A trip to outer space for his 40th birthday

My husband and I just celebrated a significant birthday milestone.  His birthday came first.  On his birthday, I used social media to wish a happy birthday to the love of my life, and I even told the world that I think he is as "hot" now as the day I first fell for him.  He is an awesome man of God who still continues to grow even more each year in knowledge, wisdom, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, and faithfulness. I thank God every day for the blessing and privilege of journeying through life hand in hand with him. And I particularly love the fact that he, like a good leader should, went over the hill before me. This post will be all about his birthday celebration.

All my husband wanted for his birthday this year was a trip to outer space and a handgun.  Purchasing a gun was a hassle, requiring him to take time off from work on two different days to complete all the registration paper work "during business hours only".  The waiting period for approval took three times longer than it usually takes due to a dramatic increase in gun sales since the election of our current POTUS.  But getting my husband to outer space would prove to be a bit more complicated.

These days, you can actually buy a ticket to space, but the airfare could easily devastate a healthy retirement savings fund. So we worked out a little compromise.  Instead of launching him into space, we would launch him "over the hill" with a celebration that is "out of this world". 

After the guests were welcomed with "Greetings earthlings", they were introduced to the costumed guests and then voted for best male and female costume.  Two sets of Star Trek couples arrived in matching red or blue shirts and black pants with appropriate emblems and stripes.

I had hoped our family members would each choose costumes that complemented one another, yet we each had very different ideas.  My husband is a huge science fiction buff, so he chose to dress as Arthur Dent, the main character from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams.  Since my husband wanted to go to outer space, I thought I should dress as the wife of a famous astronaut.  Mom had a dress she wore in 1969, the year Neil Armstrong walked on the moon, so I went as Jan Armstrong circa 1969.  Jan had very short dark hair, so I kept my hair darker than usual and tried to put my hair into a faux bob.  Our daughter wore my confirmation gown from my middle school days, carried a Nerf gun, and styled her hair to look like Princess Leia.  Our son initially dressed as Buzz Lightyear, but he transformed into an Angry Bird from outer space by the end of the party. 

 

We converted our music room into a planetarium using our son's Star Wars planetarium night light.  This darkened room had the Star Wars galaxy lit up across the ceiling.  The kids set out their Melissa & Doug solar system floor puzzle as an activity for the children to do under the light of the starry sky (aka ceiling).  This room also served as a sleeping area for infant earthlings.  Unfortunately, I do not have any photos of the planetarium.

The most amusing game of the evening was Spaceteam, a virtual space game that guests downloaded onto their smart phones or tablets.   Each guest's digital device served as a space ship console with hilarious buttons and controls.  Commands appeared on the screen but each player's console was different, so players would shout out the command and whoever had the control on their display would have to activate the command before it was too late.  When entering an asteroid belt, players would have to shake or flip their devices over.  Watching them yell at each other as they all worked together to man the spacecraft was funny indeed.  Again, I failed to take photos since I was too busy chatting with guests, but I do have a short video clip I took of the kids, my husband, and my brother playing this game at my parents' home during our Easter visit.

Favors included inflatable space shuttles, space shuttle gliders and pop-up aliens for the kids and special symbolic gifts for the adults.  Prizes were baskets filled with space food, including freeze dried ice-cream which was quite popular during my youth but very difficult to find today.  Thankfully, you can buy almost anything on Ebay.

I outsourced the cake to my most creative and talented friend.  She baked him a UFO cake complete with battery powered landing lights, chemical tube lights, and candles that burned different colored flames to match the color of the candle.

The party decor was eclectic and simple since I have Pinterest-phobia which involves such symptoms as heart palpitations and hyperventilating at the mere thought of trying to recreate some of those artful, complicated masterpieces which require at least a PhD in craftiness.   I've been on Pinterest only once, and that was one too many times for me.  My son's Lego creations served as centerpieces for the tables, and his Lego Star Wars planets were hung from the chandelier over the table.  Glow sticks, space stickers, outer space wrapping paper, VBS space posters, inflatable space shuttles, and party tableware from Oriental Trading contributed to the theme.

 The birthday boy requested junk food like you might find at a football bowl game party.

Some of the food offerings included: 

Alien cupcakes

Cheesy star clusters

Virgo's veggies

Cosmic cookies

Chips & the big dipper

Sausage satellites

Butter bolides

Blueberry & vanilla almond asteroids

Saturn’s Rings de la onion

Nutty moon rocks

Lunar lemon tea

Galactic sweet tea

Chicken & bacon space stations

Celestial chicken

Pretzular perturbations

Flying saucer pizzas

Milky ways

Mozzarella marinara meteors

Jupiter Sharp cheddar Cheese ball with almonds

1000 Gifts (Part 14): Spring Break Science

During the kids' spring break from school, they got to observe God's handiwork through His magnificent creation.  The week was filled with fun scientific observations which give glory to Creator God.  Father, we thank you for....

220.  Your provision for the lowliest of creatures, even the reptiles, so we can trust You to tend to our needs in ways greater than we could possibly imagine.

²⁵ “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ²⁷ Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
²⁸ “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. ²⁹ Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ³⁰ If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? ³¹ So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  (Matthew 6)

During spring break, we conducted the arduous seasonal process of changing out the kids' closets.  We gave away, donated, sold, or threw away winter clothing they had outgrown and restocked their closets with larger spring/summer clothing that should fit them over the next few months. At the same time, the lizards on our front porch went through the molting process designed by God in which they shed their old skin which has grown too small for them as larger, new skin forms underneath.

We also had the privilege of attending a field trip with our homeschool co-op.  It was the first and only field trip we could attend this year due to school scheduling conflicts.  This field trip took us an hour away deep into the rural outskirts of a nearby suburb to the home of a kind man with a huge heart for petrology, an enormous rock collection, and a head filled with a gazillion rock facts, many of which he gladly shared with us.  He led each student through a rock classification exercise and generously gave out the supplies and rocks from his collection for the students to keep. We were late arriving to his home because my rear driver side tire went flat during our journey there, but he kindly helped us catch up on the presentation.

221.  God's brilliant design in preserving His marvelous creation in sedimentary rock layers 

222.  Evidences of Biblical truth found throughout the many rock layers across the earth, especially the rich fossil layer which point directly to the world wide flood

223.  The enormous variety and intrinsic beauty buried within each rock formation.

224.  Orchestrating my husband's arrival to rescue us as we were stranded on the side of the road with a flat tire just in time to allow us to get there in time to hear the best parts of the rock presentation

225.  This kind man's willingness to invest so much of his time into sharing his passion and knowledge with others 

The next morning, the kids woke me up before my alarm went off eagerly asking me for permission to go dig up rocks in our back yard.

We also took a family trip to a wild animal conservatory during spring break.  After adding a bunny to our family, we've been learning how prey animals think and behave in order to best connect with our bunny and allay any fears he may have of us.  Conversely, at this private conservatory, we learned how predators act and what movements resemble prey to them.  The tour was extremely educational, but  considering that almost every large cat we saw was sleeping, the kids did not get to see how ferocious wild cats can be when all their needs are not met so meticulously.  These cats were very comfortable there, evidenced by the way many of them slept with their belly (an all their vital organs) facing upward.

226.  The majestic beauty of all wild animals

227.  The perfect balance found in the natural order of the food chain

228.  The interesting way those bizarre looking binturongs maintain the tropical rain forest

How wonderfully creative and omniscient is our Creator.  These binturongs play a vital role in the rain forest by simply eating the fruit from these rain forest trees and then excreting the seeds together with the right mixture of nutrients added during the digestive process to replant the trees that provide the rich canopy supporting all life beneath it.

229.  The unity and strength found within a pride of lions as each member fulfills his/her role

Similarly, in the human family, when the husband fulfills his role as spiritual leader, and the woman serves as his helper in a Proverbs 31 way with the children showing respect to their parents, then the family will stay strong and united, prospering according to God's perfect plan.

That old tiger tried to look ferocious, and I suppose those nasty yellow teeth would be a dentist's worst nightmare.

230.  The commitment of this private organization to providing a safe, comfortable, natural habitat for each of these rescue animals while educating the public, all without government funding
 
231.  Generous donors who make this effort to be effective stewards over all of God's creation possible

LOLBunny

It's been a very depressing day as our nation mourns yet another tragedy.  At least three are dead and over140 are injured following two bomb explosions at the finish line of the Boston Marathon.  The pictures are horrifying.  The evil intent deep within the heart of mankind is difficult to comprehend.  Indeed we live in a fallen world. Thank you, Jesus, for entering this dark world in our lowly human form to rescue us from the eternal death and condemnation our sins deserve.

In the midst of such sadness, dear bunny babe brought a smile to my face once again with his daily antics in the playroom.  Since smiling is a health tonic meant to be shared, I bring you another installment of LOLBunny.

His favorite "game" is still Hide-and-Seek.

When he hears a new sound like music or the sounds of our voices or foot steps as we approach, he will often raise one ear up as if to listen more closely, and than that one ear will stay up for quite some time as if he forgets to pull it back down again.

 

Bunny "Kisses"

Our bunny is very temperamental when it comes to giving and receiving affection.  I recently observed that if I place my nose through the slats in his pen, he will come up and lick my nose as if giving me kisses.  I took the kids upstairs to show them this new trick.  Then our son tried it, and he received "kisses" from the bunny.  Our daughter tried multiple times to get the bunny to give her "kisses" but each time he refused, which is funny considering that our daughter probably loves this bunny more than any of us.  I had to explain to my daughter that the bunny isn't really giving us affection by licking our noses.  Instead, he just wants to use as a salt lick, and apparently our noses are saltier than hers.

When we first got the bunny, our daughter started having frequent nosebleeds.  Our nurse suggested that maybe she's allergic to the bunny, but our girl insisted that she would rather bleed every day for the rest of that bunny's life than give away the bunny.  She loves that bunny no matter how he treats her.  Sometimes he is sweet and loving, but more often, he flees, kicks, or scratches us when we have to pick him up to move him to/from his hutch or pen because that is the nature of a prey animal, especially a junior buck in the toddler to adolescent growth stages.  Unconditional love says I will love you no matter what!    At least with a bunny, we can trim or file his claws to reduce the severity and depth of his scratches.  After receiving scratches along both arms, we knew it was time for the grand opening of our in-house bunny spa.

Bunny's first pedicure

The Bible says that God set eternity in the hearts of man (Ecclesiastes 3:11). God is the Alpha & the Omega, so I think that means He placed His heart, a heart capable of loving unconditionally, in mankind.   Animals don't have God's heart, so this bunny isn't able to give/receive love like we can. So we can forgive our bunny when he rejects us.  But imagine how Jesus felt on the cross as He was despised, rejected, mocked, brutally beaten, and crucified by those who were created with the capacity and very purpose of loving Him.  Yet, even then, He poured our forgiveness.   

Luke 23:34 
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” 

How matchless is the love of Jesus! 

Psalm 36:7 
How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

1000 Gifts (Part 13): LOLBunny Edition

216.  God's sense of humor displayed throughout creation, even through the movements of a lowly bunny

I could seriously waste an entire day watching our bunny explore.  His curiosity, aerial acrobatics, and unadulterated adorableness keep me highly amused. This bunny reminds me that Satan is the ultra-serious, cosmic kill-joy, not God.  Creation testifies of God's fun-loving nature as he seeks our good pleasure.  I can imagine Him watching us as we make new discoveries or scientific breakthroughs which point to His brilliant design.  It must be like watching the ultimate scavenger hunt, with clues left under, above, and all through the earth to lead us to God's created treasure.  Sadly, the sin nature drives men to worship the creation, or even the hunt itself, instead of worshiping the Creator.

Here are a few pics of our bunny as he explored around our playroom this past week.

He absolutely loves this horse stall my dad made for me over 32 years ago for my horse figurines when I was a child.  Considering that his breeder recommended that we give him equine hay and equine bedding, I guess it's no surprise that he would enjoy a horse stall as well.

217.  God's perfect plan in placing me into such a loving adoptive home 

My dear Daddy worked diligently to build this stable from scratch as a surprise for me one Christmas, knowing how it would speak love to my heart.  Its old and dry rotting now, but I treasure it for the love it represents, a love that comes from Father God. 

The following photo makes me chuckle because this bunny took up residence in this stable without once considering that he doesn't quite fit in with the plastic horses occupying the other stalls.  There is no such thing as social awkwardness in our bunny's world.  

What doesn't belong?

218.  Social acceptance and perfect peace in our eternal home

Heaven will be filled with immense diversity.  People from every tongue, nation, ethnicity, and denomination will be present, albeit in glorified bodies, along with heavenly creatures like the angels, cherubim, and creatures which are so unlike anything we know on earth that Scriptures combined at least four different earthly creatures to describe them.  There will be no sin, no insecurities, no social unease, no thought of oneself whatsoever.

Isaiah 11

6 The wolf will live with the lamb,
    the leopard will lie down with the goat,
the calf and the lion and the yearling together;
    and a little child will lead them.
⁷ The cow will feed with the bear,
    their young will lie down together,
    and the lion will eat straw like the ox.
⁸ The infant will play near the cobra’s den,
    and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest.
⁹ They will neither harm nor destroy
    on all my holy mountain,
for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord
    as the waters cover the sea.

 

Our bunny spends all of his time indoors up on the 3rd floor where the kids keep most of their toys.  It's been funny to watch him check out all the stuffed animals.  Since his sense of smell is so strong, he quickly learned that if something looks like an animal and feels like an animal, it still isn't a real animal if it's stuffed with inorganic material inside.  So he probably thinks he's surrounded by a bunch of hypocrites.

 

219.  Christ's power to cleanse us from the inside out and change our hearts so that love compels us to surrender all to follow Him

In the spiritual sense, hypocrites are those who pretend to be true worshipers on the outside but are spiritually dead on the inside.   Basic human anatomy teaches that life is contained in the blood.  That's why God demanded shed blood for the remission of sins.  Jesus' shed blood for us gives us new life from the inside out.   He gives us a spiritual blood transfusion so that we may have new life on earth and eternal life with Him forever.  Praise Him for this matchless gift!

He finally lost a tooth!

The evening of Maundy Thursday 2013 and the wee hours of Good Friday were exciting times for our kids.  As is our tradition, we opened resurrection eggs after supper, and then the kids asked if they could give their daddy his birthday gifts early since we would be traveling the next day on his 40th birthday. So on his "birthday eve" as they called it, they gave him an odd and eclectic assortment of gifts.

The kids selected or made gifts for their daddy, who they affectionately call "Pappy", independently this year without any help from me.  Since his birthday party will have an outer-space, the kids gave him outer spaced themed cards and placed their gifts in a Darth Vader gift bag.  Our daughter drew a detailed picture of the solar system inside her outer space card with lots of girlie sentiments written all around it.  Our son gave him a juvenile astronaut boy card.

The kids' gifts were so whimsical and creative, I was in stitches from holding back laughter. The plastic chicken which our daughter filled with fresh blossoms she picked from our pear tree in the front yard won the prize in my book for the most unique item in his gift bag.  At least they remembered our tradition of giving him his favorite types of candy.

While out shopping for gifts for Daddy earlier that evening, our son just had to have an Angry Bird blanket, so he purchased it with his own money.  When I walked into his room later that night to say goodnight, I was in for quite a surprise and nearly jumped out of my skin.  It reminded me of the scene from Little Red Riding Hood where the wolf dresses in Grandma's clothes and waits for the little girl in Grandma's bed.

Our son has had a wiggly tooth for many months.  He's always putting his fingers in his mouth to touch it, so I've been itching to pull it out, but he would not let me, so we waited..and waited some more.  Most of his friends his age have already lost a baby tooth by now, and his sister had already lost at least four by the time she reached his current age. 

Then at 4:30 a.m. the following morning, he awoke to find the tooth out of its socket and resting inside his mouth.  We're so glad he did not swallow it.  He immediately ran into our room to show us, so my husband's 40th birthday began much earlier than he would have hoped.  In his half-asleep yet overly excited state, our son dropped the tooth, and we never found it.  He forgot to write a note to the tooth fairy explaining that the tooth has been lost, and he failed to put out the tooth pillow, yet, when he made the bed the next morning at Nana & Pops' house, he found some cash and was thrilled to get paid for a losing a tooth (once from his mouth and again in our bedroom).

Our daughter lost each of her first few baby teeth on significant occasions.  Her first tooth fell out while riding in a horse drawn carriage which seemed appropriate considering the princess roots in her name.  Another tooth fell out on her birthday, and one fell out during a family vacation with extended relatives the week of our anniversary.  So it seems especially fitting that our son would lose his first tooth on Good Friday which coincided with his father's 40th birthday and that the tooth fairy would drop by while we were all spending the night at Nana & Pops' house.

Easter Weekend 2013

We spent Easter weekend in my home town.  On Good Friday, we rejoiced over Christ's payment for our sins in our place, and we celebrated two birthdays.  My husband turned 40, and our nephew turned four.

The kids had a blast at their cousin's 4th birthday party which was held at the aquatic center.  

My boy and the birthday boy

My husband's big 40th birthday bash isn't until next weekend, so he tried to enjoy the Buzz Light year themed birthday party as if it was his own since it was his birthday too. 

 

 He even found a cupcake with his number on it!

The best part of the birthday party was when my husband and I sneaked out early while my parents continued watching our kids so that we could enjoy a fabulous Japanese meal together.  The young hibachi chef from San Francisco who served us put on the best show we've ever seen, and we've been enjoying hibachi grills together since we first started dating back in 1992.   Thanks for the help with the kiddos, Mom and Dad!

The next morning, Mom and Dad spoiled us by serving us a huge delicious brunch.  My brother's family joined us, so the little cousins could enjoy a giggling fun fest together.  As is her tradition, Nana then gave the kids Easter baskets filled with nice gifts thoughtfully selected for each grandchild.

We drove home in time for my husband to get to church early enough to sing in all three services.  It was an awesome worship service, so powerful that I didn't even get distracted by my hot husband singing in the trio at stage left. :-)

The kids and I spent yet another Easter morning together without Daddy, since he left for church before we even awoke.  I wish he could have been in our early Easter morning photos, but at least this year we had a new bunny to pose with us.

Wanting our Easter pics to point to Jesus, and not a lowly bunny, the kids held crosses and resurrection crafts to proclaim that Jesus is risen!  He is no longer on the cross.  Death is defeated.  Because He has ascended from the dead, He has the right to call the shots and to take full authority over our lives so that we too may be raised again to new life with Christ forever! 

The kids spent much of the afternoon hiding eggs for my husband and I to find with humorous notes, puzzle pieces, candy or some strange surprise in each one.

1000 Gifts (Part 12): Life lessons from a bunny

This post continues the list of 1000 gifts that begins here.  To view all items on the list, click here.  "1000 Gifts" label on the top right margin.

195.  Drastic weather changes to remind us that only God knows what tomorrow may bring

Following an extended period of spring like weather, it sleeted yesterday. It's April which means it's springtime!  The weather was back to being sunny and warm today.

Proverbs 27:1

"Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring."

196.  The soothing sound of raindrops that lulled my kids to sleep for a nap so that I could enjoy a few moments of calm in the house on the last day of spring break

197.  Calf massages to relax my achy muscles given by our bunny who thinks they make a nice salt lick

198.  The blessing of friends whose company my kids enjoy so much that they refuse to let them leave after a play date

199.  Friends who are positive influences of my children and who, despite having to look down on my kids physically, lift them up in every way that matters

200.  The freedom to own firearms guaranteed by the Bill of Rights and the power they have to preserve life when placed in the hands of honorable, responsible, God fearing men

My man checks out his birthday present

Our new bunny is teaching the kids many lessons about life.  Just as my kids are constantly refining me (or at least exposing character flaws I never knew I had), I believe God is using this bunny to refine our children.  I'm always thankful when my children finally learn valuable life lessons, and many of these lessons may make them better parents some day.

When new parents welcome home their first child, they immediately move out of the limelight as it seems, for a season, that all the attention is on the newborn.  Their easy, carefree lives turn into a lives of service, constantly attending to the needs of the new child.  Becoming a parent can be a very humbling process.

201.  Observing a hint of new humility in my son

This morning, he said to the bunny, "You are the cutest member of our family.  Before you came along, I thought I was the cutest, but now you are the cutest one of all."

Proverbs 27:2

"Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips." 

202.  Watching the kids becoming more responsible as they discover that protecting and taking care of a little life require a lot of work

I wonder if the bunny will eventually help them grow to appreciate their own parents for the sacrifices they make, or is that just wishful thinking?

203.  The taste of unconditional love the kids are experiencing as they pour out affection on a bunny who may or may not receive it well

Some days our bunny will plant his face sweetly on their laps or offer bunny kisses while at other times, he will bite or scratch.  Yet, their love for him holds fast no matter how he responds.  I pray they will grow in awe at the depth of God's unconditional love for us, demonstrated by dying a brutal death on a cross while those He loves despised, mocked, and tortured Him.

Ephesians 3:17-19

^"17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." 

204.  Learning tough love by implementing consistent discipline

As the kids attempt to teach the bunny not to bite or not to chew on wires by putting him in time out, they are discovering that effective discipline must be consistent and requires that one's mind rule over his/her flimsy emotions.

This bunny is teaching me a few lessons about life as well. 

205. Our bunny's reminder that freedom is a marvelous gift for which we must fight to preserve, resisting threats to remove it

Now that our great floppy eared explorer has discovered freedom outside the pen (His pen is at least four times larger than most rabbit cages, so even in his pen he is experiencing more freedom than most pet bunnies), he absolutely relishes the few times each day when we let him out to exercise.  While outside the pen, he sniffs over every square inch of our third floor, creeping one moment and racing so fast the human eye can barely see him the next. He dances, prances, performs death defying leaps, does front and back wheelies, turns 180 degrees in the air, or rotates 90 degrees in the air as if doing a sideways hurkey.  I really want to video tape his aerial moves, but he moves so fast I can't keep him in my camera frame or know when he's in the mood to fly in time to start filming. Here's a video of him zooming out of my frame when he spotted my irresistible laptop within reach.

Our baby bunny really cherishes freedom.  Yet, in America, there has been an alarming trend toward disregarding freedom, even selecting and supporting leaders who want to control our lives and make all our decisions for us.  If only we could turn the tide and start viewing freedom as a sacred gift endowed by God to be valued and defended.

Whenever it is time to put the bunny back into his pen, he flees, hides, kicks, or scratches.  He does everything in his power to resist our tyrannical efforts to put him back into the bondage of the pen.  Instead of resisting tyranny, Americans seem to be following each other right off the freedom cliff, accepting whatever lies or distortions politicians or the distorted media outlets may spew. (CNN has been receiving large financial gifts from the federal government to cover certain stories and disregard or distort others.)  Christ's desire is for all men to be free.  (See Acts 7:34)  Let us not give away the freedom that nearly 1,346,000 U.S. servicemen have given their lives to preserve.

Yet, how can we peacefully fight for freedom?  We certainly must not resort to name calling or physical violence amongst fellow Americans.  The founding fathers intended that the electoral process with term limits be our vehicle for preserving freedom.  However, election propaganda, media distortion, and voter fraud seem to be skewing this process.  And now that the POTUS has just signed a Presidential Proclamation establishing a Presidential Commission on Election Administration, which seems like a clever way to use taxpayer's dollars to rig elections, the voting process is becoming even more ineffective.  Thankfully, those who value freedom can use similar strategies by educating and recruiting voters as passionately and relentlessly as those who think bigger government is the answer to every problem are doing...preferably with civility and moral fortitude.

The new federal education standards program, Common Core Standards (CCS), could also  contribute to the loss of freedom in America.  With significant federal funding attached, schools are choosing to implement CCS because they want the money, but federal funding gives the federal government the right to determine what is taught in those schools, thereby usurping local control.  There is speculation that college placement exams will be revised and based on this new curriculum, so that even those attending private or home schools (because their parents want the freedom to have more control over what and how their kids are taught) will also need some CCS exposure in order to pass college placement exams.

Some are concerned the the data tracking system that comes with the CCS.  This database, funded by Bill Gates, tracks 400 data points on every single student.  Such a system hinders the right to privacy and puts children and family at great risk should such data fall into the wrong hands.  Parents can fight for freedom by voicing their concerns about CCS now while local governments still have the power to reject it.

Regardless of curriculum used, parents need to be aware of what is taught in the schools.   For example, CSCOPE has produced curriculum being used in Texas that teaches anti-American, Pro-Islam views. One radical elementary teacher in Texas, for instance, went so far as to teach his students that the U.S. was to blame for the 9/11 attacks and that the Bill of Rights included the right to food and medicine.  Parents can present their concerns to the administration, correct false teaching, and supplement as necessary at home.  Parents can also be a voice for freedom by opposing the UN Resolution on the Rights of the Child which would greatly limit the freedoms parents have to train their children according to their own personal values.

America was established as a country offering freedom through equal opportunity. Unfortunately, regressive progressive thinking suggests that equal outcome is all that matters irrespective of opportunity or effort.  Our family, like so many others, see our freedom to pursue many aspects of the American dream slipping away.  I certainly realize that the poorest American is filthy rich in the eyes of those living in third world countries or from the vantage point of any of the children we have "adopted" through relief organizations in Africa or South America, so we truly are blessed beyond measure to have the provision and freedoms that we do.  I certainly do not wish to complain, but as I see my husband and so many other faithful men working so diligently to support their families only to have the rewards (pay raises), confiscated by the government through regressive taxation leaving them and us worse off than they were before, I foresee our great nation of freedom and equal opportunity spiraling into spiritual, moral, and economic collapse.  What can we the people do to save America from such a demise?

Should we educate others on the impacts of regressive taxation?  A tax system that penalizes those who work harder and excel in their vocation forces people to work/contribute less with results in less income for individuals, less GDP, less tax revenue for the government, less job creation, less spending, and economic retraction.   Less tax revenue equates to increased government deficits because the current administration has demonstrated a desire to only cut spending where it hurts people the most as an emotional strategy to convince congress to raise the debt ceiling.  Interestingly, while my struggling single mom friends are being forced to take unpaid time off from their government jobs due to the "sequester",  government officials have no problem spending $585,000 on a hotel tab for Biden's one night stay in Paris, $385K for a study on duck penises, or $5.3 million over three years to decrease human elephant conflict.   By buying votes through tax payer funded entitlements, the government is ensuring that fewer people will have the opportunity or work ethic to pursue the traditional American dream both for themselves and all Americans, including those who are disadvantaged.

Regressive policies also stifle charitable giving.  Since our days of premarital counseling, we have dreamed of increasing our giving percentages every year until we eventually give away 90% of our income as J.C. Penney did and Rick Warren still does.  With increased inflation (which will soon turn into hyperinflation considering how much money the fed is printing), expected loss of employer funded health insurance due to Obamacare mandates we neither need nor want (most of our health care providers do not accept insurance since it is far more cost effective for them to offer us services at the cost of whatever our co-pays would be without ever having to file an insurance claim or deal with insurance companies at all) significantly increasing the cost of health care, and regressive taxation, we're finding it much more difficult to continue increasing our giving levels from a financial perspective.

Yet, the blessing here is that we learn to trust God more when we give sacrificially.  And my hope is that as America's fiscal cliff grows steeper, Americans will discover that nothing this earth has to offer will last, nor can any of it truly satisfy.  The silver lining as I see it is that God could be using these frustrating times to bring more lost people to their knees.  Will we, as God's followers, be faithful to love on them and give generously, even in our own state of "perceived" need?  For truly, God is faithful to supply all our needs.

206.  Invitation to trust God more deeply

207.  Opportunities to be the hands and feet of Jesus

208.  Hope of  spiritual harvest

Just as grapes must be pressed and stomped on to produce sweet wine, times of persecution or unjust rule have historically yielded wonderful spiritual harvests!

209.   God's sovereignty which reminds us that while circumstances aren't what we would desire, He is in control and is allowing them for a greater purpose

210.  The promise in Romans 8:28 that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him and have been called according to His purpose

Whether we live in freedom or bondage, wealth or poverty, or in sickness or health, we can be content knowing that God is always good, and true joy is not a function of our circumstances, but rather in a personal, intimate relationship with Him.  Only living for His glory in relationship with Him can bring true satisfaction in life.

Philippians 4:12

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want

Yet, I still find myself wishing we could fight back in some way such as by demanding that our elected representatives enact a law that prohibits them from passing any legislation enforceable upon all Americans except themselves. Let's begin by placing all elected officials under the Obamacare mandate.  I recognize the tendency of the human heart to pursue one's own selfish interests instead of the good of the people, especially when a leader is given too much unchecked power.  So, my desire is to simply find peaceful ways to put those checks and balances back into place.

Then I consider that resistance is futile for our bunny because God has placed man in authority over the animals, and we bought this bunny for a price.  He belongs to us, and we determine what is best for him.  It is not his choice.  Loved ones have told me that there is nothing we can do and that resistance is also futile in the political realm because God has placed these leaders in authority over us, so we must submit without complaint.  The Bible certainly has much to say about grumbling, so I struggle to find the balance between speaking truth about the way things are going in an effort to search out ways to make positive changes without complaining from a bitter spirit.  And we can always pray from a heart that cries out to God, fully trusting Him!  Finding that fine line or balancing point always begins with humble prayer. 

Jesus teaches us to give to Caesar what is due him, so as believers, we must submit and obey.  However, we must first obey God.  Hobby Lobby has provided an interesting example of how we can fight back while honoring those in authority over us.  This company agreed to pay whatever penalties would be levied for not following the Obamacare mandate when it violated their religious convictions even though the penalties were so steep that they would eventually shut down the business. They trusted God to work it out, and so far, He has!

Thankfully, no government system can ever take away the freedom we have in Christ.  While kings, presidents, and dictators may rule over us, God is still on the throne for those who choose to make Him Lord over their lives, and no one can usurp his ultimate authority.

211.    Adoption into God's family and citizenship in Heaven which nothing or no one can ever take away 

John 10:29

My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.

212.  Everlasting freedom for our souls

John 8:35-36

^"35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. ³⁶ So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." 

213.   The power of prayer to restore our nation

 2 Chronicles 7:14

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

214.  Our true king, Almighty God, who fights for His people

1 Samuel 8

⁶ But when they said, “Give us a king to lead us,” this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord. ⁷ And the Lord told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. ⁸ As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. ⁹ Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will claim as his rights.”
¹⁰ Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking him for a king. ¹¹ He said, “This is what the king who will reign over you will claim as his rights: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots and horses, and they will run in front of his chariots. ¹² Some he will assign to be commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and others to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and still others to make weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. ¹³ He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. ¹⁴ He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. ¹⁵ He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants. ¹⁶ Your male and female servants and the best of your cattle and donkeys he will take for his own use. ¹⁷ He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves. ¹⁸ When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, but the Lord will not answer you in that day.”
¹⁹ But the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We want a king over us. ²⁰ Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.”
²¹ When Samuel heard all that the people said, he repeated it before the Lord. ²² The Lord answered, “Listen to them and give them a king....”

 215.  The armor of God

Ephesians 6:11-17

¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For 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. ¹³ Therefore 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. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.