Dear Young Man Who May Be Trying To Win Some Fair Maiden's Heart,

Here are some tips on what NOT to do!

First let me start off by saying that just because a girl talks to you or gives her input in a group conversation doesn't mean she likes you.

1) It's good if you are interested in a girl to show interest in who she is and the things she likes to do, etc. However, this can be taken too far. You do not need to know what her daily schedule is like...there is no need to drive 10 minutes out of your way to work to "get gas" in which you take an out of the way route to get to said gas station which just happens to take you by the girls house. And it is especially not smart to do this in the morning when dad and brother see you pass by as they leave for work. While a girl does like to know that a guy is interested in her (well I'm reffering to mutual interest) and takes interest in the things that matter to her...acting as a surveillance camera and watching her every move just creeps her out.

2)When it comes to conversing with a girl you are interested in, try to pick topics or things to talk about that makes sense and not like some random thing you thought up just so you can approach her and have something to "say" to her. Never approach a girl and start the conversation with "did I pass you on this such and such road on this such and such day at this such and such time?" Again, this qualifies as being a "surveillance camera" and only freaks the girl out.

3) If you are not in an official relationship with the girl yet, or not totally sure that the girl likes you, then it is best that you not make your "interest" in the girl too obvious. For example - when ushering, do not pick the side that she sits on in church to walk by everytime you usher. Another example would be putting her first at the list of names of your e-mail forwards.

4) If the girl is talking to someone or several persons, do not approach them and start talking to all the other persons except her...this only annoys her at it is obvious that you want to be around, but you are interrupting her conversation with said persons so you can talk about random stuff just to be around the said girl that you like....weird!!

Speaking of weird....what is a girl and family supposed to glean from a guy following them home from church (when he lives like 3 min. from church) and then branching off on a different road, only to speed by us headed in the opposite direction on the road that we live off of. I mean, is he trying to see if he can beat us to our house by going a different way? What's the point of that? He doesn't live there....

5) Do not, I repeat, DO NOT, try to be like her father in everything. That is so not going to help you. Following her dad everywhere, hanging around with him, dressing like him, trying to get the same job as he has, etc....this only turns a girl off. It's good to talk and get to know the dad, etc. but you can do this without having to be just like him.

These are some of the main points....if I think of anymore I'll let you fellas know. Hope this helps!

(would like to thank my friend JL for her contribution in helping write this post).

What is means to me to be an American

I’ve been thinking about this for the past few days as we approach Independence Day (or rather the day that we celebrate our Independence).

The America I live in today is so very different from what it was when I was born, especially in the political spectrum (I mean we’ve gone from having someone like Reagan to Obama).

While I become increasingly disappointed in our current leadership to the point that it’s actually turned into fear of the power they have, I truly can’t dream of living anywhere else (even though I say I’m going to move like every other day :P )

So, what does it mean to me to be an American?
Why am I proud to be an American?
A true American is a patriot. One who firmly believes in the cause, in the individual liberties granted to all men by an Almighty God. A patriot will fight for God, Family, and Country. They will fight for what is right regardless of the persecution or consequences.

It’s been happening since America was founded. Patriots fought for independence from a dictatorial England. Baptists preachers (patriots) suffered persecution in America in their fight against the push for a state church, which eventually became illegal once our constitution was established. Soldiers fought for the freedom of others in the Civil War, World War I & II, Korean War, Vietnam, and the Iraqi Wars, etc.

I always think of the soldier who goes to fight for his country….willing to face death for a person (s) he’s never met or known. Why? Because he believes in the cause, in the individual liberties granted to all men, because he loves his country. I don’t know about you but hearing “taps” sends chills up my spine, and tears down my cheeks. They made the ultimate sacrifice, just like Jesus did for every human being.

I’m proud to say that I’m an American, that I live in a nation that has a rich heritage in the belief of an Almighty God and was established with godly principles. I’m proud of what part of the nation I’m from too. Ain’t no place better than the South! :D I’m proud to live in a place where God is still feared (by most), people are still respected, and fallen heroes are honored with the whole town turning out to stand at attention and wave the American flag as the hearse drives by.

I pray that I can be the American patriot that my forefathers were, that no matter what the cost I will not compromise but rather “gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today, cause their ain’t no doubt I love this land, God bless the USA.”
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY EVERYONE!!!!