These are Cedar Waxwings.

I was surprised last Sunday to actually see Red-winged Blackbirds coming close to the house.  They’ve been hard for me to photograph in the past.

Must be all that delicious suet that’s tempting them to come so close.

I think this is some kind of sparrow, but I’m not sure…  anyone have a clue?

There’s also a woodpecker that’s been coming around, but I haven’t been able to photograph him.  Who’d have thought that woodpeckers would move so fast!

This is Mr. Cardinal trying to reach the suet.

This is Mr. Cardinal loosing his balance.

I don’t think Mrs. Cardinal was very impressed.

1. Assateague Island 

Misty of Chincoteague was the first horse book I ever read.  It was the most influential horse book out of the hundreds that I have read since.  It’s a coming of age story, and details the defined lines between a dream cherished from childhood, and the reality we must all eventually succumb too.  I never realised how true to home the book hit until I was much older, though even as a small child I could relate to the dream of owning a creature truly wild and free.  The irony of such a dream is that to possess a wild creature, the very wildness that drew one in to begin with must be completely eradicated in the end.  Real life and dreams are very different, though both are important.

Anyway, I have loved this book for well over a decade, and I would love to someday travel to where the story took place.  Misty’s descendents are still living in the tiny island of Chincoteague, and it would be a priviledge to actually see them for myself.

2. A Tornado

What happens when A) you grow up in tornado alley; B) your father cherishes a long held wild ambition to photograph tornados?

It might be smarter not to ask.

We don’t actually live in Tornado Alley - we’re about fifty to one hundred miles south of Tornado Alley proper.  Despite that, we’ve gotten some pretty spectacular storms, especially in the last years before urbanization crept up HWY 75.  I can still remember my father driving the whole family down into Wylie, Tx after an especially powerful storm ripped across DFW metroplex over a decade ago.  Tornadoes had touched down during the previous night.  Where there were houses, there were piles of rubble.  Trees were snapped in two.  Power lines were down and sparking.  The local Walmart had a gaping hole torn in its side; peering into the interior, I could still see rows and rows of clothing still in place.  Needless to say, I was very impressed and terrified.

In time, I grew to appreciate the unique beauty and raw power of thunderstorms.  Cloud watching became a hobby, and I suppose I have become a bit addicted to the rush that comes with observing storms that could very well kill me, either with high speed winds or lightening strikes. It’s rather similar to people who love riding roller coasters, the difference being that roller coasters only simulate danger.  With thunderstorms, the danger is very, very real (this would explain why my very worst nightmares are always about thunderstorms) . But in all of two decades, once and only once have I ever actually seen a tornado.

I didn’t have a camera with me. 

3. Rachel Alexandra

I’ve always wanted to see a great race horse. Not necessarily a Triple Crown champion, just a really, really good horse whose greatness could be defined beyond the Triple Crown.  This past year, I was privileged to actually watch a few races by Rachel Alexandra, who is almost certainly going to go down in history as one of the all time greats in American Thoroughbred Racing.  I can hardly wait to see what she does this year in competition!  But watching her races on the Internet and television is kind of sterile.  I would actually like to see her in person.  Not at the track, however, but up close and personal after she retires from racing.  Preferably with a gangly foal at her side.

I’ll be sure to have my camera with me.

4. Close encounter with another kind

I am fascinated not just with the obvious (i.e. horses) but with the entire animal kingdom.  Particularly the most intelligent members of the animal kingdom (excluding chimpanzees of course - I just can’t stand them!).  Of the intelligent animals that rival that of a five-year-old, whales and related species interest me the most (I have a fondness for humpbacks).  I think they are some of the most beautiful animals on the planet. Despite the dangers, I would like to someday actually get close enough to observe them.  Maybe when I take my trip to Alaska, I’ll get to see the humpbacks feed in the deep fjords.

5. A Spacecraft Launch

I may be a confirmed romantic, but I am seldom sentimental about most things.  One of the very few exceptions is a space craft launch.  I become extremely sentimental over space launches and I’m not entirely sure why.  Maybe its the whole mankind reaching out to the stars idea, or some long cherished wish to explore space for myself (oh, if that would only come true!).  At any rate, whenever confronted by footage of a launch (I’ve yet to witness one in person) I become a teary mess.  Makes me wonder how I’d react if I saw the real thing.

Of course, the fact that my father loves space travel and related subjects doesn’t help either.  I inherited it from him.  He told me once that there were two things that he wanted to see before he died.  One was Mission Control and the other was a space craft launch.  As of 2007, he’s crossed the first one off the list!  Maybe he and I could cross off the second one together someday.

Last week, my family and I had the delightful treat of being able to meet various characters from history.  The program for the evening was simple: dress up as a favorite historical character and give a little speech about why that character inspired you to be a better Christian. 

George Mueller journeyed from England to be our host for the evening. 

From Africa, the Queen of Ghana - Elaine Lawler - came to pay us a visit!

Elaine Lawler was born in Gateshead England, in 1973. She became the first white Queen in the country of Ghana on the Gold Coast of Africa. Lawler was from Gateshead,  England. Her husband, John Lawler, also from England, was made a chief in 1998 after helping set up a school in the village of Shia during a gap year. When Elaine and John Lawler married in June 2006, the village decided to bestow the honour of queenship on Mrs Lawler. The ceremony, just 24 hours after their marriage, was blessed by chiefs and elders from all across Ghana. Thousands gathered to attend the ceremony and wish her well. In a tradition known as the Enstoolment Ceremony, Queen Elaine received blessings before being presented with her official tribal clothing - golden slippers, a Kente woven toga and her golden crown. Elaine then sat on her golden stool for the first time. Queen Elaine Lawler was also given a Ghanaian name Mama Amenyo Nyowu Sika. This translates as “people are more important than gold”. After Queen Elaine Lawler was crowned she said “It was totally overwhelming, but the people were so friendly and it was a wonderful privilege to be made queen”. I chose Elaine because she was an ideal helpmeet to her husband, sharing His vision of serving the African people. Bringing their wealth of a culture founded on Biblical truth, King John and Queen Elaine did much to help the Ghanaian villagers.

 Several famous characters from the Old Testement were also in attendence.

I really like Jacob. It was interesting when Jacob and Esau were born. When he was older, he made some mistakes and was sometimes a bad example. He tried to be good though. God blessed Jacob and made him the father of Israel.

I like Ezekiel because he obeyed God. Ezekiel saw visions about Jerusalem and about eating a scroll. Ezekiel obeyed God even when what God told him to do was kind of crazy. Like talking to bones and to the wind. Ezekiel told the children of Israel that God said they would know He was the Lord and they did.

Jeremiah was a really great guy. He preached what God told him even though the people never listened. He preached that the Babylonians would take over the city. Nobody listened but it really did happen just like Jeremiah said. I would’ve gotten tired of preaching the same thing for 40 years. He got dragged out of the temple and put into a well. He could’ve gotten sick and died. I like Jeremiah because he preached all the things and did what God wanted.

David was a boy who was the only one who was brave enough to fight and kill Goliath. I like David because he wrote the Psalms. David was a man after God’s own heart.

My heroine is the woman from Proverbs 31. Here are some of the things that inspire me about her.
“She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.” Proverbs 31:24-31

Here is the brave Queen Esther.

Meet Rahab.  Rahab is my mother’s favorite heroine in the Bible.   She was thrilled to actually meet Rahab at the party!

Rahab the Harlot has always been my personal hero.  Like Rahab, I, too was raised to know about God, without really knowing Him. We both had heard that God spread the waters of the Red Sea to let Moses and the children of Israel escape Pharaoh. However, I even knew the New Testament stories of Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection. LikeRahab, I, too lived a life filled with sin. While her reputation was well known throughout Jericho, thankfully my sins were more concealed. We were both heading in the wrong spiritual direction.  But again, both Rahab and I responded in perfect faith when called to God. “By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.” Heb. 11:31  As a new Christian I remember having such doubts that God would forgive my self-centered past. But I only needed to remind myself of Rahab, a prostitute redeemed to not only become an heir to Christ, but to be His ancestor as well.  The story doesn’t stop there however. When I look at the fruit of her faith, I see Rahab as the mother of Boaz, who redeemed Ruth the Moabitess as his wife.  I long to not only be known as a faithful redeemed sinner, but as a blessed mother of godly children. For this, Rahab is my hero.

 And here is that great expositor, John MacArthur!

One of two highly influential scientists we met during the course of the evening.

Albert Einstein was a theoretical physicist, a philosopher, and an author who is widely regarded as one of the most influential scientists and intellectuals of all time. His many contributions to physics include the theories of relativity, the founding of relativistic cosmology, the first post-Newtonian expansion. Einstein published more than 300 scientific and over 150 non-scientific works. I admire him for his intellect and his determination to work through complicated problems that no one thought could be solved. Albert Einstein is often regarded as the father of modern physics.

I was pleased to meet Charles Spurgeon and his lovely wife.

HE HAS GOT THE FIDDLE, BUT NOT THE STICK
It often comes to pass that a man steps into another’s shoes, and yet cannot walk in them. A poor fool of a parson gets into a good man’s pulpit, and takes the same texts, but their sermons are chalk, and nor cheese. A half-baked young swell inherits his father’s money, but not his generosity, his barns, but not his brains, his title, but not his sense,-he has the fiddle without the stick, and the more’s the pity.
Some people imagine that they have only to get hold of the plough-handles, and they would soon beat John Ploughman. If they had his fiddle they are sure they could play on it. J. P. presents his compliments, and wishes he may be there when it is done.
“That I fain would see,
Quoth blind George of Hollowee.”
However, between you and me and the bedpost, there is one secret which John does not mind letting out. John’s fiddle is poor enough, but his stick is a right good one, too good to be called a fiddle-stick. Do you want to see the stick with which John plays his fiddle? Here it is-Looking to God for help, John always tries to do his best, whatever he has to do, and he has found this to be the very best way to play all kinds of tunes. What little music there is in John’s poor old fiddle comes out of it this way. Listen to a scrape or two.
If I were a cobbler, I’d make it my pride
The best of all cobblers to be;
If I were a tinker, to tinker beside
Should mend an old kettle like me.

And being a ploughman, I plough with the best,
No furrow runs straighter than mine;
I waste not a moment, and stay not to rest,
Though idlers tempt me to combine.

Yet I wish not to boast, for trust I have none
In aught I can do or can be;
I rest in my Saviour, and what he has done
To ransom poor sinners like me.

In 1993 God brought a set of tapes by Denny Kenaston called The Godly Home into our lives. One of the messages was called “The Hidden Woman” and Suzanna Spurgeon was one of the illustrations. That is where I first learned of the beautiful relationship she and her husband shared. And I learned some godly characteristics that I really need in my life.
1. Saturday evening she had her husband sit and relax in his favorite chair. She asked him to share with her the passage of scripture or topic that he had planned to preach the next morning. She had learned Greek and Hebrew and was so familiar with his library that she would go and gather all the books that dealt with that topic, and then read to him on that text for hours. She taught me to care about what was important to my husband and make it important to me.
2. Something else I learned was she called her husband “Tirshatha.” It was a Greek word meaning “My Reverence.” It means to honor and respect, it means ‘he is my leader.’ It said to him “I like being under your authority. I am here for you, my life’s desire is to serve you.” Now, I am still having to work on this point at times. But I can honestly say my heart’s desire is to serve my husband, be in submission to him, and cheer him on in life.
3. Suzanna Spurgeon had a lot of health problems. She and her husband had to spend a lot of time apart because of this-she had to stay in other places because of the bad climate. They sent gifts or letters to each other almost daily during these times. Though she spent weeks at a time in bed it was with very little complaining. What a challenge to me to not complain.
4. She had a passion for God’s work and used her own money to buy books for poor preachers who had no money for books. Others began giving to her “book fund” and over 25,000 preachers were blessed with books. She had this ministry from her bed as an invalid. Can’t we all find something to do for Christ?
I am thankful for the godly people from the past that we can look to for examples of how to live this wonderful Christian life.

I was especially pleased to meet Joni Eareckson Tada.  Joni has been an inspiration to my mother since her high school days when Joni was a frequent visitor to my mother’s church.  I have taken great comfort in reading her works during hard places in my life.   

A gathering of historical characters wouldn’t be complete without Mary and Laura Ingalls!

Esther was not the only queen in attendence.  Meet Margaret of Scotland.

Deborah is portraying Queen Margaret of Scotland. She was born in the year 1045 in the Castle Reka, in Hungary. When a young woman, Margaret’s parents were killed, and she and her two siblings fled by ship. Their ship landed in Scotland, and they were received by the King of Scotland, who soon after made Margaret his wife. Malcolm and Margaret had eight children-six sons and two daughters, and she raised them well. Through her godly influence, her husband and children were just and holy rulers. Margaret was a woman who “stretched out her hand to the poor, and reached forth her hands to the needy.” Queen Margaret of Scotland has gone down in history as a godly woman who influenced many people for good through her holy life and abundant charity.

Squanto in contemplation…  there was no lack for American heros throughout the ages.

Squanto’s story is an amazing tale of God’s Providential care and guidance in the lives of the Pilgrims. An Indian from the northern coast of North America, he was kidnapped by an English sea captain in 1614, and later rescued from slavery only to spend years in England, wanting to go back to his homeland. Neither he nor anyone else knew that those hard circumstances were God’s way to prepare him to help and bless a small group of Pilgrims who were living in Holland at the time. But God had a bigger plan. Through the kindness of another sea captain, Squanto finally arrived back in his native land to find that his entire tribe had died from a sickness while he had been away. White strangers, calling themselves Pilgrims, were occupying his tribe’s former territory. Squanto’s knowledge of English and willingness to help were just what the Pilgrims needed as they faced a hard new world. He immediately began sharing his wildwood wisdom with these clueless strangers. Squanto was raised up by God and prepared just for that, and, through his interaction with the Pilgrims, he became a Christian and received the gift of eternal life.

On my birth-day-April 11th-in the year 1774, a young noblewoman named Adrienne married a young man whose name was to become world-famous. His name-the Marquis de LaFayette.  After the American Revolution, the marquis and his wife sough to discover ways to emancipate black slaves. Together, they bought two South American slave plantations and developed a system that allowed the slaves to work towards their own freedom-hoping it would be a positive example to slave owners. Adrienne developed ways to instruct the slaves in reading, writing, arithmetic, and religion. Her husband knew he could safely trust in her, and as the seething man-is-God madness of the French Revolution began and he struggled to quell the bloodthirsty uprising, he entrusted their emancipation project wholly to his wife. 

But LaFayette could not stem the progress of the French Revolution. He did his best, but was finally arrested and jailed. Adrienne and her female relatives were imprisoned and sentenced to death. Her mother, sister, and grandmother were guillotined, but Adrienne was saved at the last minute, due partly to American remonstrance. Though her life was spared, she spent another year in the filthy French prison before being freed. She threw her whole self into efforts to free her husband, but to no avail. And then she performed an exceptional deed. Despite her personal experience of prison conditions, she asked for, and obtained, permission to go and live with her husband in jail. There, sharing the uncomfortable, cheerless, and unhealthy living conditions, she cheered and aided him as a faithful helpmeet for two years, until he was released. Despite all she had suffered, it was said that “neither the French nor Austrian jails lessened her ability to forgive her enemies.”  Adrienne de LaFayette was a woman who wholeheartedly supported her husband and his vision, and was willing to sacrifice her comfort and safety to serve and help him. I am inspired by her example!

Emma Sansom was a southern country girl who lived in Tennessee. During the Civil War the Confederate soldiers were pursing the Union forces from Tennessee to Georgia. Unfortunately for them the Union forces had burned a bridge after crossing it themselves. The Confederate troups had no way of passing over the water. The discouraged general caught sight of a farm house in his eye and approached it. Emma Samson who stood on the porch gave directions to the general quickly without a blunder. The General asked her if she would ride with them as a guide. Eager to be of service she accepted and guided them through the land which was thick underbrush. They soon reached the other side of the creek. The General thanked Emma by having her imprisoned brother returned to her the next day. The Legislature of Tennessee gave her a valuable lot of land as a reward for her service. Emma Sansom inspires me because she did not hesitate when duty called.

From an early age Nate Saint had been fascinated with airplanes. When he was old enough, he joined the army to learn how to fly. Yet when a medical problem flared up, and he couldn’t fly for the army, he felt God’s calling on him to become a missionary. In 1945 he answered God’s call and joined a missionary organization in order to use his aviation and mechanical skills for the Lord. God then called him and his wife to minister in Ecuador where the light of the gospel had not yet penetrated into the deepest parts of the jungle, and where flying just minutes in a plane could save days of walking on the ground. It was there where he served the Lord until January 8, 1956 when he and four other missionaries dies bringing the light of the gospel to those who were lost in the darkness.

In his own words Nate Saint tells us that “The world is dying for want of a Savior-yet so many who profess to love Him are still living ‘business as usual’ lives, cheating themselves of the ‘high calling of God in Christ Jesus.’” He inspires me to yield my life to God and to follow His plan for my life. He reminds us that our life here on earth is “just a vapor, here for a little time and then it vanishes away” and that we ate here to spread Christ to the lost and dying world around us. Through his life he brought glory to God in his temporary home here on earth and through his death he now enjoys his Lord and Savior forever in his eternal home: heaven.

And here is a young lady from France.  While Americans dominated the attendence, several other nations were represented at the party.

Suzanne de l’Orme lived in France in the late 1600’s. During this time the Protestants were suffering persecution because of the Catholics.  Suzanne, at age 12, was kidnapped by a Catholic priest and held in a convent. The priest promised her a speedy return home if she would disown her faith and become a Catholic. She could not answer their arguments, but always replied, “My father and my mother never taught me such things, and I am sure it cannot be right.” Even when told her family had fled the country she would not give in.  The priest decided to take her to another convent. There she was held in a miserable underground cell. While in the lonely cell she repeated hymns and prayers. She suffered many things while there, but since she did not give in, the priest once again moved her.  He put her in a home where a couple and their grown son lived. The men of the family were brickmakers and forced her to help make and haul the heavy bricks. When she couldn’t work as fast as they wanted she was abused. She remembered the words of Scripture “When He was reviled, He reviled not again.” Her patience and perseverance at trying to please her cruel masters is inspiring to me. 

At age 13 her dad found her and took her to England where the family were reunited. The book gave a description of what she was wearing when she was rescued and this outfit was as close as we could make it. Her clothes were very dirty and torn and her hair was matted.  As a result of the bad treatment she almost died and it took months before she was nursed back to health. She was still left with a deformed back the rest of her life. She was a blessing to her family. When her brother and sisters quarreled she would tell them, “Do not speak angrily to one another, you know not how soon it may please God to separate you, and then you will be sorry; if, like me, you had been many months without ever seeing the face of a child, you would never feel inclined to say an angry word to one another.”  She was a blessing to people the rest of her life. Her life of humility and meekness is a blessing to me.

Today I am portraying Priscilla Mullins. She was born in France, but her family moved to England before they come to America. She came here on the Mayflower with her father, mother, brother, and a servant. But after arriving in America, her family died. So she lived among the other families, mainly with Elder Brewster’s family.  Priscilla Mullins inspires me by the things she learned as a young lady that helped her to be a godly wife and mother when that time came. Here are some ways that Priscilla inspires me to be like her.  During the days aboard the Mayflower when the children couldn’t go up on deck because of the weather, she would tell them stories about when she lived in France to cheer them up. The mothers often said she was a comfort to them.  When most of the Pilgrims were sick Priscilla was a good nurse. She would bathe the fevered faces, make broth or toast, or speak a cheery word to someone who was too sick to sleep.  Priscilla was a good cook. She was put in charge of preparing the food for the first Thanksgiving dinner. One time when Chief Massasoit was sick he wanted some broth he enjoyed at that Thanksgiving meal. Priscilla was the only one who knew how to make it. So the Indians sent a messenger to the Pilgrims to have her send all the ingredients needed to make it, and to explain how to make it.  When it was God’s time, Priscilla, under the guidance of the church fathers, was courted by and married John Alden. They raised 10 children who became Christians.

Amy Carmichael. This woman was a no-nonsense Christian, faithful missionary in both Japan and India, child rescuer, devoted prayer warrior, and a passionate writer. To both sum up her life and give insight into why I admire her, I submit what she called her “confession of love:”

My vow: Whatsoever Thou sayest unto me, by Thy grace I will do.
My constraint: Thy love, O Christ, my Lord.
My confidence: Thou art able to keep that which I have committed unto Thee.
My joy: To do Thy will, O God.
My discipline: That which I would not choose, but which Thy love appoints.
My prayer: Conform my will to Thine.
My motto: Love to live, live to love.
My portion: The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance.
Teach us, good Lord, to serve Thee as Thou deservest; to give and not to count the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds; to toil and not to seek for rest; to labor and not to ask for any reward save that of knowing that that we do Thy will, O Lord our God.

These words, and the testimony of her life, provoke me to examine the depths of my faith and the motives of my actions day to day. Would I leave friends and family, give everything for Christ, and serve in foreign lands where evil and perversity are ever present? Would I trust in God’s providence for every need and share His love with even the most unlovely? Would I have the courage to be a refuge for those who desperately need a haven from danger? Through Jesus Christ, Amy Carmichael was willing to do all that was asked of her, and by the grace of God, I aspire to do the same.

Most everyone knows a little bit about Corrie Ten Boom. Her name is widely known and her books are well-read. I had written out something else to say but decided it was too biographical in content and not enough about why she was inspiring. Therefore, I will give you her very high-level biography in four sentences and then list some reasons why she is one of my “heroes of the faith.”  Corrie ten Boom was the leader of the Dutch Underground during World War II. Because of their Christian convictions, she and her family smuggled dozens of Jews in and out of their home. They were eventually betrayed, arrested, and taken to concentration camps. Corrie lived through the experience and found her faith had grown and her love for Christ had deepened. 

With this background, allow me to tell you some of the reasons why she is inspirational to me. She always followed Christ and was never ashamed of Him, no matter what the cost may have been; may this be true for me as well. She was courageous and put her life on the line to live out her faith; am I willing to do the same? In the midst of human evil and hate, Corrie has joy and love for others; I am not so often in the midst of wickedness like Corrie but in my day-to-day life, do I have joy and love to everyone I encounter? Corrie forgave everyone who did her harm; I too should work more on forgiveness and showing love than harboring ill feelings and dislike. She thanked God in ALL circumstances; when pain and trials afflict me, do I thank God for the opportunity I’m given to draw nearer to Him? She told everyone she met about Christ; do others see Christ in me?  Corrie died at age 91 leaving behind and incredible legacy even though she had no children. When I die at whatever age God has predestined, what legacy will I leave behind?

In the spring of 1800, a sixteen-year-old Welsh girl started on a 25-mile trip one way… Mary Jones. She was a girl who when ten, started saving money for a Bible. She loved to read God’s Word and longed for her own Bible. When she finally had enough money, she asked her father where to get one. He directed her to the pastor of the village. The pastor told her to go to Bala, a town twenty-five miles from her hometown and look for the home of a Mr. David Edward who would help her get a Bible. So the next morning she woke up early and after breakfast, she started on her journey. When she reached Bala and found Mr. Edward, she asked if her knew where to get a Bible. He said that his friend the Rev. Thomas Charles would probably give her one, but that they would have to go there in the morning. So Mary spent the night at the house and the next morning they rose early and walked to Mr. Charles’ house. When he heard Mary’s story, he told her that he had only a few Bibles left, and they were promised to others. She sank down in a chair and started to weep. Mr. Charles was touched and told her she must nor go away without a Bible. She got her Bible and started on her journey back. I am challenged by Mary Jones. She saved for six years, walked fifty miles, got there and wasn’t even going to get a Bible! Would I do all that? Would I be willing to keep saving and not give up?

Edward Joseph O’Hare, aka “Easy Eddie”, was born in 1893 and died in 1939. He was a lawyer in St, Louis and later in Chicago, where he began working with Al Capone, a Mafia boss. Eddie went undercover to assist the IRS to put a stop to Capone’s criminal activities. Frank Wilson. Chief investigator of the IRS said, “On the inside of the gang, I had one of the best undercover men I have ever known, Eddie O’Hare.” He later helped federal prosecutors convict Capone of tax evasion. In 1939, a week before Capone was released from Alcatraz prison, Edward was shot to death while driving to work. He was the father of Medal of Honor recipient Butch O’Hare, for whom O’Hare Airport is named. I chose to represent Easy Eddie because he stood up for what was right, knowing what it would cost him. He decided to risk his life to become a good example to his only son, Butch, who became a decorated U.S. naval aviator in World War 2. Butch was a excellent marksman, but was best known for his extreme bravery.

Rick Brant was the son of a famous electronic scientist. In the 1940s, he lived with his family and a group of scientists on an island connected to the New Jersey shore at low tide. His father and the other scientists launched rockets to the moon, submersibles for deep sea diving and inventions for the further dominion of God’s creation. Why he inspired me was because he helped his father accomplish his many goals and projects. When someone tried to sabotage one of his dad’s experiments, Rick Brant was able to identify the culprit, and stop him. [fictional, but inspiring]

Prince Vladimir Pavlovich Paley (January 9, 1897 - July 18, 1918) was a Russian poet.  Prince Vladimir was born Vladimir von Pistohlkors in Saint Petersburg, Russia. His father was Grand Duke Paul Alexandrovich of Russia, the youngest child of Emperor Alexander II.  He spent his childhood in Paris and later graduated from the Corps de Pages, an aristocratic military school in Saint Petersburg. He fought with the Russian army in the First World War and was decorated as a war hero with the Order of Saint Anne.  Since he was a young man, Vladimir Paley showed remarkable talent as a poet. He published two volumes of poetry (1916 and 1918) and wrote several plays and essays, as well as a magnificent French translation of The King of the Jews. 

In the summer of 1917 he and his family were placed for a short while under house arrest by the Provisional Government, because of a poem he wrote about Aleksandr Kerensky. In March 1918 he was arrested by the Bolsheviks and sent to exile in Vyatka and later Ekaterinburg and Alapaevsk. He was brutally murdered, together with his cousins Prince Ioann Konstantinovich, Konstantin Konstantinovich, Prince Igor Konstantinovich, and other relatives. Their bodies were recovered and buried months later in an Orthodox cemetery in Beijing, China, which was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution.  Here is a poem he wrote against the dangerous rising political regime he saw coming:

ANTICHRIST

The dark times are coming, are coming,
He promises power and wealth,
Under slogans of fiery banners:
Liberty, equality, and fraternity!

He comes in bright vesture,
He shall rule for a moment,
He is the forerunner of thunder…
Republican confusion.

With blasphemous praise
He lies with arrogance,
‘To get earthly happiness
We must oppose God’s kingdom.’

But his reign shall be short,
His diabolical ravings smothered,
For the cross shall shine on high,
At the time of the Last Judgment.

One lady even brought her pet with her!

Dolly Madison was President Madison’s wife. She is considered to be America’s Most Gracious First Lady. She was an excellent hostess and made everyone feel welcome to their home. Dolly Madison owned a macaw named Uncle Willy while she was First Lady. She fed Uncle Willy his favorite treats - sunflowers seeds - and broke up fights with the president’s cat, King George. Uncle Willy loved his mistress and would run up to her with his great wings outstretched for a hug. When the British marched upon Washington in 1814, Uncle Willy began screeching in fear when he heard gunfire. As the British came near, Dolly rushed to save the important papers in the White House. In one hour and fifteen minutes, she saved the letters of George Washington, the Constitution, and the Declaration of Independence, along with a famous portrait of George Washington. Dolly Madison inspires me because she was kind, brave and owned a parrot.

Named Johann Mendel at birth, Gregor Mendel was born a peasant in Heinzendorf, Austria, in 1822. While still a child, his talent at learning impressed his schoolteacher so much that the teacher urged his parents to give Mendel a higher education (our equivalent of high school). His parents agreed, but they were so poor that they could not easily afford it. Johann struggled through his education, oftentimes nearly dying of starvation because he could not afford to eat.  After an unsuccessful attempt at teaching, he joined the Augustinian monastery of St. Thomas in Altbrunn (it was here that he changed his name to Gregor). While he was there, he tried again to be a teacher; however, he failed the examinations to qualify. One of his examiners, however, was impressed by Gregor’s originality of thought, and pulled some strings to get him admitted to the University of Vienna, where he learned the scientific method.After finishing his studies at the university, he again tried to take the examination to qualify for a teaching position. His examiners failed him a second time, however-this time, for showing too much original thought. Giving up the idea of becoming a teacher, he began to work as a scientist. For eight years, he conducted experiments on the subject that first intrigued him as a child-breeding. He raised thousands of pea plants and carefully documented the results of breeding and crossbreeding them. At the end of those years, he published a paper in which he presented a series of four conclusions that are the basis of what we call Mendelian genetics.  Mendel gave up his scientific endeavors shortly after writing the paper because the government decided that it would tax the monasteries, and Mendel thought that this was an attack on religious freedom. As a deeply committed Christian, he bitterly opposed the government’s idea and spent most of the rest of his life fighting against the taxation. Since he was so involved in this political; struggle, he had no more time for his scientific work. He died in 1884, his scientific works forgotten, although they would later be rediscovered in the early 20th century. Gregor Mendel inspires me because he typifies the true scientist-one who seeks foremost to learn most about his Creator, to think God’s thoughts after Him.

Philippe de Mornay was born on November 5, 1549 and died November 11, 1623. He was a French Protestant writer and member of the Monarchomaques (”killer of kings”).  He was born in Buhy, France.. Mornay studied law and jurisprudence at the University of Heidelberg in 1565 and the following year Hebrew and German at the University of Padua. On the outbreak of the second religious war in 1567, he joined the army of Condé, but a fall from his horse prevented him from taking an active part in the campaign. His career as Huguenot apologist began in 1571 with the work Dissertation sur l’Église visible, and as a diplomat in 1572 when he undertook a confidential mission for Admiral de Coligny to William the Silent, Prince of Orange. 

He escaped the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre by the aid of a Catholic friend, and took refuge in England. Returning to France towards the end of 1573, he participated during the next two years with various success in the campaigns of Henry IV of France, then King of Navarre only. He was taken prisoner by the Duke of Guise on the October 10, 1575, but ransomed for a small sum. Shortly afterwards he married Charlotte Arbaleste at Sedan. Mornay was gradually recognized as Henry’s right-hand man, representing him in England from 1577 to 1578 and again in 1580, and in the Low Countries 1581-1582. With the death of the Duke of Alençon-Anjou in 1584, by which Henry was brought within sight of the throne of France, the period of Mornay’s greatest political activity began, and after the death of the Prince of Condé in 1588 his influence became so great that he was popularly styled the “Huguenot pope”. He was present at the siege of Dieppe, fought at Ivry, and was at the siege of Rouen in 1591-92, until sent on a mission to the court of Queen Elizabeth. He was bitterly disappointed by Henry IV’s abjuration of Protestantism in 1593, and gradually withdrew from the court, devoting himself to the Academy of Saumur, which had a distinguished history until its suppression by Louis XIV in 1683.  His last years were saddened by the loss of his only son in 1605 and of his devoted wife in 1606, but he spent them in perfecting the Huguenot organization. He was chosen a deputy in 1618 to represent the French Protestants at the Synod of Dort, and though prohibited from attending by Louis XIII, he contributed materially to its deliberations by written communications.

Later on in the party, George Muellar’s wife, Mary, joined us.

One of our hymnists, Elizabeth Prentiss, graced us with her presence during the evening.  She also wrote the book Stepping Heavenward.

And last, but not least, the little missionary to China - Gladys Alward.

Greeting Joni. 

Now here’s an interesting sight: two great preachers from two different centuries having a discussion. 

 Amy Carmichael and Emma Sanson in an animated conversation.

Have you ever seen so many historical characters under one roof?

Looking around the room, I couldn’t help but think how it will be like when we reach heaven one day and finally meet all those Christains that have gone before.  What blessed conversations and fellowship we shall enjoy then!  Until that day comes, we can be inspired and encouraged by God’s work in the lives of these amazing men and women.

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Hebrews 12:1-2

Many thanks to Elisha Wahlquist for providing me with most of the pictures on this blog post!

Frequently students are held responsible for this fallout, although college is merely a continuation of the education that preceded it. The fact that most students are unable to continue functioning in the same system they have been educated in indicates students are not prepared to handle the challenge of higher education. (3) In lamenting the bad graduation rates of college, we have forgotten that the source of the problem began long before the choice of career became the primary focus. It all began in childhood. 

A good start in education, along with the development of consistent habits, sets the stage for what happens to adult students. Of all habits, discipline is the most important. (4) Even in a poor educational system, disciplined students will excel, and carry their success into higher education. Teaching students from childhood how to maintain a routine and how to complete tasks prepares them to handle the educational and financial challenges of adult life. Once this foundation is laid, the next step is to teach students to take what they learn and integrate it into their lives. Acquisition of information does absolutely no good if the students fail to comprehend how it relates to them. It is not how well subjects relate to each other, but how they relate to the students that matter. (5) 

Literacy is another important factor in the education crisis. Literate people are informed people. Informed people are prepared people. In the last fifteen years an upwards of fifteen million students have graduated from high school unable to read at a basic level. (6) Our educational system is so fragmented by the inclusion of a myriad of subjects into the curricula that reading is no longer the primary objective of elementary education. Consequently there is a lack of literacy instruction in high school. Of the forty-nine states with reading standards at that level, twenty-eight drop the ball and do not include reading strategy instruction in their course curriculum. (7) Predictably, reading proficiency tapers off after that point. 

Gains in literacy that continue through high school are crucial in how students handle college. (8) A primary objective in all education must be the acceleration of reading ability through raising the quality of literature, memorizing and writing poetry, and engaging students in narration and literary discussion. Reading aloud is one of the greatest gifts that can be given to any person at any age. Literacy is non-negotiable. 

Another serious problem in education is an acute lack of individuality. American schools in their standardization efforts ignore genetic and family backgrounds, learning styles and abilities, and cultural differences because they promote that every American child deserves a quality education from preschool through college. This produces a one-size-fits-all plan, ensuring that no one is left out. One might compare this process to a factory output where everyone becomes the same product. (9) Some argue that this is a good thing because it consigns everyone to an equal plane. This is simply not true. In our search for equality, we really only cater to a few - those who conform to our own ideas of egalitarianism. This is amply confirmed in the surprising number of minority groups among dropout students. (10) 

Education must shift its approach from the classroom model to a mentoring mindset and creative ways of measuring achievement. This would free up teachers to spend more one-on-one time with their students instead of merely distributing a homogenized form of education over a faceless classroom. With a mentoring approach, it is easier to engage students in learning and encourage them to solve problems on their own as they apply them to their lives. The genius behind mentorship at the college level is that inadequacies in the students - be it habit, literacy, or an overly standardized education - are not overlooked, but addressed. This method requires teachers who are concerned with the needs and challenges the next generation will face and are focused on preparing their students accordingly. 

The possibilities in applying mentorship to higher education should be immediately explored. Older men and women in the church are an untapped resource, especially if they have experience in home schooling or tutoring. Retirees often have more flexibility and could be part of a cross-country network of mobile mentors. Homeschool book fairs and conventions have the ability to connect high school graduates with possible mentors and internships in a large regional area. Christian campgrounds can utilize their facilities further by offering mentorship weekends and internship fairs. Part of this would certainly include online education and accredited distance learning. These kinds of programs have the ability to drive down the costs of higher education and shave off excesses while giving valuable direction to students. An added plus is that this individual attention enables the student to combine service opportunities and entrepreneurial endeavors to integrate learning into all of life. 

For those who hold to a Biblical worldview and desire to bring all things under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, education is an arena that cannot be ignored. By developing disciplined habits, raising literacy standards significantly, and achieving individuality through mentorship, an impact can be made. Yes, higher education is facing a serious dilemma, but together with vision, purpose, and motivation to glorify God, higher education can be revolutionized from the ground up.

Works Cited

(1) http://www.aei.org/outlook/28863.
(2) http://www.higheredinfo.org.
(3) http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BTR/is_4_22/ai_84599442/.
(4) Karen Andreola, A Charlotte Mason Companion (Quarryville, PA, Charlotte Mason Research and Supply Company, 1998), Chapter 9.
(5) Ibid, Chapter 8.
(6) http://www.betterhighschools.org/topics/Literacy.asp Quick Stats Fact Sheet: High School Literacy.
(7) http://www.betterhighschools.org/topics/Literacy.asp Quick Stats Fact Sheet: High School Literacy.
(8) http://www.betterhighschools.org/topics/Literacy.asp Quick Stats Fact Sheet: High School Literacy.
(9) Kevin Swanson, Upgrade: 10 Secrets to the Best Education for Your Child (Nashville, TN, Broadman & Holman, 2006), 68.
(10) http://www.urban.org/publications/410936.html.