Toccoa Tuesday: The World's Strongest Man

Hello, Everyone!
It has been awhile since I put a spotlight on the town where my corner of the book world is in: Toccoa, Georgia. With the summer olympics going on right now, I was reminded of the olympic history right here in Toccoa. 

"If I, Paul Anderson, The World's Strongest Man, can not make it through one day without Jesus Christ, how can you?"

Paul Anderson was born on October 17, 1932 in Toccoa, Georgia. When he was a young child, he was diagnosed with a kidney disease, but he healed. Paul grew up in Toccoa and attended high school here. He earned and accepted a football scholarship to Furman University. He left Furman and at nineteen years-old, he was lifting weight equivalent to the world record at the current time. Um, AMAZING.

Paul Anderson was twenty-two years old when he competed in the 1956 Olympics held in Melbourne, Australia. His sport was weightlifting. Paul Anderson won a gold medal in the sport! In 1957, after his olympic victory, Paul was named "World's Strongest Man" when he lifted 6,270 pounds in a back lift setting the Guiness World Record!!!

 Today, visitors enjoy Paul Anderson Park located in Toccoa's downtown area. The park is beautiful with a gorgeous  water fountain (pictured) as well as benches and concrete walkways for visitors to use. The alluring landscape is always matched to the current season. A lovely outdoor atmosphere can be found at Paul Anderson Park. 

Please take a few minutes to learn about the youth home, Paul Anderson Youth Home, that Paul started with his wife soon after he won his Olympic gold medal! When you travel to Toccoa, you will find much more information about Paul Anderson at the Currahee Military Museum as well as our Visitor's Center at the train depot downtown. Paul Anderson's legacy is worth your time and travel!

Believe.

Caitlin A.

Today's Battle: Brain vs. Heart

Hello, everyone.

My heart is heavy and my mind is racing as I come to touch base with you all. As you probably know, we were all cruelly reminded of the horrors that this world is capable of as terror rained on France this past weekend.

November 13, 2015

I had been babysitting my nephews all day and doing a little bit of online work when I came across the BREAKING NEWS on Twitter. I did not believe the tweets at first and went onto the news outlets to confirm the online comments. My heart sank and I began to pay attention to my surroundings. My local bearings. I was waiting to find out if my country was next. I was on my way home from dropping my nephews off back to their parents when the news broke about the hostages becoming fatalities. My heart froze. I joined my family, friends, and fellow American citizens in prayer and continuous thoughts for France. I even changed my personal Facebook profile photo to that temporary French flag shadowed photo in unity against hate and for life. Fast forward a couple of days to today. Hundreds of foreign people have come to America seeking refuge from their countries. Many U.S. government officials fight to keep these foreigners out. I find myself uncertain about this nation-wide issue. I see the pros and cons of being an American citizen fighting to keep my country safe and of being a foreigner wanting a better, safer life for themselves. It boils down to a battle of the heart and the brain.

The Brain

The brain has so many red flags flying over this issue. There are many questions being asked. Why must we help the foreign countries' homeless when we can't even figure out a way to help the homeless that live on the streets of our own neighborhoods? Why should we invite refugees in to our country and open ourselves up to more possible terrorism? The refugees are fleeing from countries full of terror cells. How do we, as private citizens, know the difference between the peaceful ones from the hateful ones? Do we need to know....

The Heart

...or do we trust our domestic security forces? I know Jesus Christ died for me and he took my sins with Him as He died on the cross. So, why should I support government officials denying refuge to foreign refugees seeking safety from their war torn homes? Should I not be supportive of those giving hope and shelter to the foreigners? Is it not my duty as a Christian to see this as an opportunity to share Christ's love with these people? Actions speak louder than words. We will all be judged on our actions here on earth, this temporary home. Do you put the barricades up; or do you keep your head on a swivel and stay alert as you interact with any foreigners, alerting authorities of all suspicions?

God gave us a brain and a heart for a reason. Use both of them to face today's battles.

My continued prayers are with France.

My continued prayers are with America.

- Caitlin