I barely remember, and much less knew my Grandmother Alice Marks. In the picture above, she is holding my younger brother, Teddy, and surrounded (starting clockwise on her right) by my sister Mary Marie, cousin Randy, older brother Mark, me (on the far right), and my cousin Martha Lynn. My parents have a framed, handwritten note of hers, originally sent to her future husband, Luther Marks. In the letter, she spoke of her affections for her beloved, but also wrote about praying for their future children. Her concern was that they would be in and of the Faith. Two of her sons entered the ministry--my dad being one of those--and her only daughter, Martha, married a preacher/pastor. Grandmother Alice died of cancer, before any of these ministries came to full fruition, but God granted her long enough life to see some of her grandchildren who were faithfully raised in the Church. I believe that God answered the prayers of a young Alice McCauley, who now has great grandchildren who share her passion for Jesus Christ.

From Mother to Son

From 1980 to 2008

From Big Doll to Pooh Bear

From Enid, Oklahoma, to Corvallis, Oregon

From happiness to happiness.

From Daddy to Papa: LOVE YOU BOTH!!

Little General

Named after the only Commoner, Oliver Cromwell, to have sat on the throne of England, my new grandson, at three months is learning to command attention. Cromwell Rutherford (his middle name honors Samuel Rutherford, noted Scottish Presbyterian) is now in full recovery and beginning to enjoy his young life, and we are enjoying it with him. In that spirit, I post this picture. It simply makes me laugh. Thanks, Jennifer, for sending it to me.

Big Brother

George Orwell has cornered the market on that phrase to the degree that it has been impugned since he published his book 1984. I, however, don't have that in mind when I consider my older brother, Mark. He was a great big brother while we were growing up. When the picture was taken of us together, I was 4, and he was 5. We had our disagreements and sibling rivalries, but when it was important, and when it counted, he was a defender, a protector, and a friend. Those traits have never left him. He has served our country unselfishly, faithfully, and without reservation. I admire and love him for that. So, without reservation, I'm proud that Mark is my big brother.

Ronald Reagan Quotes:

Back in the 80's, my younger brother, Teddy, ran as a Republican for the state legislature of Virginia. During the campaign, he and other candidates had a chance to meet Ronald Reagan. Most just waited in line at the White House to pose with the President, but Teddy took the opportunity to actually talk with him. This took Reagan by surprise. Expecting another frozen stare/smiley pose with an admirer, the President happily responded to my brother's question. This picture captures that moment.

I loved Ronald Reagan. He was by no means perfect, but he was a leader that this country no longer has. May God have mercy on us, and give us men like him. . . .and better. Here are those quotes:

"Here's my strategy on the Cold War: We win. They lose"

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"The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government, and I'm here to help."

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"Of the four wars in my lifetime, none came about because the U.S. was too strong."

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"I have wondered at times about what the Ten Commandments would have looked like if Moses had run them through the U.S. Congress."

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"The taxpayer: That's someone who works for the federal government but doesn't have to take the civil service examination."

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"Government is like a baby: An alimentary canal with a big appetite at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other."

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"The nearest thing to eternal life we will ever see on this earth is a government program."

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"It has been said that politics is the second oldest profession. I have learned that it bears a striking resemblance to the first."

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"Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it."

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"Politics is not a bad profession. If you succeed, there are many rewards; if you disgrace yourself, you can always write a book."

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"No arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is as formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women."

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"If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under."

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