Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death!

Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death
Patrick Henry, March 23, 1775.

No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the House. But different men often see the same subject in different lights; and, therefore, I hope it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen if, entertaining as I do opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely and without reserve. This is no time for ceremony. The questing before the House is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.

Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it.
I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past. And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves and the House. Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been lately received? Trust it not, sir; it will prove a snare to your feet. Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss. Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with those warlike preparations which cover our waters and darken our land. Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled that force must be called in to win back our love? Let us not deceive ourselves, sir. These are the implements of war and subjugation; the last arguments to which kings resort. I ask gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission? Can gentlemen assign any other possible motive for it? Has Great Britain any enemy, in this quarter of the world, to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies? No, sir, she has none. They are meant for us: they can be meant for no other. They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British ministry have been so long forging. And what have we to oppose to them? Shall we try argument? Sir, we have been trying that for the last ten years. Have we anything new to offer upon the subject? Nothing. We have held the subject up in every light of which it is capable; but it has been all in vain. Shall we resort to entreaty and humble supplication? What terms shall we find which have not been already exhausted? Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves. Sir, we have done everything that could be done to avert the storm which is now coming on. We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament. Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne! In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation. There is no longer any room for hope. If we wish to be free-- if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending--if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained--we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God of hosts is all that is left us!

They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. The millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable--and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come.
It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace-- but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

Baby Noah

I realized last night, after I went to bed, that I forgot to give the link to Noah's family's blog. So I figured I'd do that now. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ourquiverfull/
Please continue to pray for Noah and his family!

What you talkin' bout', Willis?

Okay, first off, let me say that the title of this post has nothing whatsoever to do with this post! That having been said, I know it's been a while since I last posted. But I've been busy.
Anyway, last weekend, my family went camping at Hope Valley, with my awesome Aunty Lynn and Uncle 'Sock'. We had a very fun time, despite the bitter cold. We fished, ate good food, and had an all around good time. Becca caught her first fish, as well as Joey. Nick caught some too. We played a rousing game of foot ball, with Uncle 'Sock' and we even saw a beaver, in the creek. Twas very cool! And best of all, I got to talk with my Aunt, and spend time with her. She is so awesome, and I am very blessed to have such a godly example for an Aunt. I love you, Aunty
Lynn!!! ( My mom has pictures of our camping trip on her blog, which is Houseful of Blessings and I have it in my favorite links.)
Thursday, I skipped Karate class, and went shopping for fabric with my sissy, *Jane*. We are making costumes for the harvest party together. She was able to find hers, though I didn't. But I didn't mind too much, since I got a Jumba Juice. Thank you Sissy!!!! It was worth all the scolding I got from Sensei and Sensei Mike! :)
Today we went to my grandparents. My Aunty Lynn and Uncle Scott live like three minutes away from them, so Dad and Nick went to their house to help Uncle Scott lay wood flooring in their house. After lunch, Aunt Lynn, Samantha, and I went to Joanne's to shop for fabric for my costume. After a long search, and a horrible time of making a decision between a blue satin and a green satin, I had my fabric and supplies. I had a good time today, though I am extremely tired for some reason. I got to see my grandma and grandpa, and my Aunt and Uncle. Twas a good day.
Well, I guess that's all for right now. I better go to bed, so I can get up tomorrow and go to church. TTFN. Ta ta for now!

Please Pray for Baby Noah

Please pray for Baby Noah. He is a little boy who is extremely sick. He has serious health problems ever since he was born, and right now he is in the hospital.
Here is the latest post, from today, off of the blog, 'Our Quiverfull'.
~We are rushing to the Greenville ER. Noah is vomiting, shaking uncontrollably, and running a fever of 103.5. He is extremely sick. Please ask everyone you know to pray. I'll update when I can.Kate~

Please pray!

Friday

Friday afternoon, Nick, Samantha, *Jane*, Nathaniel, and I went to my slightly crazy, goofy, funny, awesome in spite of his nuttiness, humorous, adopted brother, friend, Jason's house to help him clean up his yard. It was a, dare I day, fun time. Even though it was work, I got to hang out with my friends and it was cool! Jason, there! I mentioned you on my blog. To the others reading this, Jason found out I have a blog, and wanted to be put on it, because he wanted to get famous. Somehow, I don't think that's going to happen, but.....oh well!
Friday night, Nick and Samantha and I went to game night at our church. Twas VERY fun! We played 'Scene It' and then played a game outside that was kind of a mix of kick the can, sardines, hide-and-seek, and spot light. I missed my Colettie though!

Today, we watched Fiddler On The Roof, which I absolutely LOVE!!!!! Mom is feeling sick, has been all day, so she probably won't be able to make it to church tomorrow, which is a bummer. I hope she feels better soon!

Well, that's about all for now.

A Suicide Story

My fish commited suicide the other night. I don't think I can bear the shame of it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He must have done it during the night while I was sleeping. When I got up the next morning, I couldn't find him. I search his tank, but to no avail. Then, to my horror and shock what should I see but his body!!!!! There he was, laying on the counter, flat and lifeless! His blackened body was dry and crispy. All hope was gone for the poor fellow. He was dead! As I carefully wrapped him up in a pure white paper towel, I held back the tears! How could he do such a thing!? I am crushed and full of sorrow! Jumping out of his tank to end his short life! How can I face anyone? My fish commited suicide! Was it something I said? Something I did? I am crushed, that's all there is to say!

Carl....

Carl was a quiet man. He didn't talk much. He would always greet you with a big smile and a firm handshake. Even after living in ourneighborhood for over 50 years, no one could really say they knew him very well. Before his retirement, he took the bus to work each morning. Thelone sight of him walking down the street often worried us. He had a slight limp from a bullet wound received in WWII. Watching him, we worried that although he had survived WWII, he maynot make it through our changing uptown neighborhood with itsever-increasing random violence, gangs, and drug activity. When he saw the flyer at our local church asking for volunteersfor caring for the gardens behind the minister's residence, he responded inhis characteristically unassuming manner. Without fanfare, he just signed up. He was well into his 87th year when the very thing we had alwaysfeared finally happened. He was just finishing his watering for the day when three gangmembers approached him. Ignoring their attempt to intimidate him, he simply asked,

'Would you like a drink from the hose?'

The tallest and toughest-looking of the three said, 'Yeah, sure,'with a malevolent little smile. As Carl offered the hose to him, the other two grabbed Carl's arm,throwing him down. As the hose snaked crazily over the ground, dousingeverything in its way, Carl's assailants stole his retirement watch and hiswallet, and then fled.

Carl tried to get himself up, but he had been thrown down on hisbad leg. He lay there trying to gather himself as the minister came runningto help him. Although the minist er had witnessed the attack from his window,he couldn't get there fast enough to stop it. 'Carl, are you okay? Are you hurt?' the minister kept asking as hehelped Carl to his feet. Carl just passed a hand over his brow and sighed, shaking his head.

'Just some punk kids. I hope they'll wise-up someday.'

His wet clothes clung to his slight frame as he bent to pick upthe hose. He adjusted the nozzle again and started to water. Confused and a little concerned, the minister asked,

'Carl, what are you doing?'

'I've got to finish my watering. It's been very dry lately,' camethe calm reply. Satisfying himself that Carl really was all right, the ministercould only marvel. Carl was a man from a different time and place.

A few weeks later the three returned. Just as before their threatwas unchallenged. Carl again offered them a drink from his hose. This time they didn't rob him. They wrenched the hose from his handand drenched him head to foot in the icy water. When they had finished their humiliation of him, they sauntered offdown the street, throwing catcalls and curses, falling over one anotherlaughing at the hilarity of what they had just done. Carl just watched them. Then he turned toward the warmth givingsun, picked up his hose, and went on with his watering. The summer was quickly fading into fall, Carl was doing sometilling when he was startled by the sudden approach of someone behind him. He stumbled and fell into some evergreen branches. As he struggled to regain his footing, he turned to see the tall leader of his summer to rmentors reaching down for him. He braced himself for the expected attack.

'Don't worry old man, I'm not gonna hurt you this time.' The young man spoke softly, still offering the tattooed and scarredhand to Carl. As he helped Carl get up, the man pulled a crumpled bag from hispocket and handed it to Carl.

'What's this?' Carl asked.

'It's your stuff,' the man explained. 'It's your stuff back. Even the money in your wallet.'

'I don't understand,' Carl said. 'Why would you help me now?'

The man shifted his feet, seeming embarrassed and ill at ease.

'I learned something from you,' he said. 'I ran with that gang andhurt people like you . We picked you because you were old and we knew we could do it. But every time we came and did something to you, instead of yelling and fighting back, you tried to give us a drink. You didn't hate us for hating you. You kept showing love against our hate' He stopped for a moment. 'I couldn't sleep after we stole yourstuff, so here it is back.'

He paused for another awkward moment, not knowing what more there was to say. 'That bag's my way of saying thanks for straightening me out, I guess.'

And with that, he walked off down the street. Carl looked down at the sack in his hands and gingerly opened it. He took out his retirement watch and put it back on his wrist. Opening his wallet, he checked for his wedding photo. He gazed for a moment at the young bride who still smiled back athim from all those years ago.

He died one cold day after Christmas that winter.

Many people attended his funeral in spite of the weather. In particular the minister noticed a tall young man that he didn'tknow sitting quietly in a distant corner of the church. The minister spoke of Carl's garden as a lesson in life. In a voice made thick with unshed tears, he said,

'Do your best and make your gardenas beautiful as you can. We will never forget Carl and his garden.'

The following spring another flyer went up. It read: 'Personneeded to care for Carl's garden..' The flyer went unnoticed by the busy parishioners until one daywhen a knock was heard at the minister's office door. Opening the door, the minister saw a pair of scarred and tattooedhands holding the flyer.

'I believe this is my job, if you'll have me,' theyoung man said.

The minister recognized him as the same young man who had returnedthe stolen watch and wallet to Carl. He knew that Carl's kindness had turned this man's life around. As the minister handed him the keys to the garden shed, he said,

'Yes, go take care of Carl's garden and honour him.' The man went to work and, over the next several years, he tended the flowers and vegetables just as Carl had done..In that time, he went to college, got married, and became aprominent member of the community. But he never forgot his promise to Carl's memory and kept the garden as beautiful as he thought Carl would have kept it. One day he approached the new minister and told him that hecouldn't care for the garden any longer. He explained with a shy and happy smile,

'My wife just had a babyboy last night, and she's bringing him home on Saturday.'

'Well, congratulations!' said the minister, as he was handed thegarden shed keys. 'That's wonderful! What's the baby's name?'

'Carl,' he replied..

~

GOOD FRIENDS ARE LIKE ANGELS, YOU DON'T HAVE TO SEE THEM TO KNOW THEY ARE THERE

~

'The happiest people don't HAVE the best of everything.....they just MAKE THE BEST of everything.'

PSAT

Thursday, the blands and I are going together to sign up for the PSAT at Amador High. My thoughts on the subject and the fact that I have to do the PSAT are anything but agreeable! I don't want to go to a strange place, where there are lots of strangers, and take a strange test. I don't want to do it. I am naturally shy and don't like to be around people I don't know. I don't even like to talk to the Pizza guy to order pizza for crying out loud!!!!!! Or talk to the UPS man, when he drops off a package. I know it's probably a good thing for me to take it, but.....I don't wanna!!!!!!!!!! But, as Nathaniel likes to say, "Whaa!". I'll live....I guess! I just...I just don't wanna. I'm nervous and scared! But, oh well. I'll live.


Note:
My mother mentioned that all the people who disagree with homeschooling are now going to say that I'm unsocialized, since I said that I am shy and don't like to talk to people I don't know. I just want to let those people know, if they are reading this....DREAM ON! I have a tongue, and I can use it. Let anyone say I'm unsocialized and they'll hear it from me. I have six siblings; is that not enough socialization? I am around eight people 24/7 most days! I think I'm okay. Disagree with me on something, and I'll talk! Trust me!!!!!!!!!!!!! Agree with me on something, and I'll talk! Definitely!

Jesus draw me ever nearer
As I labour through the storm.
You have called me to this passage,

and I'll follow, though I'm worn.

May this journey bring a blessing,
May I rise on wings of faith;

And at the end of my heart's testing,

With Your likeness let me wake.

Jesus guide me through the tempest;
Keep my spirit staid and sure.
When the midnight meets the morning,

Let me love You even more.

May this journey bring a blessing,
May I rise on wings of faith;

And at the end of my heart's testing,

With Your likeness let me wake.

Let the treasures of the trial

Form within me as I go -

And at the end of this long passage,

Let me leave them at Your throne.

May this journey bring a blessing,

May I rise on wings of faith;

And at the end of my heart's testing,

With Your likeness let me wake.

That is the beautiful song, by the Getty's called 'Jesus, Draw me Ever Nearer'. I have fallen in with that song, and this morning and evening at church, *Jane* and I sang it as a duet. Then, this morning, Becca also sang, 'God is so Good' during the offering. She did wonderful! After church this morning, *Jane* invited me to her house, which I gladly accepted. We hung out for a bit, then we went to Walmart, watching 'The Lion King 1 1/2' on the way there and back. This evening at church Mom and I sang the song that we wrote together, called, 'Thank You, Lord'. I almost fainted, but it went well. Walt, our music director wants us to sing it next Sunday morning. *groan* Hope I don't faint then! Well, tomorrow is school, so I gotta got to get some sleep.



Yours truly,

Elinor Dashwood

(in other words, Cara)

My baby boy's three now! He's getting soooooooooo BIG!!!!!!! Saturday the 31st was his birthday, though the week before that was when we had the b-day party at 'gwanma's'. Since it was his real birthday, I decided to make a cake for him anyways. Samantha wanted to make him one too, so Jackson got four birthday cakes. (if you count the two cakes from his party). The above pictures are of the Birthday Boy on the day of his party! Ain't he cute?!!!!!!!!(and don't you dare say 'no'!) Here are the pictures of his cakes on his real birthday.

The cake I made for Jackson

The cake Samantha made for Jack
The Birthday Boy!

He is such a darling brother, and I love him so much. He can make me laugh when I want to cry, make me smile when I'm down! Yes, he has his bratty moments, but....who doesn't?! He is my precious angle from God, my awesome gift from God and I love him so much! I prayed two years for him, and God heard my prayers and blessed my life with another brother.....another 'baby'!

In other news, Last Wednesday was the first 'real' day of AWANA. It was very fun! The high school group played games first, for the first time ever! We played the most amusing and fun games that night. The first was a game where you linked arms and back to back, sat down and then tried to stand up, without unlinking your arms. Twas very....shall we say, amusing? The game after that was called pretzel and you had to all group together and grab a two different people's hands with your hands, and the hands which you grabbed couldn't be attached to the person standing next to you. Then you had to untangle yourselves and form a circle, with out letting go of the hands you were holding! That was VERY amusing, as well as loads of fun!!!!!!!!Twas a very fun, entertaining night!!!!

Then the night after that was Karate, which was also fun, though more exhausting!!!!!! (especially when your a fat, out-of-shape chick like me!) We sparred that night too, which I absolutely love, though I don't know why, since I stink at it, and it tis quite painful!!!!!!! I got the bruises to prove it!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, I have nothing else to say, so I'll end this post with a poem I wrote for Jacko's B-day!

Three years ago you came into this world.
Brand new and innocent, you were a miracle from God.
Now you're growing up, your life is being unfurled,
You're three years old, my bubba, my precious gift from God.

Jackson Ralph (last name), I love you so,
Where ever you may go, what ever you may do,
remember my baby boy, I love you!

Soon you'll be doing school, you'll be such a big boy,
Next you'll be graduating, then driving, and you'll be grown,
You'll be going to college, maybe get married
My baby brother, he'll be all grown up, he'll be an adult.

Jackson Ralph (last name), I love you so,
Wherever you may go, what ever you may do,
remember my baby boy, I love you!

My wish for you, my bubba, my brother,
is that you'll follow God, and your life is full of joy,
May you obey Christ and worship no other,
Oh, that is my wish for you, though, right now, you're just a boy.

Jackson Ralph (last name), I love you so,
Wherever you may go, whatever you may do,
remember my baby boy, I love you!