not.

I'll list some I have watched recently and you let me know if you are surprised!!!

  1. The Widow's Might (That is SO good)
  2. Night at the Museum 2
  3. Young Victoria
  4. Mandy and the Hidden Tunnel
  5. And Secret Church by David Platt

Well, there you go. Where you surprised?

Day 23: A way in which you want to be remembered.

I want to be remembered as a servant, a true friend, a kind sister, a devoted daughter, a truthful and modest lady, and a servant to those around me.

And, if the Lord wills, a Loving and Helpful Wife and a Kind and Gentle Mother

In Honor of President's Day....

"But Government even in its best state is but a necessary evil, in its worst state it is an intolerable one." Thomas Paine - Common Sense 1776

"Government is not reason, it is not eloquence - it is force! Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master." George Washington

"Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." Thomas Jefferson Inaugural Address 1801

And lastly, my personal favorite!!!

Until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits aflame with righteousness, did I understand the secret of her genious and power. America is great because she is good. But if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great." Alexis de Tocqueville

Amen? Amen!


Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Day 22: A website.

My website!!! I want to invite you all to visit Plants and Pillars!

While you are there, you can catch up with our family and check out the Film Festival I just opened!!

Oh, and leave us a note to say you stopped by!!!



Jessica

Saturday, February 12, 2011

That's what life is about....


"Tigger, will you and Piglet come have tea with me today? And, do please, bring Eeyore!"


"We will talk and laugh as we enjoy each others company!"


"Tigger! Please don't gulp your tea!!"

"Piglet, what were you saying?"


Come and have some tea with me. We'll smile a lot, and talk a lot, and laugh a lot. And when it's over and we're gone, the smiles, and laughter, and talking will all stay for those who follow us to remember. The memories.

That is what life is about.

Friday, February 11, 2011

Day 20: A hobby of yours.

A Hobby I have is Filmmaking.

I love working on films. I love the writing, the filming, the editing, the directing.

What do I NOT love about filmmaking? STORY BOARDING!!!

As we say in our house, "poke my eyes out with a forklift!!!" AHHH!!

Did I mention that is my least favorite part?

But, as to my hobby? Filmmaking definitely.

I also like to train dogs. Now, THAT is really fun. I love animals. Except parakeets. I have never met a parakeet I could trust. Have you?

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Day 21: Something you know you do differently than most people.

Hmmm.... I guess that would be the way I... what do I do differently than other people?

Any Ideas?

Day 19: A talent of yours.

A Talent of Mine?

I guess a talent I have is, I really don't know.

Tell you what... let me ask my mom as she knows best and I will post it later today?

Is that okay? :)

Jessica

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

In Michael Language

Today while I was staring into space... (um I mean doing Math! :) Michael climbed on my desk and leaned over my shoulder. Seeing my calculator he started cooing and smiling.

"Ohhh! I LOVE your kalkoolateor. Did you get it for your bwerthday tomorrow?"

I was laughing so hard I couldn't answer!!!

He is too precious for words!

Day 17: An art piece.

Day 17: An ART PIECE!!!
Well... nine to be exact! :)




Daddy's Duck

Erin's Daisies

Emily's Flower

Ryan's Indians

Rachel's Little Girls

Jessica's Rainy Day

Mommy's Daisies


Sarah's Hands


Jamie's Day At the Beach

These hang in our dining room!!! And they are so nice to have in there.
A constant reminder of my sweet, sweet, and more sweet family!

Monday, February 7, 2011

Day 16: A song that makes you cry.

Probably... if I cried when I hear songs... it would be.

There is A Fountain
There is a fountain filled with blood
drawn from Emmanuel's veins;
and sinners plunged beneath that flood
lose all their guilty stains.
Lose all their guilty stains,
lose all their guilty stains;
and sinners plunged beneath that flood
lose all their guilty stains.

2. The dying thief rejoiced to see
that fountain in his day;
and there may I, though vile as he,
wash all my sins away.
Wash all my sins away,
wash all my sins away;
and there may I, though vile as he,
wash all my sins away.

3. Dear dying Lamb, thy precious blood
shall never lose its power
till all the ransomed church of God
be saved, to sin no more.
Be saved, to sin no more,
be saved, to sin no more;
till all the ransomed church of God
be saved, to sin no more.

4. E'er since, by faith, I saw the stream
thy flowing wounds supply,
redeeming love has been my theme,
and shall be till I die.
And shall be till I die,
and shall be till I die;
redeeming love has been my theme,
and shall be till I die.

5. Then in a nobler, sweeter song,
I'll sing thy power to save,
when this poor lisping, stammering tongue
lies silent in the grave.
Lies silent in the grave,
lies silent in the grave;
when this poor lisping, stammering tongue
lies silent in the grave.

Day 15: A person you admire.

A person I admire!!

Well, that would HAVE to be my mom!!!

I admire my mom so much. To me she is the greatest person in the world. She is the one I want to be like, act like, learn from, and be with. If my kids love me half as much as I love my mom I will be happy!

For what she stands for, for what she does, and for who she is.

I love you Mommy!! Love, Jessica

Day 18: A time when you felt passionate and alive.

I guess that would be last year on August 19th at 7:00 in the evening when I stood in front of 160 people and spoke.

I guess I felt alive them. Actually, it was more a feeling of scared and fear. But, it wasn't to bad!! Because I am doing it again!!!

Jessica

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Day 14: A vacation you would like to take.

I think.... Canada.

I would love to go to Canada. I have been looking a friend's blog (they are missionaries in Canada) and I think it would be so neat to visit there.

Canada... definitely.

Friday, February 4, 2011

Day 13: A guilty pleasure.

I have no idea!!! I really do not!!!

Let me get back with you on that.

Jess

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Day 12: A song that you want played at your wedding

The Church's One Foundation

The Church’s one foundation
Is Jesus Christ her Lord,
She is His new creation
By water and the Word.
From heaven He came and sought her
To be His holy bride;
With His own blood He bought her
And for her life He died.

She is from every nation,
Yet one o’er all the earth;
Her charter of salvation,
One Lord, one faith, one birth;
One holy Name she blesses,
Partakes one holy food,
And to one hope she presses,
With every grace endued.

The Church shall never perish!
Her dear Lord to defend,
To guide, sustain, and cherish,
Is with her to the end:
Though there be those who hate her,
And false sons in her pale,
Against both foe or traitor
She ever shall prevail.

Though with a scornful wonder
Men see her sore oppressed,
By schisms rent asunder,
By heresies distressed:
Yet saints their watch are keeping,
Their cry goes up, “How long?”
And soon the night of weeping
Shall be the morn of song!

’Mid toil and tribulation,
And tumult of her war,
She waits the consummation
Of peace forevermore;
Till, with the vision glorious,
Her longing eyes are blest,
And the great Church victorious
Shall be the Church at rest.

Yet she on earth hath union
With God the Three in One,
And mystic sweet communion
With those whose rest is won,
With all her sons and daughters
Who, by the Master’s hand
Led through the deathly waters,
Repose in Eden land.

O happy ones and holy!
Lord, give us grace that we
Like them, the meek and lowly,
On high may dwell with Thee:
There, past the border mountains,
Where in sweet vales the Bride
With Thee by living fountains
Forever shall abide!


Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Day 11: A photo of you taken recently.


This photo was taken by Miss Bria!

Thank you Bria!

Jess

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Day 10: A photo of you taken over ten years ago.


I think I was 8 in this photo, maybe 7.

That was a long time ago!!!

Jess