What an utter disgrace… we haven’t blogged in 115 days! We’re still here.
Steven and I celebrated my Birthday yesterday in our California-like-spot… Rockwall Texas. The drive was amazing, we listened to all our old favorite songs. The weather was perfect! While we were eating, the near by fountain sprayed us with mist every once in a while, so we pretended it was an ocean breeze. The food was perfectly vegan and delicious. We walked for a long time taking beautiful pictures. I took a spectacular shot of Steven, it belongs on the cover of a Ralph Lauren Catalog- very regal- very handsome! We took a “silly” picture and it was my idea- very surprising. It got pretty hot at around 4pm and so we laid down under a shady tree and talked for another long while. It was a magical day (Thank you, my darling)!
I got a beautiful bouquet of tulips (my favorite), a pirate speed-boat and a super sweet card. It says:
Take joy in the music of life.
They’s playing your Song.
Happy Birthday!
Sally Kern was first elected to the Oklahoma State House of
Representatives in 2004. Sally is a member of Olivet Baptist
Church in Oklahoma City where her husband is the pastor.
The Proclamation
We the People of Oklahoma, invoking the guidance of Almighty
God, in order to secure and perpetuate the blessing of liberty; to
secure just and rightful Government; to promote our mutual
welfare and happiness, do establish this proclamation and call
upon the people of the great State of Oklahoma, and our fellow patriots in these United States of America who look to the Lord
for guidance, to acknowledge the need for a national awakening
of righteousness in our land.
WHEREAS,
“It is religion and morality
alone, which can establish the
principles upon which Freedom
can securely stand” (John Adams); and
WHEREAS,
“We have no government armed
with power capable of contending
with human passions unbridled
by religion and morality”
(John Adams); and
WHEREAS,
“Our Constitution was made only
for a moral and religious people”
(John Adams); and
WHEREAS,
“We have staked the whole future
of American civilization, not upon
the power of government . . . but
upon the capacity of mankind for
self-government, upon the capacity
of each and all of us to govern ourselves,
to control ourselves, to sustain
ourselves according to the Ten
Commandments of God” (James Madison); and
WHEREAS,
“Freedom is not a gift bestowed upon us by other men, but a
right that belongs to us by the laws of God” (Benjamin Franklin);and
WHEREAS,
“God who gave us life gave us liberty,
and can the liberties of a nation
be thought secure when we
have removed their only firm basis
— a conviction in the minds of the
people that these liberties are of the
Gift of God?” (Thomas Jefferson); and
WHEREAS,
“Whether any free government can
be permanent, where the public
worship of God, and the support of
religion, constitute no part of the
policy or duty of the state” (Joseph Story); and
WHEREAS,
“We hold sacred the rights of conscience, and promise to the
people . . . the free and undisturbed exercise of their religion”
(Roger Sherman); and
WHEREAS, “This great nation was founded, not
by religionists, but by Christians”(Patrick Henry); and
WHEREAS, “When you . . . exercise the right of
voting for public officers, let it be
impressed upon your mind that God
commands you to choose just men
who will rule in the fear of God”(Noah Webster); and
WHEREAS, “The principles of genuine liberty
and of wise laws and administrations are to be drawn from the
Bible” (Noah Webster); and
WHEREAS,
we believe our economic woes are consequences of our greater
national moral crisis; and
WHEREAS,
this nation has become a world leader in promoting abortion,
pornography, same sex marriage, sex trafficking, divorce, illegitimate
births, child abuse, and many other forms of debauchery; and
WHEREAS, alarmed that the Government of the United States of America is
forsaking the rich Christian heritage upon which this nation was
built; and
WHEREAS, grieved that the office of the President of these United States has
refused to uphold the long held tradition of past presidents in
giving recognition to our National Day of Prayer; and
WHEREAS,
deeply disturbed that the office of the President of these United
States disregards the biblical admonitions to live clean and pure
lives by proclaiming an entire month to an immoral behavior
[i.e., the White House issued a national proclamation for Lesbian,
Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Month];
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that we, the
undersigned elected officials of the people of Oklahoma, religious
leaders and citizens of the State of Oklahoma, appealing to
the Supreme Judge of the world, solemnly declare that the hope
of the great State of Oklahoma and of these United States, rests
upon the principles of religion and morality as put forth in the
Holy Bible; and
BE IT RESOLVED that we, the undersigned, believers in the
One True God and His only Son, call upon all to join with us in
recognizing that “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,”and humbly implore all who love truth and virtue to live above
reproach in the sight of God and man with a firm reliance on the
leadership and protection of Almighty God; and
BE IT RESOLVED that we, the undersigned, humbly call
upon our Holy God — our Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer —
to have mercy on this nation, to stay His hand of judgment, and
grant a national awakening of righteousness and Christian renewal
as we repent of our great sin.
Mom and Dad visited us this Fall. We did some fun western stuff in Fort Worth plus the Benbrook Cowboy Roundup. We also spent some time by Benbrook Lake and ate good vegan food.
We enjoyed an unforgettable 4th of July. Steven got me surprise tickets for a Concert & Fireworks Show at the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens. We arrived at 5:30 and stood in line (we actually sat in our lawn chairs under the shade of a huge Magnolia tree) for an hour. At 6:30 the doors were opened. It was a very hot day, but around 7ish, the temperature dropped to a comfortable 97 degrees so the rest of the night was very enjoyable.
Two options for seating were offered, “lawn” or “tables”. Steven “the genious” got us lawn tickets and we got to sit front and center in front of more than 10,000 people. We really had the best seats (grass) in the house. We laid out our old La Jolla beach towels and enjoyed fun snacks and drinks.
The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra did the fabulous concert. All patriotic marches and good ol’ American classics like Yankee Doodle Dandy. The grand finale was performed by a soloist, a young soprano who sang God Bless America, a huge flag unfolded in the back as she sang and the spectacular fireworks began. We had the time of our lives.
6:00am We got up bright ‘n early to give us enough time to get dolled up.
7:45am The door bell rang…I was hoping Steven would get it but the door bell kept ringing so I got it.
Hahahahaha! It was my sweet darling ringing the door bell to deliver 2 dozen yellow roses (my favorite flowers).
8:30am Steven dropped me off so I could meet the rest of the graduates in the basement where we were told to meet.
9:00am Steven and Lucy were allowed in the sanctuary and secured pretty good seats. In no time the house was full. Beautiful church architecture!
9:55am We lined up for the Processional to begin at 10 sharp.
The ceremoy was beautiful. The message delivered by our president Dr. Patterson was Christ-centered and powerful. We also had a lovely time when spouses, parents, grandparents, etc were recognized. Steven and Lucy were honored and that made me happy. BRAVO!!!!
Walking up to the front to recieve the Diploma was thrilling, having it in my hand felt so good!
After the ceremony everyone, faculty, familiy members, friends and gradautes all mingled in the front lawn. Cameras everywhere, lots of fun, energy and hugs. Steven did a fabulous job at following me around as I chased all my favorite profs for pictures. It was a blast to talk to them and introduce them to Lucy. She really enjoyed finally meeting the great professors I told her so much about.
At about 1pm we drove northeast to Plano. Steven took us to a La Jolla type place called Shops at Legacy. We ate Italian at Nicolas and had the most heavenly desserts at the Bakery Bistro across the street. The pastries were heavenly. We took tons of pictures, and walked around. We were very happy and quite silly.
We drove home to open gifts that Steven and Lucy got me and beautiful cards as well.
Professors that touched my life and appear in the pictures:
Dr Johnny Derouen- Human Growth and Development
Dr Esther Diaz-Bolet- Administration and Leadership in the Church
Dr Joshua Williams- Genesis
Dr Gerardo Alfaro- Theology
Dr Octavio Esqueda- Principles of Teaching
Dr Robert Caldwell- Hermeneutics
Dr David Mills- Evagelism
Dr Scott Floyd- Marriage Counseling
Dr Marcia McQuitty- Whom I will be working in my doctoral work
For their investment in my life, I am indebted to them and forever grateful!
Friends shown:Grant, Peace, Debbie and Grace
Steven: Thank you for making all my dreams come true.
Lucy: Thank you for your prayers and your love. Thank you both for believing in me.
Thursday May 7th- we had rehearsal, a fellowship at Price Hall and a grand reception at the President Mansion- The Pecan Manor. They really go all out.
Liberty Counsel Argues High School Valedictorian Case at Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals
Liberty Counsel argued today at the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals in favor of Erica Corder, a high school valedictorian who was forced to publicly apologize for sharing her Christian faith during her 30-second message at graduation. Erica was one of fifteen valedictorians from the Lewis-Palmer High School class of 2006 in Denver Colorado.
Immediately afterward, Erica was informed that because of her speech she would not be receiving her diploma with the other students and would have to meet with the principal, Mr. Brewer. Principal Brewer forced Erica to write an apology for her actions in order to receive her diploma, which she then did under protest. The apology was disseminated to the entire school community.
Steve Crampton, Vice President for Legal Affairs and General Counsel for Liberty Counsel, presented oral argument this morning. On appeal, Liberty Counsel argued that Erica’s speech was private and entitled to full protection under both the Free Speech and Free Exercise Clauses of the U.S. Constitution.
Liberty Counsel is fighting hundreds of cases like these year-round. The liberties we enjoy, can not be taken for granted. We must fight and pray in order to preserve them. God Bless America!
We celebrated Lucy’s Birthday. We had a wonderful time! We had a ton of fun taking pictures, as always. We had a delicious dinner at Olive Garden, all old-time favorite. Mmmmm Tiramisu! We stayed up late listening to the-good-old-times music. Songs like Red Roses for a Blue Lady, Blue Velvet, Night and Day, Close to You, Embraceable You, Something Stupid, Feelings, Forever and Ever and The Lion Sleeps Tonight. I gave a special performance of Firefly to Steven and Lucy. They loved it. We went to bed with music in our hearts.
We had a wonderful Christmas! We had artichoke spinach dip on Christmas EVE right before we opened gifts. The candle light service at church was beautiful. We had our famous all vegan lasagna Christmas Day! WOW, it was fabulous. Finger foods for New Year’s Eve that turned out a real hit!
We visited Grandbury. Lucy loved it! The weather has been fun to say the least. We’ve had 25 degree days all the way to sunny 80 degree days, with thunderstorms and rain in between. You gotta love Texas weather, not a dull moment. God is Good and has given us many blessings. Happy 2009!
