Thoughts and Quotes to Ponder

Wherever there is a mountain, there is a life giving river running through it, and ultimately the river is stronger, so do not fear the mountains you face.

"Beauty is created with purpose....Beauty is created. It's intentional." - Lisa Wingate 

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"It's funny how what you are used to seems right even when it's really bad."  

That quote by a 12-year-old river gypsy spoken to her friend as she is helping her flee a very abusive home she is reluctant to leave in the book "Before We Were Yours" is profound. It explains how so much evil has overtaken cultures throughout history. Even God-fearing freedom fighters like George Washington who accomplished so much good for others could not see slavery for the evil that it is because slavery had been common practice around the world for thousands of years.

It explains how Hitler used propaganda and of the natural human longing to belong to a group to brainwash his people and build the cult of Nazism.

It's why Americans allowed the sexual revolution of the 1960's to take over our culture, destroying marriages and families.

It helps us understand how our nation can courageously stand for freedom, spending billions of dollars and sending our most courageous heroes into battle to rescue the oppressed while at the same time allowing and even funding via tax dollars the brutal dismemberment and brain sucking slaughter of millions of unborn babies. Instead of calling abortion the most evil form of genocide throughout all of human history, we call it a woman's right worth defending because evil seems good if you hear it, belong to those who support it, and are around it enough.

Open our eyes, Lord; give us spiritually discerning sight. Just because something is familiar doesn't make it right. Just because our people say it, do it, or defend it doesn't make it legit or good, nor does it mend it. Anchor us in Your word which shows us right from wrong. Help us stand on the Rock, upright, steady, and strong. (Isaiah 5:20, ESV)

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If we can't post the 10 Commandments on or near government buildings anymore, could we post this convicting verse instead to help temper our political discourse?

"The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks." (Luke 6:45)

Back to School Milestones

This is a big year of change for my children.  My son is moving upstairs to the Upper School to start 6th grade, and my daughter is entering Rhetoric (high) school as a 9th grader.

Today was Meet the Teacher Day, which is like an orientation or prep day for the first day of school tomorrow. This day was quite different today from what it was like when our kids first started attending this school. When the kids were in the lower (elementary) school, they stayed close by my side as I introduced them to their new teachers. They gladly posed for lots of cute pictures in front of their new cubbie lockers, and I made full scrapbook layouts chronicling this special day. When they moved up to the upper school for 6th grade, they kept a few feet away from me throughout the orientation. My daughter would only allow a picture in front of her locker when no one else was looking, and my son refused pictures entirely.

This year is my daughter's first year in Rhetoric (high) school. As soon as we stepped out of the van today, she completely dissed me until it was time to return home. I took no pictures, introduced my kids to no one, and barely met any of their new teachers.

It's all good, though, because we relish new adventures, and I enjoy watching them embrace exciting changes on their own. If I were to consume myself with sentimental longings to keep them tiny, I might miss those moments that make them mighty.

Bring it on, middle school and high school!

Identity Confusion

I keep seeing all this news about identity struggles. People are so confused over how to define themselves in terms of gender, race, ethnicity, family connections, natural abilities, and life purpose, as if any of those attributes adequately define us. Our society has identity confusion alright, but that's because they fail to acknowledge the true source of their identity. The new social order seeks to deny we are first and foremost created beings, made in the image of God. As Paul David Tripp wrote: "You and I aren’t the authors of our own stories. We are God’s idea, we reflect his design, we exist for his purpose, and we have been commissioned to do his will. We didn’t think ourselves up, and we didn’t emerge by chance out of primordial soup." Every aspect of our being, including our gender, ethnicity, heritage and life experiences are all according to His will and purpose, not our own. As long as we reject this truth, we will never fully understand or find peace in who or whose we are.

Just as a cake cannot tell its baker it is a prime rib, a biological male cannot pronounce to his Creator that he is female, wave a surgical wand, and magically become a female. Similarly, Rachel Doležal cannot become African American simply through cosmetic pretending.

We can choose unbelief, rejecting God's design and plan for our lives, but our beliefs can't change our biology in the slightest or cause us to no longer be created beings who are ultimately accountable to our sovereign, true, loving, and good Creator. When we look to Him for our identity and purpose and accept His Lordship over our lives, the truth becomes clear, and we find perfect fulfillment in our identity as children of God.

Back to School Again

Summer officially ended on August 3 when we spent most of the day at school for orientation.  The kids and I rotated between classes listening to talks from each of their teachers.  Our son still has just one primary teacher and assistant teacher with different teachers for art, Latin(?), P.E., and band. Our daughter has a different teacher for every subject this year plus two electives, creative writing and art.  Both kids seem pleased with their teachers and expect to have another great year.

I left orientation feeling better about our school than ever before.  The new science teacher who will be taking over the STEM program I started and hopefully expanding it as well is gifted, enthusiastic, and on board with the STEM methodologies I value so much.  I am very excited about working with her and am thankful for the skills she is bringing to our school after teaching AP classes at one of our public school district's best high schools for math/science.

There is still much room for improvement in other aspects of the middle school, however, so I have already begun advocating for more changes, while hoping and praying my voice does not cause my children to be treated unfairly by teachers who disagree with any change or additional work whatsoever regardless of how much it could improve the educational experience, love for learning and passion for God for our students.  It's hard to be the voice, crying out in the wilderness so to speak, speaking on behalf of the parents and the administrators as I share what a select few do not want to hear, even if what I'm saying is motivated out of sincere love for the school and students.

I will say that given our political/cultural situation in which the nanny state and in many ways the global state have replaced god in almost every aspect of society, it's worth every penny just to be around people who share a Biblical worldview and understand the source of my concerns for our nation.  I don't know how much longer our school will have the freedom to teach from a Biblical worldview or to incorporate classical and complete history that presents a big picture view of life and culture instead of the revised texts that indoctrinate students to accept a socialistic, progressive mindset.  I don't know who much longer it will be until great classical literature texts that challenge students to think critically and stand for truth and justice will be banned by the government, but I'm thankful for a school that equips students to stand as bright lights in a dark and dying world as long as they are able.  When the government exceeds it's clearly defined limits under the Constitution to the point of demanding that our school to compromise it's values, the school will shut down before it will submit to what is wrong.

This video explains in better detail the concerns I'm alluding to with respect to the progressive educational system's attack on morality and efforts to produce a unified, submissive, Marxist generation. Conversations I've tried to have with recent college graduates who are not rooted in God's word support every last accusation in this video. They cannot think on their own, reason logically, or even recognize rational thought if it hits them over the head.  I'm glad our students are learning the art of rhetoric, but I doubt they'll either be allowed to use those skills or find someone who is intellectually capable of engaging in a thoughtful exchange of ideas without calling them unjustified ugly names. At least our students will not have fear because there is power in being able to support your position with truth.


In fourth grade, students get to choose between chorus and band.Our son's voice is lovely like his dad's, but he wanted to play drums in the band. So now he is taking both piano and drum lessons each week.  Weekly lessons are required to be in the band, but given how much I respect his drum teacher (who is also a bi-vocational pastor who has taught theology and now teaches apologetics and rhetoric at our school), just having this man influence my boy is worth the time and cost of drum lessons.

Ready for the 1st day of 7th and 4th grades

Our school celebrated it's 20th anniversary last weekend with a family carnival night followed by slide show presentations and various speakers. Our son's teacher and my favorite high school math teacher bravely volunteered to sit in the dunking booth.  Here are pics of our son's sweet teacher going down.

Here is a picture of son's 4th grade glass with teacher, Mrs. Gardner, and assistant teacher, Mrs. Boyd.

Celebrating Our Independence

Independence Day grows more somber every year as we see the freedoms protected by the U.S. Constitution ignored or overridden by executive orders and justices legislating from the bench.  The gross overreach of each branch of government is unbelievable, yet no one seems to be stopping it.  The corruption is so deep that a life long criminal and proven felon is now on the the Democratic party's choice for POTUS.

But far too many brave men and women fought, suffered, and/or died to set us free, so I will celebrate the spirit of their sacrifice and the hope America offers to suffering people around the world for as long as any remnant of freedom remains, and I will continue voicing my concerns and campaigning against systematic government tyranny until the day I die.

Each year, our neighborhood hosts an Independence Day celebration on our cul-de-sac with grills, potluck, games and movies for the kids, small sparklers and whatever is allowed in our strictly regulated town, and a show the kids put on for the adults.  We live in a very diverse neighborhood in which Americans are the minority, but you would not know it from my pictures.   Most of our neighbors are Hindi, but we also have Arab Muslims, Chinese, and South African neighbors living next to us, but I guess they were note as interested or available to celebrate our American holiday with us.

We hosted two families for a cookout at our house on July 4.  My college roommate and long time friend (we were bridesmaids in each others' weddings) drove over an hour to join us. Their oldest daughter just graduated an will be living a few steps from where we shared an apartment at the same university this fall. She is an exceptional student, home-schooled all through middle and high school, with over 45 college credits obtained through our local community college. She was one of 12 admitted to the design school this year and received the top award across all colleges at the summer enrichment program offered for prospective students.  I wanted to congratulate her in person.

This couple has been fostering two kids (half-siblings who had never met each other and never even knew about each other until they came to live with my friends). These children came with a number of physical, mental, and emotional needs as  children of drug addicts, but their progress has been remarkable, and my friends (who have known suffering more intimately than anyone else on earth in ways that few can possibly comprehend and who will continue to experience suffering as my friend battles her latest diagnosis, MS) are in the process of adopting them permanently.  The work God is doing in their little lives and in my friends' hearts are amazing.  They are very young children, and m my friend is older than I am with MS, but they are persevering.

Her husband just got his first assignment as a Guardian Ad Litem, which is a volunteer role I hope to assume one day when I can find the time to complete the 30 hours of initial training.  He answered questions I had and further confirmed that I God has uniquely gifted me for that type of ministry to orphans, but I'm praying for the right time to begin as my kids are my primary ministry right now, and I keep getting pulled in so many directions with all my many interests and passions.

We invited another family who have two adopted children via open adoptions.  The son's birth mother was recently born again and is on fire for the Lord.  She flew out to meet her biological son for the first time a few weeks prior, so I was eager to hear how that went. These parents are amazing to me in their openness with the adoption. They are not the least bit possessive over their children, seeing themselves as stewards over God's children for a time and then will let them fly wherever they wish to go when they are grown. Their daughter wants to move out west where her birth mother lives, and they are supportive of any dream she has. That astounds me, as I know I would be so jealous, but their love is unconditional, Christlike love - the purest form.

My husband thought a flag cake was disrespectful, so he went with a fireworks theme instead.  I loved the freedom this year of watching someone else shuck the corn in my place.  The kids have been very interested in cooking this summer.  Our daughter preparing most of our meals all summer long!

The two families had much to talk about and exchanged useful resources.  It was a nice pairing, and I'm so glad it worked out with our guests not knowing each other at all at first. We talked for four hours straight, losing track of time, so we arrived at the fireworks display just in time for the finale, having missed most of the show. Oh well....I'll take edifying conversation over the most elaborate fireworks display any day.

Cheese burgers, hotdogs, veggie burgers, chicken, corn, baked beans, vegetables, fruit, cookie cake, and S'mores!

Encouragement During the Most Depressing Political/Social Era of my Life

Now that the Indiana results are in, we know who will be on the ballot in November, and I find it extremely ironic (and utterly depressing) that the two candidates chosen to represent each opposing party are actually more alike than candidates within their own parties, even with regard to many political issues. Both are only matched by each other in terms of life long corruption, loose and careless tongues, impropriety, narcissism, greed, deceit, scandals and cover-ups, unfaithfulness, fear mongering, hatred spewing, anger escalating, and utter contempt for the Constitution or anyone who holds them accountable to any standard except their own. Does anyone sense that this upcoming election will be like choosing between the dragon and the beast - in that both are put there to usher in judgment?

These are sad, sorry days in America, but perhaps we should follow the example of a wise old Jewish rabbi and keep stress from the outside world at bay by keeping those within our inside world (loved ones, family, neighbors, friends, students, etc.) close at hand. One person may not be able to undo the mistakes of years of failed leadership, but one person can make a powerful and lasting difference in the lives of those around them.

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My sweet little boy recently hugged/held me as I grieved over:

1. The stronghold of evil in America evidenced by media headlines and blasphemous comments posted to these articles
2. The fact that by doing the right thing in exercising my freedom to vote, I would be forced to do the wrong thing, that is approve of evil (Romans 1:32)
3. The POTUS's threats to withhold education funding for the very children HB2 seeks to protect if NC does not repeal it.

Then the following morning, my son asked me the most profound question:

He asked, "If life was truly fair, would the world be a better place?"
No, I replied, "For then there would be no mercy or grace."

And just like that, through an innocent child's inquiry and an unintentional rhyme, God gave me perspective. Reading Romans 1 and Jude 1 helps, too.

"But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.

But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh." (Jude 1: 17-23)

See also this post on Romans 1:

But Why, God? (Perspectives on America's Sorry, Sordid Demise)

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If God is our king and this world is not our home and given that American culture has become so blasphemous and morally bankrupt, should Christians isolate themselves or engage themselves in social issues and government affairs?

Imagine how different history would have unfolded were it not for the faithful and courageous engagement in pagan politics by Mordecai & Esther, Joseph, and Daniel.

"Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” (Jeremiah 29:7)

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The conservative leadership in North Carolina is also a source of encouragement for me right now.  They are standing strong for their commonsense bathroom bill (HB2) which protects women, children, and victims of abuse from PTSD triggers, further abuse, humiliation, pedophilia, rape, victimization, voyeurism, indecent exposure, or worse.  There is nothing discriminatory or illegal with this bill which was passed as an emergency measure to stop a Charlotte ordinance from putting the majority of their citizens in great danger through broad, gender neutral, bathroom and shower facility mandates.  The state's bill is logical and necessary to protect basic privacy rights, but modern progressives have ZERO TOLERANCE (oh the irony) for anything that is reasonable, helpful, and good. Since passing this bill, the governor's office and the state in general have faced constant attacks, some of which include:

1. Massive assaults by the mainstream media which is pushing false information and emotional propaganda
2. Refusal by Bruce Springsteen and others popular musicians to perform concerts in the state 
3. Complaints by big businesses threatening not to set up business operations there (or pull out), which is especially ironic given that HB2 is much like their own business policies in place at their places of business and given that the bill gives businesses freedom to accommodate transgenders in accordance to the businesses' own values. Economic freedom is huge with NC's current governor and congress, and that is apparent in this bill.
4. Multiple law-suits by lobby groups, one of which is fueling all the propaganda
5. Federal law suits brought by the Department of Justice claiming the bill violates Title IX with threats to withhold all federal educational funding if the bill is not repealed.  Federal education funding amounts to $1.4 billion dollars in federal funding for North Carolina’s universities, approximately $800 million dollars in federal financial aid to North Carolina’s students, and federal funding provided to all elementary, middle, and high schools throughout the state.  That's a LOT of cash, but if it effectively kicks out all federal manipulation, mandates, and excessive testing requirements, and returns local control to NC schools, perhaps it would be a bargain.

The Department of Justice is grossly overstepping it's reach under the thumb of the king of overreach himself, Obama.  It is also using the very laws "from the 1960s and 70s that were enacted to combat sexual harassment and discrimination by men against women are now being used against women, specifically by letting men use women’s showers and locker rooms against their will.”  More on this subject can be found here.

This video is a must see for anyone thoughtful enough to consider that there could be other ramifications.


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But as Bonhoeffer suggested long ago, you can't argue against stupid and win.  Stupidity is a much bigger threat than evil intent, and liberal progressives are full of both.

But North Carolina is not backing down. That takes courage.

North Carolina is also shining as an example of great outcomes that result from conservative economics.  One of the first moves North Carolina's new conservative leadership made was to cut taxes, both on resident income and on businesses, with the goal of growing the economy, providing more jobs, higher incomes, and more prosperity for everyone even while dealing with recession and all of Obama's fiscal blunders at recovery.  North Carolina cut taxes immediately, but still balanced their budget in the black.  Soon there was enough money to finally increase teacher wages. Granted, oodles more is needed, and it will come as economic liberty attracts business and residents to North Carolina.  As the economy grows, more money is available for education and for everyone.  It's common sense economics 101.


When the government takes a smaller slice of the pie, the pie grows, so EVERYONE, including the government, gets more pie.
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Update as of 5/19/16:
I never imagined I would share an article from the N&O, liberal rat that it is, but this article actually shares some good news. Teacher pay raises will never be enough, but this administration is at least pushing pay in the right direction. 

"NC House backs budget with teacher raises, income tax cut"

http://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article78496697.html

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Liberal socialists like Bernie or Hillary would say that North Carolina is greedy to support tax cuts for actual tax payers and businesses.  Over 50% of my paychecks is taken by the government.  The biggest chunk of my pay check goes toward wasteful federal spending, giving weapons and funding to terrorists, and supporting illegals.  While I am in favor of ministering to refugees, I am not in favor of being overrun by terrorists, gangs, and drug dealers who take home more money that I do by not working or obeying the law. Some of my money goes toward an illegal (for everyone except the government as usual) pyramid scheme called "Social Security" and "Medicaid".  Thankfully, some of my retired loved ones are getting a piece of that, but when it comes to primary roles of the federal government, national defense, they have punted and surrendered to ISIS.  What a waste.

But by reducing taxes and helping businesses grow, almost everyone wins.  Those businesses invest in state infrastructure, purchase supplies and equipment, pay taxes, create jobs, pay taxes on those jobs, provide income for more people to spend more money in North Carolina.  Even entitlement coffers benefit from business growth because this growth provides more tax income to fuel government programs.  It's a win/win for everyone.

But everyone loses under a progressive socialist economy fueled by greed and laziness. I could argue that point all day long, but liberals do not engage in thinking exercises.  They only feel.  They are headless hearts, stuffed with carnal desires that will never ever satisfy.  They may call me names, use expletives, and dismiss all points as irrelevant while casting me off as an intolerant fundamentalist lacking any compassion, but I dare one of them to compare the time and money donated to help the needy by those who hold Christian conservative principles to any liberal out there.  Look at the most effective organizations meeting practical, life saving needs around the world.  They are predominately faith-based and evangelically funded while refusing a dime from the federal government so they can maintain control over their core values and eliminate all the waste infused by federal fingers.  Sorry, but I refuse to disconnect my brain from my heart as the liberals want me to do because God created mankind in His own image with the ability to think, reason, and make choices out of love for others or love for oneself.  Both must work together to make right choices and to fulfill the purpose God has for each of us.

North Carolina gets this simple principle, and it's working as evidenced by the following:

North Carolina Joins the Magnificent Seven  (and helps lead despite lacking natural advantages other states possess)

CEOS give North Carolina High Marks for Business Climate

Ranked No. 3 consecutively for America's Best States for Business

Thanks To Gov. McCrory, North Carolina Pays Off $2.75 Billion Debt, Saving Taxpayers $280 Million

Update as of 5/26/16:
After flying to Oklahoma and back for a wedding, the following analogy occurred to me.

Over the past 12 years of parenting, we've taken our children on approximately 100 flights, and ~100 times, a flight attendant has told us that in case of cabin depressurization, we should place an oxygen mask on ourselves first and then place a mask on our children.

When my son actually listened to what the attendant was saying for the first time, he said, "That's not right. You should serve us first so we can survive, live longer, and prosper." And yes, God's word is clear that we should put the interests of others, especially the poor and weak, before ourselves. But parents know that the odds of the child surviving are much greater if both the parent and the child survive, so by putting our mask on first, we can better serve the child, not just at that moment but for the rest of our lives.

So when people first hear the principles of capitalism (and democracy) pitted against socialism without any frame of reference, historical data, or big picture understanding of implications and long term outcomes, they respond just like my son did, "That (capitalism) is not right. Let the old, rich, taxpayers die (via taxation or business crippling legislation) so we poor young people can live and prosper." 

But America has proven to the entire world that by serving those who work hard, pay taxes, provide jobs, grow GDP, and build the economy, the odds of both the young and old, the weak and strong, and the poor and rich prospering is greater. But if we raise minimum wages, tax burdens, & entitlement programs to unsustainable levels, everyone will perish. 

The key is finding the right balance. If the parent only puts his mask on first and never puts one on the child, the child will die by suffocation, and the parent will die of guilt and heartache. The greatest outcome is when love for another, not greed or self interest, is what motivates us to work hard, survive, and thrive so we may better serve and more extravagantly and joyfully give to others.

Update as of 5/14/16: 
Shortly after the Obama administration threatened to remove millions of dollars in education and road funding, Obama issued another executive order requiring all public education facilities in America to not only allow transgenders in the bathrooms of their choice but also in locker rooms, shower facilities, and even hotel rooms during school field trips.

For more information, read " Obama’s transgender bathroom mandate is worse than you think"

I loved Lieutenant Governor Dan Forest's statement in response to President Obama's bathroom policy directive:

"North Carolina will not stand by and let our locker rooms and high school showers be used for social experimentation at the expense of the privacy and protection of our young boys and girls. I do not think it is appropriate for teenage boys and girls to share the same bathroom. I don't think it appropriate for teenage boys and girls to shower next to each other. I don't think it is appropriate for male coaches and male teachers to have access to girls' locker rooms and showers while the young girls are naked and exposed. I feel confident, the vast majority of North Carolina parents feel the same.

The President needs a reminder that the United States Constitution grants education decision authority to the states and localities not to the President of the United States. Our current state policy protects our children by maintaining bathrooms and restrooms consistent with the biological sex of the child and already gives schools, should special circumstances arise, the freedom to grant private single stall - single shower bathroom accommodations to individuals who might not otherwise be comfortable using the bathroom of their biological sex or a bathroom shared with other people. This is the only reasonable response to the situation that exists today. Opening all showers and all restrooms to all sexes at all times as the President is suggesting, is not a reasonable solution, but an invitation for violations of privacy and personal safety.

North Carolina public schools in receipt of the President's letter are reminded that there is a binding state law on the books governing bathroom policy and the President's non-binding directive is merely his attempt to push his version of a social policy on our state with no Constitutional authority to do so. It should be rejected as a matter of principle and policy."

Finally and unlike most other states in America, North Carolina has government leaders possessing common sense, virtue, courage, integrity, and a good dose of much needed chutzpah.

I'm SUPER PROUD of North Carolina leadership for standing strong when most would back down after the first instance of bullying or name calling.  Call them "homophobic bigots" all you like, enemies of the God. Nothing you can say can redefine HB2, Title IX, terms like "marriage", or who they are as individuals. The Creator is the definer. Liberal powers are merely manipulators and twisters of words to serve their own selfish motives. Those of us who refuse to separate our heads from our hearts know who we are in Him.  We are Children of God, and nothing can separate us from His love or snatch us out of His hand.  We are His and in Him we will forever stand.

 Update 6/24/2016

I'm so proud of our state's Governor & Lt. Governor, yet again, for their courage, conviction, and integrity as they have repeatedly stood against federal overreaches that are clearly in direct violation of the U.S. Constitution. It is always reassuring (though increasingly rare) when the balance of powers functions as it should. Kudos to the most courageous and Constitution loving leaders we've had in a long time on a job well done. Now let's see more states (and our weak AG) follow their lead! No matter where you stand on the issue of immigration, and I empathize to some extent with either side, the law must be enforced and the US Constitution respected, especially by our country's top leaders!
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Lt. Governor Dan Forest issues the following statement on today's Supreme Court ruling:

“Having authored an Amicus Brief challenging the President's actions, I applaud the Supreme Court's action today affirming what we in North Carolina knew all along... that the President has a Constitutional duty to enforce Federal Immigration law whether he wants to or not. Today's Court action shows that our Governor, along with three other Governors and 23 states around the country were right to challenge the President's affront to the Constitution. This is a victory for those of us who believe in the rule of law and the security of our US borders. I hope today's court action equally reminds the general public which Governors and Attorneys General failed to live up to their oaths of office and defend the Constitution, as there were many. I would like to thank Governor Pat McCrory for his leadership to ensure North Carolina did its part in standing against illegal immigration."

The Amicus Brief Lt. Governor Forest provided in the Supreme Court case: http://www.scotusblog.com/…/final.ltgov_.nc_.amicus.USvTexa…

Kids, Critters, Culture, Clothes, Comments, and Quotes (April 2016)

I can't remember a day when God has not used my kids to keep me humble. I just had the following conversation with my son:

Me: Should I teach STEM next year or take a break to free up more time for you and your sister? You seem to enjoy the class, and I love how much you have been applying what you are learning in there, but if I'm a terrible teacher, I need to quit.

Boy: You are not a terrible teacher, Mom. You just aren't the best.

Me: Agreed. So who is the best?

Boy: Mrs. B*

 

Mrs. B* was his 2nd grade teacher who tried to get me to apply as her teaching assistant, but I would not do it. Instead, I hired her to be my teaching assistant in my STEM class. I also made sure she got recognized by the local radio station as the teacher of the month because she deserves it. The timing of this statement was especially peculiar because Mrs. B* had just won in her age group in a half marathon the weekend before and then won the plank hold contest for her 5am (GULP!) boot camp class where she was the oldest (mid 50s I'm guessing), and she joked about being a little competitive, so my son's comment gave her the triple crown for the week.

Mrs. B recently sent me this amusing math meme.

Critters
Old pics of Cody showed up in my look back app, and I'm thinking he and Orwell would have made a really cute pair, except we would have had two alpha males in the house at the same time had Cody lived longer.

At least Orwell gets along well with Muffin. They both joined me for my quiet time this morning.

My mother-in-law sent me this cute meme.  The timing was so appropriate given that my husband had just wrapped my power cord for my laptop with electrical tape in four places where it had been chewed down to exposed wires.

Bunnies on laptops are familiar scenes around here.  Cody liked the pounce on multiple keys at once approach.  He once pulled off four keys in one swoop.

Muffin is more interested in getting more screen time than in troubleshooting.

Fitness
One of the moms in my Mighty Moms group invited me to a She-Fit workout instructed by a two-time Olympic contender in wrestling. She said, "I'm not sure if it will challenge you or not since you are in such good shape." My muscles were sore for the rest of the week. They say a teacher should also be a student, so I knew the workout would be good for me since it would be different, and I'm always telling my group to mix it up. And so we did. Whew, I'm tired! Then the coach went and posted a pic of us on his website AFTER the workout, I had on no make-up and was worn plum out!

As if that wasn't bad enough, later he posted a promo video of us working out.  We never signed waiver forms and had no idea what he was doing with his phone.  He could have warned us, so I could have combed my hair and put on make-up.  It's a good thing he's a godly man who I can never sue. Ha!





Update  Then in May he posted the following pic. Too bad we did not get any compensation for all these pics.

His whole family is amazing.  His wife was an Olympic competitor in soccer for Canada's team. They have five children (two by adoption) and stay busy coaching numerous clubs and teams.  She coaches the Carolina Railhawks; he is personal trainer and wrestling coach; both run sports camps for kids and family training programs all year at this awesome facility while raising five kids and planting a new church which he pastors.  Just like the apostle Paul, they are "tentmakers", earning their keep without receiving any support from their church.  

Pop-Culture & Politics
Our culture has gone insane. Smear campaigns, propaganda and outrageous ideas that anyone with a lick of common sense would easily recognize as dangerous are being forced down people's throats, and it's causing quite a stir, especially after a registered sex offender and his cronies helped push a city ordinance granting those who claim to be transgender access to any restroom they choose, men's or women's.  This ordinance which put women and children at tremendous risk by opening a door to grant pedophiles, rapists, and perverts access to them in restrooms and showers, triggered an emergency state congressional session which a bill was passed, HB2, to clarify long standing rules regarding separating open style restrooms by gender. Then Target updated their bathroom/dressing room policy to welcome men into women's restrooms and vice versa, and the media went wild with it. Surprisingly, the false propaganda and typical progressive bullying tactics aren't working this time, and Target is being boycotted by over a million people so far. Such is America these days - run over by deception, evil, and totalitarian nonsense. A must read regarding the current state of America with regard to truth vs. evil can be found here. It is right on point.

Sensing the need to diffuse diffuse some of the tension in the air with a touch of humor, I shared the following status update which was absolutely true but seemed more inclusive. Our country is filled with all this animosity, yet we forget that we do share much in common and must not become enemies with our neighbors.

We recently planted 16 large trees and five shrubs to clean up the air and provide shelter for wildlife. Our children are thrilled and love to hug those trees. We supported capitalism by outsourcing this job to a local small business owner who did not employ "undocumented" immigrants. He paid them well above minimum wage and let them use shovels instead of gas guzzling equipment. I served organic lemonade and GMO-free tea to the thirsty as they labored. I also provided food, water, and shelter from the heat to our neutered cat and bunny. All workers were given words of affirmation to nurture self-esteem (and because we sincerely appreciate their hard work). We have adopted a bathroom policy that grants all family members, friends, guests, and workers access to any of our four, private, gender-neutral restrooms.

Fashion
I went shopping for a dress to wear to a wedding and found myself asking the following questions:

• So where does an old woman with a junior sized body (which she isn't ashamed of, but she has enough self-respect to cover it up), find a dress these days that is actually longer than a shirt?
• After over a decade of teen boys wearing their pants on the ground, have teen girls decided to just not wear pants at all?
•  Do gender neutral teens wear pants?

For the love of all that is good and right, keep your booties out of sight.

An Unexpected Comment
When I'm in a good mood, I like to make small talk with cashiers and hopefully make them smile. I've gotten all kinds of responses. My favorite cashier sings and dances her responses back at me. Others have shared their struggles. Too many have made rude comments about the large quantity of chocolate in my cart. (Oops!) But today, the cashier's response shocked me. She pointed at the friendly lady in front of me who had just checked out as she was walking out the door and said, "She can be so nice at times, but other times she can be a real B****. (One syllable derogatory word stretched into 3 syllables for emphasis). Apparently this lady was her landlord, but all I could think was, "Couldn't we all be described the same way?" I know I have my good moments and my not-so-good moments, but thank God for His amazing grace and sweet forgiveness. Lord, make me mindful of how undeserving I am of your grace, so I will have a grateful heart and remember to show grace to others.

Quotes I Came Across Recently That I Want To Remember

•  "I know who I am. I am not perfect. I'm not the most beautiful woman in the world. But I'm one of them."  (Mary J. Blige)  💕 

•  "Let’s celebrate womanhood without emasculating manhood". (Beth Moore, Esther study guide) 

From the book,  Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom:

• A charity worker running a homeless shelter asked a man on the street if he was homeless? He replied, "No, I have a home. I just don't have a house to put it in." 

• Upon discovering that his most revered rabbi initially got kicked out of seminary and did not get inspired to try again (with huge success) until after helping a troubled kid as a camp counselor, Mitch Albom wrote: "The most inspirational man I ever knew only reached his full potential by helping a child reach his." ‪#‎WordsToLiveBy‬ 

• Paraphrase (because I'm listening to this book on tape and going by memory here) of something Mitch said during the eulogy for his lifelong rabbi :  One measure of the good he did is the bad we did not do.  (I'm not sure I totally agree with this statement because each man must make his/her own choices, but I appreciate the sentiment and encouragement to equip my kids with the knowledge, wisdom, and example of faithfully seeking Christ personally that they need to chose rightly).

• "He kept the [depressing, frightening news of the] outside world [which he could not change] at bay by keeping the inside world [those closest to him whom he could significantly impact] close at hand.

Sad, sordid signs of the times signaling the end of liberty, prosperity, and morality

The heart of America has grown cold, empty, and hardened, and the minds of her voters have grown weak and empty, void of rational thought, ruled by fickle feelings, ignorant of history or cause and effect, and downright stupid.

Frozen fountain at one of our town's most happening hot spots

I never thought we would stoop this low as a nation, but the heart is desperately wicked, and utterly depraved apart from Christ.  As I have sought the Lord for comfort in these trying times, I have also been studying 1 and 2 Kings.  We are repeating the same mistakes of God's chosen people....so God gives us what we deserve and what we demand which are wicked, spineless, mindless, clueless, selfish, pompous, disgraceful, rude, obnoxious tyrants who seek only their own gain and the complete destruction of liberty in the one country that has been the great hope and refuge for persecuted people in bondage around the world.

Ted Cruz has been making an important point in his recent ads. He can be long winded, but here is his message boiled down to one sentence:

We cannot trust a presidential candidate to uphold or protect ANY of our inalienable human liberties if that candidate is unwilling to protect the most fundamental of all rights, the right to life, for the weakest and most innocent members of society. 

The kids and I have been studying the ancient kingdoms of the Middle East where idolatry was pervasive, leading people to commit horrid, inconceivably wicked deeds, even throwing one's own child (usually the firstborn) into the fire as a human sacrifice to their false gods. Kings and officials took great pride in offering these sacrifices to appease the gods "on behalf of their people", but the sacrifices were never made out of piety, goodwill, or genuine concern for anyone except themselves.
Children expect and trust their parents to love, protect, nurture, treasure, and provide for them, but these rulers flippantly tossed their babes into the flames, watching them suffer an agonizing death after their children had surely stared into their father's eyes with eyes pleading, "How could you betray me so ruthlessly?" Sacrifices were always made for selfish reasons, whether out of fear, cowardice, convenience, or greed.

Kings who considered their children to be no more than property useful only for buying the gods' favor (and easily replaced through temporarily pleasurable moments with their many wives and concubines) were always characterized as corrupt, selfish, foolish, wicked, and miserably incompetent rulers. Kings like Hezekiah, however, who made protecting and defending the least of these his priority, were kind, merciful, strong, faithful, wise, respected, honest, fair, effective, and prosperous as long as they kept pride and selfishness at bay.

Modern America has traded the earlier idolatry that worshiped graven images with the idolatrous worship of printed currency, embossed diplomas, engraved designer adornments, comfort and ease, big houses, fast cars, athletes, political figures, titles, popularity, sensuality, etc. And instead of throwing our firstborn babes into the fire, many nations including our own have chosen to first dismember pre-born babies as they cry in agony from the womb, and then suck them out and toss them into the flushing toilet. When the truth is twisted and minds are manipulated by greedy baby killers to convince hurting women that abortion is her only option (it's not), our society applauds them, calls them brave, grants them legal protections, and then throws $500+ million dollars of U.S. tax payer money into the baby killing furnace that chops them up and ships them out like processed deli meat. We have not progressed, for "there is nothing new under the sun." (Ecclesiastes 1:9) We have only wrapped our wicked, idolatrous, selfish hearts in different colored packages.

And here is the truth that has not changed since the beginning of human civilization. "Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’" (Matthew 25:40)

Those who vote for Trump, Hillary, Bernie the Bum or any other candidate who supports abortion and is committed to funding it with federal dollars are choosing for themselves a leader like King Ahaz whose selfish pride, cowardly fear, ruthless tyranny, greed, idolatry and child sacrifices resulted in bankrupting the nation (financially, morally, and spiritually) and handing his people over as slaves to the vilest nation on earth at the time.

But instead of electing someone like Hezekiah in the next election, our idiot populace is favoring three candidates who can be best described as follow:
1) A bitter, greedy, lazy,socialist/communist who has never held a steady job choosing instead to mooch off others
2) A crazed psychopathic liar with multiple felony charges and a frightening obsession with her own self promotion no matter how many innocent people must be trampled and killed  (yes, killed...take Benghazi as an example) in the process
3) A cruel, arrogant, self-centered jerk who is a progressive wolf trying to dress like Little Red Riding Hood's conservative Grandma while opposing all Grandma's views and plotting to eat us all alive

America's most depraved citizens (well at least we know these candidates are actual US citizens so that's one improvement) are leading the presidential polls.  How our founding fathers must weep from Heaven to see the US Constitution and all the freedoms and values they worked so hard to preserve so utterly disrespected.

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These are times of great loss as well. The number of sympathy cards I have had to send over the past two months to friends of all ages is unprecedented.  Just this past week, we lost two of America's greatest heroes of the faith, Justice Scalia (whose cause of death is highly suspect) and Elisabeth Elliot.  They were such influential voices for righteousness, truth, purity, faith, courage, love, compassion, and liberty.   They will be deeply missed.  Lord please raise up new leaders with faith, wisdom, and courage like these two consistently displayed.  We deserve your wrath, but in your mercy, would you raise up more like them?  May we never forget the wise advice they shared and the example they set for us all.

All this doom, gloom, and loss isn't just happening to America, though. It's happening all over the world. ISIS and terrorists continue to torture, mutilate, and kill with the gruesomeness of the ancient Assyrians.  The blast yesterday in Ankara near the US Embassy is alarming as well, and personal to me since a dear friend works and lives right there in the middle of the blast area.  I pray she wasn't hurt and that her family and friends are all okay.  We each must not take a single day for granted and always keep our oil lamps ready to meet our Lord because we never know what each day will hold.

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Another sign of the times that has me so brokenhearted, especially as I must apologetically hand my kids a world that has gone to hell, is how inescapable pornography has become. Pornography tears apart families, destroys lives, victimizes the weak, and can cause entire nations to collapse.  We do everything we can to protect our kids' innocence, to train them to guard their ears, eyes, minds, and hearts, to filter all that enters our home through digital media, and to stuff them with that which is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8), for what goes into the mind sinks into the heart, and from the heart flows the wellspring of life.

Yet, Victoria's Secret (VS) used deceptive means to sneak into our homes and rob my nine-year-old of some of the innocence he had simply by buying our address from someone without our permission and sending us an unsolicited and much despised catalog.  My son's daily chore is to get the mail.  The mere cover of this catalog could be considered pornography, and his unsuspecting eyes fell upon it,  and I doubt he will ever forget that image for God wired us with chemicals that help us remember to keep us faithful to the one person each of us will marry, not to fill our memories with airbrushed images of abused and hurting girls.  Do you name yourself Victoria because you like to victimize innocent children and young women?  How I loathe VS and her evil tricks.

So I contacted VS customer service demanding that all our contact info (no telling how it was collected) be permanently removed from VS databases forever.  I shared the following questions with the customer service agent, and he concluded the call with the following words, "Thank you for choosing Victoria's Secret" which shows me how well he listened to what I had to say, how clueless and empty a heart without God really is, and how twisted and upside down this world really is. 

A few questions for Victoria's Secret:
How many broken young girls have you abused, confused, exploited, objectified, demoralized, and utterly ruined through the pornographic images you have taken of them for your "catalogs"?

How many addresses have you stolen so you could cram your smut into the homes of unsuspecting families where young boys have the daily chore of getting the mail only to have their innocence ripped away by the images on the cover of your "catalog"?

How many marriages are falling apart because you broke into homes and tempted the hearts and minds of men into addiction?

How many women and children have been abducted and abused because your catalogs ignited an addiction that air brushed images alone could no longer satisfy?

How many young women have no sense of their intrinsic value and are on the brink of suicide because of the lies perpetrated by your filthy marketing?

How many men will never know love because you've taught them they are but dogs, only able to lust.
How many women will never be respected because you taught men that women are but objects that should only be inspected?

How many couples will never know the exquisite beauty and exclusive oneness that comes when that which is sacred is kept within the safe boundaries of marriage as God established instead of being cheapened and trampled upon by your desperate attempt to sell lingerie to those with no self-respect?

Are you clueless to all the damage you've done
In your sordid peddling of wares?
You've sold your soul through the webs you've spun
And convinced the hurting that no one cares.

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Here are a few thoughts I recently wrote down during a prayer time about America's desperate situation:

Many of us look at our culture today and wonder how we could have fallen so far from truth, reason, justice, and goodness. How could the one nation that doesn't really have any defining ethnicity of its own but is a melting pot of all ethnic groups still harbor bitterness and racist hatred? How could the one nation established as a beacon of freedom for the entire world suddenly want to become like the socialist/communist nations from which her inhabitants fled? "As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly." (Proverbs 26:11)

How could we allow the cowards in this country to wage wars against the very heroes who risk their lives daily to protect and defend her (shout out to Beyonce and her beloved yet violent Black Panthers)? How could the nation where Lady Liberty stands allow a socialist to run for president on the Democratic ticket? He is a socialist/communist, not a Democrat. How could a Republic allow an outspoken progressive liberal (yes - Trump is an extreme liberal - even a lover of Planned Parenthood - on every issue except immigration and even that issue may just be talking point he doesn't really adhere to personally but speaks out about to incur more power for himself) who behaves like a selfish grammar school bully in desperate need for remedial school, run for office on the Republican ticket? How could a just nation allow a compulsive liar (whose list of felonies warrant life in prison) to run for the highest office in the land? Do we really want a crazed lying crook with no allegiance to America or anyone but himself/herself representing us to the world? And how on earth could these tyrants be garnering so much favor among young people?

People like to blame the education system for teaching this generation what to think instead of how to think for themselves. And while teachers do have great influence and will be judged more harshly (James 3:1), they are mere pawns whose genuine love for students is being manipulated by the corrupt powers who rule over them. We need to stop shifting blame to hardworking teachers who are doing the best they can with the resources given, and admit that the PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY FOR TRAINING OUR CHILDREN IS GIVEN TO THE PARENTS, not the government (though the government would love to brainwash your children for you) or the school system. Parents, what are we teaching our children? Are we training them in the truth at home so they can stand firm and as lights in schools and in the world?

We need to stop blaming the government, the other political party, the cops, the military, or the boy next door and start taking responsibility for ourselves! If we know that power ultimately corrupts, why are we giving so much power to a corrupt few by trusting in governments and other human powers to fix our problems instead of getting on our knees and asking the only ONE who rules in perfect righteousness for help? Instead of whining and complaining and telling others what to do, are we asking the Lord what He would have US do? As prophecy unfolds and things go from bad to worse, as the culture calls wrong right and right wrong, as the culture denies the existence of God and rejects absolute truth, and as calamities fall around us, will we wake up and run to the Lord? God allows these hardships for a greater purpose....to draw us back to Him. Let us not waste these hurts. Run to Him. He is our hope and our salvation!

Christmas Rants, Ramblings and Pesky Pets

Another distressing dinner conversation:

Our boy: "I was chased all during recess."
Me: "Were the girls chasing you again? Whatever you do, do not let a single one catch you."
My husband: "Which girl chased you?"
Boy: "Girls, Dad, as in plural tense."

Our son doesn't mind nearly as much as I wish he did when girls catch him and throw him in "jail" during recess.

Christmas parties and concerts are filling up the school schedule this week, which is ironic considering it's "Dead Week" for high school students.  My tutoring schedule has been filled to overflowing as students prepare for semester exams.  I even left my higher paying job early today, so I could earn half as much tutoring since these students have my heart, and so much is riding on their exam scores.  If only students realized how much teachers and tutors feel their pain and care as much or more than they do.  In between tutoring appointments, I got to watch my daughter perform in a skit featuring her as "the dragon" in which she delivered a series of long, amusing, and dramatic monologues. I also watched the third graders sing classical worship songs, quote chapters from the book of Luke, and deliver a Christmas concert on their recorders.

3rd grade Christmas Concert (Our son is a third of the way from the right)

Our facilities director also serves as our upper grammar, middle school and high school band director, and our third grade recorder instructor. He has very patient and tolerant ears, a remarkable gift as a teacher and musician, and a wonderful sense of humor.  Mr. Minor (appropriate name for a music teacher and jazz/blues performer, eh?) is such a blessing to our school.

Political Rant

It's been a long time since I've posted anything political that offends and unfriends, so I thought some mud slinging was overdue, especially now that each party is finishing up its series of televised debates.

So, polls suggest that we'll get to choose between a socialist nitwit who wants to shrink America into a state of total poverty and depravity and a self-serving, arrogant, temper-tantrum throwing, spoiled, angry, insensitive, rude, inconsistent (he says what people want to hear while giving his money and votes to the opponent...he even voted for Obama in 2008) jerk at the presidential elections next year. (Sadly, both candidates would consider my assessments to be true and favorable.) Whatever the outcome, we'll no longer be able to sing, "I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free". One will rob us of any self-respect and national pride, while the other promises to take away our freedom and the hope of freedom for the rest of the world. Now that that rant is over, I'm thinking politics are much too depressing for my wall. It's back to kids, kitty cats, and bunnies for me.

A distant relative noted, "The lack of moral character on all sides of this election is frightening. We once again have a choice between evils. Americans need to wake up from their slumber. Lord gives us eyes to see and hearts to care! Let us do what is right in the eyes of the Lord."

Yet, there really are some very decent candidates, so I just cannot believe that people are really going to vote for Trump. Knowing how polls are often biased to steer voters toward the perceived (though false) herd, I can't help but wonder if Trump isn't buying those polling results to steer people away from other candidates with more character. None are perfect, but any (except Hillary) would be better than these two leading the polls right now.

In a nation crying for anything but more Obama, I find it ironic that of the top two candidates, Bernie espouses all the same rhetoric and socialistic polices that Obama has been pushing, while Trump uses the same political strategy and carries himself in the same arrogant, self-serving way as Obama.  Obama may be an apologetic sissy in foreign policy while Trump carries a big stick and acts like a bully, both are inwardly empty of heart or soul, yearning for what only Christ can give while trying to fill that void with all the stuff this world offers, completely motivated by self absorption, lacking any genuine empathy for anyone that cannot serve their own selfish motives. Both are spoiled rich kids who simply cannot (and would not if they could) relate to 99.9999999% of American voters.  Both are hypocrites, saying one thing and doing another, although whereas Obama said one thing and did something else, his actions have always shown him to be a radical liberal whose hatred for America and American ideals runs deep, despite what he may say.  Both go to great lengths to be perceived as anything BUT a gentleman or a statesman.  I hope and pray we are not facing another four years of utter depravity, deceit, wickedness, and concerted efforts to destroy America's dignity and hope, but the current outlook is grim indeed.  My hope is not in government leaders, however.  My hope is in the coming King!

Christmas Craziness
 
And while I'm on a negative roll here, may I admit that I do no like this time of year AT ALL?   I loathe buying gifts and the stress of this season.  I hate the pace and the effect it has on my spirit.  I just want to worship my God in spirit and in truth, with stillness and peace.  Why should I spend my Decembers reeling in absolute exhaustion, adrenals depleted, sleep illusive, always dragging, never getting it all done, never finding time for people or even exercise both of which I need desperately to recharge my emotional and physical batteries.  Just as I long for the old days in politics and  prefer pre-1940s classical education, I long for the simpler days when Christmas was more about eternal things instead of material.  As much as I try to make Christmas what I think it should be, I can't convince family members to give up gift exchanging, stockings, decorations, traveling...oh the traveling ...40 hours in the car with our two kids this year just to see one side of the family, and we have THREE SIDES who want us to visit!  Oh and the guilt....for not taking the kids to see this show or that Christmas light display...for not hosting enough parties, or bringing cookies to every classroom or kid party...for feeling overwhelmed by commitments to loved ones when I should be grateful to have people who want us to to be with them, knowing full well that so many don't and must spend this season alone and depressed. I certainly don't want that scenario either. I just want it all to slow down and enough time to savor the moments instead.  Maybe when I'm old and alone and in a rest home, I'll wish for more activity, but right now, I just want some sleep.

So to simplify my life, I've taken to shopping on-line for Christmas gifts. It sure beats dragging kids all over the malls...where it takes at least 45 minutes just to find a parking place..and then someone throws trash all over your van because you parked too close to the line ONLY BECAUSE the car next to you when you arrived (which is no longer there when the angry, exhausted trash thrower arrives) was parked clear across the line, and it was the only space left, so you spent 5 minutes trying to squeeze in and make it work.  

I'm usually really good about getting all my gifts ordered by Thanksgiving so they'll get here in time, but that wasn't early enough this year. Since our Christmas celebrations started last weekend to fit them all in and still have time to make the 40 hour road trip and since shipping is delayed for whatever reason (or comes from China now when you thought you were buying something made in America), some of my gifts simply will not arrive in time to take with us to the family gatherings.  If only those family members could start singing, "All I want for Christmas is an IOU!"  That's what they'll get...because I know the long drive getting there isn't enough for those whose love language is gifts.  Gee..I needed this vent session.  I hope a good night's rest will improve my attitude.  I do love Easter, though (no gifts...and since the grandparents do Easter baskets, I never bother), since it represents new life for the believer because of Christ's resurrection, and it involves no shopping, unless I throw a party which I sometimes do because I'm not so stressed out over buying gifts for what feels like 624 people.  I'd much rather write each loved one a poem or invite them all over for simple fellowship and Bible study.  That sounds very hypocritical I know, but love languages are different for everyone and I really stink at giving the right gift.

Advent
Okay so here's something more positive and lighthearted.  I do enjoy our Advent reading tradition each year.  We use the advent lighthouse we received as a gift many years ago.  Inside each drawer or door, I place a Bible verse and a small gift item (coins or candy, usually).  Of course, as you might expect in my current emotional state, I totally forgot to put the gifts inside the lighthouse this year.  It wasn't until we opened the drawer for the first day and the kids noticed the drawer was empty that I realized I had forgotten.  I usually fill up the lighthouse when I decorate, but since I was at the radiology center with my son all day and at the chiropractor for his whiplash and my back before that, our daughter put out most of the decorations this year, so I forgot without my customary schedule in place.

At least I remembered to pick up a new Advent reading study this year at the church library.  As before, the readings take us from Genesis to the fulfillment of God's curse on Satan the garden through Christ.

Genesis 3:15

I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

Those advent readings are a special time for our family, and as we prepare to travel to Israel, the kids seem more interested as they making more connections and insights and ask more thoughtful questions.  I had always expected our family to have nightly Bible readings together but sadly, Advent season is the only time we are consistent with it as a family, though the kids are doing quiet times on their own in the mornings and Bible study with their dad at bedtime most days. There are so many things I wish I could improve about our family schedule...but there is never enough Bible study and prayer time in my opinion.  I don't want to be one of those parents who outsources much of that Biblical training to the school or the church, for we are primarily responsible for their training and spiritual nurture, though I am grateful to have found a like-minded church family (It is so rare these days to find Bible believing and whole Bible teaching churches now that false prosperity gospel teaching or politically correct though completely FALSE teaching has become so pervasive in churches) and a school that teaches Biblical precepts.

A few nights ago, our bunny joined us for the advent reading and prayer time.  The words must have lulled her into a trance, because she leaned back in my lap with her eyes closed and her paws together as if she was praying with us. She was so cute. 

 

Orwell tried to look like he was praying, too, but he's the biggest hypocrite of us all.  I still don't like that cat and am furious over all the damage he has done to our house that I spent five years waiting to build (keeping our house on MLS all that time) and two years decorating and furnishing only to have that monster tear it all up.

Speaking of Orwell, the kids say Orwell doesn't like me because he understands what I say about him (I much prefer dogs to cats). Then when I threatened to get him declawed, he climbed up in his tree and glared at me as shown here.  My husband will sent the cat to Oklahoma to live with his mom before he'll let me touch his claws.

At least Muffin puts up with me and lets me hold her and pet her for a long time while seeming to enjoy my company.  However, she tends to shed....a LOT!