I am going to my first Masquerade Ball on Saturday and I am so excited. I have never before been invited to one, and am thinking with age marching to a faster drum than ever, I may never have the opportunity again. I don't want to miss anything, so I have done a little research on Masquerade History and found it interesting.

The pageants and processions of late-Medieval court life is where the Masquerade Ball has its origins. Beginning in the Ducal Court of Burgundy in the 14th century, Masquerade balls were expanded into costumed public festivities in Italy during the 15th century Renaissance.

Masquerade slowly focused less around formal dancing, and more and more on the carnival atmosphere. The "costume parties" of the 20th century came from this tradition, especially the cabaret scene of 1890s Paris, epitomized by Moulin Rogue and in the artwork of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec.

Armed with this information, Craig and I will be attending our Nephew Eli and his new bride, Jasmine's Masquerade Ball Wedding Reception on Saturday night. 

Next week, I will report on the festivities. Good Blessings till then.

I have found this statement by Eleanor Roosevelt so true. Although some experiences that come into our lives may seem insurmountable, raising fear and trepidation in our hearts, when looking back upon our lives it is those very experiences that helped mold us into stronger more self-sufficient people. As we should find 'joy' in the journey of life, we too can find 'joy' in those hard experiences that helped to make us  individuals of great inner character. Good Blessings!

My heart aches for those involved in the dehumanizing addiction of pornography. But my heartache intensifies when I ponder the 'tender hearts' that are bruised, broken and discarded because of it's effects. There is no reason or need to defend this self-centered and selfish behavior, that surely makes the God of all mankind cringe in agony at what some of his children do.

In this world of, 'if it feels good do it and take no thought of anyone else', especially the Savior of mankind who suffered and died so that each of us would not have to pay the debt that surely must be paid, it is time to wake up and stand against this heinous outrage against humanity. (Thank you Britt for providing this chart.)

My last blog was exactly a month ago today! WOW! A lot has transpired in our lives, mine and Craig's, and.......in the climate of our great country, the United States of America.

I don't want to sound like a broken record but what can I say.......my heart is not only red, it is red, white and blue! As long as I can remember, I have had a great love for and devotion to the principles and values embodied in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. But I'm getting ahead of myself.
Craig and I are in our new home!

Those of you who know me know that I rely heavily on my Heavenly Father to guide my life, and though this was a long and drawn out process, He kept re-assuring me that He had my back as He always has, and always will. Since we began looking for a home in March I have had the distinct impression that God had a specific place for us to be. I don't know how many homes we looked at in how many cities, but it was a lot! We were praying for Heavenly Father's tender mercies. Because of the financial difficulties arising from Craig's Harley accident a year ago, and subsequent finding of 4 different cancers, and surgeries to remove his thyroid, spleen, part of his pancreas, and his left kidney, and 7 months of rehabilitation, his ability to work and see clients ended. As a result we were approved for a short sale of our 'dream home' in the foothills of Tooele, looking over the town and the Great Salt Lake. We were supposed to be out so that the new people could move in, by the 15th of September. To make this story short we were still desperately looking for THE place, when our dear friend and Realtor, Tyler Cope, insisted we come and see this home in Springville, Ut. After we gave in to his prodding we drove up to this home and I knew it was the place that Heavenly Father was holding for us. Because of the short sale, we couldn't qualify for a home loan. We are so grateful to the dear people, who loved this house before we did and made it available to us by carrying the loan for us. And not only are we in a wonderful neighborhood and house, but it is on the side of the mountain. Our view from our front windows overlooks the city of Spanish Fork, Springville and Utah Lake. Our view from our back is straight up the beautiful mountain. If we had planned this ourselves, it couldn't be better. God does know each of us and is there for us. (But oh it is hard to be still and patient sometimes!)

Now, onto my Red White and Blue heart. Yesterday I went onto Facebook and posted the following:

I was so looking forward to the first Presidential Debate between, President Obama and Mitt Romney. It was very good and very enlightening. But today my heart has been turned to the turmoil our country is in because we as citizen's have let ourselves drift away from the principles of freedom this land was founded on, and because we as a people have turned away from the God who gave us this land of Liberty.

Today on Facebook I came across two videos that embodied thoughts of my heart. I include them here with the hope you will watch them to be more informed.

Dr. Barbra Bellar

Illinois Women For Romney/Ryan Victory Rally Speaker ~ Dr. Barbara Bellar. She received a standing ovation after her speech at our Rally on Aug 21st, 2012. "...

Bishop E.W. Jackson Message to Black Christians

A short message from Bishop E.W. Jackson to fellow black Christians about the evil being done by the Democrat party.

We must keep ourselves educated so that we can responsibly make the right choices of our conscience. May God Bless America.