This picture is titled DAWN. I love the tones and colors in it. Notice how the light is just breaking through the sky. Just beautiful. A wonderful job at capturing the awesome art of God.
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I did not take this picture, and do not know the photographer. If you do, I would be so delighted to give them the credit they so deserve.

I think the choice of Sarah Palin is excellent. She has been a mayor, and a governor with an 80% approval rating, while raising 5 children. I feel she is more experienced and more qualified to manage this country than B*r*ck O***a, who was a community organizer, and spent half of his 143 days in the senate campaigning for President. She is much more accomplished that BO will ever be. She is the Chief Executive of a State. Can you name any accomplishment BO has made?

It infuriates me how the ‘networks’ are spinning this. SP boldly speaks out against abortion. She lives what she speaks..choosing to have and raise her Downs child even though she knew it before the birth through genetic testing. Sanctity of life…that is what it means. John Roberts at CNN actually says that McCain choosing Palin is going to “cause her Downs child not to have a mother.” What an unfair and sexist comment.

BO spoke in his DNC address about ending genocide…isn’t it just as sad a killing of humanity when 38 million lives have been destroyed before they even had a chance to breathe? And that is 38 million since 1972. Palin is speaking out about this tragedy and actually lives the PRO CHANCE idea…a chance to live, a chance to breathe, a chance to love and a chance to be loved…she shows she truly believes what she speaks.

She is fighting to make the right changes in corrupt government. If actions truly do speak louder than words, she is way, way ahead of BO and JB. She has plans, and knows how to carry out those plans.

I was so disgusted to hear Jimmy Carter’s words against McCain…saying that he is “milking the fact that he was a POW.” He speaks about his life…and every thing that we go through in life makes up who we are at a given time. BO speaks as often about his early life and things his mother and grandmother inspired in him.

And have you heard what the ‘mentally deranged’ Mich**l M**re said today? The fact that Gustav is going to hit at the time of the RNC is “proof that there is a God and He is surely on the Democrats side.” Disgusting, and very, very sad. And sickening.

I have just finished rewatching the Saddleback Church Program with JM and BO. If you haven’t watched it, get it and watch it. You will know who is better qualified just on the basis of answers. No doubt about it.

Now to Gustav…Let’s all ‘pray without ceasing’ about this hurricane. It looks as if it can be worse than Katrina. But, it seems as if all the people in charge are well prepared. And hopefuly the citizens are as well. Mandatory evacuation is already taking place in Miss. and LA. God bless us all.

This is way more than I usually say about politics…but, I must say one more thing.

John Edwards was to speak at the DNC, but after news of his affair was made public, he was replaced…by Bill Clinton. Do you think they know the meaning of the word ‘morality’? Or care?

I received a sweet award last week from my friend, Nancy @ Too Wonderful For Me.I came upon her blog one day when she was just getting started and we realized that we live only about 85 miles apart, but different states. She is a sweet lady with lots of wisdom. I truly enjoy sharing with her everyday. Thanks again for this award, Nancy…I am blessed to call you ‘friend’.
And so, I pass this on to:
Andi @ Fingerprints On the Glass…my sweet teacher friend who birthed 3 amazing boys
Sherrie @ Journey To Our Princess…and she left today to pick up her princess in China
Kat @ Just A Beach Kat…I checked and you don’t have this one listed, so maybe I can finally give you one!
Holley @ Windy Corner…a new friend with the sweetest and most uplifting comments
My dear friend, Sherrie, is on a plane right now soaring over to China. She left this morning at 6 AM…the flight will only take 23 hours! Then on Sept. 1, she will get to meet her new daughter, Sophie Lyanna. They will remain in China until the 10th, to take care of paperwork and such, and then Sweet Sophie will be coming home to her new family. Sherrie’s husband and oldest son are with her. She teaches at our school, so you can just imagine how much loving and petting and adoration this child will receive.
I ask that you will remember this family in your prayers as they journey far to bring the newest family member to America and her new home. Can you imagine how she will feel, leaving the orphanage, which is all she has ever known and coming to a new land, with new people, and strange food, who don’t even talk like she does? I would imagine she will be in total confusion. She has just turned 3. Please pray that this transition will be easy for mother and daughter. God has been in this from the beginning, and we are trusting that He will continue to guide them all along the way! Godspeed, Sherrie!

(Yes, it is sloppy, but I was in the midst of a hurricane/tropical depression and it was 90 degrees and there was NO air, and I was on my knees on a concrete floor…and it was lightning outside)
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Why did I do this? Especially when no one else will ever see it? Why has this been an important thing to me since the beginning of the Creek House?

I really do not have a fully formed reason. The main thing is that I am so thankful to God for this home. I want to remember, years later, as I walk through the rooms…that the Word of God is underfoot…that I chose to add an additional layer to the building of this house, and that layer is His Word. I want to know now (while I still have most of my brain function intact) that even if I forget in years to come, it will always be there. I want to remember that it was important at this time in my life that this be done. I want to remember that even as I am full of excitement and anticipation at the thought of living there, this house is not the most important thing in my life. It falls below my God, my family, my friends. I want everything that is in my home to be pleasing to God.

And so, I choose for that innermost layer…the first part of our house to be walked on, the very foundation, to be the Word of God.

Here then are the scriptures (just for you, Jean)
FRONT FOYER: “We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, His power, and the wonders He has done…so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children.”
Psalms 78:4-6
REAR FOYER: “In your heart you plan your life, but only the Lord decides where your steps will take you.” Proverbs 16:9
DINING ROOM: “Listen, listen to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to Me; hear Me, that your soul may live.”
Isaiah55:2-3
DEN: “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”
Ephesians 4:29
KITCHEN: How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth.”
Psalm 119: 103
PANTRY: “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.” Psalms 34:8
LIBRARY: “By wisdom your days will be many and years will be added to your life.”
Proverbs 9:11
BEDROOM/STUDY: “Do what you have learned and received and heard and seen in Me, and the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:9
GUEST BEDROOM: “I will lie down in peace and sleep, for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8
LAUNDRY ROOM: “The Lord will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.” Deuteronomy 15:10
DON’S CLOSET: “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”
Proverbs 4:23
TONJA’S CLOSET: “…clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience…and over all these, put on love.” Colossians 3:12-14
MASTER BEDROOM: “He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.” Isaiah 50:4
“All your sons will be taught by the Lord, and great will be their peace.”
Isaiah 54:13
STUDIO: “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
ALEX’S DEN: “After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm,
strengthen, and establish you.” 1 Peter 5:10
GARAGE: “May the Lord keep watch between you and me while we are away from each other.” Genesis 31: 49
ADDITIONAL VERSES: (in various places)
“Blessed be the Lord who daily loads us with blessings.” Psalm 68:19
“God has given us these times to enjoy.” Psalm 94:1
“But as for me, it is good to be near God.” Psalm 73:28
“Because of God’s great love, we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23
“Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain.” Psalm 127:1
“By wisdom a house is built- and by understanding it is established.”
Proverbs 24:3

When they first laid the foundation of the Creek House, I told our builder that I wanted to write scriptures on the foundation before we put down the floors, and he promised that he would give me plenty of time to do this. Well, he called Friday to say that I should work on it over the weekend. They are starting the floors today. Of course, it just so happened that Tropical Storm Fay decided that this would be the week-end to camp out over this area of the South. Saturday, it rained all day and the winds were really blowing…35-40 mph, so I decided I didn’t need to get out and go in all that. Then Sunday came around and it was blue sky and sunshine…for about 15 minutes! I got ready, and just as I began to leave, the bottom fell out…rain, winds, thunder, and lightning. Was I just being silly? Should I just give up the idea? What to do? Alex and Don both scoffed at me for this ‘crazy idea of mine’,anyway. My DIL, Suzanne,and friend, Tina, were going to help me, but couldn’t go till later. Besides, it was my project, not theirs, anyway. At least they understood it. And so, with the sky getting blacker and blacker…I struck out for the Creek House. What vision do men have, I ask you? Concrete and bricks…that’s what they think a house is. So, I make it across town and I see that they have my driveway blocked off. I have to park at the street. Yuck! Mud and lightning…a great combination. Whew! I made it inside, and it was so quiet…and still…and HOT! No air was stirring, and I couldn’t open the windows. I decided to just get busy and tackle it room by room. And, so I do. They had put a finish on some of the floors, and they were easy to write on. BUT, the ones that weren’t done yet…hard to do. I had to scrub and scrub to get a place I could write on. Luckily, I had taken some old sheets to sit on. I kept at it and finally finished. Concrete dust all over me and my clothes, sweat pouring down my back…and front, muscles screaming from getting up and down off the hard floor, and hands covered in black Sharpie marker marks…I was a mess! I decided to hurry home before another downpour started. My car, it seemed, had developed quite an attraction for the place. As I started to drive off, I hear the most awful racket underneath. I got out to check and see a long limb stuck under the car, behind the front wheel, on the passenger side. I pull…and I pull…and I pull. Then an enormous flash lights up the very dark sky, and I am certain death is imminent. Do you remember my post on lightning on 7/24?…nothing has changed since then. Then a clap…no, a boom of thunder sounds. Then another flash! The door on that side of the car is locked! This dumb car locks up everything except the driver’s side. I am in a quandary. This massive tree trunk is stuck under my car, God has chosen this very moment to put on a light show, and the door closest to me is locked. Should I dive under the car or make a dash for it to the other door? Another flash…it’s the car or me…I make a dash for the door…the car can fend for itself. Did I mention it has been raining since forever here, and there are limbs and leaves and mud everywhere?….slippery leaves and mud…very…slippery. And if a girl goes running like a bat out of a hot place, she’s just likely to do that. Slip…on the very slippery leaves and mud. So, I figure I’m a goner. The headlines will ready: VERY DIRTY LADY STRUCK BY LIGHTNING WHILE PLAYING TUG OF WAR WITH A TREE TRUNK THINKING SHE IS FAST ENOUGH TO OUTRUN THE LORD. I am now covered with mud down one leg and I am getting wet. And some idiot who obviously did not read my post about the lightning is out edging his lawn, and looking at me. Did he offer to help? Did he come to my rescue? I don’t know, because I tried to get up before he saw me. Here I am dying in the street and worrying about whether he saw me or not. Right before I jump into the car, I remember the mud. Something has to go on the car seat before my body does, and the only thing available are the dirty sheets that I used inside. So, dirty sheet on the seat, dirty girl on the sheet, and …we’re off! I figure the limb will certainly fall off as I drive. It is pouring now…and lightning and thundering…and I am not stopping again until I get home. I mean the one that I live in presently. In case you are wondering, the limb did not fall off. It hung on for dear life as I drove through the storm to safety. It sounded as if there was a whole tree stuck under there. I even had people point and try to tell me there was a limb under my car while I was at the red lights. I ignored them.

I needed a bath, a nap, and a BIG bag of Dove dark chocolate bites.

I got a bath, a nap, and a piece of Melba toast, and a chunk of cheese. Score 1 for the runner!