Never did that Before: Part Three

An inventor,  a plantation slave owner, an architect, a university founder, and third president of the U.S.A.

OR as he wrote for his own epitaph...

"Author of the Declaration of Independence [and] of the Statute of Virginia for religious freedom & Father of the University of Virginia."

Part 3: A President's House - Behind the Scenes

Monticello - pictured on the back of the American nickle

Coming from Canada, I find it hard to stand in a spot that is so celebrated (Monticello - the home of Thomas Jefferson), knowing it was a place of slavery, both inside and outside this 5,000 acre plantation.  On average he had 150 slaves. 

We did not do the slave tour of Mulberry Row as we did not have time before Theatre #2, however we learned some things about the main house slaves. Because Jefferson built on top of this 850 foot mini mountain, he used slaves to run down the hill to fetch water for him. He was often without enough water up on that hill.

The most interesting aspect I found of this 2-hour Behind the Scenes tour was seeing in every room evidence of Jefferson's creativity, enjoyment of science, inventing and learning.

The Entrance Hall, (actually a huge foyer where he would greet people), was filled with inventions, maps, animal antlers, and Native American artifacts displayed with the purpose of instigating conversation. This is where Jefferson would personally greet and "educate" his guests.
In this room he had a huge clock/calendar on a pulley system that as the weights fell, the day would change accordingly.

Monticello Entrance Hall

One of the most fascinating rooms was Jefferson's "cabinet" or study. He had a screen that partitioned it off from his bed chamber.
In this room were so many interesting "gadgets" but it is also where he wrote thousands of correspondence letters..

This room holds treasures such as a telescope, polygraph,  theodolite (highly sophisticated surveying instrument), revolving book stand with multiple books, revolving chair and table...All these were used consistently. He loved science.

My favorite: The polygraph. He used one pen, which made the second pen duplicate the writing creating an almost perfect copy - one to send, one to keep.

Jefferson designed this himself to allow him to use 5 documents at once.

Now this was Anna-Lee's favorite room. The Dome room had no furniture, but it had windows all around, and a sky-dome on top.

The Dome Room where Jefferson came and viewed the solar eclipse. Otherwise he only came up the stairs of his house two or three times. He lived on the main floor only.

See the dome from the outside? That's the room I'm taling about and where we are in these photos!

One other special feature of this room was a hidden cubby room that children would play in. This was the only room we could actually take a photo in.

Open the doors and ...look way down. The grand kids would stack boxes to act as stairs to get down to the room they decorated... The lady on the left was our very well informed guide.

The little nook

We certainly learned - we leanred we do not know much about Thomas Jefferson and American history! However, this was a very interesting introduction to a very complex man.
I think he would have enjoyed living in ancient history where man lived into the hundreds of years. He seemed to want to learn everything that was out there to learn. 
Indeed, a Behind the Scenes look at Monticello and the man of Thomas Jefferson. 

And finally...
the 13 hour drive home!

I-81 North through Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, and finally the border crossing into Ontario, Canada where we were greeted by the border guard saying "Welcome home!" Five states, four days, three nights, 2600 kms.

Never Did that Before! - Part Two

Two Theatres... Two days... Two states... Two unique experiences

Part Two: Pondering and Processing ...
Theatre number 1 was the reason we made this whirlwind tour in the first place. Attending the "Sight and Sound Theatre" in Lancaster Pennsylvania was on invitation by another family heading down to celebrate a 13th birthday. We'd heard about this Christian mega theatre with live animals and incredible sets for years, but this was the impetus we needed to drive down and make attending a reality.
 

"It's a palace!" exclaimed Anna-Lee

2,000 + seats, and 300 foot wrap around stage

The Lion lays down with the Lamb fountain

There is no doubt that this was a grand theatre, with spectacular set, design, costumes, music, and props.
But it was also Scripture.

The show was the Biblical account of the Book of Jonah (with artistic license for the parts not contained in Scripture although done in a very realistic and probable way, with a tad of humour thrown in)!
This is the Jonah that was sent to Nineveh, didn't want to go, ran away, big storm, tossed overboard, swallowed by a "big fish," spit up on shore, went to Nineveh, Ninevites repented and were saved, Jonah sulked. That Jonah!

When the show was over and the families met up for dinner, of course the question was asked - "What did you think?"  "Wasn't that amazing?  "Did you like it?"...

Here's a secret about me though... the deeper something is...  the more something affects my heart... the quieter I get. I need time to process and ponder.
And this presentation certainly had depth..

Dealing with topics of  unforgiveness, mercy, judgement, repentance, freedom, obedience, God's compassion, humility, and declaring truth without love... how does one swim from that depth back to the surface?

Well, I've now had some time to ponder and we all agree, we want to go back next year for thier production of "Jesus."

Theatre number 2 was in Charlottesville Virginia. It was a small local black box community theatre. The show was done to a story written by a local author, put into production using the talent of a local producer, local young actors, and the scores were written by local musicians.

But that does not mean it was not deep.
The plot and subplots dealt with grief, friendship, being true to oneself, taking off masks, and honesty.

A friend of Anna-Lee's had the lead in this musical, so having already driven to Lancaster, we agreed it would be great to carry on the next few hours to Charlottesville Virginia.  

Will = Wilhelmina  (Mia Buckley - Anna-Lee's friend) and Whit = Hurricane Whitney

Both of these productions have stayed with me as I think through their messages. Yay for script writers, and all the work that goes into producing, directing, song writing, singing and acting in theatres of all sizes.
These two experiences at two theatres, in two states, alongside new and wonderful friendships were definitely worth the 13 hour drive back home the next day!

Never did that before! Part One

Three nights, four days, 2600 km.
An Amish farm, two theaters, five states, and a President's home! 

Part One: A Paradigm Shift 
I have viewed documentaries and read multiple books on the Amish way of life.
And yet...
When we had an opportunity in Bird-in-Hand Pennsylvania, to speak with the Amish and walk their farm, get a buggy ride, and hear first hand about their life, I had what I can only describe as a slight paradigm shift.

Being greeted by an Amish woman wearing a nose ring was my first indication all was not as I had read in the Beverly Lewis books!

Seeing a high tech automatic milking machine, cooling tanks, and learning the commercial milk truck pulls up to the farm just like any other farm around our home, to test and collect the Amish farmer's milk he sells, was number two.

Hearing and seeing the electric tools that were being used to build a new improved home thwoooping and buzzing and pounding was number three.
 

John, showing us the milking machinery

A barn of Holstein calves less than 3 months old - separated to make sure no diseases exist

 Yes, they work without the power grid connection. Yes, they drive horse and buggy. Yes, the kids use scooters to get to their one room schoolhouse just down the road. Yes, they only go to grade eight.

Plain and Fancy mingle continually

The one room Amish Schoolhouse

Sid and Danny - our buggy horses and the Amish farmyard.

BUT... none of that was the focus of their life.

As I stood on the farm looking around, I felt the shift. Being Amish was not about the clothes they wear, or the food they eat, the occupation they choose, or the transportation they use. 

So, what was it about?

I spent a few minutes with the nose ring lady and had a chance to ask her some questions.
"What does it mean to you to be Amish?" I asked.

• It's about being baptized in the Amish church
• It's about choosing to serve God by working hard
• She was quick to share that they believe they will see all Christians in heaven. They were not the exclusive way to God. 
• She shared that her brother had chosen to marry and be baptized in the Mennonite church and they rejoiced with him and know they will see him in heaven. They got to be a part of his baptism in the Mennonite church.
• Not once did she say it had anything to do with no computers, no cars, or no fancy clothing.
• In fact, their businesses DO have computers and they have very well done websites. The computers however, stay out of the house.

We  also had a chance to chat with John, the retired Amish farmer who shared why the kids use scooters and rarely would an Amish community bishop allow even bicycles let alone cars.
It is to keep the children close to home. Close to family.

And so, the day began with some new understanding of the Christian Amish church. shifting my perspective from the Amish doing things the old way and resisting the new, to their focus being on God and how they choose to serve Him with all their heart, mind, soul and strength and keeping their family close to home and hearth.

Doubt is like smoke

If you've ever been around a bonfire or other sources of fire, you understand that the smoke it creates disperses far and wide. Perhaps you've smelled burnt toast, or something left in the oven too long in an apartment a few doors away.
Perhaps you started a fire in the fireplace with the damper closed! Soon the smoke fills the house steadily and slowly moving up the stairs.
The smoke creeps under doors, through vents, keyholes or any number of tiny little crevices.

This smoke is like doubt entering a Christian's mind, heart or spirit. 
Any crack in our faith, and doubt begins to seep through. It can be devastating if not caught and dealt with.

Satan knows this. In fact, Satan's first attack ever was to create doubt. "Did God really say... don't eat from that tree?"
He started to create doubt in what God had said.

Satan continued.
"Well, God didn't really mean You'd die, He just doesn't want you to be like Him..." 
Step 2 was to create doubt in God's goodness and motives.

And finally the slam dunk...
Doesn't it look good? God must have lied to you. This will be beneficial to you. God was wrong.
 Step 3 was  the temptation for Eve to be her own god. It was too much. She dismissed God outright as a liar. Doubt did its job. She acted.

It's easy to look at Eve and think, "how could you have been deceived so easily and quickly? "

However, Satan is still using those same tactics today with just as much  success.


So what could Eve have done differently?
How do we stand in the midst of such a smoke filled world of doubt-inducing propaganda against God coming our way? 

I could answer that with lots of spiritual thoguths, but instead I will just ask one question
What would you do if someone was slandering and encouraging you to betray your best friend (whether that is your spouse, chid, parent or neighbour)?