A Description of My Lord

"Which made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that therein is:
which keepeth truth forever:
Which executeth judgment for the oppressed:
which giveth food to the hungry.
The Lord looseth the prisoners:
The Lord openeth the eyes of the blind:
the Lord raiseth them that are bowed down:
the Lord loveth the righteous:
The Lord preserveth the strangers;
He relieveth the fatherless and widow:
but the way of the wicked He turneth upside down.
The Lord shall reign forever...
Praise ye the Lord."
~ Psalm 146:6-10 ~

O Lord, "set us in the way of [Thy] steps!" Psalm 85:13)

Little Eyes Are Watching

Last night at church, my little friend Abbey (age 8) decided to sit next to me during the service as she often does. As our pastor began to wax long-winded in his message on the fruit of the Spirit, I guess Abbey was getting a little restless. She is by nature a mischeivous, impishly adorable child anyway, but last night, she seemed to think that it would be great fun to play copycat. I didn't notice her actions at first, but soon it began to dawn on me that every tiny move I made, Abbey copied.

I scratched my head. She scratched her head in the exact same place. I played with my fingernails. She played with her fingernails. I re-crossed my legs. So did she. Anytime I would look down at her, she would grin at me with a sly twinkled in her eye as though to say, "Isn't this a fun game?"

As humorous as it was to watch Abbey derive such amusment from copying my every move, I was reminded that the concept of copycat goes beyond just a little game. Little eyes are always watching those of us who are older. The question is, what are they seeing?

Are we setting a Godly example? In our actions? Our attitudes? Our tone of voice?

God used this experience with Abbey last night to remind me that we older girls have tremendous influence in the lives of our younger sisters and friends. Let us strive, therefore, to make sure that the example we are setting is one that we want them to follow.

And Now...The REST Of the Story

(Imagine that blog title being read in a deep, bass voice like Paul Harvey's, full of suspense and intrigue!)

The rest of our vacation in Washington D.C. and Virginia was an absolute blast! I'm sorry I was unable to do any further "live blogging," but after we left D.C. and headed south to our friends' house in Gloucester, I didn't have internet access.

We just got back this past Saturday night, and I've spent the rest of my free time this weekend and today organizing all our pictures from the trip. These can now be viewed at: www.picasaweb.google.com/livingforjesus85
Warning: we took a LOT of pictures. But we hope you enjoy seeing them all! I've decided that Washington D.C. is a very photogenic city. :-)

Most of the pictures you'll see are the handiwork of Katelin, our family's resident photographer.
Believe it or not, the pictures you'll see are only a fraction of the total amount we took!

The Lord blessed our vacation in every way and I am so grateful! He gave us safety in travel, glorious weather for all our sight-seeing days (and then two straight days of rain when we had finished!), and a beautiful display of stunning fall colors everywhere. We also enjoyed a time of sweet fellowship with our friends, the Sadlers, in Virginia, where we celebrated Brittany's 18th birthday with them.

God is so good...always.

Now, it's back to normal life!

Vacation Memories Pt. 3 - Capitol Hill and Beyond

Today was another wonderful day spent in our nation's capitol! The beauty, richness, and history that is found here in Washington D.C. is truly awe inspiring. I have tremendously enjoyed each part of our journey so far!

We started our morning at the Library of Congress, where we were able to see an original Guttenberg Bible on display as well as Thomas Jefferson's library of over 6,000 books!

Next, we toured the Capitol building itself with a staff member from our congressman's office. My favorite part was the rotunda where gigantic paintings of our founding fathers hang and where intricate art is painted even on the domed ceiling.

After a delicious lunch in an underground cafeteria, we headed off to see the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights at the National Archives building. (Along the way, we got to witness a motorcade heading to the White House carrying President-elect Obama.) Reading about the founding of our nation in the National Archives was definitely a highlight! I am so grateful to the Lord for the rich, Godly heritage of this nation.

Lastly, we finished off the day at the National Cathedral. Listening to the boys' choir sing in that stunningly beautiful sanctuary was a welcome experience after the intense hike we took to get there. :)

All-in-all, it was a full day packed to the brim with sight-seeing and learning! Once again, the bed is calling me as my body is worn out from so much walking. :-) Tomorrow, our plan is to visit the Smithsonian before heading south into Virginia to see the Sadlers.

I am hoping to post all our pictures to a Picasa web album soon, but for now, here are a small handful to give you a glimpse into our day:

Mom, Dad, and I walking up the steps to the Library of Congress

Inside the ornate marble halls...

The Capitol

An everyday sight at the National Mall and Capitol Hill

The Constitution on Display

Stopping for a warm drink and sugar-boost on the way up to the National Cathedral.

(In case you're wondering, that's a cup of India Spice tea with a Gingersnap cookie.)

We finally made it!

What a beautiful church.

Vacation Memories Pt. 2 - Mt. Vernon and D.C.

What a day this has been! We have had a blast touring Mt. Vernon, Arlington National Ceremony, and the famous D.C. monuments at night. I wish I had time to describe it all and post more of the 420 pictures we snapped today, but considering that it's 11:30 at night and we have another big day planned tomorrow, I am desperate for my bed. :-)

Here are a few photographic moments captured from our eventful day...but do stay tuned for LOTS more....hopefully soon!

Mt. Vernon (front view)

Mom and Dad at the backside of Mt. Vernon

Our family in front of the Potomac


Arlington National Cemetary

The Lincoln Memorial

Vacation Memories - Pt. 1: Annapolis

Ready to go with my bag full of books! (Gotta love rolling laptop cases.)

Look at the BEAUTIFUL fall colors the Lord has blessed us with! He is such a good God to hear and answer our prayers. I have been mesmerized by the palatte of colors all around us, and I am drinking in every bit!

Welcome to Annapolis, capitol of Maryland!

Where the time is approximately 4:00 p.m.

We greatly enjoyed strolling around this quaint little town, enjoying the sights, the colors, and the crips autumn air!

In this old historic inn, the floor in one room is made of glass...

Interesting, isn't it?



My beautiful Marmee

Imagine having a backyard like this!

Shops along Main Street

Walking the wharf

Such a beautiful sight.

Katelin enjoying the cove

Katelin enjoying the camera
My family in Annapolis

" The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth His handiwork."

More fall colors at the U.S. Naval Academy

A new kind of re-sale shopping! (Can you tell this is a Navy town?)

Another quaint house and yard...

The alley way

Mom peeking in a inn's basement window.

Enjoying a milk shake at Chick and Ruth's Deli

Hurray for family vacations!