Weekend in Columbus, GA

Last weekend was spent with 500 families who came from Montana, Texas, Virginia, New Jersey and all over the states to gather together for Christians at the Crossroads Conference with the Botkin family. They covered many topics from: What Is The Home? - What Is The Church? - Brothers And Sisters - Understanding "Patriarchy" - Family Dynamics With Adult Children - Courtship and Marriage For Serious Families - What It Means To Honor Our Parents- Dominion Oriented Femininity - The Difference Between A Playground And A Battlefield And Why Young Men Must Live For Spiritual Warfare - How You Can Have Hope for the Future - How To Watch a Movie With Your Family (and use the occasion as a life-changing discipleship opportunity)

(Mr. Botkin during Q&A)

(Anna Sophia and Elizabeth Botkin talking with some young ladies.)







Notes from: Honoring Your Parents
*We honor our parents whether they deserve it or not.
*Serve by loving them
*Praise them in private and public
*Bless them with kind words; don't despise your parents
*Share interests, even if you aren't interested

I really enjoyed Anna and Elizabeth's talk on:
Ten Attributes of a Young Dominion Woman.

A few things that I came away with were:

*Be more invested in my family
*Embrace a hard life
*A dominion woman strengthens her arms and trains her mind
* A dominion woman understands the times: we need to look around for opportunities to serve our families, church, and community.

Poetry to think about...

Picture from allposters.com

The Hand That Rocks the Cradle Is the Hand That Rules the World

Blessings on the hand of women!

Angels guard it's strenght and grace,

In the palace, cottage, hovel,

Oh, no matter where the place;

Would that never storms assailed it,

Rainbows ever gently curled;

For the hand that rocks the cradle

Is the hand that rules the world.

Infancy's the tender fountain,

Power may with beauty flow,

Mother's first to guide the streamlets,

From them souls unresting grow-

Grow on for the good or evil,

Sunshine streamed or evil hurled;

For the hand that rocks the cradle

Is the hand that rules the world.

Woman, how divine your mission

Here upon our natal sod!

Keep, oh, keep the young heart open

Always to the breath of God!

All true trophies of the ages

Are from mother-love impearled;

For the hand that rocks the cradle

Is the hand that rules the world.

Blessings on the hand of women!

Fathers, sons, and daughters cry,

And the sacred song is mingled

With the worship in the sky-

Mingles where no tempest darkens,

Rainbows evermore are hurled;

For the hand that rocks the cradle

Is the hand that rules the world.

-William Ross Wallace

My very scary Wednesday!

It started as I got out of bed at about 7:10 a.m., I heard a crash from the kitchen, and a loud scream. Immediatley rushed to the source and found my mother who had fallen and hurt herself very badly. Spilled coffee, tears streaming, and a very worried daughter, I quickly put on some clothes and a jacket and got her in the car and off we went to the E.R. Pulled up to the door, went to get a wheelchair for her, signed her in, then parked the car, and ran back in to sign some papers. Thankfully, they were slow at the moment and it took hardly any time before she was in a room. They did X-rays on her arm and foot and then we waited for the doctor to come and tell the news! A nice and older gentleman doctor that looked to me like someone who would should be out in the woods in a cabin with a red plaid shirt, jeans, and boots on, came in and told us some very good news. Her foot was only sprained, arm was indeed broken at the elbow or as they called it the "radial head" something like that, but she didn't need any surgery at all and that it should heal in the next few weeks! After spending about two hours there we were finally discharged and off to our local drugstore to get some medicine for the pain and to rent a wheelchair because crutches wouldn't work with her arm. As we went home I was so relieved to know that everything was okay and that I never panicked for a moment. The Lord blessed me and I felt Him with me as we went to the E.R. and on the drive home. Thursday we went to see an orthopaedic doctor to make sure that the splint on her arm was okay and at this point her foot had recovered a good bit and was able to hobble around. It's finally Friday and I'm so happy to see that she is feeling much better! Well, until next time....

I'm BACK!!!

It's so good to be back and blogging again! Last month I had decided to take some time off from writing on the blog and simply work on projects around the house. I also had a wonderful visit from my sister-in-law Jennifer and my nephew Drew! Then had to be off my feet for a few days after having two planters warts removed from the bottom of my foot...Ouch! Now that August is here things are calming down, well I hope they are! Here are a few pictures from last month.

From white kitchen walls to.....

COLOR!!!!

It's amazing how color can change everything.

It's DREW!!!!!!!

Out to lunch.

I love this little guy!

For He's A Jolly Good Fellow!!!!

I'd like to take a moment and wish my brother, Jason, a very Happy Birthday today!!!

Happy Birthday to You

Happy Birthday to You

Happy Birthday Dear Jason

Happy Birthday to You!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Drew comes down to Georgia!

I don’t get to see this little guy all that often but when I do I enjoy every minute of it! Here are a couple of shots that were taken during breakfast this past Saturday. The first time I met Drew I instantly had so much love for him! I am so blessed that I get to be his aunt and definitely can’t wait to watch him grow into a little boy!

Brunch at J.Christopher's, Kate's 4th Birthday Party, and Easter Lunch with the Clifford Family!!!

Jennifer, Me, Drew, and my Mom having breakfast!

My mom finally got to meet my nephew Drew!

DREW!!!!

Game Time.

This was such a creative flower arrangment I just had to take a picture of it.

The Birthday Girl who is now officially 4 years old....my, oh, my...how time flies!

Blow 'em out Kate!!!

Now, this little girl was very entertaining...her actions were priceless!

With all the excitement the children were having during the opening of gifts,

she was much more interested in her ice cream sundae!

We all had a wonderful Easter lunch at the Clifford's...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!!

Thank you so much for all that you do! You always have the right words to say, you kiss my boo boos and make me laugh when I am down! You raised me with unconditional love, played baby dolls with me, taught me about life, told me about Jesus, read to me, tucked me in bed and prayed with me even when you were exhausted! Here is an excerpt from one book that you read over and over to me. These words you once read will stay with me forever and always! Love you Mommy!

I'll love you forever,

I'll like you for always,

As long as I'm living

my baby you'll be.

Love You Forever By: Robert Munsch

- Virginia Pictures Part III -

This was the view from my seat on the way back home.

The Capitol.

This is the Vice President's house!

~Me~

~ Anna~

Looking out from the Cathedral!

What a view!

My brother & nephew.

Jason, Jen, and Drew!

This is where the President sits when he comes and visits!

- Virginia Pictures Part II -

This window had a piece of the moon in it!

The Washington National Cathedral!

Sleeping baby!!! Too Cute :)

Jennifer getting directions from the GPS on her cell phone....NICE!

Our next stop later that afternoon was WASHINGTON, D.C.!!!

Good Job Guys! ( Me & Jen went to Dunkin' Donuts and got hot chocolate for them!)

Saturday morning Anna & Jason ran a 5 mile turkey trot on the base!

Awwwwwww!!!!!

This would be me with ALL of our luggage!

The Alexandria Train Station. It was like something off an old movie!

All Aboard!

Anna & I arrived in Alexandria Virginia Friday! I think we had about 4 hours of sleep that night.

God is an amazing artist!

Watching the sunrise Friday morning.