Sunday, December 26, 2010

A Christmas Tale........

Disclaimer: All characters are fictional any likeness to characters living or dead is coincidental and any resemblance to real events is accidental

Twas the day after Christmas
and all through the house
The kids were all fighting over
the computer mouse

The wrapping was strewn
from here to there
and the children were lounging
without a care

With me in my slippers and
Pa building some crap
All we really wanted was
a long winter's nap

When up from the basement
we heard such a clatter
We rushed to the stairs
to see what was the matter

When what to our wondering
eyes did appear
3 guilty children
all pointing in fear

With a hole in the wall
and wires all I could see
I knew in a moment
It must be the Wii
More rapid than Ninja
and a lot less tame
I yelled and I hollered
and I called them by name

Now Noah and Erin and
Joshua too-
Your driving me crazy
What will I do?

Now dash away, dash away
dash away all
Just give me a moment
before I Bawl

They sprang to their feet
and all gave a wiggle
They flew up the stairs
with just a slight wiggle

I heard them exclaim
as they dove ouuta sight
"Don't worry Mom-
It's Christmas
That makes it alright!"

I hope that you and your family found this season with the blessing of righteousness that was bestowed on us through the gift and life of  Jesus Christ!

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Cancer and Vaccines and Food - Oh My

In today's crazy world of information - we may be at a point of too much of a good thing can just plain be too much!!! - In the last month I have attended a "Cancer as a Chronic Disease " conference, received a recall information packet on the rotovirus vaccine and been inundated with emails and magazine articles about what foods I should and should not eat and how I should eat them. (Some suggestions actually promote eating at midnight when the moon is full and the clouds are aligned in a circular pattern.)  Okay, not really but some of you believed it.
What is all this information doing, where is it coming from and what do we need to do about it?  I say step back, take a deep breath, look at what makes sense, educate yourself and then live life.

Practically this is what that might consist of, from the information I have been able to sort through -
  • Natural is always better - limit the amount of chemicals, you eat, sleep and breathe
  • Go outside once in awhile (as long as you don't live near a toxic dump, or a gas well or a concrete plant...)
  • Limit electronic and electrical fields - so as soon as you are done reading this - turn off your computer and go outside
  • Move your LED clock away from your head and take the TV out of your bedroom (this may improve more than your electrical field energy)
  • Grab an apple not a bagel, or a cucumber not a candy bar, or some water not a soda
  • Eat Great food with Good Friends or just Good Food with Great Friends - Stop and Think about what you are eating and are you really that hungry?
  • Play and Dance - it's good for everyone
  • Laugh and then Laugh some more -- need help visit Tim Hawkins at   www.TimHawkins.net
  • Eliminate toleration - think about the things you do that you hate but do anyway - stop doing all those that you can -
  • Read labels and not just on food - check out positive movie and video review sites like www.pluggedin.com
We do not have to be run by fear and we do not have to have a spreadsheet of our minute by minute activities (although I do recommend this when visiting Disney World).  We just need to do the things we already know are right.  We should spend time developing relationship with God so that we will hear His voice when He is guiding us.  And then being able to hear that voice we should obey.  We need to not fear - knowing that He will give us the wisdom and the strength to do what He is calling us to do.  

 2 Tim 1:6-8
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
 8Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

You've got mail

I love getting mail - ask my mom she will tell you I am a paper person.  I love the way a good piece of paper feels, I love when words are written with meaning and I love that someone actually took the time to send me a word of encouragement or thanks or just to include me in their life.
Making the adolescent climb


These days I rush to the mailbox, not to see if any of the above has occurred but, to beat my children there for fear of what may actually lurk in that box.  Because magazines sent to a doctor’s office count as 10 subscriptions for advertising purposes we receive about 5 magazines a day that we did not order. Because I did not subscribe to them I have no control over what might show up in my box and this leaves a mother of a 14-year-old boy and 10-year-old girl, who read anything in front of them, very apprehensive.
At one point we were receiving magazines that were hardly fit to burn and I was shocked, which is hard to do, at the language and pictures and vulgarity that took up paper and ink.  These magazines were sold as music magazines.
Attacking the Tween Mountain
A short time ago we received a popular teen magazine.  This magazine would claim to be for the older teens, but clearly is directed toward the 12-13 year old girl.  Wondering what was currently being advertised to the younger crowd I began to flip through this "rag".  I was astonished at the articles, advice and pictures that were included in magazine, designed to help girls walk through puberty to womanhood.
I became ill at the thought of girls all over the country believing that this is how they must act and behave. The articles addressed, "how to dress to get your man", "better ways to kiss", "how to make sure he will notice and want you".   The items and pictures, in this magazine, were the same as one would find in adult magazines.
As I begin to walk through this minefield of  parenting adolescents and desire to raise my teenage son to be appropriate in behavior, to respect women, and to keep himself and his mind pure, I am assaulted on all fronts.  What is his defense when girls of all ages out there are explicitly taught how to capture his attention and his emotions?  When girls are being driven to seduce and are issued advice on behaving in a sexual way that would be considered inappropriate for most unmarried adults.  What is my daughter’s defense when she has to be the one who dresses differently, who has to be the one who takes a stand and not throw herself at every guy just to prove that she is cool or popular?
I am confounded as I read comments made by Sarah age 16 and Jessica age 15 as they explain to me how to rub my partners arm as I kiss or fully engage him as I stroke his back ... REALLY!  I know I should not be so shocked as this degradation of self and society has been occurring for quite some time.  But I am shocked.  I am shocked at the blatant assault on the innocence of a child.  I am shocked at the belief that this is okay.  When a friend's neighbor's 14-year-old daughter announces that she is dressed as a “hooker” for Halloween – how are those neighbor boys supposed to react – and yes – the question arises – “Where are her parents!?”  My fear is that they have bought into the lie that it is all in fun.  This is not fun; this is devastating behavior that will have lifelong effects.
As I began to look into this a little further I found that movies and television are training our girls from the age of three - to be princesses.  Trained to be a princess that needs to be concerned with her looks and her ability to "capture" her prince.  I have noticed for about the last 11 years that one can not even view what should be harmless animated films (with the main characters being animals) without being thrust into the middle of a romantic (read sexual) relationship.  If our daughters are being trained to act this way - the boys will respond and we have created a vicious cycle that is driven by immorality and greed.
What as a Christian parent am I to do - I have set the parental controls on the television and continue to be shocked as to what is rated Y7 - I have taken to blocking networks geared specifically for the tween set as these seem to contain the most subliminal and overtly sexual messages.  Plot lines are developed around brief relationships that end immediately after that first kiss and before the next commercial break and show no remorse for the giving of yourself on a casual basis.  Some will say its all a part of growing up - its what we all go through.  I may have gone through some of this - I know I went through things I wish I hadn't- and I am determined to help my children walk a road that may allow them the joy of relationship as God intended not as man perverted.
Hangin' In
I will not bow to the idea that "that's just the way it is", I will not bow to the idea "that its going to happen eventually", I will stand in the truth that God has not given me a spirit of fear but of truth and a sound mind and I will do my best to instill this in my children.
Many may see these views as old-fashioned and many times I debate with my 14 year old about being too protective.  As a parent that is my right - that is what I get to do - he can complain to his therapist later.  I am not living in a world of denial -I am very aware, sometimes more than I want to be, of his appreciation for the fairer sex.  This is part of God's plan and who he was designed to be, my job is to help him understand the entire relationship.  I can do this by helping him understand the purity of relationship that Christ has with the church how this relates to the marriage relationship and what this looks like as you go through stages of your life and develop those romantic feelings and relationships.  To continue to challenge him to stand above the crowd, to not fall in lock step with what the world says is okay, and that its not good enough to say, "well, I don't act or do this" so its okay to read about it or watch it as long as I’m not doing it.  NO we must set our standard to one that reflects an understanding of what was done on the cross - knowing that we cannot go there ourselves but that we can rejoice in what was done and daily, minute by minute choose to honor that sacrifice. We must protect our eyes, ears and minds and help our children protect theirs.  We do not have room for the slow eroding of conscience.
For now, I will continue to rush to the mailbox, I will continue to have "conversations" with my children about why I am so protective, I will continue to train them to go against the flow of society and not end up in the boiling pot of sexual immorality and I will continue to praise the God that gave me life that I may share with my children the glory and joy we will have living to serve Christ.
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day and having done all TO STAND." Eph 6:13-14
Books to read:
Home Invasion by Rebecca Hagelin
This Momentary Marriage by John Piper
Bringing Up Boys and Bringing Up Girls by James Dobson
Bonding and Rebonding by Donald Joy
Not Even a Hint by Joshua Harris

Monday, November 8, 2010

Car Wash

I have just spent the last 3 hours cleaning my car - not the pick up the obvious trash and 14 pairs of shoes cleaning  this was a deep down and dirty clean.  The weather was gorgeous and I was in need of an excuse to be outside (avoiding mopping that was due inside).  So I proceeded to remove seats and plastic guards and really get after it - here is what I learned

1.  Without my knowledge my children have been vomiting in my car for the last 2 years
2.  I found enough change to start a retirement fund
3.  Cars were not made to have people live in them
4.  You will not become ill from spending time in places that the health department would condemn
5.  Silly bands melt worse than candy or gum or crayons
6.  My children are pigs (cute pigs, but pigs)
7.  That health warning about french fries and preservatives is true - pretty sure some of them have been here since 2004 and still - No mold
8.  This really is something you should only do once in a car's life - then just light a match
9.  I could create an entire scrapbook of my 6 year old's life from items collected in the back seat
10. There is absolutely no way to get that new car smell - unless you buy a new car.

That's it - that's all I have - I have no energy for anything else.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

The Assault

The assault has begun - they seem so sweet and innocent and tiny.  Harmless you think.... They begin creeping in with the cooler fall temperatures and they continue to worm their way into your home for permanent residence until the first spring thaw.  As a youngster, I would cherish their coming, I would relish in their arrival.  But, as I have become older and wiser I understand that their only goal is to destroy all the hard work I have put in.  All the sweat and blood and tears are destined to be destroyed by these little creatures.

But NOT this year!  NOT this time!  This time I am onto their seductive ways, I am privy to their constant alluring.  I know they have spent months in waiting for this perfect opportunity to catch me off guard.  BUT this year little ones you will not darken my doors.  I say NO you will not seduce me NO you will not win.  You see my little mini one bite snickers, milkyway, and not so helpful 3 musketeers; I will not even give you a slight chance!

I will .......okay maybe just one.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Let me Just say, "WOW"

Today the brown truck rolled up to my drive way and delivered to me what I do believe is the one gadget that will undoubtedly change my life.  I can not believe this thing, it is awesome, inspiring, and oh, so sleek.  I had my doubts, I figured it would be another one of those too good to be true items.  Well, let me tell you, this is so good and so true.

Now that I have bated you,  this new gadget in my life is the......NeatDesk for Mac.  The What? you say.  The NeatDesk for Mac.  For years I have been an avid magazine reader - I have stacks and stacks of torn articles and recipes and ideas, knowing the day would come when I would come across the product that would put all this information at my fingertips.  Well, my friends that day has arrived.

I eagerly took my package from the man in brown, opened it ever so gingerly, read through the quick start guide and began my task.  I started with something easy, receipts.  I have been saving my 2010 receipts just for this occasion.  I know from the review of this product that receipts were the best part so I started with the good news.  To my surprise and delight the scanning of receipts was quick and easy, required a little input from my end and will I am sure require some adjustments.  But, what used to take me several hours took only one. 

My brow was beginning to sweat, I was becoming a little giddy.  Would this work, would all my paper organizational dreams come true?  I laid down my small stack of torn out magazine articles, held my breath and hit scan.  Papers were flying, this little machine scanned in no time flat.  The image was clear, readable and able to be placed in an appropriate category.  Oh me, oh my - this was exciting.  Sure, my little sleek friend, could scan one-sided black and white in no time flat, but let's see how you do with double sided color.  Once again, before I could even inhale my copies shot out at me like a rocket from a cannon.  Could this be, I called in the children,  I made them watch, I asked them to scan.  I had to go get oxygen.  Not only will it scan double-sided and in color, it will allow you to separate pages into different articles or keep them all as one.

I can't stand it, it is too much, I am in organizational heaven.  So don't call me, don't email, don't write I will be spending time acquainting myself with my new sleek friend.  Because once and for all I am going to rule this paper world of mine.  And that my friend is good for my health.

Monday, August 30, 2010

The Road less Traveled ... the Final mile


I sit here at 11:00 pm (11:00 only because I have just crossed the border into Arizona) – my body tells me it is really midnight.  I type into Microsoft word because the hotel has managed to lose Internet connection.  I am sitting on the edge of the bathtub – because it is the only place I can have light with out waking my “sweet sleeping” children.  It is the end of DAY 12 –

Here’s my new list of things to know for future travel –

  1. Never book a hotel with outside entrances – this can never be a good thing
  2. As tired as I may be I am not as tired as my children
  3. Take a risk and just say let’s do it
  4. All we have is time why are we rushing
  5. Trial and Error do make you better at something (packing trunks for example)
  6. Whoever told me 8 people could sleep in one room – you are crazy (we did not attempt this and boy am I glad)
  7. Kids do get tired of waffles for breakfast
  8. Eat the entire bag of taffy at once and get it over with
  9. Always stop at a Welcome to the State of … sign or you will hear about it for the next two states
  10. You can actually take a decent scenery picture out a car window while moving at 70 mph

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Road Warriors - Part 2

Day 6 through 8 - We have a brief reprieve from the trunk wars and we are now just fighting the insanity wars.  Beautiful weather draws me outside - inside I can hear mad-capped plans of a 50th wedding anniversary party gone extreme.  I take a breath of the crisp Northwest air and prepare to indulge my mother in some Martha Stewart madness.  It is only 11:00 pm and the table is covered with cupcakes and raffia ribbon.  My cousins and sisters have joined in this game of cupcake wars and we roast each other and tie raffia around paper napkin wrapped plasticware.  I can just hear the ohhs and ahhs.  On the tail end of quality control over the way to tie plastic wrapped ware and placing palm trees in cupcakes - we discover that the cupcakes are back ups - just in case the 3 acres of wedding cake ordered is not enough.  That's it for me I'm off to sleep.  (Throughout the midst of extreme anniversaries we did manage a trip to Vancouver B.C and China Town)
A family member in disguise
Day 9 - The day is spent walking down memory lane.  The party has begun and extended family has arrived.  My children are once again educated on my childhood history and are forced to relive my memories.  I am amazed each time I spend time with extended family to discover people I thought I knew.  I love to watch lives unfold and each one add a new chapter to their story.  Even better is the reality that I am a part of this story and I have the opportunity to be a part of the plot.
Day 10 - We prepare to leave for the return journey - As we pack and load - we impress 4 grown men, who will be getting on a plane within 24 hours, with our trunk tie-down expertise.  We spend a quick afternoon in Seattle at Pike's Place Market and then head for Oregon.  We arrive at our lodging destination around 11:00 pm.  Upon pulling into the hotel that happens to be sandwiched between the tombstone factory and the railroad tracks, I determine that my red neck vacation has come to an end and I am upgrading to the Best Western.  My decision was completely confirmed when I walked into the front office to cancel my reservation and was greeted by a character from the set of Criminal Minds.  It is now 2:00 a.m. I am winding down.  We are determined to take the road less traveled (only figuratively) we set out tomorrow for a trek through the canyonlands as we head back home.

So far, this trip has been more than I expected and less complicated than imagined.  For now that is a good start.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Lessons from the ROAD!

Here are the top ten things I have learned in the last 4 days -
1.  The person who invented the car DVD player was GENIUS!
2.  You always have more energy before you start the trip
3.  Kids are really funny
4.  Driving into the Tetons at 1:00 am with killer escapees in the area not a good idea
5.  Driving into the Tetons at 1:00 am is never a good idea
6.  Waking up to the awesome view of  the Tetons when you arrived in the dark - is always a good idea
7.  Taking a trip with family can be fun
8.  Making memories that will last forever involve time spent together
9.  Go along for the journey not the destination
10.  Most things said after driving for 9 hours in one day are funny

The above is a simple list- for a more detailed look at a dose of road trip reality read on..........

Day 1 - We are locked and loaded and ready to go.  We have enough entertainment and snacks to survive a nuclear blast.  Headed out to west Texas - to experience the wide open spaces - and put us a little closer to the Northwest.   Driving down the road we find a suitable radio station and Eagles "Already Gone" begins to play - there is nothing but blue sky, brown grass and a long horizon in front of us - My sister said,  "This reminds me of a movie"  - and thus - it begins.
A day filled with stories and laughter - a corny "Texas Show" and a grand view of Palo Duro Canyon.


Day 2 - We are faced with the task of strapping down our trunks and hoping that they hang on for the ride - they did for about 20 miles - stopping to check our handy work we realize that we did not do such a great job - thanks to the guy who helped us out and reassured us that it would hold - we were on our way.  Driving through hurricane force winds, torrential rain and mountain roads we arrived at the Garden of the Gods with daylight to spare.  The kids were totally thrilled with being able to climb and run and we were once again awe inspired by God's Creation.  A fun night in Old Colorado City - which included desert BEFORE dinner - (what's vacation for?) and then a brief night spent with friends, which also included the discovery that yes - the tie down was tight enough to hold - so tight that it cracked a trunk and resulted in many wet clothes.
Day 3- Early morning out and headed up to the Pike's Peak Summit - again Awesome - the kids thought this was the best!  A train ride that included - doughnuts made at the highest altitude possible - and a view that can't be beat.  Next time maybe we'll run to the top - NOT!  Back on the road we begin to head to the Grand Tetons.  No worries it is only 500 miles away - we try not to think about the fact that we are leaving at 4:00pm and it will be extremely late when we arrive.  A brief phone call by a concerned husband to alert us that there were 2 murderous prison escapees in the Yellowstone area so we should be on alert.  We thought we should contact the lodge where we would be staying to let them know we would be late.  They informed us there was no need for concern as Federal Marshals were in the area and some were staying on property.  (Thanks I feel better now).  We had no option but to keep heading on.  By the way, if you have ever wondered where the blank spot of no coverage is on an AT&T or Verizon map - I would be happy to show you.   Here is where the "movie" begins to develop its subplot that keeps you hanging on the edge of your seat.  We continue to drive hoping the car doesn't break down - hoping we make it to our destination alive - and then we hit the Tetons - 40 miles of unpaved road where it is hard to determine if we really are on a road.  Every once in a while we spot a reflector cone to give us some hope that we are still heading in the right direction.  It begins to rain - lightening cracks through the sky and we are reminded of a bad horror film.  We drive on - arriving at our destination we unpack and unload kids in the dark.  Falling into bed at 2:00 am - Sleep comes.
Day 4 - Waking to an early morning phone call I step outside to quietly converse.  I am speechless as I  am greeted with the grandeur of the Teton mountains.  Looking out across Jackson Lake I am thankful for God's grace, mercy and protection.  I am thrilled to be alive and to breathe in the cool mountain air.  The kids awake and are equally impressed.  We allow them to spend time playing Huck Finn and building rock houses on the banks of the lake - I revel in the enjoyment of kids being kids without the aid of electronics.  Life is good.  We travel into Yellowstone, and see no sign of the killer escapees, again we drive through the rain.  Arriving at Old Faithful 10 minutes after it goes off we decide to wait an hour and twenty minutes for the view.  Rain continues to come in torrents but breaks long enough for us to witness Old Faithfuls grand explosion.  We drive on - knowing that our initial plans were a little optimistic and having limited phone and internet I requested that my spouse make us reservations for the night.  As we drive into Montana, we discover that our lodging is sandwiched between the county correctional facility and the local bus station.  Really?!  I could not have invented a better script... I am sure Freddy Kruger is around the corner.  Unpacking the trunks to carry through the rain, again, I am wondering exactly how I got here.
Day 5 - Making a lunch stop at the small town where we grew up - we take a drive through memory lane.  Our children actually were impressed that we could live somewhere like this - Questions from the back seat - What did you do for fun? You mean the movie only shows one time a day?  And only on the weekends?  Why is the school so small?  You lived in that house?  You should go inside.  Back on the road headed over Stevens Pass we are on the last leg-  We make it to our destination this time by 10:30  - unload the trunks for the last time for the next five days.

I sit here now in a busy coffee shop - by myself - under the guise of having to attend an online training session.  Reflecting on moments spent together with family and love what God has given me - we will laugh and play for the next 5 days and then hit the road again for the journey home.  I have learned that it is not about the destination - it is about the journey and if we slow down enough to enjoy the ride we will laugh, cry and play along the way.  We must be flexible and forgiving and never ever forget the man who invented the Car DVD.

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

I'm not Crazy - Yes, you are - No, I'm not - Yes, you are

What started out as a crazy idea has morphed into an even crazier reality. 

It all started when I was trying to make plans for summer vacation.  We received an invitation for a family reunion in the NW - a mere 2200 miles from where I live.  I promptly got online and began to search for airline tickets.  When my search resulted in fares that did not drop below $450.00 I decided - why not drive.  Now, I knew I did not want to attempt this on my own so I decided to recruit my sister.  Her first response, "Are you nuts!"  Well, yes a little.  Oh, I believe I forgot to mention that between the 2 of us we have 6 kids and we would need to bring them along.  And maybe I should mention that we are taking only one 8 passenger vehicle.

After a little research on my part I convinced her that this would be a great memory making adventure, we could do it for about $900.00 each and wouldn't it be fun?!  I just had to figure out how to rent a wood panel station wagon. 

Once we were in agreement on going I set out to do a little planning.  Just a little, because we are driving,  we can be spontanious.  This is going to be fun. 

Here I sit 2 months later,  200 plans later,  7 different driving routes later,  25 different hotel reservations made and canceled later,  KNOWING now that I am truly certifiable.  If I can not be committed for having the idea in the first place, I should be committed for spending the insane amount of time I have spent working and reworking the plan (because we will have fun DARN IT!) and if neither one of those reasons are good enough for commitment to the crazy house then when, and if,  we return from this adventure alive I will surely qualify.

So stay tuned we will keep you updated with pictures, wild stories and fun memories in the making as The Good Doctor's Wife - takes a dose of reality medicine along Route 66 and many other obscure highways.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Our home

It's been almost a month since I have posted - not that I haven't thought about it, and not that I don't have at least half a dozen unfinished blogs.  I would like to believe that I am free to write whatever comes off the top of my head but know myself too well - and I must process first - although this is one where I am inspired to just put it down and send it out.

Over the past month our life has been filled with summer activities, swimming and baseball.  We bounce from one thing to the next very content to be where we are.  I have spent time with my parents, uninterrupted time with my husband, some time with friends, my children and by myself.  I have stepped back into the collegiate world and taken a deep breath while I try to determine where to head next.  All the while the world moves on around us and we struggle to stay on the path that God desires for us and we search for the road that He would have us take.


Something that has caught our entire family's attention lately is the house next door.  Unfortunately, our neighbor came upon some hard times that caused his house to become in disarray and facilitated his moving.  As we would speak with him over the fence and offer assistance it was clear that he did not desire the hope that may be found in Christ and believed that God was not watching out for him or that there could be no God that would leave him in this situation.  Sadly, this is not a lone view of our heavenly father.  All to often here in the U.S.A. if our life is good - we love to take the credit and when life becomes hard we jump to be angry at a God we don't even believe in.  


As a mother I struggle to find the words to teach my children of God's truths, I fight to be an example of Christ's love and I am sure that many times they turn a deaf hear to the "preaching" of higher standards.  I pray that by the time they leave my home they will have a foundation that is not built on sand but is built on the firm foundation of Jesus Christ.



Which brings me back to the house next door - last week we were headed to the movies and in the next door yard sat a HUGE bulldozer - after inquiring we discovered that the house was coming down - with many shouts and yells from the back seat it was quickly decided that 

watching the bulldozing would be much more fun than a movie.  (Score one for real entertainment).  We watched for about an hour and were completely amazed at how fast the walls turned to rubble.  The house has been a home to three families over the last 45 years and emotions were strong by family members who still live in the neighborhood.  The crew worked for about 3 hours that day and since 
have spent an additional 4 hours finishing.  (I am posting pictures of before and after.)  Watching this  house being reduced rubble has reminded me that we are on this earth for an incredibly short time.  That we must live each day as if it is our last and that material things will all be turned to dust in the end.  Relationships especially those with others who believe on the name of Jesus Christ will endure forever.   We must not get caught up in the day to day of survival but we must joyously live in the day that was created to worship our Heavenly Father.   
Make this your day to escape from the trappings that will bury you and live in the joy of simply worshipping our Savior.  Share this joy with all those that you come in contact with and you will be blessed.
Our Heavenly Dwelling   2 Corinthians 5
 1For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, 3if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. 4For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.
 6So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Where did they go?

Recently, I was preparing for a friend's birthday dinner for 16 -(which turned out quite nicely, I believe)  in doing so was attempting to set the table.  Now, it is not often that I set the table for 16 people, so it is not often that I need to retrieve all my silverware.  Knowing that I have silverware for 24, yes 24, I did not think setting a table for 16 would be a difficult task.
I opened up my silverware drawer grabbed the necessary utensils and proceeded to the table.  Much to my surprise I did not have enough.  Thinking no problem, they are probably in the dishwasher - I emptied the dishwasher and then begin to set the table.  Again,  still not enough.  Now I was not a math major in college but it does not take a genius to figure out that something has happened to a large amount of my silverware.
This missing silverware problem began many years ago around Christmastime.  I had my (rather large, in numbers) family over for dinner.  Using my best silver, you know the kind you only pull out once or twice a year, I set a very lovely table.  At the end of this meal and the clean up - I discovered that one of my silver spoons was missing.  I did think this strange but just determined that it was misplaced.  That was until the next family meal, and another spoon went missing, and then another, and then a knife.  Now I was becoming concerned.  Did I have a family member that was slowly increasing their silver collection, did we have a kleptomaniac in our midst, was this going to require an intervention?
Not having my house wired with cameras I was never able to identify the culprit.  So I just forgot about it until recently when clearly many of my utensils had disappeared.  But now it was not even the good stuff.  I mean silverware is not like socks.  We don't just take them off wherever we are to have them lost under the couch.  We use them in one place they must go in the sink when their job is complete - where do they go?
I contemplated this for about 2 hours, wondering what in the world has happened.  Does my dishwasher feed on cheap metal?  Do the ants carry them off to use as silver gods to bring them more sugary crumbs.  This was very perplexing.  I did not have time to contemplate this any further - I had a dinner to give and a party to complete - the mystery of the missing silverware would just have to wait.  Although I was going to have to use some of my good silver, which made me a little nervous in light of every time I let them out of their house they seemed to run away.
Party ended, dishes are cleaned up and as I began to put everything away I looked to the center of my everyday eating table, and discovered what you see in the picture.........
Sometimes trying to be efficient can be oh so perplexing!    Mystery solved - just remember where you put stuff.
Although I am still missing 3 good spoons and a knife - so if you are reading this and guilt has gotten the best of you just return them and no one will get hurt.  (Unfortunately I think they are a casualty of children doing dishes when they are used to using disposable and they have landed in a landfill somewhere)

Sunday, May 9, 2010

The warrior

"I'll tell you when I shoot you."  "I will let you know when I stab you."  " O.K. Now come alive!" - these are the comments I hear as I listen to my six-year-old play with the neighbor boys.

There was a time I would have been horrified, embarrassed, and come completely undone to think that my child, my son would actually play like this.  Well, 13 years and two boys later ---- boys play like this.  It does not matter whether you allow guns in your home or not, or what your stance is on the 2nd amendment. Little and big boys will turn anything into a gun.  Did I mention that my 13-year-old son was in the basement playing some shooting wii game with a friend at the same time?

No, I have not thrown in the towel and no, I do not condone needless violence, but what I believe God has shown me over the years is...... the warrior is a child, or more accurately, the child is a warrior.   Inside these two boys of mine are very strong warriors.  As a mom (and a girl) it is a little hard for me to understand this level of activity.  The noise level can become unbearable and there are always the tears at the end of a battle that didn't go so well.

God is training me to train warriors.  I can choose to stand in the battle and prepare my sons for the physical and spiritual battles that will come, or I can continue to tell them to put down the weapons and not act on the gifts and talents that God has given them.

Throughout the Bible we see countless examples of warriors, the need for battle and the glory that comes when we battle in the name of the Lord.  I can work to understand what God is showing me and train them or I can give into the pacifist mantra of present society that demands, can't we all just get along.

I believe in today's society we are lulled into the belief that if there is no conflict then all is well.  If we read closely, the Word, which is given to us, we see that is not really the case.  I must as a mother who desires to raise strong Godly sons/men impress upon them the need to understand what it is to battle and to transfer those physical skills into the spiritual reality.  I think in today's church society we have a hard time getting down and dirty with the ugly reality of the battle (sin). We have been sold the lie that all is well if you show up on Sunday morning. We are losing our sons to the world that allows them to be strong, encourages them to be passionate and follow their hunter-gatherer instincts.  While in church pews we ask them to sit still and be quite.

I see it in my 13 year old - he is screaming let me be RAW, let me adventurous, let me be aggressive.  I must seek God to know the best way to train him to be all these things in a way that will glorify God.  I must not squelch this warrior spirit in him; I must guide it to be a warrior for Christ.  If I tried to stomp it out I am convinced that it will rise again but will more likely than not come out in a way that will not glorify God.  If I can step outside my "girlyness" and find ways that encourage my sons to be passionate about the world that God created - to revel in this time of training, knowing that there will be a much better day when we will be victorious, I will have accomplished the job of training my sons to be warriors.  To be passionate for the Kingdom, and to desire to stand and fight against the world and its distractions, sin, and rejoice in the life God has given us, is the ultimate goal.


The gospel breaks our train of thought, shatters our comfortable piety, and cracks open our capsule truths. His sentences stand like quivering swords of flame because He did not come to bring peace, but a revolution. The gospel is not a children's fairy tale, but rather a cutting edge, rolling thunder, convulsive earthquake in the world of human spirit. Brennan Manning-

Join me in the training........


Zechariah 10

The Restoration for Judah and Israel
 1Ask rain from the LORD in the season of the spring rain, from the LORD who makes the storm clouds, and he will give them showers of rain, to everyone the vegetation in the field.For the household gods utter nonsense, and the diviners see lies; they tell false dreams and give empty consolation. Therefore the people wander like sheep; they are afflicted for lack of a shepherd. 3 "My anger is hot against the shepherds, and I will punish the leaders; for the LORD of hosts cares for his flock, the house of Judah, and will make them like his majestic steed in battle.4From him shall come the cornerstone, from him the tent peg, from him the battle bow, from him every ruler— all of them together.5They shall be like mighty men in battle, trampling the foe in the mud of the streets; they shall fight because the LORD is with them, and they shall put to shame the riders on horses. 6 "I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph. I will bring them back because I have compassion on them, and they shall be as though I had not rejected them, for I am the LORD their God and I will answer them.7Then Ephraim shall become like a mighty warrior, and their hearts shall be glad as with wine.Their children shall see it and be glad; their hearts shall rejoice in the LORD.8 "I will whistle for them and gather them in, for I have redeemed them, and they shall be as many as they were before.9 Though I scattered them among the nations, yet in far countries they shall remember me, and with their children they shall live and return.10I will bring them home from the land of Egypt, and gather them from Assyria, and I will bring them to the land of Gilead and to Lebanon, till there is no room for them.11 He shall pass through the sea of troubles and strike down the waves of the sea, and all the depths of the Nile shall be dried up. The pride of Assyria shall be laid low, and the scepter of Egypt shall depart.12 I will make them strong in the LORD, and they shall walk in his name," declares the LORD.

The Armor of God
 10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. 19Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Kitchen helper.......?

I remember it clearly - my family was preparing to move from our home of 7 years.  My dad had taken a new position in another town and we were saying our good-byes.  As a thank you gift, a group from church went together and purchased for our family our 1st microwave.  (the year was 1982)  In a family that had 5 permanent children and 19 foster children, I believe they thought my mom could use some help with the food preparation.
The Microwave -a funny invention - something that will cook our food faster and heat our water quicker.  There were many a hotdog cooked in our microwaves and my brother was known to cook just about any kind of meat in 2 minutes or less.  A childhood memory I could really do without.   I am sure somewhere along the way I took a science class that discussed how a microwave works, what was never discussed is what actually occurs to food in the quick heat process.  If you are in love with your microwave and can't see life without it stop reading now.

The following is a summary of the Russian investigations published by the Atlantis Raising Educational Center in Portland, Oregon. Carcinogens were formed in virtually all foods tested.  No test food was subjected to more microwaving than necessary to accomplish the purpose, i.e., cooking, thawing, or heating to insure sanitary ingestion. Here's a summary of some of the results:
  • Microwaving prepared meats sufficiently to insure sanitary ingestion caused formation of d-Nitrosodienthanolamines, a well-known carcinogen.
  • Microwaving milk and cereal grains converted some of their amino acids into carcinogens.
  • Thawing frozen fruits converted their glucoside and galactoside containing fractions into carcinogenic substances.
  • Extremely short exposure of raw, cooked or frozen vegetables converted their plant alkaloids into carcinogens.
  • Carcinogenic free radicals were formed in microwaved plants, especially root vegetables.
  • Decrease in nutritional value
Russian researchers also reported a marked acceleration of structural degradation leading to a decreased food value of 60 to 90% in all foods tested. Among the changes observed were:
  • Deceased bio-availability of vitamin B complex, vitamin C, vitamin E, essential minerals and lipotropics factors in all food tested.
  • Various kinds of damaged to many plant substances, such as alkaloids, glucosides, galactosides and nitrilosides.
  • The degradation of nucleo-proteins in meats.
In Robert O. Becker's book, The Body Electric, he described Russian research on the health effects of microwave radiation, which they called "microwave sickness." On page 314, Becker states:
"It's [Microwave sickness] first signs are low blood pressure and slow pulse. The later and most common manifestations are chronic excitation of the sympathetic nervous system [stress syndrome] and high blood pressure. This phase also often includes headache, dizziness, eye pain, sleeplessness, irritability, anxiety, stomach pain, nervous tension, inability to concentrate, hair loss, plus an increased incidence of appendicitis, cataracts, reproductive problems, and cancer. The chronic symptoms are eventually succeeded by crisis of adrenal exhaustion and ischemic heart disease [the blockage of coronary arteries and heart attacks]."
According to Dr. Lee, changes are observed in the blood chemistries and the rates of certain diseases among consumers of microwaved foods. The symptoms above can easily be caused by the observations shown below. The following is a sample of these changes:
  • Lymphatic disorders were observed, leading to decreased ability to prevent certain types of cancers.
  • An increased rate of cancer cell formation was observed in the blood.
  • Increased rates of stomach and intestinal cancers were observed.
  • Higher rates of digestive disorders and a gradual breakdown of the systems of elimination were observed.
Ten Reasons to Throw out your Microwave Oven:
From the conclusions of the Swiss, Russian and German scientific clinical studies, we can no longer ignore the microwave oven sitting in our kitchens. Based on this research, we will conclude this article with the following:
1). Continually eating food processed from a microwave oven causes long term - permanent - brain damage by "shorting out" electrical impulses in the brain [de-polarizing or de-magnetizing the brain tissue].
2). The human body cannot metabolize [break down] the unknown by-products created in microwaved food.
3). Male and female hormone production is shut down and/or altered by continually eating microwaved foods.
4). The effects of microwaved food by-products are residual [long term, permanent] within the human body.
5). Minerals, vitamins, and nutrients of all microwaved food is reduced or altered so that the human body gets little or no benefit, or the human body absorbs altered compounds that cannot be broken down.
6). The minerals in vegetables are altered into cancerous free radicals when cooked in microwave ovens.
7). Microwaved foods cause stomach and intestinal cancerous growths [tumors]. This may explain the rapidly increased rate of colon cancer in America.
8). The prolonged eating of microwaved foods causes cancerous cells to increase in human blood.
9). Continual ingestion of microwaved food causes immune system deficiencies through lymph gland and blood serum alterations.
10). Eating microwaved food causes loss of memory, concentration, emotional instability, and a decrease of intelligence.
end of article

In the fast paced, I need it now society, we have become accustomed to the quick fix.  Walk through any grocery store aisle and most items are packaged and designed for a quick, "wholesome" meal.  We need to question a little stronger what wholesome looks like and what we are actually ingesting.

If you google microwave cooking you will receive this information and then many other sites that will completely disagree.  My instincts tell me that local farming, fresh whole foods and traditional farming and cooking methods are best for health.  I know that we are all really busy and that sometimes we just don't have the time.  Recently, we have begun using our toaster oven (a favorite heating source during the Texas summers) and the stove top.  I have found that the time it takes to heat or reheat food in this manner seldom is longer than the microwave.  In addition, the food does taste better.

As we strive towards the goal of better health I may have to rid myself of some technologies I thought were helping me and rediscover that a little extra time may go a long way in aiding my family's long-term  health.  
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