This 'Ole House // It Is No Secret

Greetings to you all!
Last night, I was thinking about what hymn I should write about for today. While asking my sister if she had any ideas, she started singing "This Old House." The first time I heard it was when a man in our church sang it. And he would sing it off and on throughout the year, sometimes playing his harmonica with it. He did such a good job singing that song...I wish I could hear him sing it one more time. But since he went on to meet the Lord, I haven't heard anyone sing it since.

"This 'Ole House"
This old house once knew my children, this old house once knew my wife. 
This old house was home and shelter as we fought the storms of life. 
This old house once range with laughter, this old house heard many shouts. 
Now she trembles in the darkness when the lightnin' walks about. 

But I ain't gonna need this house no longer, ain't gonna need this house no more. 
Ain't got time to fix the shingles, ain't got time to fix the floor. 
Ain't got time to oil the hinges, nor to mend the window pane. 
Ain't gonna need this house no longer, I'm gettin' ready to meet the saints. 

 ~~~

This old house is afraid of thunder, this old house is afraid of storms. 
This old house just groans and trembles when the night wind flings its arms.
This old house is gettin' feeble, this old house sure needin' paint.
Just like me it's tuckered out, but I'm gettin' ready to meet the saints. 

Ain't gonna need this house no longer, ain't gonna need this house no more. 
Ain't got time to fix the shingles, ain't got time to fix the floor.
Ain't got time to oil the hinges, nor to mend the window pane. 
Ain't gonna need this house no longer, I'm gettin' ready to meet the saints. 

~~~

This old house is getting shaky, this old house is getting old. 
This old house lets in the rain and this old house lets in the cold.  
On my knees I'm getting chilly, but I feel no fear or pain.
Cause I see an angel peeking through a broken window pane.

And I ain't gonna need this house no longer, ain't gonna need this house no more. 
Ain't got time to fix the shingles, ain't got time to fix the floor. 
Ain't got time to oil the hinges, nor to mend the window pane.
Ain't gonna need this house no longer, I'm gettin' ready to meet the saints. 

~~~

Now my old hound dog lies a sleeping, he don't know I'm gonna leave.
Else he'd wake up by the fireplace, he'd sit there, howl and grieve. 
All our huntin' days are over, me and that dog ain't going huntin' anymore.
Gabriel done brought in that chariot when the wind blew down the door.

Ain't gonna need this house no longer, ain't gonna need this house no more.
Ain't got time to fix the shingles, ain't got time to fix the floor.
Ain't got time to oil the hinges, nor to mend the window pane. 
Ain't gonna need this house no longer, I'm gettin' ready to meet the saints.

~~~

Instead of me writing out the story behind this hymn, I found a video in which Stuart Hamblen tells the story. Take a few minutes and watch it. I think you'll find it interesting. 

  In this video, Stuart Hamblen sings his song "This 'Ole House."

 As I read more about Mr. Hamblen, I found out that he was the composer of a couple of my favorite songs.  In addition to writing "Let the Sunshine In", Mr. Hamblen also composed "It Is No Secret", which was translated into over 90 languages, and many other songs.  Mr. Hamblen always said that he didn't write the song. The Holy Spirit did. 
Stuart Hamblen accepted Christ as his Savior at the very first Billy Graham Tent Crusade in Los Angeles, California.  In this video, Billy Graham introduces Stuart Hamblen, who sings and tells the story behind his song "It Is No Secret."

If you'd like to read more about Mr. Hamblen, I encourage you to click on this link. It's a short biography with a timeline of his achievements.
When you see me fall asleep, say amen but don’t you weep. I’ve got so many million years that I can’t count them.” -Stuart Hamblen

Until next time, remained blessed. 
~~~Ashley~~~

The Bible is a promise book and a prayer book.  And while reading is reactive, prayer is proactive.  Reading is the way you get through the Bible, prayer is the way you get the Bible through you.

A Love To Come Home To

I'm so thrilled Alicia invited me to join her in the release of her newest book. 

THE BOOK:

A Love To Come Home To is the third book in Alicia's "A Time of Grace" trilogy. 

Purchase on Amazon: A Love To Come Home To

From July 21-25, 2016, book one, The Fragrance of Geraniums is free on kindle. Click here.

From July 22-28, 2016, book two, All Our Empty Places is $1.99 on Kindle. Click here. 

BACK COVER BLURB:

Hardened Ben Picoletti thought he'd turned his back on Depression-era Rhode Island years ago. Nothing remains there for him, except for haunting memories of an abusive childhood. Yet when a criminal accusation shatters his ambitions, Ben has nowhere to flee but back to his stepfather's home. There, he finds that redemption yet waits for him...but the sacrifice required to attain it may exceed the limits of his family's heart.

Meanwhile, his musical sister Grace continues her studies in New York. She longs to hear a word of affection from her high-school beau...yet only Paulie's silence greets her. Grace must decided whether she wants to live in the past or move into an unknown future with unexpected love.



Lyrical and sensitive to the aching heart, A Love to Come Home To affirms that God delights in being a stronghold in times of trouble; that He renews His mercy every morning; and that He will work every bitter thing together for the good of His children.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Alicia G. Ruggieri writes grace-filled, Christ-centered fiction, including the A Time of Grace Trilogy. She's a graduate of Rhode Island College, where she studied Communications and History, and her adventures include children's theatre direction, restaurant management, and small business ownership. Alicia and her husband live in coastal New England, where she may be found drinking far too much coffee and penning stories with her emotionally-disturbed second-hand pug by her side.

AUTHOR LINKS:

Website: http://www.aliciagruggieri.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AliciaGRuggieri

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AliciaRuggieri

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/AliciaGRuggieri

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7361363.Alicia_G_Ruggieri

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Alicia-G.-Ruggieri/e/B00GM5JL9S

INTERVIEW:

1. How did you come up with the idea for this book?

Ever since the character Ben appeared in The Fragrance Of Geraniums, I knew that he had a story of his own-and that it would be a strongly redemptive one. His character-that of a young man who grew up in a broken home with no one to model Christ's love for him, left to fend for himself-begged to be redeemed, begged to show how Christ's love can loose the chains on the most hardened criminal. As Charles Wesley says, "His blood can make the foulest clean; His blood availed for me."

2. What influenced you most in this book?

Probably Charles F. Stanley's sermon series on forgiveness. In the book, the character Ben has a lot of forgiving to do- and (though he doesn't always think so) he also needs a lot of forgiving himself. Stanley's sermon series helped me to delve into what forgiveness means in our lives.

3. What is your goal in writing?

To honor the Lord always, first and foremost, and to encourage other believers to walk with God in loving obedience-to discover for myself and to help others to discover what the Gospel-our redemption-means in our everyday walk with Jesus Christ.

4. What is one thing you want your readers to take away from this book?

Mainly, to quote Corrie Ten Boom's sister Besty, "There is no pit so deep that God's love is not deeper still." For Corrie, that meant the concentration camps. In this novel, I'm speaking more of the dark pit of the sin-soaked human soul-and the redemption Jesus Christ longs to bring to us. Then, there's also a secondary theme: to wait for God's fulfillment of your desires, rather than to rush ahead, even into something seemingly good.

5. What advice/encouragement would you give to beginner Christian writers?

First, take heart – As you submit to Him, your loving God will accomplish His purpose for you, even when you feel like there isn’t any fruit from your work. Second, work on your craft and read many good, classic books. I think that as Christians, we sometimes think that God should give us ability and skill without us having to work for it. This just isn’t true – There’s a lot to learn from writers who have gone before us and from practicing, even if it’s not always fun. Third, and most important, yield yourself to God to be used by Him as He wishes and spend time with Him and His Word to know and love Him more deeply.

   

6.  Is there any particular verse that has encouraged you during the writing of this book?

Yes! 1 John 3:16 – “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”

7. What are five of your favorite books? 

Just five?! J In no particular order: Til We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis, Donald Grant by George MacDonald, The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams, My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers, and A Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers.

8.  What's your favorite Bible verse?

One of my favorites is 2 Corinthians 4:7 – “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.” Another is 2 Corinthians 12:9 – “And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

THE GIVEAWAY

One winner will receive: a signed softcover set of the "A Time of Grace Trilogy"; Paulie's Pearls" ~ in honor of his first gift to Grace! Freshwater pearl earrings set in 10k gold; and "Better is One Day in Your Courts" Scripture-enhanced journal. (Open to U.S. residents only due to shipping costs.)

 



If you want to see Alicia's book reviewed on other blogs, the links are below. Have fun! 

Tuesday, July 19, 2016
Aubrey Hansen 
Alicia A. Willis 
Wednesday, July 20, 2016
Rachel Rossano's Words 
Thursday, July 21, 2016 
 Bookish Orchestrations
Friday, July 22, 2016 (Release Day)
Christian Author: A. M. Heath 
Saturday, July 23, 2016
A Writer's Heart 
Monday, July 25, 2016
Iola's Christian Reads 
Precious Moments 
Tuesday, July 26, 2016
God's Peculiar Treasure 
Wednesday, July 27, 2016
Ready to be Offered 
Thursday, July 28, 2016
A Northern Belle
July 29, 2016
With a Joyful Noise
July 30, 2016 (Wrap-up and giveaway winner announced)
Alicia G. Ruggieri

Stepping in the Light









Stepping in the Light

By: Eliza E. Hewitt

 

Trying to walk in the steps of the Savior,

Trying to follow our Savior and King;

Shaping our lives by His blessed example,

Happy, how happy, the songs that we bring.

How beautiful to walk in the steps of the Savior,

Stepping in the light, stepping in the light,

How beautiful to walk in the steps of the Savior,

Led in paths of light.

 

Pressing more closely to Him Who is leading,

When we are tempted to turn from the way;

Trusting the arm that is strong to defend us,

Happy, how happy, our praises each day.

How beautiful to walk in the steps of the Savior,

Stepping in the light, stepping in the light,

How beautiful to walk in the steps of the Savior,

Led in paths of light.

 

Walking in footsteps of gentle forbearance,

Footsteps of faithfulness, mercy, and love,

Looking to Him for the grace freely promised,

Happy, how happy, our journey above.

How beautiful to walk in the steps of the Savior,

Stepping in the light, stepping in the light,

How beautiful to walk in the steps of the Savior,

Led in paths of light.

 

Trying to walk in the steps of the Savior,

Upward, still upward, we follow our Guide;

When we shall see Him, "the King in His beauty,"

Happy, how happy, our place at His side.

How beautiful to walk in the steps of the Savior,

Stepping in the light, stepping in the light,

 How beautiful to walk in the steps of the Savior,

Led in paths of light.



Eliza Edmunds Hewitt was born on June 28, 1851, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was the second of six children and first daughter of the family.
She attended the public schools of Philadelphia, and graduated valedictorian in her class at the Girl's Normal School of Philadelphia, and became a schoolteacher at age 18. She taught school, but became bedridden because of a spinal condition. The illness may have come from a boy striking her in the back with a heavy slate. She was put in a heavy cast for six months. As an invalid for an extended period, she developed a love of God and the Scriptures, and the hope of sharing with others in written form. She wrote Sunday School literature and children's poems. She wrote a poem for her pastor during this time entitled "Winning Souls for Jesus" and it was placed in the corner stone of Tabernacle Presbyterian Church of West Philadelphia. Professor J. R. Sweney saw some of her work and wrote to her asking for some contributions he could put to music. This led to her becoming known by Professor W.J. Kirkpatrick, and she wrote most of her poems for him to use.
Eliza's condition eventually improved and she was able to return to an active life in Christian ministry.  In thankfulness at the joy of being able to get around again and walk in the park, she wrote "There Is Sunshine in My Soul Today."
She was very committed to reaching children through Sunday Schools and attended the Methodist Camp meetings in Ocean Grove, New Jersey. She worked with the Methodist District Superintendent's wife, Emily Wilson, on the hymn poem, "When We All Get to Heaven." Through her poems, her goal was to reach children with the message of the gospel. The hymns that Eliza wrote include, "Give Me Thy Heart," "More About Jesus," "Sing the Wondrous Love of Jesus," "Stepping in the Light," "There Is Sunshine in My Soul Today," "When We All Get to Heaven," and "Will There Be Any Stars in My Crown."
Eliza was a close friend of Fanny Crosby and the two often met to have fellowship and talk about hymns. She wrote this tribute to Fanny in 1905.
"The friends are forming a garland,
Fragrant and lovely and sweet,
The roses and lilacs of friendship,
To lay at our loved one’s feet.
And while the fair chaplet they’re twining,
May I bring a little flower,
A forget-me-not, meek and lowly;
To add to the joys of the hour?
This love-wreath is for our dear Fanny,
Whose heart is so young and so true,
No wonder her songs, freely gushing,
Are as fresh as the morning dew!
They sparkle with Spring’s happy sunshine,
They ripple like streams of delight,
They flow from the rocks of the mountain,
They touch us with love’s tender might.
Because she sings of her Saviour,
And His spirit tunes her lyre,
Her work shall go on forever,
And she has been called up higher.
So we’ll gather round our Fanny,
With smiles and greetings sincere;
May she have just the sweetest birthday
She has had for many a year.
Then we’ll all be happy with her,
And thank the dear Lord above,
For sending us one of His angels
To sing to us of His love.
O friend beloved, with joy again
We hail thy natal day,
Which brings you one year nearer home,
Rejoicing on the way.
How fast the years are rolling on—
We cannot stay their flight;
The summer sun is going down,
And soon will come the night.
But you, dear friend, need fear no ill,
Your path shines bright and clear;
You know the Way, the Truth, the Life,
To you He’s ever near.
And when you pass from time away
To meet your Lord and King,
In heaven you’ll meet ten thousand souls,
That you have taught to sing.
A few more years to sing the song
Of our Redeemer’s love;
Then by His grace both you and I
Shall sing His praise above."
 
In addition to being a cousin of the hymn writer, Edgar Page Stites, she also worked with other well known hymn writes like Charles Gabriel, Homer Rodeheaver, and E.S. Lorenz. Eliza was grateful to hear from people all over the world how her songs had helped people. She grouped the stories into a talk she would give entitled, "Around the World on Wings of Song."
On April 24, 1920, Eliza died at the age of 68 in Philadelphia.  Her hymns have and continue to inspired people all over the world.

May you walk in the steps of the Savior this week and every week. :)
Love in Christ,
Ashley

Chick Chick Here, Chick Chick There, Everywhere a Chick Chick!!

A cheery hello to you all!
Last month we had 5 chicks hatch. This is the second time we've had a broody hen, and she started out sitting on 4 eggs. A week later, I added a 5th egg. Three eggs hatched on June 18th, and the fourth one hatched on Father's Day, June 19th. A couple days later, Momma Hen moved around with the chicks, leaving the nest and single egg. We brought it inside and put it under a light for warmth. As it got closer to the time for the egg to hatch, we could feel the chick moving around inside the egg, and even heard it peeping, which was really neat. The chick made a small pip in the air sack on June 26th, which was the day it was supposed to hatch. You may ask, what is an air sack? Well I'm glad you asked!

The head of the chick develops at the large end of the egg. Between the 15th and 16th days, the chick potions itself so that its head is near the air cell at the large end of the egg. Not long before the chick is ready to attempt to make its way out of the shell, its neck acquires a double bend so that its beak is under its right wing and pointed toward the air cell. About the 19th day the chick thrusts its head forward. Its beak quickly breaks through the inner shell membrane, and the chick's lungs begin to function. Complete breathing by the lungs usually does not occur until the 20th day of incubation.
The air sack is a pocket between the egg white and shell at the larger end of the egg. When an egg is newly laid, it has either no air cell or a very small one. As the egg cools, the liquid contents contract more than the shell and the inner shell membrane separates from the outer shell membrane to form the air cell. As the egg ages, moisture and carbon dioxide leave through the pores of the shell, and air enters to replace them, causing the air cell to become larger. When a chick is about to hatch, it pips through the air sack first so it can breathe.  Using its egg tooth (a tiny, sharp, horny projection on the end of its beak), the chick pecks at the shell thousands of times. (The egg tooth will disappear after a few days, as the chick doesn't need it anymore.) Finally, the young bird chips its way through the shell and begins to breathe air directly from the outside. After the chick has made a hole in the shell, it stops pipping for three to eight hours and rests. During this time, it is acclimating its lungs to the outside atmosphere. After the resting stage is completed, the second stage of pipping begins. The chicks starts to turn slowly inside the egg. As it turns, usually counter-clockwise, the chick uses its egg tooth to chip the shell away. In two to five hours, the chick has made about three quarters of a turn inside the egg. The chick then works at chipping away the egg cap. When the wet chick is completely freed from the shell, it lies still for a few minutes, as it's extremely tired. The chick slowly gains strength, though it takes a couple of days for it to be completely stable.

Two days later, on June 28th at around 3:30 am., the chick hatched. We brought another chick (who was not doing very well) inside to be with the newly hatched chick, and both of them are now doing wonderful. Sadly, one chick died on the 22nd as a result of not getting enough water and maybe too much calcium from the mother's food. When a chick hatches, it needs to drink as much water as it can. The placenta provides it with enough food for 1-2 days, so the chick doesn't need to eat right after it hatches, but it needs plenty of water. Now I know you all are wanting to see pictures of the adorable chicks, so without further ado, here they are! 

 

 This is the first of three chicks that hatched on July 18th.

 

Fourth chick starting to pip away at the shell on June 19th.

 

Mother Hen taking a sand bath.

Sand /dust baths are important to all chickens because it kills the parasites,

like fleas and mites. Dust clogs the breathing pores of the parasites, and

therefore kills them.

New chicks need a lot of sleep. 

Here's a video I took July 5th of the oldest chick taking a sand bath.
The video below was taken on July 9th.

 

 

 By the time we woke up to see the chick hatching, it was already

halfway out of its shell.

Tired, little chick resting after hatching.

 Here's a few updated pictures, taken July 9th.

 The chick we hatched inside has resorted to following us around.

It's so adorable!!! Watch the video below.  

If you are viewing this post on your email, and the videos don't load, click here to watch them.
 

I hope you all have a good and godly day!

Walk with the King, and be a blessing. :)
Love in Christ,

Ashley
2 Corinthians 13:11
Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.



Chick-fil-a Cow Day

Calling all Chick-fil-a lovers to:
Cow Appreciation Day!!!

This Tuesday, July 12th, Chick-fil-a is having their annual Cow Appreciation Day. If you dress like a cow, you receive a free meal. If you would like more information about it, click on this link.

If you would like to print out a nose, ears, spots, tail, and a sign that says Eat Mor Chicken, click on this link. Or you can dress up on your own. We usually wear black or white skirts with white or black shirts and paint our noses black. Ears can be cut out from construction paper, and taped onto a hairband. (That seems to hold them better.) You could also cut out black and white spots from construction paper and tape them to your clothes. 
It's always a lot of fun, and I hope you'll participate if there's a Chick-fil-a located near you. 

Leave a comment and let me know if you participated in Cow Day.  :) 

Blessed Assurance

Blessed Assurance:

By Fanny Jane Crosby

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!

Heir of salvation, purchase of God, born of his Spirit, wash'd in his blood.

This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long;

This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long. 

Perfect submission, perfect delight, visions of rapture now burst on my sight:

Angels descending bring from above echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long;

This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long.

Perfect submission, all is at rest, I in my Savior am happy and blest:

Watching and waiting, looking above, fill'd with his goodness, lost in his love.

This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long;

This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long.

 Frances Jane Crosby was born on March 24, 1820. As an infant, Fanny contracted an eye infection which an incompetent doctor treated by placing hot poultices on her inflamed eyelids. After the infection cleared, scars formed and Fanny became blinded. A few month's later, Fanny's father became ill and died. Mercy Crosby, widowed at 21, was hired as a maid, and Grandmother Eunice Crosby took care of Fanny. Fanny's grandmother took on the education herself and became the girl's eyes, vividly describing the physical world. Grandmother's careful teaching helped develop Fanny's descriptive abilities, she also nurtured Fanny's spirit. She read and carefully explained the Bible to her, and she always emphasized the importance of prayer. When Fanny became depressed because she couldn't learn as other children did, Grandmother taught her to pray to God for knowledge.

 

A landlady of the Crosby's also had an important role in Fanny's development. Mrs. Hawley helped Fanny memorize the Bible, and often the young girl learned five chapters a week. She knew the Pentateuch, the Gospels, Proverbs, the Song of Solomon, and many of the Psalms by heart. She developed a memory which often amazed her friends, but Fanny believed she was no different from others. Her blindness had simply forced her to develop her memory and her powers of concentration more. Blindness never produced self-pity in Fanny and she did not look on her blindness as a terrible thing. At eight years old she composed this little verse:

Oh, what a happy child I am, although I cannot see!
I am resolved that in this world contented I will be!
How many blessings I enjoy that other people don't!
So weep or sigh because I'm blind, I cannot - nor I won't. 

 

One afternoon in 1873, Fanny was visiting with her good friend Phoebe Knapp, the wife of the founder of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. Mrs. Knapp was an amateur musician who enjoyed composing melodies. On this occasion, she had a new one she wanted to play for Fanny. She played the tune through once and asked Fanny, "What does this tune say?" Fanny knelt there in the Knapp's parlor and Mrs. Knapp played the melody again. Fanny suddenly rose, smiling, and exclaimed, "It says, 'Blessed Assurance, Jesus is mine, Oh what a foretaste of glory divine!" Fanny continued to dictate the verses as Mrs. Knapp wrote them down, joining them to her melody.
If anyone ever had a reason to be discouraged and depressed it was Fanny Crosby. Instead, she used her blindness to glorify God. About her blindness, Fanny said,

"It seemed intended by the blessed providence of God that I should be blind all my life, and I thank him for the dispensation. If perfect earthly sight were offered me tomorrow I would not accept it. I might not have sung hymns to the praise of God if I had been distracted by the beautiful and interesting things about me."

If I had a choice, I would still choose to remain blind...for when I die, the first face I will ever see will be the face of my blessed Saviour."

 

May you all have a good and godly week, walking in the steps of the Saviour.

Love in Christ,

Ashley

2 Timothy 1:12
For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

 





Happy 4th of July!!!!!!

HAPPY 4th of July!!!!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Today is Independence Day, also called 4th of July. Two-hundred and forty years ago, thirteen American colonies declared their freedom from England, and America was born and founded upon God's Word. After all fifty-six men had signed the Declaration of Independence, Samuel Adams said, "We have this day restored God, to Whom alone men should be obedient. He rules from heaven and...from the rising to the setting sun, may His Kingdom come." After that, John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail, and said that the Fourth of July "...will be the most remembered...in the history of America. I...believe that it will be celebrated by future generations, as the great anniversary festival. It should be celebrated...with parades, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, big fires, and illuminations; from one end of the continent to the other, from this time forward forevermore."
Fifty, of the fifty-six, men who signed the Declaration of Independence were faithful, active Christians who believed the Bible and attended church regularly. Their writings, as well as their behavior, proved this fact. They believed that to obey God they must fight tyranny. They wanted to put the government back in its proper place under God's control. God is mentioned six times in the Declaration. The opening sentence of the Declaration says, "We hold these truths to be self- evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights..." It was the first time words like these were ever used to create a government.

~~~~~~~~~~

God bless America

Land that I love,

Stand beside her and guide her

Thru the night with a light from above;

From the mountains to the prairies,

To the oceans white with foam,

God bless America,

My home, sweet home.

God bless America,

My home, sweet home.

- Irving Berlin -

 

~~~~~~~~~~

 

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand

Between their loved home and the war’s desolation!

Blest with victory and peace, may the heav’n rescued land

Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.

Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,

And this be our motto: “In God is our trust.”

And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave

O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

- Francis Scott Key -

 

~~~~~~~~~~

 

Did you all do anything special for the 4th? I hope you all had a wonderful, good, and godly Independence day. :)

On a side note, I thought you all would like to see a picture of monkeys climbing a tree made out of fruit, which my sister put together so beautifully for my grandma's 80th surprise birthday party. :) Didn't she do a fabulous job?

 

 

With much love in Christ Jesus,
Ashley

Psalms 33:12
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.