Resolved: Freedom and Independence

      "Proclaim Liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof:" ~Leviticus 25:10
   Fireworks, picnics, a long weekend, red, white, and blue pride. 
   These are a few things that the people in the United States have come to see the 4th of July as. I am one of those people. To me, 4th of July was about getting to see fireworks and spending the weekend in different states with my best friend. In 2014 I watched the fireworks in Washington D.C. and 2015 I watched them at a concert in Tennessee. This year I was going to watch fireworks in Flordia, but now it's Tennessee.
   Watching fireworks is not the most important thing to me this year, though. The phrase "Let freedom ring" has been in my head for a couple of days, so I started doing some research. 

   Documents, ideas, team work, and a bell all play a part in the reason America gets to celebrate the 4th of July today.

   In 1776 there was a meeting in the Pennsylvania State House to discuss the thirteen colonies freedom from England. A man from Virginia named Richard Henry Lee came up with a resalution and said: "Resolved: That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown,an that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved," (The History of the 4th of July). 

   Richard Henry Lee's words resulted in John Adams, Roger Sherman, Benjamin Franklin, Robert R. Livingston, and Thomas Jefferson to write and sign the Decloration of Independence. It took time to write the Decloration of Independence, and to proof read it. Therefore, the Decoration of Independence was not finished until July 4th, 1776. 

   It is said that the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was used to gather the people for the very first public reading of the Decleration of Independence on July 8, 1776. However some historians doubt that the Liberty Bell actually rang when the Decloration of Independence was read because the steeple of the bell was in really bad condition by 1776. It's possible that the Liberty Bell is associated with the reading of the Decleration of Independence because a man named George Lippard wrote a fictional story that told of a man waiting to hear that congress had declared independence so he could ring the bell. This story was published in The Saturday Currier in 1847, (The Liberty Bell).

   Freedom was hard to achieve for the men (and women) who sat out to have religous and other freedoms. Freedom is still hard today because there is always someone who disagrees about how things are being run. So, on this 4th of July take a moment to appreciate all that our forefathers had to go through to get us where we are today, and about all the men and women who are away from home keeping us safe and free. Be thankful for your freedom, don't just enjoy "the show." Thank you to our soldiers! And happy 4th of July everyone!

   "Proclaim Liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof:" ~Leviticus 25:10

Fall Break 2015

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." ~Romans 15:13 (NIV)
My mom and I went to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee for my Fall Break. I'm writing this "review" post of the places we went to. I'm not writing this to brag about what I got to do. I'm writing this to inform people about great things that people can do in another state. There are pictures on the blog's Facebook page and on my Instagram page (@itsbrandirose).
The first thing we did was go to the Island in Pigeon Forge, TN. This place is amazing! It has everything from an arcade to a Margaritaville restaurant. Some family friends met us at the Island and we played on the tight-ropes course for a good two or three hours. It was so much fun and we made a lot of good memories. We also rode the Smokey Mountain Wheel during sunset and it was one of the most beautiful things I had ever seen! The shopping was fun and the buildings were beautiful! I suggest everyone, who can, goes to the Island in Pigeon Forge.
The next day, Mom and I found a pancake house we had never been to. We ate brunch there and the food was amazing! The waitresses were so nice and made sure everything was good. The pancake house was small and had a homey feel to it. The inside of the pancake house reminded one of a log cabin. The funny thing is, the pancake house is called Log Cabin Pancake House. This is a place to eat breakfast at if you're in Pigeon Forge!
We went to the Book-Warehouse next. This store has the Moonpie General store in it. There are tons of books for a cheaper price than what you would pay in another bookstore. I bought three books for about twenty-six dollars and got another book for free. Two of those books were Karen Kingsbury books too! A person can find great, original Smokey Mountain keepsakes.
Finally, Mom and I went to a dinner show at the Biblical Times Theater. We watched the show "The Days of Elijah." The food and service were great. The acting and singing were amazing and the play followed the Bible. The play also helped me understand parts of the Bible better! I suggest everyone go see a show at this theater!
Last but not least, Mom and I went to The Christmas Place. They have great ornaments and it's like you've been transported to a Christmas Wonderland! It is worth just walking around in.
I hope that this "review" of places in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee helps you if you ever want to take a vacation there. It's a great place and is still a family-friendly place.

Cruise to Mexico

I had a great time traveling to New Orleans. We stopped in Alabama on Thanksgiving night and seeing the lights of Atlanta, Georgia was amazing! The next day, November 28th, we headed for New Orleans, Louisiana.

When we got there our hotel room was a mess and we had to get a new one and take all of our luggage around with us! We made the mistake of going down Bourbon Street on a Friday night during Battle of the Bands. We ate at a restaurant called Cafe Beignet and the food was great! They had live Jazz and that was a great experience. I'm very blessed to have gotten to see what I did.

We boarded  the Carnival cruise ship Elation and it finally sunk in for Courtney and I that we were on a cruise together, this was something we use to joke about doing when we were younger. On the cruise we got the chance to try Alligator Tail, Baked Alaska, Escargot, Duck, and Cherry Jubilee. We danced in a club, watched some live comedies, and tried to play in the casino.Each night we would order a non-alcoholic drink and get in the hot tub.

Our first stop was Cozumel, Mexico. We took a lot of pictures of the places around us and then we got to swim with a dolphin! That was an amazing experience! I got kissed by a Sea Lion and then we relaxed in hammocks on the beach.

Our next stop was to Progresso, Yucatan. We took a shuttle into the city and then traveled to a salt mine where we got to mine for slat! We saw flamingos and then went to the Mayan ruins called X'cambo. X'cambo was an important salt empory and a trading place. There were many temples there and a church. The history nerd in me really loved that. We spent the rest of the day on a privet beach.

I'm so thankful for the experience I got and if you ever get a chance to go on a cruise to anywhere my advice is to go! I hope you enjoy this video of my trip. Fun in Mexico

What God Taught Me On Vacation...

 I had no plans of going on vacation with my Nana, aunt, cousin, and uncle last week. My plans changed two nights before we were to leave for Charleston, South Carolina. So, I packed rather quickly, but got everything I needed. So, on Saturday I went and stayed at Nana's so I wouldn't have to get up too early the next morning.
All night one of the dogs barked and kept all of us up! We were all still up by six in the morning, but we kept on having to turn back around because we forgot things. We were finally on the road by ten o'clock. The backseat of my uncle's truck was crammed with four people in it and we had to travel for nearly five hours! I'm sure you can imagine some of the arguments that broke out here and there.
We were all very happy to get to our villa and unload the truck. It took us awhile to figure out bed arrangements because a few people were determined to have everything their way and their plan was not going to work! This problem of who got what bed was settled in about ten minutes. We did not stay in the villa for long, and soon we found ourselves at T.J. Maxx, and two different grocery stores. By the time we had the food we needed and got back to the villa, none of us wanted to see the inside of that truck for at least three days!
The next morning was not pretty. I had a 5:30 wake up call from my uncle to go run with him and my aunt. I ran for as long as I could and then I walked the rest of the miles. My cousin came with us so I had someone to walk with here and there. I did enjoy getting to watch the sun come up (completing something off of my bucket list) and talking to God as I walked. However, this Monday was not going to stay peaceful for long...
Back in the room I was taking everyone's comments to personal and felt like they were saying things that were mean, but they weren't. I buried my head in a book. Then it happened. The one thing that was going to really ruin the peace I had found when walking. I dropped my Iphone 5S, that I had only had for two months in the toilet and ruined it! I felt so sick, so while we all piled back into the truck to go get frozen yogurt, I prayed to God. We ended up in a surf shop and I stumbled upon a quote and I knew it was God talking to me. It said: "Sometimes you have to make your own sunshine." This helped me through the rest of the trip.
The next day, July 29th, we tried to save my phone with a bag of rice, but it didn't work. I got the idea to try and use my tablet for everything, but for the life of me I could not get it to connect to the WI-FI! So, I started worrying about how I was going to blog and get some of my emails that I use for my Bible reading. My Nana reminded me that we did have a computer, so that problem was resolved. I really didn't like the idea of going to the beach or pool because I felt so fat in my bathing-suit, but I finally gave in and went to the pool with my family and had a really good time! A new problem showed up. How was I going to capture memories with pictures? This too was solved by my aunt and we went to Walmart and got me a camera and the things I needed for it. As we were walking on the beach later that night, a verse I had read that morning came to my mind. Isaiah 7:4 "...'Be careful, keep calm and don't be afraid...." I knew God was reminding me He had all of this already figured out!
July 30th met us with rain. So we went to the aquarium. One family member pitched a fit because she didn't get her way, but we all still enjoyed ourselves. I tried some new things, I pet an Alligator, Sting Ray, and a Starfish! My uncle made homemade oatmeal cookies for the first time, I'm glad my Nana was there to help him! I spent a lot of time with my little cousin and I'm so thankful for that time with him! The next day, we went and ate a Poe's Tavern and saw the lighthouse on Sullivan's Island. We also played in a park we stumbled upon. We got back to the villa and it started pouring the rain! My uncle managed to set off the fire alarm from cooking while I was in the shower! Oh, that was an adventure! We all ended the night by watching a movie.  I thought of Isaiah 9:6 "...Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." because those two days had God's handiwork all through them!
A new month started that Friday, August 1st. I went to the beach and had a good time. But soon after my cousin and I really started fighting and argued all day! My tennis shoes and sandals broke! Thankfully, I had bought some flip flops. We went on a ghost tour and then ate seafood. I tried Mahi Mahi and it was really good. Before I fell asleep I heard thunder...
Sure enough, it was raining the next day. So we all went to the Market. We were all arguing with each other a little, so we would go off from each other to look around and come back. I found this beautiful Sweet-grass cross and it reminded me that God was with me and I needed to love like Him! So, for the rest of the day I tried very hard to be kind to everyone because "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." Proverbs 15:1. I ended up crying a little from hurt feelings on this trip, but God comforted me. We left on the 3rd while it was storming like crazy! The ride home wasn't as bad as I thought it would be and I was so happy to finally be home!
So, what I learned on this vacation is that there are always going to be plans that go wrong. Also, it's hard to get along with your family sometimes, but they still love you. You have the choice to let one thing bad ruin your trip or to see the blessing you have got. Also, God is always with you through everything and He is where your true happiness comes from!

Other Women of the Bible- part 3

So, I am in South Carolina this week at the beach. I'm enjoying one last vacation with some of my family members before school starts back again. I went for a walk with my aunt and cousin one morning and I spent the time talking to God. It was so peaceful! I started wondering what women in the Bible might have done when they got up in the mornings. Did they fix breakfast and after everyone ate, did they go outside to work in the fields and talked or thought about how great God was while they worked? Here are some more godly women in the Bible.

Samson's Mother: This woman was someone who couldn't have kids. God visited her in the field where she was working and told her she would have a son, but there were certain things she had to do as she raised him. She went and told her husband that God visited her and her husband prayed that god would come and visit both of them. God did and told the husband the same thing that He told the woman. When Samson was born his parents obeyed God and he became a Judge for Israel. (Judges 13)
Naomi: The book of Ruth suggest that she was an important person in the town of Bethlehem. She, her husband, and two sons left for Moab when a famine hit. They lived in Moab for about ten years and Naomi got two daughters-in-law. Soon tragedy struck and Naomi's husband and two sons died. Naomi went back to Bethlehem with nothing but a daughter-in-law and she changed her name to Mara, which means better, she had given up hope until Ruth went to work in the fields and met her future husband. Naomi was blessed by God when her daughter-in-law became part of the family line of Jesus. (Ruth)
Orpah: Naomi's daughter-in-law who chose to go back to her parents house and not travel to Bethlehem. I think she was just scared of the unknown future and didn't trust God to provide. There is a very short part about her in the Bible. (Ruth)
Michal: She was Saul's daughter and she fell in love and married David. There is no record of her relationship with God, but it is record in the Bible where she got mad at David for praising God in public. (1 Samuel-2 Samuel)
Bathsheba: She became David's wife after she found out she was pregnant with his child. Bathsheba wasn't doing anything wrong, necessarily, She was bathing herself, but she should have done this somewhere else other than the rooftop! I do not know if she did this on purpose, hoping she would catch the eye of a man or if she just wasn't thinking. Either way she and David slept together while her husband was at war fighting for David! When David learned that Bathsheba was pregnant, he tried to be sneaking and brought the husband home in hopes that he would believe the child was his. The husband, however was a faithful servant and his payment was to be killed in battle on purpose by David himself! Then Bathsheba became David's wife and their child died when he was born. (2 Samuel 11)
Tamar: This was David's daughter. There is one chapter about her in the Bible. Her half-brother became obsessed with her and ended up raping her. It sounds like she was a good girl who followed God and truly cared about people. I think she shined so bright for God that this made her beautiful! (2 Samuel 13)
Rizpah: She was one of Saul's concubines and therefore her voice was never heard. Her sons were chose to die by the Gibeonites. He sons were going to hang there for everyone to see. She kept watch over them night and day. Finally, David heard her voice. She came to him and he brought her sons' bodies down so they could be buried. (2 Samuel 21:1-14)
The Queen of Sheba: I believe that she had some questions about God and that is the main reason she visited Solomon. I think he witnessed to her and therefore, helped her start a relationship with God! (1 Kings10)
Widow at Zarephath: She believed she and her son were getting ready to eat their last meal and then die. God had other plans. He sent Elijah to her and she did what he asked of her. God blessed her by making it so she never ran out of food. But, I don't think she was all the way convinced that God was on her side. soon her son died and she asked Elijah if it was because of her sins. Then Elijah prayed to God and the boy lived. That is when I think the woman truly started believing in God. (1 Kings 17:7-24)
Well, today is the last day of my vacation and it has been an adventure! I'm going to write about all that has happened for next weeks post because I think God has really showed me a few things that I need to share with you!

Spring Break 2014

 

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." ~Genesis 1:1 (NIV)

For Spring Break this year my mom, dad, and I went to Kentucky. The whole reason I wanted to go was to see the Creation Museum that Ken Ham is the president of. The Creation Museum is a great place to go to and see the Bible come to life!  This place also showed the importance of being involved in church and with family. The people who work there are all very friendly and the museum helps answer some questions such as were there dinosaurs? Where did races come from? and many more things. I highly recommend everyone tries to go see this museum! You won't regret it!

Creation debate photo.

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and coverages. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." ~Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

Our last stop before we headed home was Ohio. We went to United States National Air Force Museum. It was so powerful to see the actual planes used in war and to see bullet holes. I am so thankful for the people who serve our country! I looked through the small Holocaust exhibit and I learned that "Holocaust" means "burned by fire". The name was used so that people would remember all the books, Bibles, people, towns, and business' were lost during that time.

"'His master replied, 'well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'" ~Matthew 25:23 (NIV)

The last part of our vacation was not planned, but God was still at work. We were eating at a steakhouse and a  older gentleman passed out and hit his head on the floor. My mom is a nurse so she went to help and the man had a history of heart problems and was a diabetic. While my mom was helping him a whole lot of people came in that were coming back from some king of conference. For there to be that many people there was a miracle! God put me on fire to where I had to get up from my seat and go pray with him and his wife. He was okay when he left to go to the hospital to get checked out. It was amazing to see God work and feel His Spirit setting me on fire to do His work!

Now. Here are some pictures of my trip:

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