A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....09-13-05....Obladi Oblada ~ Life Goes On

Billie

[Billie]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY

If you have a suggestion, or an idea, or if there's a FReeper you would like to see featured, please drop one of us a note in FR mail.

We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, Mama_Bear, Dutchess, Aquamarine, DollyCali ~

Click to hear the Beatles' "Obladi Oblada"

There have been many changes here since Mama Bear and Daisyscarlett and I opened these doors a little over three years ago, and more will take place in the next few weeks. But just as life goes on, so, too, will the Finest.

Two of our Sistahs are phasing out their regular monthly posts and want to contribute to the Finest in other ways. As the other sistahs requested when they resigned, both Mama Bear and Aquamarine also asked us not to make theirs a sad farewell, because they're not *leaving* leaving - they both want to remain part of the Finest Family, and our hopes are they might create an occasional thread for us in the future.

The long hours of research, editing photos and working on her opening posts have taken a toll on Aqua's eyes, and after her post tomorrow, she plans to take some time off before returning - as a poster, not a sistah. I regret that Aqua won't be here today to *answer your pings*; she already had plans to be out of town Monday and Tuesday this week, but I know she will read them when she gets back tonight.

Mama Bear has perfected the art of profiling these United States of America, one by one, but there are still several that we haven't yet toured, and, thankfully, she's not ruling those out - it just may take a while longer to do them. Thank you, Lori, for all the time and beautiful posts you've contributed as a hostess - I'm not ruling *you* out in the future either, Sistah! :)

To Mama Bear, Aquamarine, Dansangel, Deadhead, FreeTheHostages, and Daisyscarlett...if you ever change your mind, well, I hope you know the door is always open...

Now let's sit back and reflect on some of the changes that have taken place since June 24, 2002. I'm also taking one last chance to post some of my favorite, but no-longer-applicable, hostess graphics!

First there were three....

(ST.LOUIE1 made this adorable hostess graphic for us.)

We got a new sistah!

The tub grows as Dansy joins us just three months later.
Click on the photo for her introduction 09-30-02.

And another one!

It's Dutchess! Louie says that's the last time he's
expanding that tub! Click the photo - it's 01-10-03.

Working out our schedule

Ha! You think I'm kidding! Each month a different challenge. :)

Who wants to grow up?

...when we can have such fun playing at it. :)

It's our 1 Year Reunion 06-24-03

Daisy's gone, but Aqua's joined us, needing very little *training* as she had already worked with Daisy to put together several beautiful music threads for us. Click on the photo for her intro.

Did I mention our Half-Sistah?

FreeTheHostages agreed to join us at the same time as Dutchess (01-10-03), but *only* as a half-sistah! Freezie wanted to write essays and profile Freepers, but not edit the photos or put them together with backgrounds. She wrote two each month and sent her write-up to me, and I did the layout and presentations. Eventually she learned to do the presentations and posted her own - and they were just just as delightfully colorful and unique as she is!

A New Year - changes in store again

What a full year we had in 2003, but the new year brought changes again. Freezie had introduced us to many wonderful FReepers with her profiles, but sadly for the Finest, the time she had promised to give us had come to an end.

Meanwhile, The Mayor stepped up his commitment by agreeing to post our Military Mondays every week as long as he can. (Thank you, Rus!)

We asked deadhead to join us as a *Sistah/hostess*, and she said, "YES!" Happy days again. (this didn't last - a few weeks into learning tables, etc., Colleen had some unexpected family emergencies come up, and she had to change her plans)

Click on the picture to read these three announcements on January 6, 2004.

Hello, Dolly!

No one can fill her shoes, but after several months, we finally found someone to fill the void left by Sistah Dansy. April 4, 2005, DollyCali joined our team, and we haven't caught our breath yet! That sistah has more energy than the Energizer Bunny. :)

You know the drill - click on the pic to read her intro. :)

Life Goes On

We started with three sistahs. We have three now. The difference is we didn't have The Mayor and JohnHuang then. But what we had then and still have now is a wonderful group of followers and cheerleaders who are the glue that holds us together, whether we're three sistahs or six.

We're going to continue to work hard to make this a fun and friendly place to be - both Dutchess and Dolly have pledged that - but we may have more two-fers so they *don't* have to work so hard. After all.... :)

06-28-05 ~ Hall of Fame #12

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 09-12-05 Military Monday

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' Every Thursday at the Finest The guy's good, folks!

[Billie]

[Billie]

[Temple Owl]

Good morning Billie, you and the girls look real pretty today.

[Billie]

Thank you for your mail, FMC - I've added your loved one's name to our prayer list. We appreciate you.

Below are names of some of our FReepers' loved ones who are serving our country. If you have someone you would like to add, please address a post to

Billie; Mama_Bear; Dutchess; Aquamarine; The Mayor; DollyCali,
and we will add their name to this list. As we pray for them, we pray also for all our nation’s leaders, and military personnel, and their families and friends. May God hold them close to His heart.

gator girl........................husband severa............husband, brother Maigrey............................cousin mystery-ak.............son, husband Gogrammy...................grandson Inspectorette.......................son Blessed American..........nephew Slip18..........................nephew Diver Dave.......niece, nephew ConspiracyGuy........2 nephews Pippin............niece's husband sneakers..............................son weldgophardline.....brotherinlaw jamaly.................brotherinlaw Future Snake Eater..........cousin WaterDragon.............grandson WaterDragon...........son-in-law BeforeISleep...................son kimmie7......................brother Armymarinemom............3 sons american_ranger.............son LadyX.........................grandson fawn796.......................nephew ValerieUSA....................2 sons Lakeside........................2 sons LakeLady......................nephew Spruce.........................daughter Leofl......................................son chena......................................son Hope and Glory..................son Philman_36..............2 nephews bjcintennessee.......son, niece TheMayor...............friends'son homeschoolmama...........nephew ariamne...................2 cousins mhking.........................cousin visualops..........................cousin auboy.............................cousin Ladysmith..nephew, friend's son tina07......soninlaw & his friend MontanaCowgirlCop.......brother Colorado Slim................nephew Tapatio....................2 nephews ProudAFDad............................son Alouette................................son Katydidnt..............................son Q6-God...................twin brother Q6-God.....................active duty Warrior Nurse...........active duty SK1 Thurman...........active duty David Osborne.........active duty fc2tomschermuly......active duty bkwells....................active duty LongCut....................active duty cjk...........................active duty Trish.........................active duty ODC-GIRL.................active duty AF_Blue...................active duty Notwithstanding.......active duty thumperusn..............active duty Veloxherc.................active duty Don Simmons...........active duty wingnutx...................active duty Old Sarge.................active duty CGblue.....................active duty bigghurtt...................active duty frankiep....................active duty veeceeque................active duty JRios1968...............active duty NoLongerFreeState....active duty

scubachick.....................husband OhioWfan................................son ladtx..................................2 sons Its_me_K.E.T.........................son Hostel............................cousin MozartLover...........son, nephew ak_daddoo........................nephew Dubya............................nephew LBGA (RIP)..........................son katykelly..............................son cookcounty.............................son SpookBrat........................nephew SpookBrat........................cousin Doug from Upland............soninlaw Himyar....................................son boxerblues........................2 sons the piper....................................son sheeza................................husband kemathen7.........................husband Tiffee4Bob..........................boyfriend deadhead.............................cousin JimRobinson...............2 nephews TexKat.......................son, step-son StarCMC.............................brother Consort........................2 daughters Consort.......................son-in-law Darheel...............................niece Donaeus...........................nephew dixie sass........................nephew BeAllYouCanBe........................son Repubmommy........................brother AgThorn................................2 sons kneezles.................................son RoseinRoseBear.....cousin's hubby Atomic Conspiracy......half-brother Atomic Conspiracy...........nephew Atomic Conspiracy..............niece Sunflowergal....................grandson mrstank..............................husband MrsMike31........................husband spotbust1............................husband campfollower............................fiance LUV W........................................son painter...................................nephew Misty4jc................................husband Bykrbayb........................................son SilentServiceCPOWife........husband Walkenfree................2 grandsons Walkenfree.................. 3 nephews Walkenfree..................granddaughter Zechariah_8_13.......brother-in-law Zechariah_8_13.......................cousin DirtyHarryY2K......................daughter DirtyHarryY2K................son-in-law nelibeli...................................nephew Skimask.....................................son El Gato...............................nephew Palladin...............................grandson MississippyMuddy...................sister MississippyMuddy.....2 nephews Kramster...............................stepson gonzo.........................friend's son Socratic.............................nephew jkphoto...............................nephew LoneRedRanger......brother-in-law Jemian...................................son freema....................nephew, son Azbushgal..............................son PreviouslyA-Lurker...........brother kimmykay.................................son

[DollyCali]

S-I-G-H

What a wonderful thread to reflect the changes now occurring at the Finest. The cycle of life and it's evolution and changes are fun/sad to observe.

We will miss Mama & Aqua.. we will hope that someone might join us eventually

lovely pledge Billie and the multi color framing was so attractive with the black (sadness reflected) background. I loved all the sistah graphics. I had done a few (maybe 4 ) so far which will join the Smithsonian archives of the Finest

[Pippin]

Good Morning!

[Pippin]

Good Morning Dolly!

[DollyCali]

Hi there pip.. often when you say hi in AM, I am gone for morning.. I will be here a few more minutes. Going to be another hot one here today... but in January we will think of these warm, longer days with longing.

[dutchess]

Ah sistah billie. You've outdone yourself. Sniff, sigh...so much history...memories. Forgot about a lot of those welcome graphics. Lots of fun times (AND THERE WILL STILL BE LOTS MORE)

lori, aqua...you are such a special part of the finest. We look forward to those "occasional" special threads!!! (((((sistahs)))))

[Billie]

Good morning Billie, you and the girls look real pretty today.

Why thank you, Mr. Owl - you are quite a treat to look at yourself. :)

[Billie]

Am going to be posting more throughout the day - these little Christmas chicks are still another favorite of mine, but the graphic was too wide to fit in the table! :)

[Billie]

Remember this one? :) That wolfie! He surprised us with such cute ones!

[Billie]

Good morning, Dolly. Thanks always for the attention you pay to all the details of our opening posts. You never fail to make us feel good about them!

I remember that hostess graphic from one of your first threads (maybe THE first thread!)

Aren't they fun to do. :)

Another fun thing to do.....here's Dolly and RepubMommy with Johnny Fox at the Inaugural Ball this year. :)

[Billie]

Good morning, Miss Pippin! Hope you have a great day today!

[Billie]

Thank you, Sistah Dutchess. Had fun doing this one and revisiting some of those old hostess graphics. Still have a lot of them left we haven't seen in a while. You might not remember this one.

Welcome to FR's Finest!

Thanks
for
coming!

                Dansy         Daisy
                                                       Billie               Lori

                                                                              Dutchess

[Billie]

I had done a few (maybe 4 ) so far which will join the Smithsonian archives of the Finest.

Do post them here, though, Dolly - it's a good place to 'archive' them in one thread. :)

[scubachick]

What a great thread, Billie! I lurked for a long time, but have always appreciated all the hard work that all the hostesses did to create such beautiful threads. My hat is off to all the hostesses-past and present! And of course, the hosts!

[The Mayor]

September 13, 2005

Walking In His Dust

Read:
Mark 1:16-20

[Jesus] called them, and they left their father . . . and went after Him. —Mark 1:20

Bible In One Year: Ezekiel 8-11

In the first century, a Jewish man who wanted to become a disciple of a rabbi (teacher) was expected to leave family and job to join his rabbi. They would live together 24 hours a day—walking from place to place, teaching and learning, studying and working. They discussed and memorized the Scriptures and applied them to life.

The disciple's calling, as described in early Jewish writings about basic ethics, was to "cover himself in the dust of [the rabbi's] feet," drinking in his every word. He followed his rabbi so closely that he would "walk in his dust." In doing so, he became like the rabbi, his master.

Simon, Andrew, James, and John knew that this was the type of relationship to which Jesus was calling them (Mark 1:16-20). So immediately they walked away from their work and "went after Him" (v.20). For 3 years they stayed close to Him—listening to His teaching, watching His miracles, learning His principles, and walking in His dust.

As Jesus' followers today, we too can "walk in His dust." By spending time studying and meditating on His Word and applying its principles to life, we'll become like our rabbi—Jesus. —Anne Cetas

What holds me back? Some earthly tie? A thirst for gain?
A strange entanglement with life? A pleasure vain?
Dear Lord, I cast it all aside so willingly;
The path of true discipleship I'll walk with Thee. —Adams

Faith in Christ is not just a single step—it's a lifelong walk with Him.

FOR FURTHER STUDY
What Does It Take To Follow Christ?

[The Mayor]

Those grapics are so cute Billie!

[luvie]

Mayor!!!....when we walk with the Lord....Thanks for the lesson in God's Word.

What are you doing? How are you doing? I am a nervous wreck for ya, just like you might be! Have you heard anything yet?