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L i n d s a y
Endure fort
An ancient motto in French words on the family crest.
What can this mean here and now
in the 21st century?
Welcome to Lindsay House!
Come explore with us
Why this family clan crossed the English Channel
What is their part in the histories
of Scotland, England, the United States of America,
and of modern Europe
How the reborn "Lindsay spirit" can inspire us today
To stay in the battle of life for the duration.
This requires
Covenant Faith, Commitment,
Paul and Kate - 25 Years of Dreams Fulfilled
[click on 'P']
'Gay' Marriage Decision, SCOTUS - 06/25/15
[click on 'Gay']
Virginia, We Love You!
April 25, 2012 by Special To Personal Liberty
Virginia has been my home for 55 years: the mountains of the Southwest, the beaches of the Southeast and Northern Virginia where I raised the family.
Driving along the highways and enjoying the beauty always brings a rush of joy and thankfulness!
The family has lived on land once owned by George Washington and near land owned by George Mason's family. Mount Vernon was just "down the parkway" from the family home of 36 years. But my sense of pride in Virginia has never been greater than today, because the Virginia Legislature and Governor Bob McDonnell have worked together to protect the State from the juggernaut of tyranny unleashed on America with the National Defense Authorization Act (sections 1021 and 1022.)
The new law, to take effect on July 1, states:
"Prevents any agency, political subdivision, employee, or member of the military of Virginia from assisting an agency of the armed forces of the United States in the conduct of the investigation, prosecution, or detention of a United States citizen in violation of the United States Constitution, Constitution of Virginia, or any Virginia law or regulation."
Delegate Bob Marshall from Manassas wrote HB 1160 and shepherded it through the process.
Bless him!
It took much prayer and work, and there's no doubt that jigs are being danced in heaven.
The 10th Amendment Center has been educating and encouraging Americans to be active in Constitutional advocacy. This author (soon to be 80 years old) spent much time in prayer, phone calls and email communication with legislators and with the Governor's office. Many others have done the same. Let's celebrate now and encourage all other American States to follow our example.
"We've only just begun" can be a motto for us.
There's a long way yet to go, but we've got momentum now and, after all, we believe along with Winston Churchill: "Never give in - never, never, never, never!"
-Raylyn Terrell
August 6, 2009 brings back memories
from 1945 to 1947
Please select link below:
Remembering Hiroshima, Nagasaki
It's not about "religion",
it's not about science or philosophy --
It's all about
R E L A T I O N S H I P !
Some of our readers will remember this song. For those being introduced for the first time, it was sung by Bing Crosby in a film called, "Going My Way. "The lyrics go like this:
"Would you like to swing on a star,
carry moonbeams home in a jar,
and be better off than you are,
or would you rather be a mule?
A mule is an animal with long funny ears,
he kicks up at anything he hears.
His back is brawny and his brain is weak,
he's just plain stupid with a stubborn streak.
And by the way if you hate to go to school,
you may grow up to be a mule.
Or would you like to swing on a star,
carry moonbeams home in a jar,
and be better off than you are -
or would you rather be a pig?
A pig is an animal with dirt on his face,
his shoes are a terrible disgrace.
He's got no manners when he eats his food.
He's fat and lazy and extremely rude -
but if you don't care a feather or a fig,
you may grow up to be a pig.
Or would you like to swing on a star,
carry moonbeams home in a jar,
and be better off than you are -
or would you rather be a fish?
A fish won't do anything but swim in a brook,
he can't write his name or read a book.
To fool the people is his only thought,
and tho' he's slippery he still gets caught.
But then if that sort of life is what you wish,
you may grow up to be a fish.
And all the monkeys aren't in the zoo,
every day you meet quite a few.
So you see, it's all up to you.
You can be better than you are.
You could be SWINGIN' ON A STAR."
The writer has a sneaking suspicion that the message here had an influence on her young life that went deeper than just between the ears. When I rediscovered the song a few years ago, it had a whole new depth of meaning for me. After the years of stress and sorrow (with enough joy thrown in to keep me going) I realized that I was among those who had chosen to swing on a star as a faithful child of God, instead of choosing the easy, instinctive way of the animal nature.
The problem was, I didn't know how to go about it, so the slippery slope of sin kept me down -- until finally, while truly searching and wanting to change, I started to read the Holy Bible. All alone in my living room in the middle of the night in October of 1960, while reading the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) for the third time in one week, I surrendered.
The intellectual doubt (Father, if you're there,) sent up the white flag (I hereby give up all ideas and plans for my life, and say that from now on, your will be done, not mine. ) I desperately needed to forgive and to be forgiven (I forgive all those who have hurt me, and ask You to forgive them.) Because I was very sick with bronchitis and pregnant (Please heal me so that I can take care of my children.) That was it. It was enough. Immediately a warm pulsing sensation began to move back and forth through me in waves. When it ended, I was a different woman.
Whereas before I was fearful, anxious and guilty, now I was blissfully at peace, and filled with love and quiet joy. In that new and wonderful state I fell asleep and woke when the three children were waking and needed my care. After they were settled, I went back to the Bible in the living room, and picking it up, whispered: What has happened to me?As the book opened, I looked as a passage seemed to raise itself above the book and in bold type I read:
If any man be in Christ he is a new creation. Old things have passed away, and behold, all things have become new. And all things are of God who has made us ministers of reconciliation.
Now I wasn't only peaceful, I was awestruck!
Because I had given up trying by my own power, and had surrendered (in Bible language, 'repented'), I had been lifted above the slippery slope and have since that time been learning to swing on a star. Jesus Christ is no longer a storybook character to me. He is my Lord, my Savior, my Friend, my Healer, my Provider, and through his Holy Spirit He is my Teacher and Comforter. Every human being could desert me, but my Heavenly Friend never will. He is my constant companion now - and sooner than we realize, the day is coming when Jesus will take all His faithful children home to be with Him forever.
Family home
Christiansburg High School
Christiansburg High School.
Here's how a grandmother remembers it:
June 1, 2008
This has been a year of years for J. deGastyne of Christiansburg, Virginia.
He was born less than seventeen years ago at the hospital in Radford, just a few miles drive away through the beautiful New River Valley countryside. The baby's paternal grandmother had driven more than four hours one week earlier after receiving the call that labor had begun and they were leaving for the hospital.
The labor did not produce a baby this particular day. On arriving at the hospital, the grandmother was informed that the birth process had stopped. (In those days very few people had a cell phone in their pocket or purse.) The grandmother's adrenalin level gradually subsided as she drove to the young couple's apartment in nearby Blacksburg. The young father still attended Virginia Tech, while the mother had graduated the previous June and was working at the church pre-school and daycare which she had co-founded. The couple had previously accepted the offer of Paul's mother to be with them during the birthing process since she had already acted as midwife for several family home births.
For one week the three kept vigil as the mom-to-be wanted to do physical things, like walking around the riverside park in Radford, to encourage the completion of the labor. It was on a drive through the hills to the town of Floyd to visit the former schoolhouse (now a fabric store), that the expectant grandmother heard her son say: "Mom, have you ever considered leaving the house on Frances Drive and coming down here to live?"
This 'bolt from the blue' brought tears to her eyes and began a prayerful questioning in her heart. All her children were adults now and pursuing their own lives. They did not need her any longer, and the house contained only memories. Then on awaking the next morning she inwardly heard, "You are to sell your house and move down to be with this family."
With a few more tears of gratitude, she accepted Her Heavenly Father's word on the matter, and later in the morning she told the young couple. So by the time the labor re-commenced several days later, the grandmother's new course in life was set, and she and the young parents were at peace.
The labor was blessed with the birth of the little boy.
What will he do? What kind of a life will he have?
Now on June 1, 2008, the answers are becoming vibrantly clear, and the family is thrilled down to their collective toes! Today as a young man, he is valedictorian for his graduating class at Christiansburg High School, Christiansburg, Virginia.
Mr. Carter, assistant principal of the school, introduced the young man to the people in the packed auditorium. He praised him, his mother, his father, his brother and two sisters as well. This valedictorian is grateful for his family's support of his efforts, and lets everyone know it. His success thus far has been a team effort that is a joy to behold!
There is a shelf at home covered with trophies awarded to the two brothers.. Only a few months ago, the new graduate was invited to accompany a surgeon (friend of the family) into the operating room to view an operation. At Emory University, the fall of 2008, he begins the long road to an education in neuroscience.
Joshua's promise could be seen early-on, and his parents knew that he was a strong-willed child. Dr. Dobson's wisdom helped them to harness a 'thoroughbred' and to train him in the right direction. With his brother and sisters, he's been home-schooled as much as public-schooled. His father has trained the four children in sports. They have grown up with their intellects and morality disciplined by the Word of God, and tempered by Christian fellowship.
These young people honor their parents and other elders who have authority over them. They are on the path of success because they appreciate their heritage, their training, and those who provide it. In accepting the discipline of parents and teachers, they are at peace with themselves and others, and are becoming role models for their peers.
"Don't be afraid to have a Friend in high places!"
F U
FAST - FORWARD FOUR YEARS F U
Emory University, Atlanta Georgia, had geared-up for the 2012 graduation ceremony weekend. Families and friends traveled by car, bus, train and airplane to celebrate this exciting time.
"Hey! They made it! They're graduating! WOW!"
Wayside picnic enroute to graduation in Atlanta, Georgia
"The happy four"
Joshua's boundaries had expanded, overflowing his mind and heart, and were now no less than global. First semester of his freshman year, he had barely begun his studies in neuroscience at Emory University, when he presented a paper to his professor, entitled:
A Humble Proposal for a Brave New World. He was barely seventeen-years-old.
Professor,
School of Neuroscience, Emory University
with alumnus, Joshua Daniel Degastyne
Grandpa Bob has faithfully encouraged and advised his grandchilden all their lives. His pride in Joshua's accomplishments, and thankfulness toward heaven were evident.
R e s p e c t
by A. deGastyne
One aspect of good character is respect. To me, respect means to treat others and their things the way you and your things would like to be treated. You should respect your teachers. Your teachers are here to help you learn, so you can get a good education, and get a good job so one day when you have a family, you have enough money to raise them. If I talked in class every day and I didn't know a thing they were talking about and they knew it, when they try to help you and correct you and you make a bad face and don't listen to them they are not going to want to help you.
Other things to respect are animals. Animals are living creatures that got put on this earth with us for a reason. If we just are concerned about us and our own needs, there will be hardly any animals left here with us. For example, one time, I saw a bird's nest with eggs in it. My mom told me not to touch them because she knew that if I touched them the birds would die because their mom would never be able to find them again. When my mom wasn't looking, I touched the eggs because I didn't really care for birds. But that one little thing I did, that showed disrespect in every way, would change how long those birds would live.
I would also like to point out to you, to respect our country. Thousands of men fought to keep our country free and people don't stand, put their hand over their heart, or take off their hat while saying the pledge? Whenever I see some one at my school or at foot ball games do these things, I would like to see them try to fight for our country all by themselves. I would like to see them disrespect the flag when all the people who are dead fighting for their freedom not respect the flag because they're too busy or they don't just want to.
As well as all of the things I have said, I think you should respect rules. If you don't respect rules, the next thing you'll know you'll be running in the hall and talking during class. When you run in the hall, you could fall and hurt yourself as well as someone else. This means you're not respecting your self or others. If you're talking in class you're not learning or respecting your teacher because the reason she/he is there, is to help you.
To end my essay, you should respect yourself. For example, if I ate candy for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, I am not respecting my body. I am not letting my body get the fiber, protein, and vitamins it needs to grow. If I stay up all night watching movies, I'm not giving my body the rest it needs to be healthy.
The 10-year-old young lady who wrote this essay, winning prizes for it in her school district and county, is the grand-daughter of the founder of Lindsay House Publishing. The family is truly proud of her accomplishment.
Love Letter
to
M a m o o
I wonder how you felt that day! There you were at age sixty-something, with a bunch of former hippies just barely off of drugs. It was your turn to go down into the tank to be baptized, and you were actually excited! As much as I loved and respected you before, now my feeling for you went over the top!
It's easy to imagine how your friends reacted to the news. After all, you had been the general's lady, and since Dad's last assignment was as much diplomatic as military, you had some social clout. The separation and divorce shocked us all. In the end though, we knew this was for the good. You had realized that you could not go it alone, and you received Christ.
Mamoo's Pancakes
During the years when you were helping me and the children through our family difficulties, you would take the youngsters to your apartment for an overnight adventure. Do you know, dear, after all this time, when I ask them what they remember about you, they say:
"Mamoo made the best pancakes I ever had! Buttermilk pancakes. Yummm! "
Of course they remember other wonderful things about their grandmother, but the pancakes made a powerful impression on their palates, and on their hearts.
In your gentle way you encouraged us all. I had to try really hard not to take you for granted during those years because you excelled in unselfish kindness. Of course you had your own pain, but you never gave it words. Truth to tell, your reputation as our "family angel" was fully earned! Thank you again, dear, for being you!
Miracle of Multiplied Money
Do you remember the time when Paul was a baby and I was scheduled to drive down to Williamsburg (VA) to take Michele to band camp? Arrangements were in place for me and Fed to go on to Virginia Beach, and to appear on television. We were saying goodbye at the door after you arrived to oversee the household in my absence. You asked, "Have you got any money?"
Grinning, I answered, "No, as usual." You handed me forty dollars, saying, "Stretch it as far as you can!" Laughing, I walked away.
Three days later I returned, greeted you, and gave some small gifts to the children. I think I said, "Did I stretch it far enough?"
You looked into my extended hand, and your jaw dropped several inches. Our laughter erupted and spread to the children, though they didn't know the reason for the merriment. When we calmed down, you reached out and took the forty dollars from my hand, put it into your purse, and shook your head at the wonder of it all. From that day, we both had a new view of what love can do!
We Almost Lost You
I remember the fall of 1979. While you were on the phone with a friend one day, you fainted. Your friend called an ambulance, and then called me. Only later did you tell me you hadn't been able to metabolize food for the preceding three weeks. You assumed it was a case of the "tummy flu", and you did not want to alarm me; you were as usual, concerned more for someone other than yourself. The toxins from tobacco smoke, alcohol and prescription medications used to counter asthma, had taken their toll on your body. Your heart, kidneys and lungs were all shutting down.
In the emergency room, the respiratory specialist used the phrase, "congestive heart failure." Your body went into convulsions twice within twenty-four hours, and the doctor was not giving us any hope at all. When each family member received the news, they began to battle for your life. You agreed to fight also, and decided to live.
Through one intervention after another, miracles happened. The hospital superintendent, doctor and dietitians, agreed to allow me to feed you with raw juices when the feeding tube was removed. Your body was then able to heal itself, as the toxins were drawn out.
More Time, More Blessings
We are so thankful for the next eleven years of your presence with us. During that time you courageously fought and almost won your battle over breast cancer. Your therapist called the rapid recovery from a hip replacement surgery, "a miracle."
Through all these things, the sunshine in your heart and soul warmed us all!
You were indeed, our "family angel". I can hardly wait for your welcoming hug when it's time for me to join you!
Tomatoes, Miracles and Mass Migration