In college, it would ruin my day..sometimes my week, to find out yet another of my Christian friends had lost their virginity. After 4 years, you think I'd have gotten used to it, but I didn't. I was just disappointed. I didn't love them any less or anything, just I wanted to know someone else, somewhere, held the conviction that I did on the subject, and would become deeply sad that they did not have this special gift saved for their spouse. (And yes, it was one of the reasons I was so attracted to my now husband!)
Today, I feel the same disappointment when I find out dear Christian friends past or present are getting a divorce. I feel deeply sad for them..deeply sad that some sin was too great to forgive or forget...that they would rather be alone.
Over this past weekend, we became reacquainted with some old friends. They are the same age as dh and I and have been married about as along as we have been married and have endured some daunting struggles...struggles that most marriages would not survive. Dh and I have struggled with broken churches and many moves and many pregnancies (meaning pregnancy...shall we say...moodiness?) This couple struggles with medical issues and run-ins with the law that they will have to pay the consequences for for the remainder of their days and all of this on top of severely limited financial means. Amidst their troubles they have raised a good son, who is going to college even though his mom and dad did not.
In the eyes of the world, this couple has next to nothing..and what they have is someone else's leftovers. And yet, I look at this couple and marvel that they have more than most. They love each other and depend on each other for everything. He cares for her medical needs..she makes sure he gets the help he needs so that he can remain a good husband and father. She made darn sure her boy learned to read and kept up with his school work so he could go to college and make a better life for himself....all the while going to church when they could scrape up gas money. A true sacrifice for them.
My life is infinitely easier than the life they have to lead. The same God who takes care of them, has taken care of our family as well, for it is by the grace of God my dh hasn't said "Enough!" to the crazy I bring :) to our marriage.
I do know the anger and rage others have toward their spouses..I have felt that, more than I'd like to admit. It is embarrassing to me. I know the frustration of always having to listen to someone go on and on about something I have either heard before or don't care one lick about. (I assure you so does my dh!) But...to be alone. I think it would be nice and peaceful to always be able to do everything MY way..boy I think I would like that..but to be alone. Holy cow, my dh and I are both very, very stubborn and do not see eye to eye on many things and have had to just agree to disagree (I am not big on that solution, I want to be right once in a while!!) I cannot imagine not having someone here to hug me when I am afraid or listen to my rants and love me anyway..or to be alone when I am old....who could finish my sentences for me or give me that knowing look of complete understanding without words. (And Lord knows I love when my dh flirts with me!)
The kids ask me why divorce happens and I say "life happens" There are many many things that happen that contribute....but I wonder which ones couldn't be fixed by forgiveness?
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Special Needs
Over the years, we have been asked if our churches catered to "special needs" children. This question has always bothered me, but I have never been able to pinpoint why. I have recently been thinking about it again because it is being discussed on one of our email lists.
I do not have a child with any sort of handicap, unless you consider screaming or stubbornness a handicap ;) (I assure you some days they really are)
People have asked if we have special accommodations for Sunday School or special kid-only worship. Please forgive my ignorance, but in our smallest Sunday School, we had all ages of kids together for that time. Yes, we had toddlers and junior high kids together. It wasn't horrible...to me, a homeschool mom, it just seemed like family time. Did the older kids have to help? Yes. Is that a bad thing? Is that wasting their time? learning to help with small children? Some churches spend heaploads of money sending that age kid on a servant event to some other land with poor kids. Well, helping little people learn about Jesus is no less important, but is sure is alot less "pretty and shiny"...a more ordinary type of service. Aren't so many acts of service of the ordinary sort??? But I digress. ALL of the kids learned something those few years, not just the little guys. Hymns, catechism, church year, Bible Stories all point to Jesus..you get the idea.
I have learned from other homeschoolers' experiences that kids who have special needs need their parents to be their advocates. The parents make sure that child is getting the developmentally age appropriate services through the school or medical services through their health care provider that will best serve their child. Because of this, I understand why these parents come to us with the questions that they do.
But I have figured out why the questions bother me. In the church, all of us - young , old, crippled, whole, blind, deaf, autistic, Down's sydrome - all of us are disabled. We are ALL crippled by sin. Period. The Church has one purpose and one purpose only - to forgive our sins. We are all on the same footing at the feet of a Holy God...unworthy of His kindness. We are all unworthy of His favor. In the world we want our differences to be accommodated, but in the Church we are all the same.
In the Divine Service, we are repeatedly reminded of our sinfulness and inability to please God by our actions. We then are blessed to be reminded each and every Service of God's unwavering Grace and Love toward us through the person of Jesus Christ. We get to hear His Loving Words...we get to see His hand physically wash the sins away from someone...we get to taste His body and Blood for our forgiveness. God knows how we need all five senses to learn and remember...shoot! He created us! He gives us music to teach us about what He has done for us. He gives us Pastors to be His voice and other parishoners to wrap their loving arms around us when we struggle and rejoice with us when we rejoice.
I will not care if the Sunday School teacher for my child has read the books about Down's or Autism. If my child needs me to sit in his class with him...as I have for all of the babies/toddlers even 5 year olds...I will do it. If classroomtime is too difficult, we will continue to read Bible Stories at home like we always have. I understand completely how wearying it must be, but aren't something just better if they are just simplified?
I am particularly reminded of a man in our first church who was the same age as me. He had Down's syndrome and lived with his mom and dad. He came to church every Sunday. He sang along with the liturgy and could say the Lord's Prayer...he even came to the communion rail, but just for a blessing. My husband and I were shocked that he didn't receive communion. When asked about it, his dad said that Johnny didn't understand. My husband talked to Johnny at length. Do you know what Johnny knew? That he did bad things every day. That Jesus loved him. That Jesus came to him in that bread and in that cup to take those bad sins away...and that he would get to go to heaven someday. That is what he knew from 30 years of going to church and Sunday School! My husband asked the dad if he could confess it any better...do any of us know how God does this? There are many fat books in all sorts of languages that discuss these very things and yet, all we really know is what God says...what Johnny confessed that day. After that, Johnny was welcomed to the Altar. "Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins." He was very, very excited!
One Thing Needful....and it is FREE.
Monday, December 22, 2008
O Come Little Children
When I was a child, the congregation sang this hymn as all of the children processed into the sanctuary for the Christmas Pageant. It makes me cry to hear that hymn. I found out yesterday that my dear husband's congregation shared the same tradition, except they sang the first stanza in German!
Because we do the traditional Bible Story as our pageant each year, we do try to add something "new" each year for a LITTLE variety. (Let my Lutheran readers understand!! LOL) This year it was the Latin for O Come All Ye Faithful, sign language for the first stanza of Silent Night and second stanzas.(the congregation sings all of the stanzas) Next year, it will be this hymn.
Because we do the traditional Bible Story as our pageant each year, we do try to add something "new" each year for a LITTLE variety. (Let my Lutheran readers understand!! LOL) This year it was the Latin for O Come All Ye Faithful, sign language for the first stanza of Silent Night and second stanzas.(the congregation sings all of the stanzas) Next year, it will be this hymn.
Christmas play
This is a nice picture of Our Redeemer on the inside. It is a beautiful sanctuary.
We had our annual Christmas Pageant at Our Redeemer last evening. Since we've arrived, we've returned to reading the the story straight from the Scriptures and singing the appropriate hymns. The kids sang the first two stanzas of each hymn this time. They also sang the first stanza of O Come All Ye Faithful in Latin and signed the first stanza of Silent Night.
The highlight for me personally was the fact that dear 5 year old son participated. He somehow got the idea that the only way he'd get a candy bag was if he stood up there and sang. We never said that, but somehow that is what his brain heard...hey, I didn't clear it up for him either! He even decided at practice yesterday morning that he WOULD be King Herod! We'd suggested it weeks ago, but he would have none of it, so we dropped it. OK so then he surprised us even further and wore a costume! He had told us he would not...we said that would be fine, but wh en he saw the other kids getting dressed he asked for his costume. The girls and I had a h ard time containing ourselves..we were so proud of him! But..we knew if we gushed, that might be the end of that, and he might not participate at all.
Here are dear 13 year old son (played Gabriel), 9 year old (Joseph) and the 11 year old (Shepherd/WiseMan) and 5 year old (Herod)in front.
Three year old dear son's participation ended up being running down from the where the kids were singing, hands down the front of his pants, saying he had to go pee. Oh well. At least he didn't pee his pants!
This is the beautiful chrismon tree we set up each year. There are so many fragile, handmade ornaments! This year, a dear member donated the gorgeous three dimensional star .
I pray that your Christmas Celebration reminds you of the best gift of all..Jesus, the Christ...given for your Salvation!
Sing along!
We had our annual Christmas Pageant at Our Redeemer last evening. Since we've arrived, we've returned to reading the the story straight from the Scriptures and singing the appropriate hymns. The kids sang the first two stanzas of each hymn this time. They also sang the first stanza of O Come All Ye Faithful in Latin and signed the first stanza of Silent Night.
The highlight for me personally was the fact that dear 5 year old son participated. He somehow got the idea that the only way he'd get a candy bag was if he stood up there and sang. We never said that, but somehow that is what his brain heard...hey, I didn't clear it up for him either! He even decided at practice yesterday morning that he WOULD be King Herod!
Here are dear 13 year old son (played Gabriel), 9 year old (Joseph) and the 11 year old (Shepherd/WiseMan) and 5 year old (Herod)in front.
This is the beautiful chrismon tree we set up each year. There are so many fragile, handmade ornaments!
I pray that your Christmas Celebration reminds you of the best gift of all..Jesus, the Christ...given for your Salvation!
Sing along!
"From Heaven Above to Earth I Come"
by Martin Luther, 1483-1546
Text From:
THE LUTHERAN HYMNAL
(St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1941)
1. "From heaven above to earth I come
To bear good news to every home;
Glad tidings of great joy I bring,
Whereof I now will say and sing:
2. "To you this night is born a child
Of Mary, chosen virgin mild;
This little child, of lowly birth,
Shall be the joy of all the earth.
3. "This is the Christ, our God and Lord,
Who in all need shall aid afford;
He will Himself your Savior be
From all your sins to set you free.
4. "He will on you the gifts bestow
Prepared by God for all below,
That in His kingdom, bright and fair,
You may with us His glory share.
5. "These are the tokens ye shall mark:
The swaddling-clothes and manger dark;
There ye shall find the Infant laid
By whom the heavens and earth were made."
6. Now let us all with gladsome cheer
Go with the shepherds and draw near
To see the precious gift of God,
Who hath His own dear Son bestowed.
7. Give heed, my heart, lift up thine eyes!
What is it in yon manger lies?
Who is this child, so young and fair?
The blessed Christ-child lieth there.
8. Welcome to earth, Thou noble Guest,
Through whom the sinful world is blest!
Thou com'st to share my misery;
What thanks shall I return to Thee?
9. Ah, Lord, who hast created all,
How weak art Thou, how poor and small,
That Thou dost choose Thine infant bed
Where humble cattle lately fed!
10. Were earth a thousand times as fair,
Beset with gold and jewels rare,
It yet were far too poor to be
A narrow cradle, Lord, for Thee.
11. For velvets soft and silken stuff
Thou hast but hay and straw so rough,
Whereon Thou, King, so rich and great,
As 'twere Thy heaven, art throned in state.
12. And thus, dear Lord, it pleaseth Thee
To make this truth quite plain to me,
That all the world's wealth, honor, might,
Are naught and worthless in Thy sight.
13. Ah, dearest Jesus, holy Child,
Make Thee a bed, soft, undefiled,
Within my heart, that it may be
A quiet chamber kept for Thee.
14. My heart for very joy doth leap,
My lips no more can silence keep;
I, too, must sing with joyful tongue
That sweetest ancient cradle-song:
15. Glory to God in highest heaven,
Who unto us His Son hath given!
While angels sing with pious mirth
A glad new year to all the earth.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Mary Cariola School
I have a niece, same age as my littlest girlie (7), who was born with a rare genetic deletion. She is a very bright, social girlie who has been at this school for about a year and a half. When she started there, she could not walk and now she can with the help of her very pretty green and pink walker. She has even begun to speak for the first time, learning to say "hi!" to her friends and family! These are just a few of the milestones she has reached because of the dedicated, loving and caring staff at this amazing school.
As I spend too many minutes worrying whether or not our new baby will have chromosomal challenges, I remind myself of all of the help there is available to parents of kids with special needs and that God knows those needs already and will find a way to help us meet those needs just as He has with our other kids.
It is our joy to support Ella's school in honor of her grandpa Jerry, a retired, special ed (BOCES) teacher in the NY State schools. I wish we could physically do more to help Ella and her family, but proximity being an issue, NC and upstate NY not being exactly close, monetary gifts to her school will have to do.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Update
In case you were wondering, I am greatly rejoicing that morning/all-day sickness has passed. It took a few weeks longer this time and was complicated by various virii that went through the house, but it is gone.
Also, God provided more maternity clothes to replace the one I gave away. Thank you church friend and freecycle lady!
(Everyone should join the online community freecycle.org ! It is great! It is a place where you can offer your "trash" and someone can happily claim it as their treasure! I've gotten rid of an old broken,sewing machine, homeschooling books, clothes, old broken furniture, an old awning we took off our house...I've received a HUGE bin of cake decorating items, clothes galore, homeschooling stuff, paint, computer hard drive, dvd player, toys. It is to keep things out of the landfill. I cannot believe that I've been able to get rid of ..stuff that was really junk to me...clogging up our closets and floors.)
Also, God provided more maternity clothes to replace the one I gave away. Thank you church friend and freecycle lady!
(Everyone should join the online community freecycle.org ! It is great! It is a place where you can offer your "trash" and someone can happily claim it as their treasure! I've gotten rid of an old broken,sewing machine, homeschooling books, clothes, old broken furniture, an old awning we took off our house...I've received a HUGE bin of cake decorating items, clothes galore, homeschooling stuff, paint, computer hard drive, dvd player, toys. It is to keep things out of the landfill. I cannot believe that I've been able to get rid of ..stuff that was really junk to me...clogging up our closets and floors.)
Commercial Message
As I got one kid to unload the dishwasher, I got the 5 year old to mixing up the batch of brownies I'd promised to make with him.
Rats..my favorite 9x13 pan still had to go into the dishwasher from Friday night's apple crisp. hmmm I must have another pan....oh here is another 9x13!..oh. It is one of my grandmother's pans, filled with RUST. Oh! That's ok, I have foil. Ok line the pan. I usually grease the pan with margarine..but dh got me some spray stuff for free with triple coupons the other day, let's try that. Wow, that was easy! ok.
Mix up the brownies, bake, eat lunch, don't let the brownies overcook...set on the stove to find a rack to cool them on, get distracted cause 14 year old is watching "What Not to Wear" without me!
Return 30 minutes later..see oven still on and uh oh I set the brownies on the back burner through which the oven heat pours..oh no! I am sure the bottom of the pan is burnt through and the brownies with it!
I grab the pan tip it over to look at the bottom..whew! Not burnt at all..WHAT? The brownies flop out onto the stove and the floor! ACK! My brownies have never slipped out of a pan..ever..never ever! Why on earth did they do that??? Oh. The non-stick spray...Baker's Joy. Imagine that. Should I call the company?
The brownies still tasted awesome. We even saved some for dd#2.
Rats..my favorite 9x13 pan still had to go into the dishwasher from Friday night's apple crisp. hmmm I must have another pan....oh here is another 9x13!..oh. It is one of my grandmother's pans, filled with RUST. Oh! That's ok, I have foil. Ok line the pan. I usually grease the pan with margarine..but dh got me some spray stuff for free with triple coupons the other day, let's try that. Wow, that was easy! ok.
Mix up the brownies, bake, eat lunch, don't let the brownies overcook...set on the stove to find a rack to cool them on, get distracted cause 14 year old is watching "What Not to Wear" without me!
Return 30 minutes later..see oven still on and uh oh I set the brownies on the back burner through which the oven heat pours..oh no! I am sure the bottom of the pan is burnt through and the brownies with it!
I grab the pan tip it over to look at the bottom..whew! Not burnt at all..WHAT? The brownies flop out onto the stove and the floor! ACK! My brownies have never slipped out of a pan..ever..never ever! Why on earth did they do that??? Oh. The non-stick spray...Baker's Joy. Imagine that. Should I call the company?
The brownies still tasted awesome. We even saved some for dd#2.
Marriage 1
I have been stewing about this for a few days now. A few couples from our church are in the process of ending their marriages and it is very upsetting to me, such nice people who actually do love each other, letting go of the treasure God gave. I am so sad for them.
So now, I feel compelled to dump, I mean share my beliefs about what marriage is like and what it is NOT like and the responsibilities involved.
First let me say I have been married to my dh for twenty years. I met him in college when he was a mere 18 and I was 20 and I knew almost immediately that he was "The One." We did wait until we both finsihed our undergrad degrees before we married though.
So young we were!!!!! Holy cow, if my now 18 year old daughter would come to me and said she'd met "The One," I'd be so excited and counting the grandchildren!!!!! NOT. I would be happy for her and say..."I can't wait to meet him!" and then just see how things went. We do know other happily married couples who'd even married at 18 or 19 and are still married, so I believe that age is not THE determining factor in marital success.
I disagree that couples need to have alot in common. Dh and I often joked, even back then, that we had nothing in common except God and pizza and that is pretty much still true....God gave us more than a few somethings (soon to be 10) in common over the years and I think I like that best ! We are pretty much opposite in everything. He likes sports and camping and is direct. I like theatre and music and artsy things and tend to be more random/chaotic in my thinking. He can remember anything he reads and most everything he hears...me? not so much...unless it has made an deeply emotional imprint. He loves spontaneous and I do NOT ( though I have learned it has benefits). He is very logical and I am emotional. Ok so you get the picture. I think this is by God's design because the two become one and complete each other...we balance each other, we are able to bear each other's weaknesses pretty nicely...when we look at it that way! But there are days when that is very, very challenging.
Please understand this is 24 years experience talking. It hasn't always been pretty!
I guess what I want to do is put down on paper (out in cyberspace) The things I pray that my kids know, what I wish all young, struggling married folks would know about this amazing gift God gives called marriage.
I am not going to start with "The wife submitting" though :)
I have said this to my kids so many times that I hope they have caught the point by now. Living with another person is not always fun. We live in a houseful of 11 people. We all love each other and care for each other deeply. That said, each one of us has wanted to (or actually) run out of the house to scream and yell about how frustrating one or another of those dear people can be! Amongst sublings there have been punches thrown, slaps and screams heard, ugly words launched. Forgiveness prevails in the end and after a time, the "lovely" feelings return. While we love each other, the FEELING of love isn't always present. Sometimes, there are feelings of annoyance, loathing even hate. Doesn't mean you are not sisters or brothers anymore or spouses anymore! Means you are HUMAN..a SINNER. Somebody is not getting their way or worse yet, told they are wrong and this is what happens. It happens to everyone. It is normal. What matters is that someone humbles themself enough to see thier OWN sin and apologize for it and get forgiveness. NO finger pointing. "But YOU did blah-bity blah blah blah" also not allowed. The sin of another NEVER gives you permission or justification for sinning too. No name calling.
All of the rules in childhood especially apply to a marriage!
I think these pictures from last Easter sum it up pretty well:
Real life, most days anyway and what we wish real life was more like:
I really have a huge sinkfull of pots and pans to wash and I promised to bake brownies, cookie bars and banana bread today so that will have to be my stopping point for today.
So now, I feel compelled to dump, I mean share my beliefs about what marriage is like and what it is NOT like and the responsibilities involved.
First let me say I have been married to my dh for twenty years. I met him in college when he was a mere 18 and I was 20 and I knew almost immediately that he was "The One." We did wait until we both finsihed our undergrad degrees before we married though.
So young we were!!!!! Holy cow, if my now 18 year old daughter would come to me and said she'd met "The One," I'd be so excited and counting the grandchildren!!!!! NOT. I would be happy for her and say..."I can't wait to meet him!" and then just see how things went. We do know other happily married couples who'd even married at 18 or 19 and are still married, so I believe that age is not THE determining factor in marital success.
I disagree that couples need to have alot in common. Dh and I often joked, even back then, that we had nothing in common except God and pizza and that is pretty much still true....God gave us more than a few somethings (soon to be 10) in common over the years and I think I like that best ! We are pretty much opposite in everything. He likes sports and camping and is direct. I like theatre and music and artsy things and tend to be more random/chaotic in my thinking. He can remember anything he reads and most everything he hears...me? not so much...unless it has made an deeply emotional imprint. He loves spontaneous and I do NOT ( though I have learned it has benefits). He is very logical and I am emotional. Ok so you get the picture. I think this is by God's design because the two become one and complete each other...we balance each other, we are able to bear each other's weaknesses pretty nicely...when we look at it that way! But there are days when that is very, very challenging.
Please understand this is 24 years experience talking. It hasn't always been pretty!
I guess what I want to do is put down on paper (out in cyberspace) The things I pray that my kids know, what I wish all young, struggling married folks would know about this amazing gift God gives called marriage.
I am not going to start with "The wife submitting" though :)
I have said this to my kids so many times that I hope they have caught the point by now. Living with another person is not always fun. We live in a houseful of 11 people. We all love each other and care for each other deeply. That said, each one of us has wanted to (or actually) run out of the house to scream and yell about how frustrating one or another of those dear people can be! Amongst sublings there have been punches thrown, slaps and screams heard, ugly words launched. Forgiveness prevails in the end and after a time, the "lovely" feelings return. While we love each other, the FEELING of love isn't always present. Sometimes, there are feelings of annoyance, loathing even hate. Doesn't mean you are not sisters or brothers anymore or spouses anymore! Means you are HUMAN..a SINNER. Somebody is not getting their way or worse yet, told they are wrong and this is what happens. It happens to everyone. It is normal. What matters is that someone humbles themself enough to see thier OWN sin and apologize for it and get forgiveness. NO finger pointing. "But YOU did blah-bity blah blah blah" also not allowed. The sin of another NEVER gives you permission or justification for sinning too. No name calling.
All of the rules in childhood especially apply to a marriage!
I think these pictures from last Easter sum it up pretty well:
Real life, most days anyway and what we wish real life was more like:
I really have a huge sinkfull of pots and pans to wash and I promised to bake brownies, cookie bars and banana bread today so that will have to be my stopping point for today.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Nothing beats computertime...
Five year old dear son made a proclamation yesterday.
"MOM! I could live without my computertime."
"You could? How?"
"Duplos, Mom. They are just as fun as computertime."
This dear son got banned from computertime for a week....so I am glad to know he will, indeed we ALL will, live.
"MOM! I could live without my computertime."
"You could? How?"
"Duplos, Mom. They are just as fun as computertime."
This dear son got banned from computertime for a week....so I am glad to know he will, indeed we ALL will, live.
Blogs
I found a new blog today...The Concordian Sisters of Perpetual Parturition.
Perpetual Parturition? Forever birthing babies. (Yes, I had to look up "parturition" in the dictionary...)
Good for me? Yes, good for me. I am pretty sure they share my confession as well!
There is also a post from a pastor/father of soon-to-be 10 that I read today that made my day. While we have never met, my dd (child #3) and his ds (also child #3) are good friends and have arranged for our families to meet and become friends before or after SOLA next July. It is always a blessing to find that others share your same concerns/struggles/blessings..and I am looking forward to the day when we can all meet in person...hopefully before Heaven.
Perpetual Parturition? Forever birthing babies. (Yes, I had to look up "parturition" in the dictionary...)
Good for me? Yes, good for me. I am pretty sure they share my confession as well!
There is also a post from a pastor/father of soon-to-be 10 that I read today that made my day. While we have never met, my dd (child #3) and his ds (also child #3) are good friends and have arranged for our families to meet and become friends before or after SOLA next July. It is always a blessing to find that others share your same concerns/struggles/blessings..and I am looking forward to the day when we can all meet in person...hopefully before Heaven.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Preparations
Being the last Sunday in the church year, it is time to prepare for the celebration of Advent. Click here for a link to a downloadable Advent devotion book from Higher Things.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
A Few More Firsts
Well, dd#3 is officially on her way to Texas!
It is her first time away from home without family members. It is her first time flying and her first time visiting the (supposedly) most awesome state in the Union.
This is the daughter who would not leave my side until she was about 5. This is the daughter who would give folks dirty looks if they spoke to her when she didn't want them to. She has really grown up. She was very nervous to make this trip, but insisted I make her go so she could face her fear and have no regrets.
I am proud of her and KNOW she will have a BLAST!!!
Monday, November 3, 2008
Tomorrow
I cannot wait until the election is over. No more tv, radio and newspaper ads, no more phone calls to interrupt my day and no more hype. There will be actual NEWS on the 24 hour news networks!
We will have our traditional election day party complete with the coloring-in of the states as they are called for R/red or D/blue with the adjoining electoral vote tally.
In our county 48% of the registered voters have already voted! We will vote tomorrow...and pray that we can accept God's will for our nation.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
FINALLY! I mean finally I get to tell....
I have been waiting to share the official news....#10 Drosen-baby is in production! See? A whopping 17 millimeters.
Estimated date of arrival is around June 10, 2009...yes I will be 45...just like my maternal grandma was when she had her last and perfectly healthy baby.
The family tradition continued that all of the children received the announcement together. There was much rejoicing! I am glad because the intellectual side of me really wants to be scared. I worked up some anxiety after talking to the Drs the last time and in the end, I shouldn't have wasted my time. I KNOW how God blesses me this way. I'm just gonna "let Him do His thing" and pray that morning/all day sickness passes soon.
Since I have no tangible reason to fret, I won't. I will have a "special" ultrasound at 16 weeks and if they see anything worrisome at that time, we can change our plans of where to deliver accordingly.
I feel so much better after hearing the strong, fast heartbeat! Rejoice with us..and please pray for our health and safety.
Estimated date of arrival is around June 10, 2009...yes I will be 45...just like my maternal grandma was when she had her last and perfectly healthy baby.
The family tradition continued that all of the children received the announcement together. There was much rejoicing! I am glad because the intellectual side of me really wants to be scared. I worked up some anxiety after talking to the Drs the last time and in the end, I shouldn't have wasted my time. I KNOW how God blesses me this way. I'm just gonna "let Him do His thing" and pray that morning/all day sickness passes soon.
Since I have no tangible reason to fret, I won't. I will have a "special" ultrasound at 16 weeks and if they see anything worrisome at that time, we can change our plans of where to deliver accordingly.
I feel so much better after hearing the strong, fast heartbeat! Rejoice with us..and please pray for our health and safety.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Reformation
I love Reformation Sunday. I love everything about it. I love the music..the hymns. I love the lessons. I love the message. I love knowing that Luther shared my despair about not being able to live up to the expectations God has for me. I love that he wasn't a holy man. He was a learned man...he had a wife (boy, she must have been a saint) and six children. He didn't want to do or decide or set out to do what God laid out for him..he was compelled. He could not hold his tongue. It was not something he planned for.
Luther HAD to tell those whom he shepherded that God was not pleased with them BUT that God Himself solved the problem for us! He sent Christ to pay the price for our sin and give us the gift of His holiness! We are worthy now of heaven..not because we followed the rules, or were a good person or lived a good life..because at all of these things we have failed on more than one occasion. We get to go to heaven because Jesus bought our place for us!! Hooray!
Now ..shall I quote A Mighty Fortress or Salvation Unto Us Has Come????
A Mighty Fortress it is...now Sing Along!
1. A mighty Fortress is our God, A trusty Shield and Weapon;
He helps us free from every need that hath us now o'ertaken.
The old evil Foe now means deadly woe;
Deep guile and great might Are his dread arms in fight;
On Earth is not his equal.
2. With might of ours can naught be done, Soon were our loss effected;
But for us fights the Valiant One, Whom God Himself elected.
Ask ye, Who is this? Jesus Christ it is.
Of Sabaoth Lord, And there's none other God;
He holds the field forever.
3. Though devils all the world should fill, All eager to devour us.
We tremble not, we fear no ill, They shall not overpower us.
This world's prince may still Scowl fierce as he will,
He can harm us none, He's judged; the deed is done;
One little word can fell him.
4. The Word they still shall let remain Nor any thanks have for it;
He's by our side upon the plain With His good gifts and Spirit.
And take they our life, Goods, fame, child and wife,
Let these all be gone, They yet have nothing won;
The Kingdom our remaineth.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Is this what Martin Luther King Jr. was fighting for?
From what I understand, when Barak Obama talks about "saving" us from the economic peril which is about to befall us, he is saying that all of us deserve to have a piece of the pie that the wealthy have worked to bake..much like the friends of the Little Red Hen. However, unlike Mr. Obama, even small children see the point of The Little Red Hen and think she is wise to have taught her friends such a lesson. In the Left-hand Kingdom, redistributing the wealth to those who have not worked for it is wrong.
On Fox News last night, I heard that there are those who believe that "Socialism" is a codeword for Black!
Are you kidding me????
Barak Obama could be a lily white descendant of George Washington himself and I'd still think he was a socialist!
Martin Luther King, Jr. and others fought for equal rights for people of color. I think that was a fine, just cause, but was this what he had in mind for those people?
Here is the article.
Redistributing the wealth is socialism. The Government taking your money and deciding how to spend it for you is socialism. In this country, if I try to take over my parents' financial affairs without their permission is stealing! Why then is the government allowed to do it???
Thus ends today's political rant.
On Fox News last night, I heard that there are those who believe that "Socialism" is a codeword for Black!
Are you kidding me????
Barak Obama could be a lily white descendant of George Washington himself and I'd still think he was a socialist!
Martin Luther King, Jr. and others fought for equal rights for people of color. I think that was a fine, just cause, but was this what he had in mind for those people?
Here is the article.
Redistributing the wealth is socialism. The Government taking your money and deciding how to spend it for you is socialism. In this country, if I try to take over my parents' financial affairs without their permission is stealing! Why then is the government allowed to do it???
Thus ends today's political rant.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Abortion
Here is an article my friend, Angie, told me about.
If you didn't already know, on a scale of the most evil things in this world, I think that abortion (especially late term) ranks up there with rape and child molestation. While all of these sins are indeed forgivable by our gracious heavenly Father, I have a hard time with it myself...in fact I would find it 1000x easier to forgive a mom who had an abortion than the "Dr" who performed it.
I feel a huge rant coming on so I'll stop while I am ahead.
If you didn't already know, on a scale of the most evil things in this world, I think that abortion (especially late term) ranks up there with rape and child molestation. While all of these sins are indeed forgivable by our gracious heavenly Father, I have a hard time with it myself...in fact I would find it 1000x easier to forgive a mom who had an abortion than the "Dr" who performed it.
I feel a huge rant coming on so I'll stop while I am ahead.
Milk
Several years back, when Winn Dixie was still in NC, we had a great thing going. The dairy department guy would save expiring items for dh and we'd get milk for $1 a gallon and cheese for a song. Yogurt and biscuits and sometimes even eggs were included. When Winn Dixie closed our grocery budget took a big hit. Dear husband asked at several other grocery stores about their policy and the stores HAD to throw away items that had reached their expiration date even though if you bought them they still have a shelf life of at least a week..longer if frozen. They HAD to because they got some kind of credit with their distributor that was worth more to them than selling it "mark-down."
Yesterday, dh was picking up 6 gallons of "mark-down" chocolate milk at Sav-A-Lot. The dairy dept. manager saw him and asked how he was going to drink all that milk. Dh explained that we have 9 kids and it would be gone within the week. The manager's face lit up and asked if he often bought mark down milk..even on its expiration date.. and dh explained that we buy it whenever we find it and if we can't drink it within a week, we freeze it. The manager said that he'd save milk for us and sell it to us for $.99 a gallon!!!! Normal price here is between $3.69-$3.99 a gallon! Woo hoo! Thank you God for Mr. Sav-A-Lot dairy department manager! We easily drink a gallon a day, more if we have chocolate milk to add in.
Yesterday, dh was picking up 6 gallons of "mark-down" chocolate milk at Sav-A-Lot. The dairy dept. manager saw him and asked how he was going to drink all that milk. Dh explained that we have 9 kids and it would be gone within the week. The manager's face lit up and asked if he often bought mark down milk..even on its expiration date.. and dh explained that we buy it whenever we find it and if we can't drink it within a week, we freeze it. The manager said that he'd save milk for us and sell it to us for $.99 a gallon!!!! Normal price here is between $3.69-$3.99 a gallon! Woo hoo! Thank you God for Mr. Sav-A-Lot dairy department manager! We easily drink a gallon a day, more if we have chocolate milk to add in.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Choices
I like shopping in a store called Sav-A-Lot. It is much like Aldi in that they are cheap and your choices are limited to their brand. I can fill a cart and be back to the van in about 20 minutes. At WalMart, that is how long I wait in line!
I LIKE not having so many choices. Does that sound silly? Having a choice between 5 different brands and 4 different sizes of spaghetti sauce means I have to read the labels to make sure I am making the healthiest choice and use my calculator to make sure it is also the cheapest per ounce..and then, if the cheapest is not the most healthy, I must stand there and weigh cost vs nutritional value. Oh no! I have coupons! Now I have to determine if it is cheaper to use this coupon here or wait and use it up north 25 miles where they triple...Ugh. Can't do any of that with kids along or early in the am when my brain is not yet awake.
I LIKE not having so many choices. Does that sound silly? Having a choice between 5 different brands and 4 different sizes of spaghetti sauce means I have to read the labels to make sure I am making the healthiest choice and use my calculator to make sure it is also the cheapest per ounce..and then, if the cheapest is not the most healthy, I must stand there and weigh cost vs nutritional value. Oh no! I have coupons! Now I have to determine if it is cheaper to use this coupon here or wait and use it up north 25 miles where they triple...Ugh. Can't do any of that with kids along or early in the am when my brain is not yet awake.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Traditions
I have tried to institute traditions over the years, but the ones that have "stood the test of time" are the ones that have just developed naturally along with our family.
Happy happy.
- getting our tree a day or two before Christmas, husband dear getting it into the stand, and me decorating it with the kids.
- kids get to choose their meals on their special day.
- The kids and their dad getting me an ice cream cake at Dairy Queen for my birthday
- eggs for lunch after church on Sunday (none of us like this tradition)
- going to Golden Corral when Grandma and Grandpa come
- going up to NY to visit family each summer
- S'mores around the campfire with extended family at the Pond
- celebrating reading accomplishments with cake!
- screaming a 'BIG BYE' when we leave someone's home or they leave ours
- having a family meeting to announce pregnancies
- Pizza on Fridays ( my husband and I both came to our marriage with that one)
- the newest one which I hope continues, Con-Grad-Firmation parties every other year celebrating the Confirmation and Graduation of 2 kids.
Happy happy.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
What happened to Bill?
"WHAT??" I choked out when I walked into the living room this evening to hear McCain say that as the president he would have the government buyout the mortgages of regular people who could not pay...
Get out of my personal affairs Mr. McCain! I respect your character, but "SHUT UP!"
(uh oh, I just said the sh- word! Don't tell my kids!)
I know that I keep ranting and raving about this whole election thing, but my husband doesn't appreciate me yelling a the tv while he is trying to listen, or worse yet, yelling at him..when he didn't do anything wrong!
First of all, the president can actually do very little besides make suggestions and VETO or SIGN INTO LAW legislation that the Congress has already wrangled over. The President does not get HIS budget passed, he can submit his ideas to a committee just like everyone else...it never comes out the way it went in.
As for voting records, here is my take..if it were me...The original Bill may be something I think would be a good, right and salutary law. If 17 different legislators (or 88) had to add on their own personal amendments to the Bill before they would sign, I do not know what I would do. The original Bill might "trump" in my mind all of the amendments and I'd still vote for it..but what if one of the amendments was something I could not stomach..I'd have to vote "no" on a Bill I originally supported! So now the facts are completely distorted because I'd veto a bill that I really support because of something buried in the mice type that Joe American knows nothing about.
Why can't they just have bare, naked Bills??? Oh wait that was the last president, never mind.
Get out of my personal affairs Mr. McCain! I respect your character, but "SHUT UP!"
(uh oh, I just said the sh- word! Don't tell my kids!)
I know that I keep ranting and raving about this whole election thing, but my husband doesn't appreciate me yelling a the tv while he is trying to listen, or worse yet, yelling at him..when he didn't do anything wrong!
First of all, the president can actually do very little besides make suggestions and VETO or SIGN INTO LAW legislation that the Congress has already wrangled over. The President does not get HIS budget passed, he can submit his ideas to a committee just like everyone else...it never comes out the way it went in.
As for voting records, here is my take..if it were me...The original Bill may be something I think would be a good, right and salutary law. If 17 different legislators (or 88) had to add on their own personal amendments to the Bill before they would sign, I do not know what I would do. The original Bill might "trump" in my mind all of the amendments and I'd still vote for it..but what if one of the amendments was something I could not stomach..I'd have to vote "no" on a Bill I originally supported! So now the facts are completely distorted because I'd veto a bill that I really support because of something buried in the mice type that Joe American knows nothing about.
Why can't they just have bare, naked Bills??? Oh wait that was the last president, never mind.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Perspectives
Last Thursday was library day. As usual, I pick some books for the little guys and they pick some for themselves. The littlest chose Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister. My skin prickled. I remembered that I hated that book, but for the life of me I couldn't remember why. It was not about the artwork, for that is perfectly lovely and inviting. Then I read it aloud to them.
The basic story is....if you have alot of something and someone who has none asks you for it, you should give it to them or you are selfish and should be shunned.
WHAT?
Maybe there is something wrong with me, but I teach my children they are NOT to ask other people for their stuff...that is coveting. If they choose to ask anyway, they have no right to expect that person to give anything to them. "No" is a perfectly acceptable thing to say.
Bill Gates has a bazillion dollars. I do not. I should ask him for some of his money because I have mere pennies in comparison. Oh..and if he says no, I get to tell everyone he is a greedy, selfish man and no one should be friends with him anymore.
The Bible says to be content with what He has provided for you. (for He didn't HAVE to provide you with anything at all..you do NOT deserve any of His gifts.)
Oh and this also relates to the agenda of those who think it is unfair for some to be rich and some to be poor and so they should make sure the wealth gets redistributed.
My 14 year old daughter told me I should relax, that it is a book about sharing.
The basic story is....if you have alot of something and someone who has none asks you for it, you should give it to them or you are selfish and should be shunned.
WHAT?
Maybe there is something wrong with me, but I teach my children they are NOT to ask other people for their stuff...that is coveting. If they choose to ask anyway, they have no right to expect that person to give anything to them. "No" is a perfectly acceptable thing to say.
Bill Gates has a bazillion dollars. I do not. I should ask him for some of his money because I have mere pennies in comparison. Oh..and if he says no, I get to tell everyone he is a greedy, selfish man and no one should be friends with him anymore.
The Bible says to be content with what He has provided for you. (for He didn't HAVE to provide you with anything at all..you do NOT deserve any of His gifts.)
Oh and this also relates to the agenda of those who think it is unfair for some to be rich and some to be poor and so they should make sure the wealth gets redistributed.
My 14 year old daughter told me I should relax, that it is a book about sharing.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
I lose everything.
When my dear husband proposed to me and gave me my beautiful ring, I was scared to death. I was not afraid to marry him, to leave my parents' headship, to leave the only state I'd ever lived in and move half way across the country to go to the sem..even though I didn't yet have a job lined up. No. I was afraid I'd lose THE Ring.
I have lost or broken every piece of jewelery I have ever owned..that meant something to me. I could list them, starting in third grade, but that might take too long.
Then we get married and I get another pretty ring. I think it took less than 3 months to almost lose the diamond..making the bed of all things. The setting was pretty high and our bed next to the wall and the ring scraped it as I was pushing down the blankets. (I know there are those of you reading not believing that I have ever made a bed so, just trust me, ok?) I felt one of the prongs securing the gem had pulled back. I took the ring to the jeweler and he said there was nothing wrong. I made him look again and he found the problem and fixed it. I actually told him to lower the setting so it wouldn't happen again. I also had him solder the rings together as well as it annoyed me that they spun independently of each other. (It would have stayed prettier if I just stopped making beds...hmm I should have thought of that sooner)
SO on to 3 months later. After a long day at school for both dh and I at school, we were sitting at a meeting with other future pastors and their wives. Dh asks where my wedding ring is. I hadn't even noticed it was gone! I began to tremble and tears welled up in my eyes. Dh wasn't upset at all! What was wrong with him? I tearfully apologized that I'd lost the ring! I knew this would happen..I am so sorry!
What?? He was handing me the ring....confused as to why I was crying....
My ring had fallen off while I was sleeping. Dh (my dear sweet man) thought I'd left my ring in the middle of the bed to say "I love you!" and so he carried it with him all day long.
Things haven't changed much..in the last three weeks I have lost two checks worth $115 dollars, my camera with James' 3rd birthday pictures on it, receipt and rebate form worth $150 and a credit card. Oh yes, and let's not forget I lost my cellphone. I did find the checks (right after I got the two people to write me new ones) and I went back to the store to get the receipt and rebate form reissued AND I canceled that credit card.
Over the years, I have learned that most things are not worth the time to look for because they will show up in some very odd place I wouldn't have looked anyway...so months later I will find whatever it is. Anymore, with so many living in our house, someone has probably seen whatever I have lostsomewhere..OR if I offer a reward it will be found within the day..oh except Library books. How do we lose them??? I always end up having to pay for the dumbest ones.
You know the parable Jesus tell of the woman who searched her whole house for the lost coin? I am glad that God doesn't just wait for me to just "turn up" I am glad that he doesn't think it is a waste of time to seek ME out and save ME when I am missing.
(Yes, that is a picture from our wedding.)
I have lost or broken every piece of jewelery I have ever owned..that meant something to me. I could list them, starting in third grade, but that might take too long.
Then we get married and I get another pretty ring.
SO on to 3 months later. After a long day at school for both dh and I at school, we were sitting at a meeting with other future pastors and their wives. Dh asks where my wedding ring is.
What?? He was handing me the ring....confused as to why I was crying....
My ring had fallen off while I was sleeping. Dh (my dear sweet man) thought I'd left my ring in the middle of the bed to say "I love you!" and so he carried it with him all day long.
Things haven't changed much..in the last three weeks I have lost two checks worth $115 dollars, my camera with James' 3rd birthday pictures on it, receipt and rebate form worth $150 and a credit card. Oh yes, and let's not forget I lost my cellphone. I did find the checks (right after I got the two people to write me new ones) and I went back to the store to get the receipt and rebate form reissued AND I canceled that credit card.
Over the years, I have learned that most things are not worth the time to look for because they will show up in some very odd place I wouldn't have looked anyway...so months later I will find whatever it is. Anymore, with so many living in our house, someone has probably seen whatever I have lostsomewhere..OR if I offer a reward it will be found within the day..oh except Library books. How do we lose them??? I always end up having to pay for the dumbest ones.
You know the parable Jesus tell of the woman who searched her whole house for the lost coin? I am glad that God doesn't just wait for me to just "turn up" I am glad that he doesn't think it is a waste of time to seek ME out and save ME when I am missing.
(Yes, that is a picture from our wedding.)
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
SHOCK!
As I was listening to Rush Limbaugh this afternoon, he said what I said in my last blog post! That if Karl Marx were alive today he would be rejoicing over how he'd infiltrated American thought....sight unseen!
Sad days.
Sad days.
Ronald Reagan
Last night, I had the privilege to watch a PBS documentary about Ronald Reagan. It was moving. As I was watching, and feeling proud that I had used my first vote for president on him, I wondered about how he would be received today. He called not only communism EVIL, but those countries who held fast to it EVIL.
George Bush calls tyrannical, terrorist nations EVIL and people are shocked that he would use such a strong word! In our day of moral relativism and political correctness, folks who stand for good over evil are construed as unloving and uncompromising, insensitive and un-evolved! People who favor Capitalism are called greedy and power hungry.
Ronald Reagan's passion was to eliminate the threat of nuclear war in his time and to defeat communism and support all of those people who no longer wanted to be subject to the tyranny of it. For him..communism was BAD, EVIL and worthy of destruction for the sake of all people world over.
Communism is based on the ideas of Karl Marx.
As I was reading about this this morning, I was shocked to note that many many Americans completely agree with this philosophy!!! The very evil men and women have died to eradicate in our world has become the mantra of so many, including the mainstream media, in this country...Capitalism is BAD! We want more rights for the workers! The workers are being exploited by the business owners!
Reagan must be rolling over in his grave.
George Bush calls tyrannical, terrorist nations EVIL and people are shocked that he would use such a strong word! In our day of moral relativism and political correctness, folks who stand for good over evil are construed as unloving and uncompromising, insensitive and un-evolved! People who favor Capitalism are called greedy and power hungry.
Ronald Reagan's passion was to eliminate the threat of nuclear war in his time and to defeat communism and support all of those people who no longer wanted to be subject to the tyranny of it. For him..communism was BAD, EVIL and worthy of destruction for the sake of all people world over.
Communism is based on the ideas of Karl Marx.
As I was reading about this this morning, I was shocked to note that many many Americans completely agree with this philosophy!!! The very evil men and women have died to eradicate in our world has become the mantra of so many, including the mainstream media, in this country...Capitalism is BAD! We want more rights for the workers! The workers are being exploited by the business owners!
Reagan must be rolling over in his grave.
Monday, September 29, 2008
What is the pupose of education? (warning: RANT)
Sorry, no pictures this time.
I have been thinking back to about 16 years ago when I first considered homeschooling. A friend had given me an article to read about the true agenda of public education..to subversively indoctrinate the children to believe that authorities and experts and even those in government know what is best for citizens of this country. That the collective needs of the society were of more value and importance than every person's freedom to choose what was of value to them and their family AND how to pursue it. Individualism was despised and socialist agendas advanced.
Does this sound too shocking? Well it was a shocking idea to me as well, but I'd been raised in public schools and the undermining of parental authority was already obvious to me as an adult. In modern day public schools, God and mention of him or His ways and desires for His people, has all been eliminated and even prohibited. If it is allowed, this sort of talk is deemed opinion, not fact. This was not always so.
We live in a society where it is breaking the law to not send your kids to school. In NC, if I do not register in the public school, a private school or as a homeschooler and keep my kids home, I am breaking the law. I must answer to the state as to where my kids are during the hours of 9am-3pm. Even as a homeschooler, I must take daily attendance and submit it at the end of the year! The state MUST keep tabs on all of the school age children. It is their responsibility. Huh? What happened to PARENTS being responsible for the whereabouts of their kids? It is truancy for a kid to take a family vacation during the school year..even if they do the work beforehand???
Many people pay thousands of dollars in taxes to invest in The System of Public Education. Every year, they ask for more. More money will help the kids to succeed more!! Pay the teachers more! Buy more educational stuff! Get bigger buildings! All of these things will MAKE KIDS LEARN...WE PROMISE!!!
I'm sorry, throwing money at a problem does not necessarily fix it. By government standards, we are a poor family. We do not have modern textbooks implementing the newest tactics for teaching any particular subject. We have many books, workbooks from days gone by that others threw away or abandon for the sake of something more innovative!
I have never spent more than a few hundred dollars in one year for all of the kids ..because arithmetic doesn't change. Neither does grammar, history or science (for the most part). What does change is the interpretation of those facts.
In this article by Samuel Blumenfeld, there are a few quotes that I found particularly interesting.
Fyi - John Dewey's system of education is what is practiced here in America to this very day. Accomplishing exactly what it set out to do.
John Dewey (the "father of progressive education,") was greeted with enthusiasm by Soviet officialdom when he visited Stalin's Russia in 1928; and he, in turn, was smitten by the Bolshevik experiment and became one of its most prominent promoters. In his 1929 book, Impressions of Soviet Russia, he rhapsodically refers to the communist system as "nobly heroic, evincing a faith in human nature which is democratic beyond the ambitions of the democracies of the past."
"The Russian educational situation," Dewey averred, "is enough to convert one to the idea that only in a society based upon the cooperative principle can the ideals of educational reformers be adequately carried into operation." Dewey acknowledged that Soviet propaganda was omnipresent and heavy-handed, but that was okay, since "in Russia the propaganda is in behalf of a burning public faith." He was particularly appreciative of "the role of the schools in building up forces and factors whose natural effect is to undermine the importance and uniqueness of family life" in Soviet Russia.
Why do I even care about this?
Truly it makes me ill to know that there are adults in our country actually do believe what the State says is true: namely WE know what is best for you -
the education WE will provide you,
the health care system WE will give you,
the retirement plan WE have devised..
even the gas WE decide it would be best for you to have (do not get me started on how ethanol costs MORE to make that unleaded gasoline and makes you get worse mileage).
Just TRUST US (the State!!) to take care of you! Doesn't that sound like communism to you?
Vote us in and we will make sure you have everything you need! You won't have to work your finger to the bone any more!
WE will provide you with jobs!
WE will regulate food costs,
WE will tell banks that everyone can have loans to buy a house in America...because that is their right even if they do not have money to pay! (Thanks for that Bill Clinton!)
WE will make sure that the wealthy will pay, not you! (hmm sound like Robin Hood stealing from the rich and giving to the poor to you?)
Punish those who can think and succeed in business because they do not follow the beat that the Drummer has laid out for them. Punish those who speak of God and His accomplishments! Punish those who don't give their children to us! Punish them..make them pay!! Instead reward those who follow blindly and say "Yes, master" like obedient slaves ought.
I have been thinking back to about 16 years ago when I first considered homeschooling. A friend had given me an article to read about the true agenda of public education..to subversively indoctrinate the children to believe that authorities and experts and even those in government know what is best for citizens of this country. That the collective needs of the society were of more value and importance than every person's freedom to choose what was of value to them and their family AND how to pursue it. Individualism was despised and socialist agendas advanced.
Does this sound too shocking? Well it was a shocking idea to me as well, but I'd been raised in public schools and the undermining of parental authority was already obvious to me as an adult. In modern day public schools, God and mention of him or His ways and desires for His people, has all been eliminated and even prohibited. If it is allowed, this sort of talk is deemed opinion, not fact. This was not always so.
We live in a society where it is breaking the law to not send your kids to school. In NC, if I do not register in the public school, a private school or as a homeschooler and keep my kids home, I am breaking the law. I must answer to the state as to where my kids are during the hours of 9am-3pm. Even as a homeschooler, I must take daily attendance and submit it at the end of the year! The state MUST keep tabs on all of the school age children. It is their responsibility. Huh? What happened to PARENTS being responsible for the whereabouts of their kids? It is truancy for a kid to take a family vacation during the school year..even if they do the work beforehand???
Many people pay thousands of dollars in taxes to invest in The System of Public Education. Every year, they ask for more. More money will help the kids to succeed more!! Pay the teachers more! Buy more educational stuff! Get bigger buildings! All of these things will MAKE KIDS LEARN...WE PROMISE!!!
I'm sorry, throwing money at a problem does not necessarily fix it. By government standards, we are a poor family. We do not have modern textbooks implementing the newest tactics for teaching any particular subject. We have many books, workbooks from days gone by that others threw away or abandon for the sake of something more innovative!
I have never spent more than a few hundred dollars in one year for all of the kids ..because arithmetic doesn't change. Neither does grammar, history or science (for the most part). What does change is the interpretation of those facts.
In this article by Samuel Blumenfeld, there are a few quotes that I found particularly interesting.
Fyi - John Dewey's system of education is what is practiced here in America to this very day. Accomplishing exactly what it set out to do.
John Dewey (the "father of progressive education,") was greeted with enthusiasm by Soviet officialdom when he visited Stalin's Russia in 1928; and he, in turn, was smitten by the Bolshevik experiment and became one of its most prominent promoters. In his 1929 book, Impressions of Soviet Russia, he rhapsodically refers to the communist system as "nobly heroic, evincing a faith in human nature which is democratic beyond the ambitions of the democracies of the past."
"The Russian educational situation," Dewey averred, "is enough to convert one to the idea that only in a society based upon the cooperative principle can the ideals of educational reformers be adequately carried into operation." Dewey acknowledged that Soviet propaganda was omnipresent and heavy-handed, but that was okay, since "in Russia the propaganda is in behalf of a burning public faith." He was particularly appreciative of "the role of the schools in building up forces and factors whose natural effect is to undermine the importance and uniqueness of family life" in Soviet Russia.
Why do I even care about this?
Truly it makes me ill to know that there are adults in our country actually do believe what the State says is true: namely WE know what is best for you -
the education WE will provide you,
the health care system WE will give you,
the retirement plan WE have devised..
even the gas WE decide it would be best for you to have (do not get me started on how ethanol costs MORE to make that unleaded gasoline and makes you get worse mileage).
Just TRUST US (the State!!) to take care of you! Doesn't that sound like communism to you?
Vote us in and we will make sure you have everything you need! You won't have to work your finger to the bone any more!
WE will provide you with jobs!
WE will regulate food costs,
WE will tell banks that everyone can have loans to buy a house in America...because that is their right even if they do not have money to pay! (Thanks for that Bill Clinton!)
WE will make sure that the wealthy will pay, not you! (hmm sound like Robin Hood stealing from the rich and giving to the poor to you?)
Punish those who can think and succeed in business because they do not follow the beat that the Drummer has laid out for them. Punish those who speak of God and His accomplishments! Punish those who don't give their children to us! Punish them..make them pay!! Instead reward those who follow blindly and say "Yes, master" like obedient slaves ought.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
The Sky
The weather earlier in the week was just gorgeous; a clear blue sky, cool and breezy and pollen-free. Having such a perfect day, all of the children took advantage of it and ran to their hearts content.
Youngest child threw himself on the grass to rest from all of the fun. As he lay there, he looked up at the sky.
"Look up there! I see the sky! It is beautiful and blue! Just like my eyes!"
Youngest child threw himself on the grass to rest from all of the fun. As he lay there, he looked up at the sky.
"Look up there! I see the sky! It is beautiful and blue! Just like my eyes!"
Another special day...
Tomorrow, my baby turns three. I can't believe it. He is such a dear. He has such a happy disposition. I hope he is always as sweet and comforting as he is now.
Anyway, today I make the Teletubbie ice cream cake, the Teletubbie costume, a Super Why tee shirt...what else? Wrap a few presents. What does a kid who has 8 older siblings need??? Nothing except candy of course!
Anyway, today I make the Teletubbie ice cream cake, the Teletubbie costume, a Super Why tee shirt...what else? Wrap a few presents. What does a kid who has 8 older siblings need??? Nothing except candy of course!
A Special Day
Yesterday, my oldest dear daughter came home from college for the weekend. We were all very excited to have her home. Son #2 who is 11 said, "Mommy, today is the Best day." I asked him why and he replied, "Because my sister is coming home!'
He and his 12 year old brother cleaned their room to perfection yesterday in anticipation of the event. They share oldest daughter's old room, and wanted her to have it back while she stayed.
But there was a problem! Little sister #3, age 7, had cleaned HER room to perfection as well..hoping her big sister would sleep there! This sister also had big plans..to read to her biggest sister the Dick and Jane book she had gotten out of the library on Thursday. She had read it about 7 times so far and wanted her big sister to be proud of her. Isn't that sweet?
Dear daughter #1 asked me if I'd pulled out our copy of The Dick and Jane Treasury for her little sister to enjoy. I got to tell her that this little sister had ALREADY read the whole thing! (which is why we have chocolate cake in the house...to celebrate this accomplishment!)
And how did the day round out? Well, with a poker game of course! Dear son #1, age 12, opened his new poker set he'd just bought and he and the 6 older ones laughed and argued together just like always.
A special day indeed!
He and his 12 year old brother cleaned their room to perfection yesterday in anticipation of the event. They share oldest daughter's old room, and wanted her to have it back while she stayed.
But there was a problem! Little sister #3, age 7, had cleaned HER room to perfection as well..hoping her big sister would sleep there! This sister also had big plans..to read to her biggest sister the Dick and Jane book she had gotten out of the library on Thursday. She had read it about 7 times so far and wanted her big sister to be proud of her. Isn't that sweet?
Dear daughter #1 asked me if I'd pulled out our copy of The Dick and Jane Treasury for her little sister to enjoy. I got to tell her that this little sister had ALREADY read the whole thing! (which is why we have chocolate cake in the house...to celebrate this accomplishment!)
And how did the day round out? Well, with a poker game of course! Dear son #1, age 12, opened his new poker set he'd just bought and he and the 6 older ones laughed and argued together just like always.
A special day indeed!
Monday, September 22, 2008
You're Gonna Miss This
This song makes me cry every time I hear it.
I miss college. It was one of the most wonderful times of my life...singing in tour choir was my real joy.
I really miss my first apartment...in the very worst part of Yonkers..and how God protected me there from the burning cars and creepy neighbors.
I miss my Pre-K classes..those kids are 24 now. Most didn't even remember me when I went to visit them when they were in 2nd grade.
I really miss Sem days and living across the hall from dear dear newlyweds like us...from southern California..and our baby, Honey-cat.
I really miss new babies...so much. I held a new baby recently who cried because I wasn't it's momma..that was really hard.
I really miss living in Michigan (I can't believe I can even say that now.) and southern Illinois.
Don't get me wrong, I love our life now. We have it sooo much easier than we had it then. I can't imagine how I will feel 40 years from now!
I miss college. It was one of the most wonderful times of my life...singing in tour choir was my real joy.
I really miss my first apartment...in the very worst part of Yonkers..and how God protected me there from the burning cars and creepy neighbors.
I miss my Pre-K classes..those kids are 24 now. Most didn't even remember me when I went to visit them when they were in 2nd grade.
I really miss Sem days and living across the hall from dear dear newlyweds like us...from southern California..and our baby, Honey-cat.
I really miss new babies...so much. I held a new baby recently who cried because I wasn't it's momma..that was really hard.
I really miss living in Michigan (I can't believe I can even say that now.) and southern Illinois.
Don't get me wrong, I love our life now. We have it sooo much easier than we had it then. I can't imagine how I will feel 40 years from now!
Sunday, September 21, 2008
My Favorite Number
5 year old son: "Mommy? What is your favorite number?"
Mommy: "Hmm. I think it is 9, dear."
Son: "Why Mommy?"
Mommy: "Why do you think?"
Son: "Because Sammy is 9."
Mommy: "No, that is not the reason. What do we have 9 of in our family?"
Son: "Children"
Mommy, thinking carefully: "What number did you want it to be?"
Son: "5 and 2"
Mommy: "Why? Because you and your baby brother are 5 and 2?"
Son, sheepishly, but with a grin: "Yes."
Mommy: "Well, I do love the two of you best, but let's not tell the others ok? Cause they might be sad. Good plan?"
Son nods his head and kisses and hugs Mommy.
Mommy: "Hmm. I think it is 9, dear."
Son: "Why Mommy?"
Mommy: "Why do you think?"
Son: "Because Sammy is 9."
Mommy: "No, that is not the reason. What do we have 9 of in our family?"
Son: "Children"
Mommy, thinking carefully: "What number did you want it to be?"
Son: "5 and 2"
Mommy: "Why? Because you and your baby brother are 5 and 2?"
Son, sheepishly, but with a grin: "Yes."
Mommy: "Well, I do love the two of you best, but let's not tell the others ok? Cause they might be sad. Good plan?"
Son nods his head and kisses and hugs Mommy.
Look upon the snake and you shall live!
In Sunday School today, the Bible story was that of Moses raising the snake on the pole to heal those bitten by the poisonous vipers.
God had led His chosen people out of slavery. God had parted the sea to enable them to escape Pharaoh's clutches on dry land; and not only that, He closed the sea over their pursuers!
They complain when Moses is up on the mountain speaking with God himself, that he is up there too long and they abandon the One True God who is in their midst continually in the cloud of smoke by day and the cloud of fire by night. That cloud was upon the mountain right in front of them..but in their impatience they decide that they should fashion a golden calf and worship it and praise it for rescuing them.
Continuing on in their travels, they complained unto Moses over their lack of food and water. God miraculously provides manna, quail and water for all the days of their journey, their 40 year journey...not unlike the Bread of heaven He sent to us, to save us!
Imagine that amidst all of these miracles they continue to complain. God lets His wrath pour out upon them, sending poisonous snakes to bite and kill them. They deserved His punishment! They quickly repented of their sin, begging Moses to speak to God on their behalf. Moses did, and God answered their prayer. He had Moses fashion a golden snake upon a pole. All the people had to do was look upon the snake and God would immediately heal them.
There are several notable things in this story.
The obvious one..that Jesus, too, was put upon a pole to save God's people for a fatal wound: Sin.
And then we note the ungrateful attitude of God's people. They had miracle after miracle before their eyes, and yet they are repeatedly unfaithful!! It is an undeserved blessing that God remains ever faithful to His rebellious people. (Hosea repeats this theme as well, referring to God's unfaithful people as a harlot)
Then there is the rescuing. It never says in the story that God took the snakes away. He allowed His people to continue to be bitten because of their sin. They prayed for help and God sent the "medicine" to fix the deadly sickness brought by the snakes. (And indeed that snake in the Garden!)
Isn't it the same for us? We continually pray for God to rescue us from this sin-filled world. He does not take us out of it. He does, however, send us the cure..raised on a pole on our behalf. He, in His mercy provides the cure! He provides it over and over again! His Word declares us renewed by the washing of water and the Word. He strengthens us to face another day trusting in His provision by the gift of His own Body and Blood. And yet, despite these miraculous Gifts, we, too, forget Him, forget what He has done and what He can do.
These pictures are from the Ecclesiastical Art CD by Ed Rojas.
It can be purchased from HigherThings.org
God had led His chosen people out of slavery. God had parted the sea to enable them to escape Pharaoh's clutches on dry land; and not only that, He closed the sea over their pursuers!
They complain when Moses is up on the mountain speaking with God himself, that he is up there too long and they abandon the One True God who is in their midst continually in the cloud of smoke by day and the cloud of fire by night. That cloud was upon the mountain right in front of them..but in their impatience they decide that they should fashion a golden calf and worship it and praise it for rescuing them.
Continuing on in their travels, they complained unto Moses over their lack of food and water. God miraculously provides manna, quail and water for all the days of their journey, their 40 year journey...not unlike the Bread of heaven He sent to us, to save us!
Imagine that amidst all of these miracles they continue to complain. God lets His wrath pour out upon them, sending poisonous snakes to bite and kill them. They deserved His punishment! They quickly repented of their sin, begging Moses to speak to God on their behalf. Moses did, and God answered their prayer. He had Moses fashion a golden snake upon a pole. All the people had to do was look upon the snake and God would immediately heal them.
There are several notable things in this story.
The obvious one..that Jesus, too, was put upon a pole to save God's people for a fatal wound: Sin.
And then we note the ungrateful attitude of God's people. They had miracle after miracle before their eyes, and yet they are repeatedly unfaithful!! It is an undeserved blessing that God remains ever faithful to His rebellious people. (Hosea repeats this theme as well, referring to God's unfaithful people as a harlot)
Then there is the rescuing. It never says in the story that God took the snakes away. He allowed His people to continue to be bitten because of their sin. They prayed for help and God sent the "medicine" to fix the deadly sickness brought by the snakes. (And indeed that snake in the Garden!)
Isn't it the same for us? We continually pray for God to rescue us from this sin-filled world. He does not take us out of it. He does, however, send us the cure..raised on a pole on our behalf. He, in His mercy provides the cure! He provides it over and over again! His Word declares us renewed by the washing of water and the Word. He strengthens us to face another day trusting in His provision by the gift of His own Body and Blood. And yet, despite these miraculous Gifts, we, too, forget Him, forget what He has done and what He can do.
These pictures are from the Ecclesiastical Art CD by Ed Rojas.
It can be purchased from HigherThings.org
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Nothing is Impossible with God
The other night I was reading the Bible story about Balaam and his donkey to the 7 and 5 year old children. (Numbers 22-24). I get to the part of the story where Balaam's donkey says, "What have I done to make you beat me these three times?"
Rembrandt's rendering of Balak, Balaam and the Angel of the Lord
No exclamations from either of them that this is remarkable in any way. I read that part to them again, this time with emphasis on the part " and she said to him..." still no response. Then, surprised that they haven't said anything about a donkey talking, I ask them if they have been listening. They both respond that they have indeed been listening. I ask, "Don't you find it amazing that a donkey TALKED, like you or I would?" The five year old responded, "God is all powerful, Mom. He can do ANYTHING."
Faith of a child. It is a beautiful thing. "Of COURSE God can do that, Mom." Would that my faith were so unwavering.
Rembrandt's rendering of Balak, Balaam and the Angel of the LordNo exclamations from either of them that this is remarkable in any way. I read that part to them again, this time with emphasis on the part " and she
Faith of a child. It is a beautiful thing. "Of COURSE God can do that, Mom." Would that my faith were so unwavering.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Power Point
I am making a Powerpoint presentation. Why? I have been afraid of trying it for years. My oldest had to do her first one ever last year at the community college. I figured that if she could learn in a few days, maybe I would be able to as well. It would help me to know as dear daughter #2 will have to her first one this semester.
I decided to use a Veritas Press song of the Presidents as my "template." I have yet to figure out exactly how to put music to it. Maybe I shouldn't and just have us sing along as we watch.
#1 George Washington, #2 John Adams, 3 was Thomas Jefferson ...
I decided to use a Veritas Press song of the Presidents as my "template." I have yet to figure out exactly how to put music to it. Maybe I shouldn't and just have us sing along as we watch.
#1 George Washington, #2 John Adams, 3 was Thomas Jefferson ...
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
John Adams
We are studying American History this year.
Here is a quote from a children's book called The Revolutionary John Adams by Cheryl Harness.
"I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States - Yet through all the Gloom I can see Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will triumph."
John Adams, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, July 3, 1776
"Posterity! You will never know how much it cost the present Generation to preserve your Freedom! I hope you will make good Use of it. If you do not, I shall repent in Heaven that I ever took half the pains to preserve it."
In light of the political landscape this election year, we would do good to remember and take to heart the vision of our founding Fathers.
"Posterity! You will never know how much it cost the present Generation to preserve your Freedom! I hope you will make good Use of it. If you do not, I shall repent in Heaven that I ever took half the pains to preserve it."
John Adams to Abigail Adams, April 26, 1777
In light of the political landscape this election year, we would do good to remember and take to heart the vision of our founding Fathers.
History knowledge
First, I have to admit, my knowledge of history of any sort is pitiful. My dear husband knows all about it and has told me the same stories over and over and OVER and I still only remember snippets. "Surely you learned this in history class?!" he says..um Dear, this 7th grade girl..ok high school girl, did not care about those things at that time..I cared about OTHER things....like boys.
SO when I read or learn something new to me, I'll share here. This may help things to stick in my mind..unlike telling my children whose eyes glaze over like mine!
Funny story. When I was first married, I taught seventh grade in a Lutheran School. Stop laughing. I know I am better with little people..God taught me a lesson that year..NEVER tell anyone what you will NEVER do. I am glad to say I survived and so did they.
Back to the story. I knew I could teach them math, English and science. History scared me to death. I prepared the most for that subject. (Oh how I wish I could do it over now..with homeschooling materials!) Somewhere along the way that year, I asked the
Monday, September 15, 2008
Mortgages
Why is the housing foreclosure situation a surprise to people?
Five years ago, when we were buying our first house,we started applying for pre-approved loans. Our credit was excellent so that was in our favor. We had a significant amount of money in our retirement accounts so we were a good risk there as well. The down side? Dear husband's salary was very small and I didn't work and we had (then) 7 children and one on the way.
Would you believe we qualified to borrow $225,000?????
On what planet? We KNEW we could only afford a $500 per month payment tops, a house that would cost LESS than $100,000. If we had borrowed all of the money that was offered to us, we would be in foreclosure right now too.
First of all, if WE knew we could only afford < $100,000, why didn't the bank?
AND do other people really borrow whatever the bank offers them? And if they do, why do they not know that an adjustable rate mortgage will kill them a year or two from now?
We needed to get two mortgages to cover our cost. The first we locked in at 5.5%. The second we secured an adjustable rate of 4% for a much smaller amount of money. We were diligent in paying extra on that one every month so that we could pay it off as soon as possible. After just ONE year, the interest rate had jumped to almost 8%! At that time we just put the remaining balance on a 0% for a year credit card and paid it off. We used the system to our advantage.
However, I was shocked that in just one year the interest rate had doubled..making the amount of money we owed significantly more than we bargained for (if we had held it for as long as we contracted.)
If those who borrowed borrowed the maximum allowed AND did an adjustable rate, of course they had to foreclose.
Why aren't the banks educating their clients? Why are borrowers not educating themselves?
Is the banking system designed to cheat, I mean make a profit at their clients' expense?
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Please Help!
Hurricane Ike just decimated a community our little church supports . After Service, a member read to us a letter written by a local Lutheran pastor that described in horrifying detail what they've been through and are still going through. The pastor wrote about how the whole community of Gonaives is under many feet of water. The only reason he and his family were spared is because they had a concrete roof. They huddled on that roof through the night for 14 hours as the storm passed over them. They saw animals of all kinds and people of all ages get swept away. The buildings are gone...except one 4 story building inside which 300 people wait for help...the first floor is submerged in water. There is no clean water, there is no food. His four year old hasn't eaten in days and cries because she is so hungry. They have no clothes. They have no medicine. They are desperate as there is no way for anyone to get around except by boat.
Read about the suffering in this very community here and here.
Why isn't the news telling American of this travesty? Why do we care about the spotted owls losing some trees and some frogs losing wetlands and we do not even think to care about these people who live so close to us???
I know there are folks here in America suffering from the effects of Ike and Hanna. I do not mean to diminish their pain and suffering. The difference between them and the Haitians is that the Haitians DID NOT KNOW THESE STORMS WERE COMING!!! They are a very, very poor nation. What little electricity they have is in the hospitals and maybe the schools...that have been set up by outside missionaries, primarily confessional Lutheran missionaries.
Our gas prices jumped today to $4+ a gallon and more in anticipation of the shortage of gasoline due to Ike. How can I complain about having to use less gas when these folks have nothing? It seemed wrong to me today to walk through Super WalMart to see the wealth we have and there is no way to share? How can that be?
If there is anyway you can support these struggling folks, please contribute! There was a strong confessional Lutheran presence there and a seminary to boot, training Haitian men for the Ministry.
Milestones
As I was getting food ready to take to the pot-luck after second service, I heard my 14 year old discussing numbers with her 7 year sister. I got to hear the little one figure out what comes after 29...and then 39..and 49 and so on! I was very excited because this is the little dear who, last year, had to count on her fingers to figure out how old she was on her latest birthday..months after it passed.
This same dearie got up and dressed down to her sandals and had even done her hair and packed her purse just 5 minutes after I woke her! This is what happens when you grow up with three teenage sisters .
Next. Holding onto the almost three year old dear "baby" boy during church, I hear him saying "g" "o".."g" "o".."go" I turn around, and sure enough, on a banner behind us there is a banner that says "GOD" in capital block letters. (Meaning the "D" looks like an "O") I was proud. This evening,we were in the same situation, I was holding him and he was looking behind and saying "JOEY" "JOEY" after a minute of this I looked around to see what in the world he was talking about. Lo and behold, on the chalk board was "JOE" JOEY..of course! This is what happens when a little guy intently watches a 5 year old and a 7 year old have reading lessons everyday (and watches Super Why! everyday on PBS!)
Then there was the pot-luck.
Short version, 5 year old son accidentally bumps his 1/3 full cup of Sprite all over himself.
Poor honey..the amazing thing was..he didn't YELL..he didn't cry or otherwise make any sound at all..he sat there let me wipe him off a little..and if that weren't wonderful enough, he didn't freak out when I whispered to him that I didn't have an extra change of clothes for him. I offered to take his pants off, put the 2 year old's shorts on him (they'd fit fine) and let the 2 year old run around in undies, but he said "No thank you." This is what happens when God is gracious..because if you knew this dear son, this whole CALM scene was nothing short of miraculous. I was thankful for how far he has come.I got him another Sprite and told him to be careful not to spill this on on himself too..so he accidentally bumped it and spilled it all over me. You'll be happy to know I did not scream either..and was thankful I'd worn a black polyester dress..and the wetness didn't show at all. The women at the table next to us were very amused.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
How did you do that?
I impressed my 12 year old son the other evening! His mouth dropped open and he exclaimed, "Mom! How did you DO that???"
It made my day. It was not an impressive act..to a mom. It is just one of the many things we do!
What was it you ask? As I was watching tv with my husband and my son, my two year old slept on the couch on the other side of the room. As he began to roll off the couch, I dashed over and caught him in my arms. He remained asleep as I put him into his bed.
Picture from one of the kids' favorite books: "More More More," said the Baby! by Vera B. Williams
It made my day. It was not an impressive act..to a mom. It is just one of the many things we do!
What was it you ask? As I was watching tv with my husband and my son, my two year old slept on the couch on the other side of the room. As he began to roll off the couch, I dashed over and caught him in my arms. He remained asleep as I put him into his bed.
Picture from one of the kids' favorite books: "More More More," said the Baby! by Vera B. Williams
Do YOU remember?
As a little child, during the Vietnam War, there were folks who carried signs that said, "Make Love, Not War!" I thought they were soo right! I had no idea what those signs really meant, I just knew loving people was much better than killing people.
I still believe that love is a better way..Love conquers all things, right? Yes, Christ's love conquers sin, death and the devil for us and gives us forgiveness, life and salvation!
I also think that God give us leaders. He gives us leaders to keep us safe and protect us. I think we must never, never forget that the freedom we have in this country was bought with blood. Even our right to complain about how "bad" we have it..is a right purchased by the sacrifice of many.
I do not wish evil on anyone...but I do wish for justice, and protection.
The first time I heard this song, I was in the car. I had to pull over because I couldn't see the road through my tears.
One more thing. It makes me SICK to hear politicians rant and rave how our president should stop bringing up that fateful day. It was a horrible day. There ARE those who hate us in this world and wish to do us harm, HERE. We must never let our guard down for one minute. We must not be so naive as to think they are no longer plotting to hurt us.
I'll stop talking about 9/11 now.
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