Adoption Day!

Here are some pictures of Suzannah Faith Spurgeon - the newest addition to the Spurgeon clan

http://hmefrontphotography.blogspot.com/

Thanks for stopping by

Rachel

Tagged

Everything in the first list that is bold are things I have done. Please leave a comment if you want a copy sent to you!
1. Started your own blog

2. Slept under the stars

3. Played in a band

4. Visited Hawaii

5. Watched a meteor shower

6. Given more than you can afford to charity

7. Been to Disneyland/world

8. Climbed a mountain

9. Held a praying mantis

10. Sang/played a solo

11. Bungee jumped

12. Visited Paris

13. Watched a lightning storm at sea

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch

15. Adopted a child

16. Had food poisoning

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty

18. Grown your own vegetables

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France

20. Slept on an overnight train

21. Had a pillow fight

22. Hitch hiked

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill

24. Built a snow fort

25. Held a lamb

26. Slept in until three p.m.

27. Run a Marathon

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice

29. Seen a total eclipse

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset

31. Hit a home run

32. Been on a cruise

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors

35. Seen an Amish community

36. Taught yourself a new language

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39. Gone rock climbing

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David in person

41. Read for three hours straight

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

44. Visited Africa

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight

46. Been transported in an ambulance

47. Had your portrait painted

48. Gone deep sea fishing

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling

52. Picked flowers from someone elses garden

53. Played in the mud

54. Broken a computer

55. Been in a movie

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business

58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies

62. Gone whale watching

63. Gotten flowers for no reason

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma

65. Gone sky diving

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp

67. Bounced a check

68. Flown in a helicopter

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial

71. Eaten Caviar

72. Pieced a quilt

73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglades

75. Been fired from a job

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London

77. Broke a bone

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person

80. Published a book

81. Visited the Vatican

82. Bought a brand new car

83. Walked in Jerusalem

84. Had your picture in the newspaper

85. Read the entire Bible

86. Visited the White House

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating

88. Had chicken pox

89. Saved someone’s life

90. Sat on a jury

91. Met someone famous

92. Joined a book club

93. Lost a loved one

94. Kissed in the rain

95. Seen the Alamo in person

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

97. Been involved in a law suit

98. Owned a cell phone

99. Been stung by a bee

The Responsibility

America- the land of hope, the land of new beginnings, the land of freedom – these are the phrases used to describe the country that millions of people call home. Yet, other adjectives could be used – selfish, materialistic, proud, and immoral. Although the heritage of this nation is great, moral, and upright; have we as Americans stepped away from the responsibility that comes with freedom – the responsibility to help those who cannot help themselves? Does the phrase, “Give us your poor, your tired, your huddled masses longing to be free …” mean anything? Does America mean anything?
America used to be different from other nations. The great religious freedom evoked a great longing to belong in this country. The fact that Christians could worship without fear of imprisonment or death attracted many oppressed peoples to her. The freedom of political choices elicited a longing for this country. America has been different. This country is made from immigrants – from those who left England to find freedom of religion, to those who fled from the great political uprising on Ireland, and on and on it goes. America was their hope.
Then how can America refuse the masses that are pleading refuge in this country? How can we say no to the people who are starving for freedom from oppression, starvation, and persecution? Because we have no realization of suffering, we allow the perfection of our sheltered lives keep us from seeing the gas chambers in which millions were suffocated. We refuse to see the children littering the streets of Mexico, dead from starvation. We brush off the horrible feelings that come when we think of suffering, and we dwell upon our minor discomforts. Americans are not living up to the responsibility of the privilege of freedom. If America denies the tired, starving masses liberty, how can we call ourselves Americans?





If America ceases to be good, America will cease to be great

Competition

Ever since I started playing the violin, I have dreamed about playing in a competition. Myself being home schooled, there was not many opportunities to compete, so I decided to wait for college. But plans change - we moved to a church that has a great music program. The music director has man contacts with the MSO. Every year, she will pick two students to play in a competition affiliated with the symphony. I have been working very hard - as we are on Christmas break - so we have extra time.
Playing is the one thing that I look forward to after school is done and chores are finished. The one way that I can express myself.
Practicing hard,
Rachel

Here at Last

AT LAST!
I have been waiting to get this blog for AGES! -

Well, not that long -

but a long time!

Myself being a second generation blogger

(the first being MOTHER),

I imagined this day for a long time.

And now it is here!

Please check back soon, as I will be posting more - and more - and more.
Finally -
Rachel