JOHN'S BLOG, His Life, His Thoughts, and More

Boerne Village Band

2006-07-19T15:30:00.000-04:00

Last night my family and I (except my brother who was unable to come due to work related matters) went to a performance by the Boerne Village Band. Of course, the event took place in Boerne. We were treated to some German favorates, like Lucka and one of the numerous polka dances. We also heard several patriotic melodies, including Stars and Stripes Forever by John Sousa and the armed service medley with the Army, Navy, Airforce, Marine and Coast Guard songs. There were probably about five hundred people in attendence. That number contained a large amount of families, of which we were one.

My Sister's Birthday!

2006-07-11T21:35:00.000-04:00

Here's a link to the wonderful post which my mom wrote on my family's blog about my sister's birthday.
Happy Birthday, Cara!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!

2006-07-10T15:26:00.000-04:00

A Mother is, a loving person,
a beacon in the night.
They give to us, both love and peace,
and are a warming light.

My First Listing on eBay!

2006-06-12T14:40:00.000-04:00

I just completed my first listing on eBay! If you want to see it, click here.

Who Am I?

2006-06-05T18:07:00.000-04:00

I was born in 1794 in Dorchester Massechusetts, and I died in 1865. I graduated from Harvard College at seventeen, and was known for being a brilliant writer. I was a pastor, and was known for my eloquent preaching. In 1814 I was elected Professor of Greek Literature in my Alma Mater. I was elected to Congress, and held that seat for ten years. I was the Govenor of Massechusetts for 4 years, and I was appointed Minister to England. I was also the President of Harvard University and the Secretary of State. I helped buy back Mt. Vernon with the proceeds from a lecture that I wrote. Who am I?

2006-06-01T15:50:00.000-04:00

Of late I have been rather sick. Since Friday I have had a cold, and on Tuesday night I had a fever. Hopefully I'll be better soon.
On Saturday we went over to our house and did some cleaning, well, actually the rest of my family did, because I was sick. My uncle Steve who had driven up from the Fort Worth area met us there and then went back with us to where we live right now. He stayed that night, Sunday, and then went back in the morning on Monday. We had a fairly quiet Memorial Day. After a late breakfast, my mom and I went shopping at a thriftstore. Then we got back, had a little lunch, and did different things. That night we worked on yardwork.

A Home

2006-05-19T20:38:00.000-04:00

On Wednesday we bought our first home in Texas! Since there were no other viable options, my family decided to go back to the mobile home that we had originally been under contract for. We bought and now own a home, and are still debt free!

Who Am I?

2006-05-09T20:56:00.000-04:00

I have written more than ninety, large books. My main characters are usually between sixteen and twenty. Almost always they get captured, but then escape. Usually a war is going on. I started the series by telling stories to my children, with no thought of writing them down. Then a friend told me that I should write them down. I lived a long time ago.
Who am I?

The Storm

2006-05-08T18:35:00.000-04:00

I did not leave the blogging world again! On Thursday night we had a thunderstorm with hail, rain, terrific lightning, thunder, the whole nine yards. Anyway, the breaker for my dad and mom's room was knocked out. Since the weather person had said that there would be no thunderstorm in Bexar county, the computer was left on. That was a BIG mistake! As you may have guessed by now, our computer was turned off. When we turned it back on, the internet wouldn't work! Hence the reason for my absence. Tim got back last night from the conference in Georgia and he managed to work on the computer. This morning there was still no internet, but he told us to turn the computer off and then on again. And it worked!
We had thunderstorm watches on Friday and Saturday, but not much with it. However, there wasn't too much sun over the weekend. On Sunday at church there was mud everywhere!
Today has been another hectic day. My mom and I spent about five hours in the car this afternoon. We also learned today that we can't buy the mobile home that we were looking at. The development that we would be taking it to said that it was too old. I guess ten years is a bit old.
Before I had said that we are looking at land. We still are, and it is in a place called West View Estates. It is a development, but it doesn't feel like one. It feels like the country. It is outside the city, but we are close enough to everything we need for life, practically!

I'm Back!!!

2006-05-03T18:28:00.000-04:00

Hi, it's me again. Today my sister left to go back to New Jersey and visit for about two and a half weeks. What will we do without her? Tim also left today for Georgia, he'll be manning a conference there for Vision Forum.
Right now I'm getting over a cold. Yesterday I went in to Vision Forum to work, but I had to go back home since I wasn't feeling too good. I hope to be totally better soon.
Our computer is working again. For a while it wouldn't let us get onto the internet because of a virus. You never know how dependent you get to be on something until you don't have it anymore.
My family is looking at buying land, and then putting a mobile home on it. We were under contract with another mobile home that was on land, but there were some major issues, and we decided not to go through with it. However, we hope to have a house and be debt free! What a blessing that will be.
It sure has been a long time since I've blogged. Sorry for getting so behind.
Here's a good blog to look at. http://thethortonfiles.blogspot.com/ It's the blog of Harry Thorton, a detective. He was created by James Thompson.
That's all for now.

SORRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2006-02-18T19:13:00.000-05:00

Sorry for having not posted so long. Our computer is having some problems with bad popups so that now I can not go on the computer without my dad or my mom. Consequently, I have not been able to post. Right now I'm not quite sure what to write about, but I'll try to get back on soon and give you an update.

2006-01-03T15:52:00.000-05:00

Here is a link to my brother's blog. http://www.timhorn.blogspot.com. He will tell you about the camping trip we took a week ago. Sorry for the late notice, you'll have to scroll down a bit on his blog to get the story.

End-Of-The-Year Party

2005-12-17T15:02:00.000-05:00

Last night we, (my family and I), went to the end-of-the-year dinner party held by Vision Forum, the company that my dad and brother work for. The party was held at Ruth Chris Steakhouse, famous for their fabulous steaks. During the party, we were taught about hope by Wesley Strackbein. We heard from Doug Philips, and other Vision Forum leaders. We saw the year-in-review video, and also a humorous video by the interns. It was a great night, lasting into the early hours of the morning. There was much more that happened, but I don't have enough time to tell of it right now. Perhaps next time.

I Better Post Again!

2005-12-01T14:11:00.000-05:00

I'm afraid I've spent too much time without blogging. So here I am! I think I should tell you about my weekend, it was quite interesting. Of course, on Thursday, Thanksgiving day, we had the traditional turkey and side dishes. It was delicious. We had over the Howells for dinner, and had a great time of conversation. Then, the men watched the Dallas Cowboys, who were playing football, lose. Hooray! Anyway, it was fun.

On Friday we went to the RiverWalk, and the Alamo with my Uncle Steve who was visiting from Fort Worth, Texas. I would have gotten some pictures, but my camera's battery was low, and I had to recharge it. On Friday night, my brother Tim had arranged for a group of friends to see the Nutcracker at the Majestic Theatre. The music was tremendous. And the ballet, well, ballet isn't my favorite thing.

On Saturday my Dad had to go in to work at 6:30! I didn't go so early, but I went to work a little later, getting some more sleep. I sure had plenty of work to do! On Sunday we heard a great message by Doug Phillips about controlling the tongue from the Epistle of James. That evening I started watching StarWars for the first time. It was pretty good.

On Monday, it was my Mom and Dad's twenty-fourth anniversary. I went in that day to work too. We had a ton of orders. Well, that's my weekend, and a little bit beside!

Give Thanks!

2005-11-23T09:32:00.000-05:00

As Thanksgiving comes tomorrow, I just thought I'd say something about it. My personal belief is that people in general are slowly beginning to forget the meaning of Thanksgiving. It is becoming another day to get off work, and a time to have a huge traditional dinner, with turkey and everything else. But it's much more then that. It was first established as a true day of thanksgiving, a time to give thanks to God for all the blessings that He has given to us. As it says in Psalm 100, we are to 'Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise.' So tomorrow, when you celebrate Thanksgiving, think of it more of just a national holiday, think of it, as God's holiday.

Latin Words

2005-11-16T20:00:00.000-05:00

I study Latin, and am trying to learn the language. Here are some Latin words with their English meanings from one of my review lessons. Happy reading!

aquila eagle
corona crown
culpa fault
ecclesia Church
fama fame, rumor
fuga fugitive
gratia grace
Hispania Spain
hora hour
ira angry
luna moon
Maria Mary
mora delay
pecunia money
silva forest
stella star
unda wave
ursa bear
amicus friend
animus spirit
annus year
barbarus barbarian
campus plain, field
capillus hair
Christus Christ
cibus food
Deus God
discipulus disciple
dominus Lord
equus horse
filius son
gladius sword
legatus envoy
locus place
ludus school
mundus world
murus wall
populus people
socius ally
servus servant
ventus wind

Some Schoolwork

2005-11-09T12:41:00.000-05:00

This morning I had some school to do. I worked on writing this little essay. I didn't come up with the information, but it was a writing assignment, and it's in my own words.

The Effects of Bitterness on Bones

In Scripture, God clearly pronounces that we are to give mercy. If we do not, we will be affected emotionally and physically. Here are some enlightening examples.
Stress reduces the ability of your body to valiantly fight disease. Bones, although usually resistant to disease, when sometimes weakened by stress, are vulnerable to the attack of disease and infection.
Osteomyelitis is a bone infection produced by bacteria called, Staphylococcus aureus, also known as staph. The symptoms of osteomyelitis are extremely painful burning sensations in the bones.
Arthritis is a painful condition of an inflamed joint. Bitterness unfortunately may intensify the pain of arthritis. Cruelty, bitterness and anger all harm physically, causing bones to "wax old", be "consumed", and "burn".
These examples reveal some of the devastating things that happen to us when we tragically become bitter. God has told us in His Word, what we should do, and bitterness was not included on the list! By showing mercy, hopefully there will be no effects of bitterness on the bones.

Yesterday

2005-11-05T12:45:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I went to work with Dad, as I always do on Fridays. However, we only worked to twelve because Vision Forum was only open half a day, being closed down after noon as a thank-you to the staff members for working so hard at the Film Festival. This worked out great for my dad, because he and my mom were going to a bed and breakfast to get a little time together. They left around two o'clock, and my uncle got in around four fifteen. My uncle was going to stay here and help take care of my grandfather. So on Friday night, Cara and Tim went away to a party, and I was alone with my uncle and grandfather. I watched a movie, and stayed up to ten o'clock.

Company!

2005-11-02T19:25:00.000-05:00

Today we had Mark Stubblefield and his fiancee, Amy over. Mark is a great friend of my brother's. We had a nice brunch to celebrate their engagement, and followed that by several hours of conversation. Then they had to set out for Fort Worth Texas, where Amy lived.

Yikes!

2005-11-01T16:24:00.000-05:00

Yikes! This is Nathan Hayden, wielding a sword in my bedroom.

Sentimental Journeys

2005-11-01T16:22:00.000-05:00

Before the showing of "The League of Grateful Sons", we heard music from the sentimental journeys band.

On The River Walk

2005-11-01T15:21:00.000-05:00

On Friday night, after the showing of "The League of Grateful Sons" at the San Antonio Christian Film Festival, we watched George Sarris, and Charlie Zahm perform on the river walk. This is a shot of Mr. Sarris.

The San Antonio Christian Film Festival

2005-10-31T09:02:00.000-05:00

Sorry for not blogging recently. I'll try to get back on the blog, now. Thursday night was the beginning of the film festival. (Before I go on, I must say that I didn't go to most of it). My sister, Cara was volunteering, my brother Tim was working staff, and my dad was also doing some work. My mom and I stayed home while they were away. Some of the time was taken up by my grandfather, who was having a problem. That night I didn't get the best night's sleep, being woke up when my Dad, sister, and the different friends who are staying with us right now, got home. (My brother was staying at a hotel to be closer to the convention center where the film festival was being held). The next day, I went with my dad to drop off Cara, Lydia, her brother Micah, and Nathaniel. (The last three are the friends who are staying with us. Mark Stubblefield was also supposed to stay here, but he found lodging elsewhere). After we had dropped them off, I went with my dad to work at Vision Forum. They've started their busy season, so I had plenty of work to do. I heard we sent out more than four hundred boxes that day! That afternoon Vision Forum closed early, to let people get ready to go to the world premier of "The League of Grateful Sons", also known as the Faith of Our Father's project, at 6:30 P.M. It was exciting to see the movie that had taken so long to make. It was worth the wait! It was an excellent film, dealing with the experiences of several families, and lost loved ones in the war, and also the return to Iwo Jima. It was a faith building time. We heard beautiful music on the harp from the two Bodkin girls. We also heard Mr. Phillips, Col. Henderson, and others talk about the making of the film. We got home pretty late, and I didn't get to bed until sometime around 12:00 A.M. The next day was Saturday, the last day of the film festival. I didn't go at all that day, but stayed home with my mom. On Sunday, we went to Church at the Gonzalez center, (where the film festival was held), and listened to a sermon from R. C. Sproul Jr. It wasn't nearly so long as most of our services, but there was a long time afterwards of people saying good-bye to each other. That afternoon we had some of Tim's friends come over, ( although Tim himself was on our couch, sleeping through our talking about him, and then some rousing games of fooseball). It was great. That night we were to have over the Haydens, from Kansas. They had come for the film festival, and Caleb is a great friend of Tim. I had a good time meeting Nathan Hayden, (I have a link to his blog with the other links), and playing army men, fooseball, and some other stuff. That night I didn't get to sleep until, again around 12:00. Well, today is Monday, (as you probably already know), and I'll have to get off the computer soon and go do school.

What I've Been Doing

2005-10-26T11:12:00.000-04:00

It has been delightful over the past few days. For the first time I've finally had to put on a long sleeve shirt and long pants to get warm. It was great! We've had a cold, (wait, not cold, colder) front. This week is going to be very busy. We are having several people stay with us during the film festival. Today I was doing history with my sister, and I had to write a small essay on Deborah. So here it is.

Deborah was a judge of Israel at around 1300 B.C. To read the full account, turn to Judges, chapters four and five. At that time, the children of Israel sinned against the Lord. Because of that, the Lord gave them into the hand of Jabin, king of Canaan. The captain of his army was Sisera. For twenty years he had been oppressing the Israelites sorely. Deborah called Barak, and told him that God wanted him to take ten thousand men from Naphtali and Zebulun. Barak was to lead them to the mount Tabor, but Barak said that he wouldn’t go without Deborah. So they went to attack Sisera and the Lord went before them, killing all their enemies. Sisera fled to the tent of Heber, because they were friends. But Jaal, the wife of Heber, killed Sisera with a tent pin while he was sleeping. Deborah wrote a song, telling of the victory, praising the Lord, and mocking the house of Sisera. And after that there was peace for forty years.

The Sinking of the Titanic

2005-10-24T18:01:00.000-04:00

While the Titanic went,
It rapidly neared,
A towering iceburg,
Which those aboard feared.

Soon it would strike,
On an iceburg hard,
And become, a ledgend,
To be sung by a bard.

And though not head on,
It would to them be,
Fatal indeed,
As they would soon see.

As rivets popped,
Along the massive hull,
The Titanic charged,
Like a massive bull.

To the ocean's depths,
To remain for 'eer,
And to become the fishes,
Home and lair.