HughHarris

Hagia Sophia

The Hagia Sophia (the Holy Wisdom of God) was commissioned by Justinian in 532 & was considered the greatest basilica in the Christian world until it was converted to a Mosque after Mehmet II overthrew Constanople in the 15th century.

November 17, 2011 Posted by hughharrisfca | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Back in Florida

Back in Gainesville, FL to help JoJo (that’s Mom for the uninformed). She’s close to being back to normal & ready to be at home. Going grocery shopping & eating lunch @ the famous “Coffee N Cream” restaurant in Micanopy. Hollywood Harris’ eatery. You can’t beat Aunt Sherry’s Chicken Salad.

October 25, 2011 Posted by hughharrisfca | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Tennessee requires students to take Personal Finance class – finally TN is catching up to what FCA has been doing for years!

FCA has been requiring a personal finance class for our graduating seniors for a number of years. According to this article by David Carroll of WCRB TV the state is just now beginning to require this course for public school students. The state only requires a 9 week course however FCA requires a semester of personal finance and then a semester of economics.

See the story here:

http://www.wrcbtv.com/story/15335267/tennessee-requires-students-to-take-personal-finance-class

Our personal finance class is being taught this year by our new Dean of Students Drew Robison who has a business degree from Rhodes College and utilizes an outstanding curriculum from Dave Ramsey (@DaveRamsey) and the Financial Peace folks. One of the best parts about that course is that Dave Ramsey’s company donated the complete curriculum (videos, textbooks, & workbooks) to FCA. Our students are learning sound financial principles from a Biblical model that makes great business sense.

August 26, 2011 Posted by hughharrisfca | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

School Vouchers & “Save Our Schools” March – Teachers & unions respond to Republican & Obama reform

This last Saturday Washington, D.C. and other locations across the US were marched on by teachers and organizers from teachers unions protesting the education reform that has been taking place around the country as a result of educational systems failing students for years. The recent legislative battles in TN are indicative of a continuing battle to push back teachers unions who have had a death grip on reform and the performance of school systems to innovate and allow teachers to earn pay and salary structure based on results and not years of service or education attainment.

This article from CSM and Amanda Paulson gives a good overview of what has been happening.

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Education/2011/0730/Save-Our-Schools-March-a-teacher-revolt-against-Obama-education-reform

How does this effect private schools? One of the main reforms TN is considering right now is the implementation of vouchers for students to pay for tuition if their current public school is not serving them. This legislation will come back to the TN State legislature this fall for a vote after having been tabled this summer for  “more study.”

August 2, 2011 Posted by hughharrisfca | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Our Last Day, Heading Home.

This morning we did our last hike for our trip. We headed up Sterling Pass just down Oak Creek Canyon from our B & B, The Canyon Wren. It was steep but beautiful. The pass is up a draw that was subjected to the wild-fire in the Sedona area during 2006. Large pines were black & charred but new growth was abundant. The rock formations were beautiful and worth the short but strenuous hike.

Our stay at the Canyon Wren has been exceptional. Mike & Milena have been the perfect hosts. They are great at their job. Great breakfast again of muffins, an egg casserole, fresh fruit, juice, coffee & lively conversations. We hate to leave.

It is very hard to realize that our trip out west has come to an end. We are in Phoenix airport now waiting for our flight & reflecting on the last 2 weeks. Let me just say that my bride Lisa has been incredible. She is a true Canyon Woman. Even though she tweaked her knee in the Narrows of Zion before we headed to the Grand Canyon she still went down the 7 miles, 4,300 ft with a 25lb pack and 120 degrees at the bottom. She is the love of my life and a true companion. This trip would not have been the same or nearly as much fun if we hadn’t been together doing it. This has truly been the trip of a lifetime. We have memories and stories to last a lifetime. If you have never been to AZ & UT – get here.

We are ready to head back to Franklin and the reality of work and home with a new perspective and even more passion for this great life the Father-Creator has given us! Hope you have enjoyed traveling along with us. Stay tuned. More to come!

July 13, 2011 Posted by hughharrisfca | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

The Postmasters Wife – Sedona

Yes that’s right, Sedona, AZ is named after the first Postmasters wife – Sedona Schnelby, T.C.’s wife. There was no postoffice in what was known as Indian Garden or Oak Creek at the time so T.C. applied to the U.S. Postal Service to start a Post Office and the place needed a name and his first two submissions were rejected so on his brothers advise he turned to his wife and asked if she wanted a town named after her. It was said she was a beauty and very hospitable which is very fitting. The Red Rock country holds great beauty!

Yesterday, 7/8 we hiked the West Fork trail in Oak Creek Canyon yesterday about 4.5 miles. The trail follows a stream back up into the canyon.

At sunset we hiked up the Summit trail that overlooks most of Sedona for a beautiful view of a brief storm that often blows through Northern AZ this time of year (they call it their Monsoon season). With some refreshing beverages and some Pepperidge Farm Macadamia Nut cookies we marveled at the beauty of God’s creation from high atop Summit butte.

Today 7/9 we hiked Boynton Canyon trail. Boynton is a box canyon with a trail of 2.8 miles making the round trip 5.6. We hiked at 10:30 am and the day was already beginning to heat up. About half way into the canyon the large pine & oak trees begin to cover the trail & with the summer breezes the hike was cool enough to keep us going. Some claim that Boynton Canyon is one of the key locations for the “New Age Vortexes”. Not to sure about that one. I did recall what was said to Job:

⁴ “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?
Tell me, if you understand.
⁵ Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!
Who stretched a measuring line across it?
⁶ On what were its footings set,
or who laid its cornerstone—
⁷ while the morning stars sang together
and all the angels^[a]shouted for joy?

⁸ “Who shut up the sea behind doors
when it burst forth from the womb,
⁹ when I made the clouds its garment
and wrapped it in thick darkness,
¹⁰ when I fixed limits for it
and set its doors and bars in place,
¹¹ when I said, ‘This far you may come and no farther;
here is where your proud waves halt’?

¹² “Have you ever given orders to the morning,
or shown the dawn its place,
¹³ that it might take the earth by the edges
and shake the wicked out of it?
¹⁴ The earth takes shape like clay under a seal;
its features stand out like those of a garment.
¹⁵ The wicked are denied their light,
and their upraised arm is broken.

¹⁶ “Have you journeyed to the springs of the sea
or walked in the recesses of the deep?
¹⁷ Have the gates of death been shown to you?
Have you seen the gates of the deepest darkness?
¹⁸ Have you comprehended the vast expanses of the earth?
Tell me, if you know all this.

July 10, 2011 Posted by hughharrisfca | Uncategorized | Leave a comment