Jamestown...and beyond!

Well, today at 3am (EST) was the end of a long journey (I'm thinking 7months) for many people - myself included. It was the end of Phase 2 of "The Jamestown 400 - Our National Treasure Hunt". "Treasure hunt?" You may think, "How silly!" But this treasure hunt (which has been mostly an online journey up to now) has taught me many things - and I am very grateful for the chance I had to participate in it - even if I am not one of the "lucky" 100 people who get to go to Jamestown to search for the REAL buried gold. The treasure hunt started out with a catologue from Vision Forum (www.visionforum.com) full of hidden clues, which led to several "Secret Websites". From there we began to unravel a plot of true dark deeds (Margaret Sanger *shivers*), some "made up" sinister characters (Burr), some of america's earliest mysteries (Roanoake Island)...but most of all, we got to see God's hand in the History of our nation. From John Smith, Elias Boudinot, Virginia Dare, Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, Hitler, and Margaret Sanger (*shivers again*) to The Culper Spy Ring, the Dare Stones, and codes, codes, CODES, God had a plan. I learned lots about encouraging others, and pressing on even when it felt like I was getting nowhere. So many times I felt like quitting - and felt sure I would never make it to the end. It seemed like I was wasting my time, and following the hard path was just too hard. But, thanks to others' encouragement, I pressed on. Encouragement is a powerful thing. I learned that at youth camp at last year, but it helps to be reminded of it often. Encouragement is like the grease on the gears of life - litteraly. Without encouragement, we'd all just run down and come to a standstill. Hebrews 10:24-25 "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." And, often, just when we felt like there was no right answer and that we would never find it - there it was! And we would never have made it had we quit just when we were feeling like nothing we did was turning out right...and had there been no encouragement to press on. It took many hours, aching fingers, bleary eyes, and, towards the end, pounding hearts...but it was worth it. I persevered, and I got to meet some cool people - we helped each-other out, encouraged each-other, and prayed together - who also persevered. We had our own little "Skype Chat" group, and had many humorous moments, as well as serious ones...especially when several of us still had 3 clues left to solve and only a half-hour left in which to solve them. It is a necessity to mention that I knighted and "ladied" all of the participants whom I met...the list and titles follow: Sir Matthew the Wise and Chivalrous, Sir Joshua the (Good and )Fearless, Sir Daniel the Trustworthy Valliant Considerate Adventurer, Lady Melanie the Considerate (Lady Blake), Sir Randy the Jocular, Sir Nathaniel the Compassionate and Prudent Sir Juan the Just, Senora Margarita the Gracias (Lady Margarita the Gracious), Lady Sophia the Gentle [Sir Joshua named me], Lady Melissa the Attentive, Sir Micaiah the Generous Christopher the Honorable, our very finest paige! Here is a rather odd (small) portion of our chat which I copied for your amusement (were were generally more serious than this...but sometimes the stress was too overwhelming and we couldn't help ourselves...oh, and you don't HAVE to read it all...but let me know if you do!!! haha!): Tai Sophia Polczynski says: I was just confirming your status of a knight of the order of Jamestown 400 - "Matthew the Wise" ...we do it all the time at my church - lol! Matthew Thomas says: Ok, thank you! :) Josh Lueken says: ooh...I want tobe knighted! Tai Sophia Polczynski says: You are welcome. Bear your knighthood valiantly! Matthew Thomas says: BTW, the picture of Peter Bradrick and his wife do NOT have any message in the text Daniel Rivera says: I CHALLENGE YOU TO A JOUST!!! Daniel Rivera says: JOSH! Matthew Thomas says: DITTO! Josh will win! Josh Lueken says: how about a sword duel... Josh Lueken says: ;) Josh Lueken says: that's more up my alley Matthew Thomas says: Nope, a bagpipe duel! Tai Sophia Polczynski says: Sir Joshua the Fearless. Josh Lueken says: mmm....I like it Josh Lueken says: thanks Tai Sophia Polczynski says: ^ I knight thee! Tai Sophia Polczynski says: :) Matthew Thomas says: um, maybe you should switch our titles. Tai Sophia Polczynski says: Too late. Sorry. Matthew Thomas says: lol Melanie Thomas says: I think it fits them both well Daniel Rivera says: ALRIGHT, SWORDS IT IS!! Josh Lueken says: I, Sir Joshua the Fearless Challenge you, Daniel the...um....Tai...give him a name Matthew Thomas says: Bagpipes! Daniel Rivera says: {daniel charges and goes flying into the next castle} Matthew Thomas says: A duel with pistoles! Josh Lueken says: no...swords Matthew Thomas says: Ok, Fine! I have a rapier! Josh Lueken says: I have two Josh Lueken says: haha Daniel Rivera says: OH NO!! Tai Sophia Polczynski says: I knight thee Sir Daniel the Adventurous. Matthew Thomas says: I have one rapier, a slingshot and a throwing Boot dagger Daniel Rivera says: AAAHHH!!! Daniel Rivera says: {RUNS FOR DEAR LIFE} Josh Lueken says: you dont want to even get me started on what I'[ve got Matthew Thomas says: I stab Josh in the back and sit on top of him. Josh Lueken says: lol Tai Sophia Polczynski says: I've got the power to tell you to be friends. Matthew Thomas says: Ok we are freinds aint we Josh? ai Sophia Polczynski says: Or lock you up in the dungeon. Matthew Thomas says: Jus like Huck and Tom Melanie Thomas says: that would be nice ;) Tai Sophia Polczynski says: Or order you to be squashed into jelly. Matthew Thomas says: I like jelly! Tai Sophia Polczynski says: OR TAKE AWAY YOUR KNIGHTHOOD! Daniel Rivera says: {trembles in a corner and puts foot in mouth} Tai Sophia Polczynski says: lol Matthew Thomas says: Oh, ok, I'm freinds. Anyway, back to Jamestown... Josh Lueken says: yes Daniel Rivera says: What's a Jamestown? Daniel Rivera says: lol Daniel Rivera says: Ok. Daniel Rivera says: :) Tai Sophia Polczynski says: Jamestown or bust. Matthew Thomas says: It's a town with people named James. Tai Sophia Polczynski says: Who is still working on this last clue? Daniel Rivera says: haha Daniel Rivera says: I am reading it. Matthew Thomas says: Not me! I'm done Tai Sophia Polczynski says: (clap) Melanie Thomas says: Have you got it Tai? Tai Sophia Polczynski says: Um...no. I know it's got to be pretty obvious...but those are the clues I always get stuck on the longest it seems...well - mostly. Daniel Rivera says: haha I know what you mean. Matthew Thomas says: You can do it. Tai Sophia Polczynski says: (sweat) Melanie Thomas says: yeah sometimes it seem like they are just as hard or harder then the ones people say are hard. You can do it though! Josh Lueken says: Lady Sophia of Ganderburg shall overcome all obsticles with Sir Matthew the Wise, and Sir Joshua the Fearless clearing the way Josh Lueken says: along with Danilel....who needs a name btw Daniel Rivera says: ? Daniel Rivera says: Oh, haha! Melanie Thomas says: Daniel the adventerous I thought? Daniel Rivera says: Nice pic, Tai. Josh Lueken says: oh. ok Matthew Thomas says: And Mela****** Matthew Thomas says: Melanie needs a name too! Josh Lueken says: Lady Blake of Cheshire Daniel Rivera says: Good one! Melanie Thomas says: thank you Daniel Rivera says: haha! Tai Sophia Polczynski says: Lady Melanie the Considerate Tai Sophia Polczynski says: unless you like Lady Blake better... Matthew Thomas says: Naaaa Bad name! Tai Sophia Polczynski says: lol Matthew Thomas says: I was just kidding. :) Tai Sophia Polczynski says: Your brother does. Tai Sophia Polczynski says: lol Daniel Rivera says: The Confederate? Daniel Rivera says: Oh, nevermind Melanie Thomas says: thats cool too :) Daniel Rivera says: haha Matthew Thomas says: YES! Confederate! Matthew Thomas says: I like that! Tai Sophia Polczynski says: Matthew the wise...do you need another name? Tai Sophia Polczynski says: ;( Matthew Thomas says: No, I was talking about Melanies name. (wasntme) Tai Sophia Polczynski says: I know. Tai Sophia Polczynski says: That was a THREAT. Matthew Thomas says: Oh! Haha *gulp* well ... Tai Sophia Polczynski says: :| Matthew Thomas says: How's the clue coming Tai and Daniel? Daniel Rivera says: I DID IT! Daniel Rivera says: It was so easy! Matthew Thomas says: Good job! Tai Sophia Polczynski says: Looking for the obvious in not-so-obvious places. You know, Daniel... Melanie Thomas says: Way to go -|- THE END (For Now) ~Lady Tai