Hospitality, Friendship, Encouragement

Monday, December 31, 2007

I've Been Carded

Miss Paula at "Gathering of Friends" has carded me!

Here are the rules:

1. Each player starts with 5 gifts that they would want for the New Year.

2. People who are “CARDED” need to write their own Blog about their 5 things & post these rules.

3. At the end of your Blog, you need to choose 5 people to get “CARDED” and list their names.

4. Don’t forget to leave them a COMMENT telling them they’re “CARDED”, and to read your Blog.

Materialistic List
A house with a barn on the property.

An airline ticket to anywhere.

A Trip to Great Britain.

Bigger Dining Table.

Weight Loss

Spiritual/Needs

To be diligent with spending time in the Word.

To spend time in prayer and take time to listen.

To be consistent with my journaling.

Reach out to my neighbors.

Be faithful to practice what I preach!

Now I am carding the following:

Pauleen at White Picket Fence, Manuela at The Feathered Nest, haus frau at lula's hardt.


Friday, December 28, 2007

Christmas Pictures


We had such a lovely Christmas. It was relaxed and spent in the company of family.

Here the girls are showing their happiness at the gifts sent to them by their cool cousin, Evan! Thanks for your generosity Evan!

Sarah was the recipient of 2 sweet teacups.

A bunch of us went in together and got Kyle a train table and some battery operated Thomas the Tank engine stuff. I think he spent ten hours playing with that, and then it has continued for days now!
Our adult nieces Carrie, Jen and Shelly joined us. It was great to spend time with them.
In the picture above you can see two cool games - Chutes and Ladders (snakes and ladders if you are English) and The Settlers of Catan. Below is Lindsay concentrating on the game. She loves all those strategy type games.
I slow roasted a turkey overnight and mom made a small ham. We just set everything up buffet style and people ate when they wanted to. It was wonderful!

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Did You Have A Wonderful Christmas?

We did!

My parents were here for two nights, and our nieces came for the day!

Today we are off to dental appointments, and to spend a few gift cards!

I will try to post pictures later today!

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Merry Christmas!





Joy to the World! The Lord is come:

Let earth, receive her King;

Let every heart

Prepare Him room

And heav'n and nature sing

And heav'n and nature sing

And heav'n and heav'n and nature sing.


Joy to the world! The Saviour reigns:

Let men their songs employ;

While fields and floods

Rocks, hills and plains

Repeat the sounding joy

Repeat the sounding joy

Repeat, Repeat the sounding joy.


No more let sins and sorrows grow,

Nor thorns infest the ground;

He comes to make

His blessings flow

Far as the curse is found

Far as the curse is found

Far as, far as the curse is found.


He rules the world with truth and grace,

And makes the nations prove

The glories of His righteousness,

And wonders of His love

And wonders of His love

And wonders, wonders of His love.



Monday, December 24, 2007

Mary, Did You Know?


Mary did you know that your baby boy
would some day walk on water?
Mary did you know that your baby boy
would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy
has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered,
will soon deliver you.

Mary did you know that your baby boy
would give sight to a blind man?
Mary did you know that your baby boy
would calm a storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy
has walked where angels trod?
And when your kiss your little baby,
you have kissed the face of God.

Oh Mary did you know---

The blind will see,
the deaf will hear,
the dead will live again.
The lame will leap,
the dumb will speak,
the praises of the lamb---.

Mary did you know that your baby boy
is Lord of all creation?
Mary did you know that your baby boy
would one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy
is heaven's perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding is the great--I--- AM---.

Happy Birthday, Darling!


Today is my sweethearts birthday! Happy Birthday Tim!
He is a hardworking man who loves his family and loves the Lord. We have known each other half of his lifetime. He is greatly loved by us all!

Saturday, December 22, 2007

Christmas Time Is Here!


Ok, I believe in saying Merry Christmas, not happy holidays, but I just love the Peanuts Gang! Right now we are watching a Charlie Brown Christmas.
This is my favorite all time Christmas show. I love the message, but it also brings back my childhood - I remember some of those funky Christmas trees. My Grandma, who would not be considered "hip or modern" ever, had a silver tree with a color wheel! That tree changed colors!
"For unto you is born this day, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord!"

Today

I feel sort of at a loss, since I was so busy and now things have slowed waaay down! I am not complaining, mind you.


Today I finished picking up last minutes gifts, they are wrapped and under the tree. Rachel and I made sugar cookie dough, and it is now chilling in the fridge, waiting to be rolled out and sprinkled with colored sugar.


In a couple of hours, Sarah and Rachel are off to rehersal for the Christmas program at church. Sarah can wear what she wants but Rachel's class are shepherds and she must wear jeans and a tee shirt to the Christmas service at church. This makes me so sad as she has the most adorable dress this year! She has worn it for church once already and our co-op Christmas concert so that is good. I am going to make her wear it alot!!!


We have had a lot of calls about the puppies - if everyone who said they were coming to look at them actually came, the puppies would be all gone! We have 5 left, and someone is supposed to come today. I am praying that they will all be gone to new homes by New Year's day! Pray with me please! The picture below was taken almost 3 weeks ago. They have grown a lot since then, but are still adorable!



This is what is up with us today. What are you doing?

Thursday, December 20, 2007

The Angels are Singing

Many of you have been praying for the Skees family, especially for Ellie, their 9 year old daughter, with Neuroblastoma.

Last evening, she went home to be with the Lord.

Her mom says that they were with her and that she was asleep until 15 minutes before she died. Her mom says that she told her "Run to Jesus, Ellie, Run..." and she did.

You can read more about them at their blog - the link is on my list.

Thank you for your prayers. I know they will continue to need them.

1 Corinthians 13 - Christmas Version

I CORINTHIANS 13 CHRISTMAS VERSION

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows,
strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls,
but do not show love to my family,
I'm just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen,
baking dozens of Christmas cookies,
preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime,
but do not show love to my family,
I'm just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen,
carol in the nursing home,
and give all thatI have to charity,
but do not show love to my family,
it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes,
attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir's cantata,
but do not focus on Christ,
I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.
Love sets aside decorating to kiss the husband.
Love is kind, though harried and tired.
Love doesn't envy another's home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.
Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of the way,
but is thankful they are there to be in the way.
Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return,
but rejoices in giving to those who can't.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails.

Video games will break,
pearl necklaces will be lost,
golf clubs will rust.
But giving the gift of love will endure.

Merry Christmas!

Author Unknown

How Well Do Know Christmas Carols?

Now that the packages are on their way, I can settle in for some holiday fun!

My friend Suealyce sent me this link to a quiz about Christmas Carols. I, having a wonderful trivial mind and a LOVE of Christmas music, just had to try it.

I got 100%!!! woo hoo!

Have fun, you deserve it!


http://www.chicagotribune.com/carolquiz,0,4932856.triviaquiz

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Homeschooling Blog

Most of you know that I home educate my children. My friend Becky and I are doing a homeschool blog called Homeschooling at Hospitality Lane.

There are some great posts by Becky regarding educating kids with learning issues etc...and I have one about Integrated Learning.

Check it out!

http://homeschoollane.blogspot.com/

Home Made Christmas Gifts

I am making several gifts for Christmas. I have really enjoyed doing it. My only problem has been getting time to sit down and finish! Since this weekend, I am now in full swing getting things finished.

I have enjoyed thinking of what would be special to others and to make something that is a heartfelt gift.

Of course some of the gifts will either get there at the last minute or will be late. But hey, that just makes Christmas last longer right???? :)

Next year, I may start in the Spring!

Monday, December 17, 2007

American Music Theater


Last night, Tim and I went to the American Music Theater to see the Christmas Show, with my parents and some friends. These people are very talented and put on a very good show. There were some aspects that I didn't care for but overall it was fun. Afterward, we went to Friendly's where the guys at ice cream (unbelievable at 34 degrees outside and the wind blowing like mad!) and we girls ate appetizers and drank hot tea.
When we came home, our girls were watching movies in the living room on mattresses and we joined them and ended up sleeping there as well! That was a great way to end the night!

Family Pictures


Yesterday we spent sometime taking Christmas pictures at our cottage.


This is our whole family with my parents.



Here are the girls and I.


This is my family! Are they something?
Here are the guys,
and the gals!


Saturday, December 15, 2007

The Lovely Mrs. Keeney

I wanted to share a picture of the lovely Mrs. Keeney and her very nice husband, Warren. They brought their daughter and sons to the Ball last night. They are dear friends and we are thankful for them!



Thanks for the candles! I hope you have a wonderful time in Williamsburg!

The Ball

Last evening, the weather being cold but fine, we had our Jane Austen Ball. The girls all came dressed so beautifully. They were very excited, as young ladies often are, to be together and looking so wonderful! I made 7 of the dresses seen here.



This is one of my students. She was having a wonderful time. The dress she wore is one I made for my daughter Emily, and this lovely young lady's mother bought it for her.



Above is my daughter Rachel. Below is my daughter Lindsay, in the blue dress and her friend, Elizabeth, in light green. I made both these dresses from the Simplicity pattern.




This is Elizabeth's sister Emily wearing the dress I made her for her birthday. Her mother spent 30 minutes putting up her long hair. It was beautiful!

This is a mother and daughter. The mom made their dresses and their gloves belonged to the grandmother.


They all had so much fun with their dances.

Here Emily and a friend are dancing. Emily is wearing a dress that I made, and we made it dressier with added ribbon and a beautiful cameo.

Here some of the young ladies are taking a break from dancing!

It was a delightful evening. My dear husband decided he would dance with me and the brothers of one of my students danced as well. Even my little guy, Kyle danced. In fact he was such a "dancing machine" that he wanted to dance every dance! The girls were all sweet taking turns with him. We have decided that a Spring ball is a must!

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Still Sewing!

This is the pattern I am using for Lindsay's dress. I am doing the short sleeved version, in royal blue with a sheer overlay that has a plaid pattern to it. It is going very well, and I should be sewing now, but I took the kids bowling and now am attempting to check email etc...Emily's dress looked remarkably like the short sleeved view, without the bow, but she ended up not liking the way the colors looked together, and the pattern runs a tad big so the bodice was big. She has traded dresses for the evening with her good friend, Elizabeth. She will wear the dress I made for Liz's birthday last year from this pattern:




This is an easy pattern, the hardest thing being a side zipper. It has the regency "look" while being a modern dress. I have made these for several of my daughters' friends and they all love them.

Well, back to sewing, oh and puppy selling. Someone is coming tonight to see them. I pray they all go to good homes soon, before they loose their cute puppiness!

Saturday, December 8, 2007

An Indoor Kind of Day

Well, after the hustle and bustle of the past few weeks, my activities are beginning to slow down. At the end of this week, I am hosting a Ball for my Jane Austen class. I must say, that the girls in my class and I have been having a very good time learning the English Country dances. If this Christmas Ball goes well, we will be having one in the spring!

Then Saturday, my mentoring group is having a banquet here at my home. Doesn't it sound like I have a grand house??? It really is just a little cottage, though. We are going to move the kids toys from the play area of the basement, and will be dancing down there. It will be cosy downstairs with the woodstove in the family room area. Upstairs, we are moving our two couches out and putting tables there for eating. We needed to do this for the banquet as well, so that is why they are back to back events. We only need to move the furniture once!

Because of this future activity, I am in need of sewing a dress for one of my daughters. She has picked a royal blue fabric with a sheer patterned overlay which I think is going to look beautiful.

I will be sewing today, which is why it is an indoor kind of day. Oh, and the rain that is forecast as well.

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!





About 10:00 am, it started to snow. Big, beautiful flakes, quietly falling. I was in the middle of my last Apples of Gold day, so I didn't take any pictures until about 3:00 pm. By then the flakes were still falling but were much smaller.

These are just a few shots of the snow.





It's beginning to look alot like Christmas!

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Morning at the Theater


This morning we went to the Historic Fulton Theater downtown to see "Fiddler on the Roof." It was a fantastic performance!
This theater does school group performances, and the tickets are just $7.00 per person. I am always impressed by the fact that the performances are just as good for "student" groups as for evening performances.
We saw "The King and I" a few years ago, which was also terrific. I enjoy getting the opportunity to expose my kids to good, clean theater.
This story is not a favorite of my husband as he doesn't like the fact that the father brings a communist into his home to teach his children, and then allows his daughter to marry him. Also the daughter who marries outside their faith. It seems as if the girls have been taught "tradition", but not a real heart relationship with God. It shows in Teyve's tone as well, that he doesn't really know God, just tradition.
I think though that the story allows for very good discussion with our own daughters, about honoring their father, having a right relationship with God, making choices to not give your heart to someone who is not honoring God.
This is my favorite kind of school day!

Sunday, December 2, 2007

Sweet Artwork

Friends, you must check out the following blog: www.mysweetimaginations.typepad.com

This gal has the dearest artwork, so beautiful and feminine - I want them all!!!! Her artwork reminds me of the sweetness of girlhood, which I am in the midst of with my daughters.

When you get a moment, give her blog a visit!

What Kind of Christmas Tree Are You?




You Are a Traditional Christmas Tree



For a good Christmas, you don't have to re-invent the wheel.

You already have traditions, foods, and special things you bring out every year.

Saturday, December 1, 2007

I am Elizabeth Bennet

I am Elizabeth Bennet!


Take the Quiz here!


What a Night!

What a wonderful event we had! We ended up with 91 ladies who signed up to come and 89 were actually there!

We had tea together, a favorite being my Christmas tea recipe. The scones, cream and lemon curd were a hit, as were all the lovely goodies; shortbread, russian tea cakes, pumpkin bars, mini cream puffs.

A wonderful singer from our church sang "Breathe of Heaven" and lead some christmas hymns.

Then, the reason we rushed around so much this last week - Women's Ministries "Favorite Things" - a take off of Oprah's favorite things, of course.

No having the budget Oprah does, nor the resourses to get all those things donated, we gave many small things to everyone; tea bags and honeysticks, floating candles, a christmas book (found at www.christianbook.com for .99 cents a piece), angel ornaments, chocolate, and great snack cracker mix...

Then everyone received a bigger item for a give away. Advent calendars, wonderful candles from my friend Becky's business "Good Neighbors Candle Company" (check out her blog "Hospitality Lane" - the link is on my list to your right), music cd's, nativity bracelets...

We had stickers to match items and with 9 ladies at the round tables and 10 at the longs, we made sure that each lady had a sticker under her saucer, that corresponded to a gift. Each lady took home a special gift, as well as the items that "everyone" got...

THEY LOVED IT! The response was amazing!

The big problem I see is trying to top it next year!

We were hoping for perhaps 60 ladies this year, and got 89 actual attenders. So, next year we are going to have a separate committee for this event, and start picking up items right after Christmas when everything is on clearance!

I will post pictures soon. I had to use my mom's camera because my batteries were dead! I think it is time to get new rechargables....

We ended our program with a lovely reading, and a chorus of

"O come, let us Adore Him,
O come, let us Adore Him,
O come, let us Adore Him,
Christ, the Lord!"

We wanted to end the night with the focus on the Reason for the Season!

I think the Lord was honored and glorified last night!

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Christmas Tea


Well friends, I will probably not be posting for a few days. I am very busily finishing up preparation for a Christmas Tea at our church. We were hoping to get 40 ladies there this year, and as of this after noon we have about 75! This is so wonderful but it means we are scrambling to make sure we have enough goodies! I also am trying to make tea cosies for each of our table hostesses, and now we are going to need like 10 tables!

Please pray for me and with me that this time will be a blessing to our women and the friends they are bringing with them. We want to help them start the season out right, with a focus on Christ!

I'll let you know how it goes!

Monday, November 26, 2007

Christmas Decor

I wanted to show you what I have been up to this weekend. I am sorry for the slightly blurry quality of the pictures, my 5 year old has decided that she is a photographer and I am not sure what she has done with the camera.


This is our tree - I just love our tree every year - I learned years ago that in order to have a wonderful tree, regardless of what kind of ornaments you have, you must use approximately 100 lights per foot. So if you have a 7ft tree you need to use about 700 lights! No, I am not kidding. We place the first several hundred lights inside the branches close to the trunk. This gives your tree a glow from within! It is amazing, especially at night!


This is the top of our piano, I use greenery garlands, lights and a beautiful red plaid ribbon.


This is our bookcase by our front door. Green garlands, lights, red plaid ribbon.
This is our nativity. I placed in on top of our kitchen cabinets several years ago, as it is kind of big and there was no "safe" place for it. We really like it up there every year. I have pine garlands, with pine cones and white berries on it and of course, lots of lights.

This is over our sliding glass doors. The wall phrase says "God Bless This Home". Again garland, lights and red plaid ribbon.

This is my sweet chandelier, with ivy and red berries!

I try to add holiday touches to each room of the house and as I get more done, I will show them to you.

Sunday, November 25, 2007

Thanks Becky!


Becky thinks I'm rockin! Hee hee. My kids would be completely rolling on the floor, laughing about that! However, I appreciate that she really means that she likes my blog!
I am going to nominate:
The princess at www.psalm951.blogspot.com and her mom, haus frau whose blog lula's hardt is always so refreshing and encouraging. You can find the link on my side bar. I appreciate the princess (called so by her mom) for being a young woman with a heart after God.
Have a great day ladies, you're Rockin'!

Saturday, November 24, 2007

Time to Decorate!


I will be busy today putting up our Christmas decorations! I love this time of year. My dear husband will be headed to cut down our tree, with various children in tow. We already tagged it a few weeks ago.
I have garlands to hang on my picket fencing and arch this year also. I will post pictures when I am done!


(I also am on phone duty as we are selling our dog's puppies. They are seven weeks old now and ready to go. We had them vet checked, wormed and they have had their 1st shots. They will make wonderful Christmas presents!)



A Fun Post

My nephew Evan has a blog and has a fun post about the unofficial driving rules in L.A. County, in California! You can find that post at http://www.theewilliam.blogspot.com/ , the post is called "I was looking around". (I know there is a way to link this but I don't know how yet!)

Having grown up in Southern California, I pride myself on being able to drive anywhere. Here in PA we have a huge problem with out of state drivers, who if someone is doing something dumb you know they are from 1 of 2 states. They come to PA to shop because their taxes are high, and they love to take ridiculous shots of the Amish! Anyway I digress.

My main issue these days with drivers is:

1. When you are backing out of a parking space, there having been no moving vehicles behind you, and all of the sudden you have to slam the brakes because some person driving a car thinks they can drive behind you before you get all the way out of your space! Do these people not know that they do not have the right of way??????

Ahhhhh, I feel better now. See what your started Evan!

New Blogger

Last year, my nephew Ryan got married. His wife is one of the sweetest people I know. She is kind and caring, she married my nephew after all!!!!

Anyway, she has started her own blog. Her blogs' name is "Renewed in Him", and you can find the link on my sidebar. Her mom is the Tina on my pink breast cancer ribbon, and with the family going through so much and learning so much, she felt like she wanted to begin a blog to share what she has learned.

So, if you get a chance, visit her blog and say Hi!

Friday, November 23, 2007

Black Friday Thought



" You say, "If I had a little more, I should be very satisfied." You make a mistake. If you are not content with what you have, you would not be satisfied if it were doubled."

- Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Thanksgiving Story


On November 11, 1620 the anchor was dropped. William Bradford later wrote of this moment: "I cannot but...stand half amazed at this poor people's present condition;...Being thus past the vast ocean, and a sea of troubles...they had now no friends to welcome them nor inns to entertain or refresh their weather beaten bodies;...What could now sustain them but the Spirit of God and His grace?"
Several expeditions were made to explore the area and find the best location for a settlement. Winter made this very difficult and many people were still sick. They finally found a location that had fertile soil, 4 spring fed creeks, and a large section of ground already cleared and ready for planting.
They landed at this location on December 11, 1620. They decided to build a meetinghouse first and then 19 family dwellings, the unmarried men were assigned to live with families. These were to be simple on room frame houses, about 18 by 14 feet with a fireplace and a sleeping loft. There was no glass for the windows and the roofs were thatch, like they had in England.
In Mid-January, a setback happened when the thatched roof of the newly completed meetinghouse caught fire. They were able to put the fire out before the whole building caught fire.
The pilgrims were living in temporary quarters in the meetinghouse and on the Mayflower, and still dealing with illness. The winter weather grew worse, a flu like illness spread through the colony, which they called the "general sickness." During the worst of the epidemic, on any given day, only 6 or 7 our the the 102 colonist might be strong enough to help tend the sick. Then they began to die, sometimes 2 or 3 a day. They men buried them at night, so that the Indians would not be aware of how their numbers were diminishing.
In March, they began to hope again, and prepared for planting their crops. On March 16, Samoset walked into the settlement and spoke to them "Welcome!" in English. The pilgrims were stunned and a bit wary of his intentions. They offered him food and drink. He informed them that he knew about English food and customs through his contact with English fishermen, at his home in which in now Maine. He told them about the Indian tribe that had lived in that area, and were known to have murdered every white man who ever landed in their territory. However 4 years before the Pilgrims arrived, the tribe suffered a mysterious plague, and everyone had died. He went on to tell them about the other tribes in the surrounding area.
Near the end of March, the surviving Pilgrims reviewed their winter losses. Several entire families had perished in the epidemic;15 of 19 women were dead; in only 4 couples had both spouses survived. The children had fared best, 9 out of 10 girls survived and only 8 boys of 23 boys died. Nearly half of those who arrived on the Mayflower were buried on a wind swept hill beside the sea.
They planted their crops, and Samoset brought a friend to meet them. His name was Tisquantum, or "Squanto". Squanto also spoke English, as he had been kidnapped by a sea captain. He was away from his tribe when the mysterious plague killed them all. He spoke such excellent English, that he served as the main translator for the pilgrims when meeting with Massasoit. They exchanged gifts, smoked the peace pipe and reached an agreement of peace that lasted for 50 years!
Squanto stayed in Plymouth with the pilgrims, becoming like one of them until the day he died. He helped them learn how to plant crops in this New World, how to catch eels and fish at the river and to use them as fertilizer for planting their corn. He taught them to plant pumpkins, and tap maple trees, he introduced them to the trapping of beaver for their pelts.
They grew strong and healthy working 6 days a week and taking the 7th for a day of worship and rest. On this day they traded their work clothes for brightly colored clothing of blue, red, green, violet, and yellow. The first remarriage occurred in May between 2 of the widowed - Edward Winslow and Susanna White.
By October 1621 the corn was ready for harvest. The fields yielded a large crop that kept them from starving in the coming winter. The new governor, William Bradford, declared that Plymouth colony would hold a thanksgiving festival and invited the settlement's Indian friends as guests. Massasoit arrived with 90 braves, and the pilgrims worried that they would not have enough food, and might have to use their corn reserved for winter. However the Indians were used to celebrating the harvest and they brought 5 deer and more fish and seafood.
The menu was impressive: venison, goose, lobster, eel, oysters, clam chowder, parsnips, turnips, cucumbers, onions, carrots, cabbage, beets, radishes, and dried fruit that included gooseberries, strawberries, cherries, and plums. Some were cooked in dough to make a kind of pie. The Indians supplied a special treat, they placed corn on hot coals and the kernels blew into white puffs - popcorn! The Indians dribbled maple syrup over the white snack and made popcorn balls!
Before eating, their spiritual leader offered a prayer to God who had so clearly and miraculously led them to this place. The feasting continued for 3 days, during which they participated in games and exhibitions of shooting skill with bows and arrows, and guns.
When the feast was over, they both Indians and colonists alike agreed that they wanted to have a similar feast the next year.

Mayflower Compact

Painting by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris - Library of Congress

On November 10, 1620, while the Mayflower sailed around the the tip of the Cape, looking for a coastal inlet where they could drop anchor, the leaders of the group met in the main cabin. When they were finished, they had what has become one of the more important documents in American history. The main points of the agreement was explained to the passengers, and all adult males were asked to sign the compact before the ship dropped anchor.


In the name of God, Amen. We whose names are underwritten, the loyal subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord King James, by the Grace of God of Great Britain, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, etc. Having undertaken, for the Glory of God and advancement of the Christian Faith and Honour of our King and Country, a Voyage to plant the First Colony in the Northern Parts of Virginia, do by these presents solemnly and mutually in the presence of God and one of another, Covenant and Combine ourselves together into a Civil Body Politic, for our better ordering and preservation and furtherance of the ends aforesaid; and by virtue hereof to enact, constitute and frame such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions and Offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general good of the Colony, unto which we promise all due submission and obedience. In witness whereof we have hereunder subscribed our names at Cape Cod, the 11th of November, in the year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord King James, of England, France and Ireland the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth. Anno Domini 1620.
When they were finished, they elected John Carver as governor of the colony for a one year term.

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Great Quote



"Thanksgiving Day is a jewel, to set in the hearts of honest men, but be careful that you do not take the day and leave out the gratitude."






E.P. Powell

The Journey

Because of the delays in the journey, the passengers and crew of the Mayflower had already used much of the food and drink on board for the journey. Supplies planned for use once they landed had to be used. The food was not very good, brine soaked beef, pork and fish, hard biscuits, which often had bugs in them, and the rats on board the ship ate the food as well.

The passengers quarters were cramped and they had to stay below deck most of the time, because of the storms. People were seasick, there were no sanitary toilets. The hatches were sealed, because of the storms, so there was no fresh air.

The crew had bad attitudes toward the passengers, especially the religious ones and called them "psalm singing puke-stockings"! They picked on them while they had their morning prayers and psalm singing. One of the meanest sailors became ill about 2 weeks into the journey and died the same day. The sailors, who were a superstitious lot, worried that he had died because of his behavior toward the passengers. Not willing to risk it, they stopped their ridicule.

Halfway across the Atlantic, the Mayflower rain into a terrible storm. The winds were 50 miles per hour, and the waves 50 feet or higher! The pounding of these waves made cracks in the ship and let in frozen sea water. The ship tossed from side to side. The storm raged for days, the pilgrims prayed and sang psalms, even the sailors took to praying. Without a warning one of the huge crossbeams supporting the main deck cracked. Everyone was worried. The pilgrims took their concerns to God in prayer. William Brewster, one of the leaders, remembered the large iron jack screw the Pilgrims brought with them to help them be able to lift beams when they started to build their homes. This screw was used to crank up the beam to its original position.

Many other things happened on the journey. The Billington boys nearly blew up the ship when they light a piece of rope on fire near the gunpowder on board. A servant John Howland, disobeyed orders to stay below decks and when the ship listed to one side he fell overboard into the frigid Atlantic waters. He reached up out of the water and was able to grab a rope trailing over the side of the ship. The Hopkins family had a baby on board, whom they named Oceanus! Many people were very sick.

Finally the weather improved and people could go up on deck and get fresh air and exercise.

On November 9, a sailor cried "Land Ho!" After 65 days at sea from Plymouth, 97 days since they first left Southhampton, the pilgrims caught a glimpse of the New World. They prayed and celebrated by reading Psalm 100:

"Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth.
Serve the Lord with gladness;
Come before Him with joyful singing.
Know that the Lord Himself is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter His gates with thanksgiving,
And His courts with praise.
Give thanks to Him; bless His name.
For the Lord is good;
His lovingkindness is everlasting,
And His faithfulness to all generations.

*********************************************************************************
An interesting website to check out is:

http://www.scholastic.com/scholastic_thanksgiving/voyage/

Monday, November 19, 2007

The Mayflower and the Speedwell

For ten years the Separatists lived in Leydon, Holland. They had moved there from Scrooby, England because of persecution. They were called Separatists because they had separated from the Church of England.

They decided to go to the New World, where they would be free to worship God in the manner they chose. They sailed from Holland to England on a ship named the Speedwell, on July 22, 1620. The docked in Southhampton, England next to a ship named the Mayflower. This ships' passengers were 60-70 others who were recruited in England to give the colony a larger population. Some were others who desired religious freedom, but most were more interested in finding success and fortune in the new land. Also on board were hired helpers, such as Captain Miles Standish.

Both the Speedwell and the Mayflower set sail on August 5, 1620. This was late in the summer to leave port as even with good weather they would not arrive until October. This is late in the year to be setting up a settlement from scratch. The winds were unfavorable and the ships could not make it out of the English Channel. The rough waters caused the passengers to become seasick. The Speedwell began to leak. Both ships were forced to head back to port, this time Dartmouth. After the repairs to the Speedwell, both ships again sailed west. After sailing about 300 miles the Speedwell began to leak again. The ships returned to port again, this time to Plymouth.

After many tests the Speedwell was determined to be unseaworthy. The Mayflower was not large enough to hold all the passengers from both ships, so 20 volunteers has to stay behind. Volunteers were not difficult to come by as they had spent nearly a month on board ship and in being seasick.

On September 6, 1620 the Mayflower again left England with 102 passengers including 33 children.


Thanksgiving

This week I plan to do a series of posts about Thanksgiving. This is President George W. Bush's Thanksgiving Proclamation for 2007.


Americans are a grateful people, ever mindful of the many ways we have been blessed. On Thanksgiving Day, we lift our hearts in gratitude for the freedoms we enjoy, the people we love, and the gifts of our prosperous land.
Our country was founded by men and women who realized their dependence on God and were humbled by His providence and grace. The early explorers and settlers who arrived in this land gave thanks for God's protection and for the extraordinary natural abundance they found. Since the first National Day of Thanksgiving was proclaimed by President George Washington, Americans have come together to offer thanks for our many blessings. We recall the great privilege it is to live in a land where freedom is the right of every person and where all can pursue their dreams. We express our deep appreciation for the sacrifices of the honorable men and women in uniform who defend liberty. As they work to advance the cause of freedom, our Nation keeps these brave individuals and their families in our thoughts, and we pray for their safe return.
While Thanksgiving is a time to gather in a spirit of gratitude with family, friends, and neighbors, it is also an opportunity to serve others and to share our blessings with those in need. By answering the universal call to love a neighbor as we want to be loved ourselves, we make our Nation a more hopeful and caring place.
This Thanksgiving, may we reflect upon the past year with gratefulness and look toward the future with hope. Let us give thanks for all we have been given and ask God to continue to bless our families and our Nation.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Thursday, November 22, 2007, as a National Day of Thanksgiving. I encourage all Americans to gather together in their homes and places of worship with family, friends, and loved ones to reinforce the ties that bind us and give thanks for the freedoms and many blessings we enjoy.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifteenth day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand seven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-second.
GEORGE W. BUSH

Sunday, November 18, 2007

Hospitality Lane's Giveaway

Becky over at Hospitality Lane (see the link on my sidebar) is having a giveaway. Go check out her posts about shopping in Lititz PA and then enter her contest. Her candles are great, and that is one of the items being given away!

Saturday, November 17, 2007

Off to Shop!

Today the girls, my mom, Kyle and I are off to go to a few favorite shops and do a bit of Christmas shopping. Tim and my dad are off at our church's men's retreat, so Mom is spending the weekend with us.
Tonight we will be watching "Amazing Grace" on dvd.

Have a wonderful day.

Friday, November 16, 2007

Autumn Beauty

These are pictures of the trees in my front yard. When we moved here 6 years ago, there were no trees at all. They have really grown the last few years. They are called Red Sunset Maple. I love them. It is windy, as you can probably tell from the pictures, and cold today. I love the blue sky and clouds.









Information Friday

Tim and I had a great time visiting our daughter Emma and her family. This birthday crown has seen a lot of heads this past week, but I had ...