On July 16th 1969 Apollo 11 launched from Cap Kennedy. An estimated one million people watched the launch from the nearby beaches and highways. Among those who witnessed the launch was the Chief of Staff of the United States Army, General William Westmorelan, four cabinet members, 19 state governors, 40 mayors, 60 ambassadors, and 200 congressmen. Vice president Spiro Agnew was also present along with former president Lyndon B. Johnson and his wife Lady Bird Johnson. 3,500 media representatives were present, to thirds of which were from the United States, the rest came from 55 other countries. The launch was viewed through live television with an estimated 25 million viewers in the United States alone.

Apollo 11 entered a near-circular Earth orbit at an altitude of 100.4 nautical miles (61,0041 feet) twelve minutes into its flight. After one and a half orbits around the Earth, the S-IVB engine ignited for a second time, launching Apollo 11 into its trajectory.

54 years ago, on July 19th 1969 Apollo 11 passed behind the Moon and engaged its service propulsion engine to enter lunar orbit. Apollo orbited the Moon 30 times, and the crew took close note of the landing site in the southern Sea of Tranquility about twelve miles southwest of the Sabine D crater. The landing site had been chosen mainly because it was relatively flat and smooth as reported by automated Ranger 8, and Surveyor 5 landers. It also lay about 6 miles southeast of the Surveyor 5 landing site, and 42 miles southwest of Ranger 8’s crash site.

On July 20th Edwin E. Aldrin, and Neil A. Armstrong entered the Lunar Module Eagle Apollo 11 built in landing craft, and began their descent onto the Moon.

By Josiah Patrick

Plot Overview:

During the summer of 1793, Mattie Cook lives above the family coffee shop with her widowed mother and grandfather. Mattie spends her days avoiding chores and making plans to turn the family business into the finest Philadelphia has ever seen. But then fever breaks out.

Disease sweeps the street, destroying everything in its path and turning Mattie's world upside down. At her feverish mother's insistence, Mattie flees the city with her grandfather. But she soon discovers that the sickness is everywhere, and Mattie must learn quickly how to survive in a city turned frantic with disease.

Language:

A few insults but nothing bad that I am aware of.

Romance:

A girl named Polly has a crush on the blacksmith’s son.

A spoiled young woman elopes with her tutor much to her mother's dismay.

A few people mention finding a husband for Matilda and someone mentions a dowry.

Matilda likes a young painter named Nathaniel Benson. He gives her flowers and paints her flowers. She kisses him on the cheek towards the end.

Spiritual Elements:

A lady at the market says that the fever is judgment from God and that only those that don’t go to church will get sick.

There is a rumor that three black crows fly out of the mouth of a fever victim who dies in the street.

People pray and read scriptures. People pray over the dead. There is mention of Quakers.

Violence and Gore:

Their cat chases and/or kills mice and squirrels but it’s not descriptive.

Mentions of people coughing up blood, and throwing up.

Robbers break into their house thinking no one is there. Matilda tries to escape but they grab her and threaten her to tell them where the strongbox is. Later the same robbers face off against Matilda's grandfather who uses a gun. The gun goes off, the robber dodges then attacks her grandfather. Matilda grabs the sword one of the robbers dropped and cuts the man's shoulder. By the end of the battle Matilda had been struck once, and her grandfather was strangled to death before her very eyes.

Dead bodies (not discriptive).

Darkness:

None.

Other Negative Elements:

Matilda is rude/sassy to her mother and complains a lot at the beginning. Her mother is harsh towards her as well.

Several people die; a few of which Matilda new personally.

It's hard to find food.

Spoiler:

Matilda has to bury her grandfather after he dies of a bad heart.

By Susanna Patrick

Joshua 1:9

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not he discouraged. for the Lord your God will he with you wherever you go.

We all need encouragement but do we want it? Well to us it is like asking for help and we think that means we can't do anything, like we are helpless. But we aren't helpless, it simply means when we are in tough spots we ask God for help so we can get through them. I hope this verse speaks to you and encourages you.

By Seth Patrick.