Fireproof

Catherine Holt: What day are you on?

Caleb Holt: 43.

Catherine Holt: But there are only 40 days...

Caleb Holt: That doesn't mean I have to stop.

Wow! I'm at a loss for words…no, really. *grin*

*dramatic deep breath*

I saw "Fireproof" last night and I was completely astonished by how powerful the message was!

I admit, I had a few qualms at first. I loved "Facing the Giants," but was not impressed with "Flywheel;" and I thought this film might be too similar for my taste. But, boy, was I (pleasantly) surprised! :-)

Now, I realize “Fireproof” is not as well made as some of the movies coming out these days, and I am fully aware that it didn't take millions of dollars, with Academy Award winning actors, to produce; but, the depth of emotion, the "realness" of the characters, and the beauty of "true love” in "Fireproof", tugged at my heart, and I found myself in tears on numerous occasions (just ask Melinda :-)).

It was beautiful. The story, the music, the message, the agonizingly poignant (and as equally wonderful) finale...it was all superb! I can't praise this film enough! (Can you tell?) All I can say is that "Fireproof" was the most phenomenal film that I have seen this year. Bar none.

Here is a review that Mrs. Chancey wrote for the film (HERE is the link):

"My husband and I were able to attend a special pre-screening of this film over the summer. The strong pro-marriage message was excellent, as was the clear presentation of the gospel. This film represents a huge step forward for Christian filmmakers. It was made by the same church that produced "Facing the Giants" and uses very little "professional" acting talent, yet the acting is well done, and there are many wonderful laughs.

Kirk Cameron is fantastic as the husband struggling to love his wife and avoid divorce, urged on by his parents, who also nearly lost their own marriage years before. Supporting actors pull their own weight, and superb editing keeps the film moving along and audiences glued to the screen. The message of this film is so important that we'd urge churches to book theaters and take hundreds of people to see it.

While this film wasn't created for children (it contains subject matter that is geared toward adults), it is appropriate for older children (I'd say 15 and up). There is no language and no inappropriate content to worry about. The laughs are clean (and really funny!). The producer who came to our local screening also revealed a neat inside story: when the husband and wife embrace and kiss near the end of the film, it is Kirk Cameron's real-life wife who stands in at that point. When this movie claims to promote and protect the marriage covenant, the producers really mean it, even for the actors involved! We're delighted to be able to promote a film that has worked so hard to declare the beauty and purity of marriage before a watching world."

Really and truly this was an amazing film and I not only encourage, but I insist that you go see "Fireproof"! :-)


Have a blessed week!


In Christ Alone,

Jessica Nicole



P.S. Note to parents: The topic of the husband’s problem with pornography is handled discreetly and sends a powerful message to those who may struggle with temptation in this area. Purity matters.

Tagged again!!

Emil tagged me!!! (Thank you, Emil!) I'm supposed name six things that I've learned in the last month and then tag six people! *dances* Here goes:

1. How to dance Swedish-style! (Thank you, Anna!)

2. What RSS Feed is (thanks, Justin!).

3. That the Bannister at Church IS made for sliding down. :-D

4. How to sing the "What's that? A Hat" song...roflol...thanks to Lenna, Melinda and Sierra. Thanks, girls! :-D (I'm officially scarred for life! lol)

5. That apparently my Mother knows someone who got his head cut off in an elevator. *cough* :-D

6. That 4 girls walking down the road (to the library) with one guy in an Army uniform, is bound to draw SOME kind of attention. Well, nobody bothers you, anyway. :-D

I tag:

Jasmine B.
Ella
Laura B.
Ben H.
Thomas H.
Robert M.



May the Lord bless y'all, and have a wonderful week!

In Christ Alone,

Jessica Nicole


P.S. A post coming soon about the Elders/Deacons meeting at our Church! :-)

Giveaway

There is a giveaway at Practical Purity! Check it out HERE!


In order to enter the drawing, here are the rules...

1. Please get permission from your parents before you enter this free drawing.

2. You must be a resident of the US or of Canada, (and you must have an address, no PO boxes).

3. Post the rules of the giveaway and link to this post on your blog. (If you do not have a blog please tell at least one person OUTSIDE of your family)

4. Leave me a comment telling me that you'd like to enter.


The drawing will end on October 31st at midnight. Please remember to visit when it ends to find out if you've won.

But you know what is the best thing about this giveaway? THERE WILL BE FIVE WINNERS!!!

Some events of the month (so far):

1. The Ryken's moved into their new home! We were able to go help them move in...though really we just kept the working people company I guess, lol, as there were so many young men there helping and the young ladies weren't all needed! :-) Congratulations on y'all's new home, Rykens!!! I'm so happy for y'all...it's beautiful!!

2. We visited the Erber family and Mom spoke at a Ladies' tea while we were there! We had a splendid time with the Erbers, who opened their beautiful home to us! Thank you so much, y'all! We can't wait to get together again!!

3. We moved into our new Church building (Morton United Methodist)! We're all very excited about that! It's such a blessing to be meeting in a "real" Church building now!!

4. Life Chain Sunday was last Sunday! What a blessing to be able to stand up for what we believe in with no fear! America is the land of the FREE (the home of the brave!)! :-)

So here is a slideshow of the photos from each event that I've uploaded on my web album. I'm sorry that I can't upload them on my blog as I've exceeded my picture upload quota. :-P Hope y'all enjoy them!

May the Lord bless your week!

In Christ Alone,

Jessica

Tagged! :-)

Another tag!!*dances* (I just love these things!) Thank you, Jasmine and Elissa both for tagging me! :-)

Here are the rules:

-Link to the person who tagged you.
-Post the rules on your blog.
-Write six random things about yourself.
-Tag sixish people at the end of your post.
-Let each person know he or she has been tagged.
-Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

Here we go:

Six Random Things About Me

1.

- I tend to be a very impulsive person. I love to do things at the last minute! :-)

Actually I'm not so sure if I love to things at the last minute, or if I just think of them at the last minute and I like to do whatever I just thought of right away. :-D (if that made an ounce of sense. lol.)

2.

- Nearly all of my summer clothes are either blue or white.

Funny. Those are my two favorite colors. :)

3.

- William Shakespeare was the first person to use my name in his play, "The Merchant of Venice"!

4.

- I hate crossing bridges that go across a body of water.

I'm always frightened that the bridge will give way and we'll go plummeting into the watery depths.

(I'm not overly fond of deep water.)

5.

- I have never kissed a frog. There. I've said it.

(I'm convinced that even if he did turn into a prince I would be rather grossed out by marrying a former frog.)

6.

- I love to dance and sing all around the house...and sometimes even outside of the house.

It's this wonderful feeling of freedom. Two instruments that you can take with you wherever you go, wherever you are.

Your voice and your feet. *bliss*

Everyone who commented on my last post is tagged (if y'all would like to do it anyway.)! :-) And if you don't have a blog, just leave your tag in a comment!

I'll have a post of our visit to the Erber's house (where we had a marvelous time!) as soon as I get the photos downloaded! Oh, and I will also be posting photos of Life Chain Sunday and of our first Sunday in the new Church building!! :-)

God bless y'all's week!


In Christ Alone,

Jessica Nicole

Happy Birthday, Emma!

Today we celebrate the 6th birthday of Emma Katherine! I can't believe she's already 6! Yikes! :-)
How blessed we are to have Em in our family! She never ceases to bring laughs and smiles and is so full of life and fun!
Her newest "thing" is "tap" dancing with William all around the house. :-D When she's not doing that she is "watching" William and/or entertaining him, helping around the house (she's very good at folding towels!), helping Caleb with the chickens or just being Emma. :-)

Emma sporting her adorable grin! :-D

I love this picture...so "artsy"! :-)
Garrison gets the credit for this one!

Some facts about Emma:

- She was the first "home birth baby" in the McDonald family!

- She loves to play "Cowboys" more than anything and loves wearing her cowboy boots!

- If she's not wearing her cowboy boots she's wearing her flip flops. As she's dearly attached to them. :-D

- She's the youngest girl in the family!

- She wants a pet lamb. :-)

Emma Kate is truly a joy to our family! I thank the Lord for seeing fit to bless my family with Emma...my darling little sister! :-)

Emma and William being their usual goofy selves. :-)

Emma was wearing her PJ's and wanted to dance with William.
But William refused to dance with Emma unless she put a skirt on. :-D It was so cute! :-D

Emma in Texas several years ago.

William kisses Emma amongst the flowers. :-)

Happy 6th Birthday, Emma Kate! I love you!

Love,

Jessica

"...something to dance about..."

Is there any felicity in the world superior to this?

I think not.

Whatever your opinion of the ultimate felicity, one most confer that dancing is very agreeable. Even if one does not like to do it oneself, watching others do it is nearly as refreshing.

Now that cannot be said of very many other agreeable things, now can it? :-)

The only other things I can think of that people find agreeable to do and to watch people do, are acting, sports, singing and...fighting, I daresay. And I think dancing should be under 'sports' as it is extremely invigorating.

Not to mention the most affable occupation since consuming pumpkin pie. :-)

Though Jane Austen said, "It may be possible to do without dancing entirely" I must politely disagree. I do not think one can go through life without dancing. For isn't it said that 'life is a dance'? I'm quite sorry, my dear Jane, but I think "It is impossible to do without dancing entirely." There. I did it. I disagreed with one of my favorite authors of all-time. *sigh*

What is the world coming to?

And now, as you're probably wondering where in the world THAT came from... I'll deliver you and I'll tell you the real reason behind this post.

*We danced last night!*

Yes, danced. You heard that right. That "faerie-like" occupation that I lectured y'all on. Now you know, don't you? ;-)

SO since you were brave and kind enough to plod through the simple verbiage above (You did, I hope. ;-)) I will now bestow upon you some photos of last night. Of the dance. Of that "faerie-like" occupation...*cough* Anyway...here they are. :-) Enjoy!

"Hey, I SAID NO PAPARAZZI!!" ;-)

Melinda surveys the ballroom. "It looks positively medieval!"

Lily and I looking quite distressed. Damsels in distress? *cough* :-)

Shall we dance?

Sure! If we've got..."Something to dance about..."

"and someone to dance it with...."

"And something to dance it to..."

"To a jig, reel or a waltz!" :-)

The contest to see who could get there hand on the top. 'Twas very interesting. :-D

Feet! And what's more...*dancing feet* :-)

Melinda and Lily...two of my dear friends having a marvelous time! (or so I deduced. :-))

I loved this dance...I can't remember what it was called though. But it was *glorious* fun. :-)

Grace and Nathan doing a set together!

I'm trying to look very "into" the dance. Really I had too much Dr. Pepper and sugar so I was feeling really loopy. Ah well. :-D

Zach preparing to dance!

Ruth and Peter looking very enthused and amiable. Eh? :-)

Dancin' at the Ceili! :-)

YOU COULD GET A FREE BLUE TONGUE TOO!!

(with a small payment of $99.99 :-))

:-D

I sure look short in this picture. Oh well. :-)

No idea why we're looking so serious in this picture. We were having a grand time. :-)

If the camera works...USE IT! :-)

All in all we had a fabulistic time! We're sooo glad that the dances have started up again! What joy! What bliss!

Y'all come again, ya hear? :-)

And there are a few more photos on my web album. If you'd care to look:

Hymn Sing and Dance

Have a wonderfully blessed week!

In Christ Alone,

Jessica Nicole

Orchard Trip

So I thought I'd share with y'all some photos of my family's "trip" to the Apple Orchard.

'Twas quite an experience and we enjoyed much fun and laughter. :-) But I think the photos speak for themselves (and a few of my captions, of course. *grin*). Enjoy!

Christ Orchard Trip

In Christ Alone,

Jessica

P.S. FYI, the Orchard is called "Christ Orchard" and pronounced with a short i. :-)

 

First of all I want to thank y'all for participating in the guessing game! I don't know about y'all, but I found it to be lots of fun! :-)

1st place goes to- Christa and Melinda, who tied! :-) Each guessed eight movies correctly!

2nd 1/2 place goes to- Thomas!! :-) (the Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra guess gets 1/2 a point, Thomas! :-D)

2nd place goes to- Laura, Jasmine and Annabelle! Y'all guessed 7 correctly!!

And last but not least...
3rd place goes to Brooke and Elissa, who each guessed 5 correctly!!

Congratulations, y'all! :-) And thank you again for playing!

Now for the answers! :-)

1.

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4.

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7.

8.

9.

10.

Hope y'all had as much fun as I did! :-D God bless y'all's week!

In Christ Alone,

Jessica


P.S. *As an aside, I just want to let y'all know that I am not recommending any of the above films. Different people have different standards and some of the material in each of these films may not be suitable to all viewers. And for our family, some of the above films have had their "fast-forward" moments. :-)*
If you're interested in finding movie reviews that come from a Conservative Christian, then check out Charity's Place. :-) She has a pretty big selection of films to choose from and I've found her reviews to be very trustworthy.

A Guessing Post...

I thought I'd do a "Just 4 Fun" post. :-)

Here's what you do:

1. DO NOT LOOK AT THE COMMENT SECTION FIRST! :-)

2. Guess what movie each picture is from.

3. Leave your guesses in the comment section.


'Tis as easy as that. :-)

Following soon will be a post with all the answers. :-) Enjoy!

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5.

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7.

8.

9.

10.

In Christ Alone,

Jessica