Garr's Going Away Party...

Well, last night was the going away party our good friend, Garrison Sanford.

We weren't really surprised to hear that he was (finally. *grin*) joining the United States Marine Corp, but to say we weren't saddened to lose his company and to see him go, would be an untruth. One thing is very sure, and that is that we are extremely proud of him and we know he will serve his Country with honor and integrity! We support our troops!!

Goodbye, Garrison, we sure will miss you! Know that you will be in our prayers continually as you serve the Lord far from home.

SEMPER FI!

So here are some photos of the evening (an evening with mixed feelings...both joy and sadness). I hope that y'all enjoy them and get a bit of a taste of the friendship and close-knit relationship that our Church family is so blessed to be able to enjoy! Also, I'm including a rather *fuzzy* video clip of a skit/song that Melinda, Melissa, Tiff and I did for Garr to commemorate his leaving. We enjoyed creating the song and the ad lib was especially fun! (One disclaimer, as you can see, there are two videos, parts 1 & 2. In the middle a small section was cut off, where we said "counting those years out loud and strong, 2, 3, 4, hut 2, 3." But that is all that it's missing.) Hope y'all like it! :-)

Have a wonderful week y'all, and remember to give thanks to the Lord for the friends that he as given you, though they may only be with you for a short season of your life. God is good.

In Christ Alone,
Jessica


The Video:




Photographs:

Garr's Going Away Party

Oh, and I decided to add two extra youtube videos, just because they make me cry as they remind me of the bravery of those men who are fighting for our freedom!

Letters from War- Mark Schultz




An American Soldier- Toby Keith
With our good friend Garrison going off to war, emotions are high in our family. This song reminds me of the sacrifce that is displayed by our troops in Iraq. Regardless of whether or not we agree with every policy of the federal government, God still allows free worship in this land and has used the blood of American Soldiers to secure that right! God bless our troops!

I am extremely, wildly, gleefully, excited to annouce that....

*drumroll*....

I reached 50,000 words tonight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am ridiculously happy and very pleased! When I first began NaNoWriMo, I did not think that I could actually reach 50,000...and I thought, that if by some insane chance I actually did, it would be becaause I was up until 12 on the 29th of November writing feverishly.

Never, in a million years did I imagine that I'd actually finish early. I am very, very, very, very happy. (can you tell?) I feel like dancing and singing and standing on my head all at the same time. Isn't God so good??

Hm...maybe I'll go buy myself something special now. Like that dvd of "Northanger Abbey" that I've been wanting so badly. :-D hehe... Actually, maybe I'll just go dance around the living room singing opera at the top of my lungs and driving my family crazy. *cough* Alrighty, I won't. :-)

Thank y'all so much for your kind comments about my novel and for your encouraging words! I am not quite finished writing the book yet (I'm still reaching the climax of it) but when I am completely finished I will let y'all know.

Y'all have a tremendously vibrant week and I pray that the Lord blesses each of you beyond your wildest dreams! Toodle Pip!

In Christ Alone,

Jessica

Current Mood: Ecstatic

Graphics are from www.olde-fashioned.livejournal.com

NaNoWriMo...once more. :-)

I'm still getting an award post together (it's taking me a bit longer than I'd thought. And my brain has been really *out* since November 1st. Go figure.), so please, bear with me.
Until then, I though I would share a NaNoWriMo calender that I made in my spare time. :-) I kind of went crazy with it-but it was fun and will work great as the desktop picture for the computer. :-)

Here it is:


By the way, I *love* those sunglasses. I must get some, methinks. :-D


Ah yes! And so I thought, that while I'm posting about NaNoWriMo I'll share a small excerpt from my book with y'all. First, the synopsis:

It is the year 1811 when the McKie family decides to visit London for the season and leave their home in the hills of Scotland to find husbands for their daughters. They are utterly unprepared for the adventure, romance, scandal and mystery that await them. The three eldest girls find themselves wrapped up in the intrigues of London far too swiftly...

There is Bella, the eldest at home, with a clear head on her shoulders and a heart that is far away with the man she loves who is working for the King against Napoleon.

Then Ada, who though she dearly loves her sister, Emmy, she is extremely disapproving of her shocking ways. And don't ask her about Mr. Stanbury. For she is determined to reject his love suit.

Emmy McKie, at age fifteen loves a good romance novel and has decided that the man she marries must fight a duel for her. On top of it all she takes far too much delight (according to her sisters) in shocking everyone. And of course, she finds her own love, but he doesn't seem to return her feelings. And does he fight duels?

The season looks disastrous so far. And one wonders if any of the McKie girls will make it home the same?

And the excerpt: (This is the same excerpt from my NaNoWriMo page.)

Emmy wasn't sure of what to say, knowing that she was not his choice partner and he was only asking her as not to appear rude, she felt the slightest bit snubbed. After a moment of silence she stood up gracefully. "Indeed you may, Mr. Scott. I hope I am a descent replacement for my sister." Better to dance with someone who didn't precisely want to dance with you, but would, then to be a wallflower and look dejected by the wall speaking to strange gentleman whom one's sister has instructed one not to speak to ever again. Yes, this was the right choice. She tried to ignore the fact that Mr. Henry Scott was the ideal gentleman. I wonder if he would fight a duel? She shoved her foolish thoughts away.

He looked utterly surprised. "Oh, Miss Emmaline, you are nothing of the sort! I would enjoy dancing with any of the McKie sisters many times. I am profusely apologetic if I have offended you in any way. It truly was not meant." He looked honestly concerned.

She smiled, as if to reassure him, but more so to reassure herself. He offered her his arm and led her to the dance floor. She noticed his eyes dart to glance at her as they walked along. Is something wrong with my appearance? She thought to herself. Why does he keep looking at me? My hair must look dreadful... They swept into a round of Mr. Bevridge's Maggot and Emmy felt herself positively enchanted by the music and steps of the dance and marveled at the perfect footwork and grace of her partner. His eyes stayed on her nearly the entire time, and she felt uncomfortable under his scrutiny. But as she danced her mind wandered and flew back to her novel. Which made her wonder once more, if Mr. Scott would be the type to duel?

Please forgive the fact that it is not edited yet. Thus the *messy* writing. :-)

And lastly I give you this just because (I found this on Michael Thomas' blog and could not stop laughing. The song is "All You Really Need is Love" by Brad Paisley):




Have a marvelously blessed week!


Cheerio!

~Jessica

Current Mood: Good

15 Things I'm Not Afraid to Admit

*edit* Sorry about my missing number three! :-D I HAD a number three but...I suppose something happened to it! lol. Anyways, I fixed that... :-D *end edit*

So I've been tagged by Ella to do the 15 things that I am not afraid to admit! :-) Thank you Ella for tagging me! Let's see if I can think of 15 things...

Here goes:

1) I am a Christian! A Reformed Presbyterian, to be exact. :-) (And because I love this quote sooo much, I'm going to add it to my answer!) I am not afraid to admit that, "I believe on Jesus Christ, who truly is the King that comes to me with gentleness and grace, rescuing me from sin, death, devil and hell. Into Him have I been baptized, in Him I believe, with Him I remain, and unto Him I will die and rise again." (Martin Luther)

2) I love History! Whether that be historical books, historical movies, historical clothing, historical museums, historical art, historical music...whatever (don't you just love the word 'historical'? *grin*). I love it all! And as for the clothing part. Well... :-) Everyone should know that the clothing "back then" was by far more attractive than clothing today. :-) And Regency and 1950's attire happen to be my two current favorites. :-)

3) I have no qualms about singing wherever I am. And maybe dancing to it, too. As a matter of fact just recently I served an entire meal while singing.
Example: Me- (to the tune of a song) "William! What would you like to eat!" and "William what do you say now that I've given you your food!"
William- (same tune, sung with a VERY deep voice) Thank you.
Hehe. It was hilarious...

4) Like Ella and Jasmine, I enjoy "other" music! :-) Now don't get me wrong, I enjoy Hymns, Psalms and Christian music very much, but I also love Opera and Musicals (and Broadway Musicals such as Les Miserables and The Scarlet Pimpernel). And of course, I also love singers such as Michael Buble, Nat King Cole, Amy Adams, Kiri, Riverdance, Josh Groban, Kate Rusby, Patrizio Buanne and the like. :-)

5) I love acting and drama!! Someday I would love to be in a stage production of a musical just for fun! :-)

6) I could never and would never join any branch of the military. Besides the fact that the entire notion of women in the military is against my beliefs, I would be absolutely impractical to the poor people. And I would drive them absolutely crazy. ("Where's the outlet so I can plug in my curlers?" "Um...how does this gun work again?" "Okay, this camo outfit looks sooo dumb on me! Can I make myself a historical 1776 uniform?" etc.) HeHe. ;-D

7) I am writing a 50,000 word novel in 30 days! And I only have about 15,000 more words to go! *does the happy dance*

8) I cry during movies. I simply cannot help myself. And I also give running commentary during a film as well. Another thing I cannot seem to help. :-) But good heavens if I waited to say all that stuff until afterwards I would have forgotten it all and then what would be the use? No, no. I must say it during and that is all there is to it. ;-)

9) I do so love a good costume drama! The Importance of Being Earnest, all the Jane Austens, Victoria and Albert, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Ruby in the Smoke, Twelfth Night...Yup. The whole package. :-)

10) My favorite poem is "The Highwayman" by Alfred Noyes. And no, it has nothing to do with Anne of Green Gables. :-) And Loreena McKennit has a gorgeous "song" version of it, by the way.

11) I hope to someday go overseas and visit all the places that I've heard and read so much about! Scotland, Venice, Rome, London...the list goes on. Anywhere that has history? I'd love to go! :-)

12) I am the ultimate tooth brush loser. As in, I am constantly losing it. Or one of my younger siblings is constantly taking it by accident. ;-D (you can decide which.) It is a good thing that my mother always has extras on hand. HeHe.

13) I LOVE Shakespeare's works! "Twelfth Night", "Romeo and Juliet", "A Midsummer Night's Dream", "Much Ado About Nothing" and "A Comedy of Errors" are my favorites! (I like "Hamlet" too but it is so very sad. *sniff*)

14) I love the movie "Hot Lead and Cold Feet"...a fact which no one in my family can really understand. It is a dumb, ridiculously brainless movie...but I think it is one of the most hilarious movies I've ever seen! :-D Oh, and love it when the missionary brother sings "Something Good is Bound To Happen"...lol. I wish I could find it on youtube so that y'all could listen to it! :-D

15) I am not afraid to admit that God gave men and women different roles in life. We are different...no matter how much the liberals say otherwise. I consider it a blessing to be a woman...a blessing to conduct myself in a feminine manner, to train to be a stay-at-home wife and mother...to be a homemaker. I do not consider it a shame to spend my life being a helpmeet to a husband and raising children in the fear and admonition of the Lord (as I pray I will someday have the opportunity to do.). I consider it a high calling, and one which I am eager to be called to someday (Lord Willing).


And as I finished with that *grin*, I Tag:

Laura
Emil
Elissa
Jeremy


Have a *marvelous* week, y'all, and may the Lord bless and keep you!


In Christ Alone,

Jessica Nicole


Current Mood: Chipper

Feeling Hyper 'n Happy :)

What ho, Y'all?

So Sunday night we (as in the Candlers, Sanford's, Price's and us) decided to stay late at Church and enjoy some extra *fellowship time*. :-) We ordered pizza (from Domino's, of course.), the Candlers brought some games from their house, and we goofed off and of course had a *marvelously* insanely happy time! :-)
I thought that since it was SO much fun that y'all might enjoy viewing some photos of the time we spent together!
Now don't get TOO freaked out over the *crazy* pictures...you have to understand that when you take our particular families (and certain members of those families who will remain un-named. *grin*) and add caffeine and late hours it equals CRAZINESS. Really. ;-) So honestly, please view at your own risk. :-D

PK_DK_Fun

Have an *exuberant* week!

In Christ Alone,

Jessica



Current Moods:
Hyper
Happy
Giggly

Can a person be in three moods at one time? :-)

A Giveaway!!

A giveaway from Miss Jocelyn courtesy of Christa Taylor (be sure to check out the C-T site and take a look at the gorgeous and feminine clothing she has on there!)!
Leave a comment on Miss Jocelyn's blog to enter!!

"...You've gone and looked at C-T and now you're wanting to put some of the items on your wish-list... well, how about a chance to get something early with a $25 gift credit from the C-T store?

You can enter a chance to win the $25 GC by leaving a comment, and, if you want to enter again tell your friends and when they come to enter make sure they say who directed them here because if they say YOU did then you get ANOTHER entry! So if you tell 15 friends and they say "Sarah told me" then you get 15 more entries."


Current Mood: Cheerful

This is the Short and Long of it...

So Dad has been wanting to stain our deck for some time now. So Caleb and I helped him a bit and we got the floor of the screened-in porch stained. Dad had some work to do (and Caleb and I couldn't move ALL the deck furniture alone!) for Sunday so we went ahead and went inside.
That evening we discovered that a wonderful friend had gotten a group of guys together to come and stain our deck the following morning! Thank you so much to each of you, the work you did for us was truly a blessing!!!
Here is the album with some photos of the day:

Deck Painters!

And also yesterday Melissa, Caleb, Emma William and I decided to go out, enjoy some fresh air on the lawn and finish raking up the leaves and dumping them by the garden with our John Deere Tractor! It was a delightful time spent together and we got a good deal of work done as well. :-)
Afterwards Melissa shot some photos of William and I. Then we happened to notice that the Chickens were crossing the road (of course! lol.) so we chased them back to the yard and after that was done, I got a few more photos! :-)
So here they are for y'all to enjoy as you weren't able to be there with us! :-D

The Wonders of Fall

Have a marvelous week!

Cheerio! ~Jessica Nicole


Current Mood: Tired

*edit* I'm also going to be putting "mood" pictures at the bottom of my posts from now on. I found them on a site and thought they looked fun (they're all from Jane Austen films). I guess I'll see how they work! :-) *end edit*

If y'all are wondering what in the world is going on with my blog, I'm working on a new design! :-) So don't worry, I should have it done soon!

Current Mood:Working

Thoughts on the recent election...

Why do the nations rage,
And the people plot a vain thing?
The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together,
Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying,
“Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us.”

He who sits in the heavens shall laugh;
The Lord shall hold them in derision.
Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, And distress them in His deep displeasure:
“Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion.”
“I will declare the decree: The LORD has said to Me,
‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance,
And the ends of the earth for Your possession.
You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.’”

Now therefore, be wise, O kings; Be instructed, you judges of the earth.
Serve the LORD with fear, And rejoice with trembling.
Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, And you perish in the way,
When His wrath is kindled but a little.
Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.
-Psalm 2

Well it looks like the people of this nation have finally gotten what they have longed for...or rather who they think they need. Barack Hussein Obama will be the president of my beloved country. How could this happen? I fight the tears that threaten and my heart cries out to God, WHY?
I must say truthfully that I never thought that Obama would actually win. I proudly voted for McCain and I was sure he would win, hands down. I convinced myself that the people of this country would never, knowingly, vote for a man who upholds everything that we, as Christians are so vehemently against. I am very sadly dissapointed.

What I am at a complete loss to understand is HOW the people of this nation could actually vote for a man that stands for so many horrible and wicked things? Do they not even flinch when he says that mothers have the right to kill their babies? Do their consciences' not scream "MURDER!"?

I was reading a book about Rome recently and I had to shudder. It was way too familiar. Too close to home. Why? Because we are going in the exact same direction. Rampant abortion, sodomy, complete government control...that was Rome. And I'm afraid that that is soon to be America too. And Rome eventually fell. And it was a great fall indeed. What will happen to the United States of America?

Our forefathers, those who fought for this nation, would weep if they could see it now.

But I remind myself of what my Father so rightly reminded me of last night, that God is in control! God will always be in control and He loves His people with a never-ending love. That will never change, my friends! Have courage! Have Faith! And look forward to voting Obama out of office in 2012!

I can only pray that God has mercy on us and changes the hearts of our new leaders!

Also, both Ella and Jasmine have excellent blog posts on this election that y'all might appreciate reading!


In Christ Alone,

Jessica

P.S. On a lighter note, anyone interested in moving to Venezuala? :-)

NaNoWriMo

This month is National Novel Writing Month! So guess what I'm doing:

Why, writing a 50,000 word novel in 30 days, of course. :-)

Now before you fall over, or faint, or scream, or stare at your computer screen incredulously, take a moment and check out the website: NaNoWriMo.

*edit* If anyone is interested in viewing my profile here is the link: CatherineMoreland! *end edit*

I realize this is going to be quite a challenge. I'm pretty nervous to tell y'all the truth. I'm also excited at the same time. Really excited! But truly, even if I don't win, I still want to give it a try...who can resist a challenge, anyway? :-)

The main reason I'm telling y'all that I'm going to do this is because I know y'all will keep me going. Don't let me quit...really. And those of you who have my email address, in November please send me emails reminding me to work on my novel! I'd really appreciate this, as it could be possible that I'll be tempted to just give up at some point.

If I'm not on my blog/email very often in November, this would be why. :-)

God bless y'all's week!

In Christ Alone,

Jessica

P.S. A HUGE thanks to my wonderful friend, Elissa, who introduced me to NaNoWriMo! We're in this together! Wahoo! :-)