Trip 2009: Why Listen to Witherspoon?
Friday | March 13, 2009

On our trip, I had ample van-time, which I took advantage of by listening to “The Best of the Witherspoon School of Law and Public Policy” by Vision Forum Ministries. This was very interesting to me; I gleaned much from these experienced Christian men who shared their knowledge of American law and public policy, including Chief Justice Roy Moore, Dr. Joseph Morecraft III, Honorable Howard Phillips, and Doug Phillips. These were especially applicable to me since I am currently taking constitutional law courses in high school.

When I mentioned to a dear friend that I was listening to these, her shocked response was, “Why would you listen to that?” I found I did not have an answer prepared for this question. The Bible says to “be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason,” [1Pe 3:15] and although this verse is directed at the Reason of our eternal hope—Jesus—I think this can also apply to other areas of my life: I should have an answer ready for each thing I do.

Thus, I wrote a few reasons why I listened to Witherspoon Law, which I am sharing with you. Send me your reason!

~As a woman, I do not have any intention of going into a profession of law. But I believe, as do my parents, that it is vital to have a thorough understanding of the way our government should work from a Biblical and historical perspective. As I listened to these men give a Biblical viewpoint on common law, it has helped me with the decisions we face today and choices I may someday face personally. I need to be prepared for what may come up in the future, especially with the way our nation is currently headed.

~Listening to this foundational approach has helped me have a Biblical worldview. I should not just believe what others are saying as true, but instead ask in every area, “What is God's stand on this?” I need to learn to compare everything to the Light of Holy Scripture, seeing if it measures up to God's principles. This thought-process should not only include evaluating the policy and law of our Land, but also evaluating God's will in other areas of daily life — personal convictions, standards, lifestyles, and, eventually, child rearing (what I define as "justice") and homeschooling; thus, furthering the Kingdom of God. This education is useful and applicable for anyone, from my perspective!

~Listening to challenging topics has also broadened my thinking, and helped me mature in speech, writing, and thought. My parents often say, “The level of books you read is how you will write.” Simliarly, what I listen to shapes my level of thought. As I listen to and read a wider horizon of subjects, my knowledge also increases.

I look forward to learning more in these areas.

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This concludes our trip report. It was a blessing to take a break as a family, to visit with Brandon, to see and learn about our country, and to see new and old friends.

On our trip, we counted...
~13,492 semi trucks
~18 Canon EOS SLRS
~52 15-passenger vans
~Took over 1800 pictures
~And drove 2957.8 miles

The first week we were home it wasn't long before life was back to "normal":
~10 loads of laundry the first day home
~2 days of ironing
~Four children sick, one in ER having stitches
~Our dear friend, Lila, died while we were away, and we attended her funeral
~Plowing the garden
~Getting back into the routine of school and chores, which certainly took more than a day or two!

Highlights since we have returned have included:
~Hatching our own eggs
~Raising 118 baby chicks
~Taking care of our new goat kids
~Planting our garden, and now re-planting it, after we had a "great deluge" the other night...

It's great to be home!