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|
 thoughts and slices of life
between sips of coffee
during November 2005
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November 30,
2005
A
sweet way to
close out
the month...
dolly is
learning to
play
cards... her
favourite
game is "Go
Fish!"
She's even
learning to
ask each
person for
the same
card they
just asked
another
person for
when it's
her turn and
loves it
when she
makes a
match!
We'll move
on to other
games when
she tires of
"Go Fish!"
She found
these
pajamas in
one of the
old clothes
boxes and
came
downstairs
to show me.
She knew
they were
pretty
tacky... so
came in to
ask if she
could wear
the ugly
pajamas.
As can be
seen in the
pictures,
she likes to
dress up...
and have her
picture
taken, too.
An
exceptional
commentator...
I think if I
were limited
to reading
one website,
it's likely
that I would
choose
WorldNetDaily
and further,
were my
choices of
journalists'
commentaries
limited to
less than
five, I
think I'd
probably
choose the
work of
David
Kupelian---though,
there are
many
excellent
writers
listed!
When I
received the
November
issue of
WhistleBlower
magazine, I
knew I'd be
interested
in reading
his article,
The Secret
of Defeating
Radical
Islam.
I've
mentioned
his work
many times
and am
continually
impressed
with his
insightful
and careful
treatment of
whatever
topic he
covers---for
all these
matters are
all too
often
handled from
an emotional
or
subjective
perspective
and governed
by political
correctness.
Not so, with
Mr. Kupelian.
To read
more...
you'll need
to subscribe
to
WhistleBlower
magazine.
The enormity
of
oppression
and
objective of
our enemies
is
staggering---but
what's much
more
dangerous
and
staggering
is the
sobering
fact that
many
Americans
are
embracing,
entertaining,
and even
emulating
the very
enemy that
will destroy
them.
I think of
the ways in
which
compromise
is
destroying
America...
and recalled
an article
I'd read
some time
back
regarding
students
studying
Islam in
California
schools.
Initially,
one would
dismiss this
particular
study
material but
upon a
closer
examination
of what was
being taught
and assigned
to students,
it becomes
very clear
that the
nature of
Islam is
largely
misunderstood---this
is true not
only in our
schools, and
in our
courts, but
it seems to
me in our
efforts to
"defeat"
this foe.
Because
there seems
to be a
misunderstanding
as to the
radical
nature of
Islam, the
enemy will
never be
defeated---the
enemy will
never be
defeated
because it
cannot
receive help
without then
turning on
the very
ones who
sought to
"liberate"
them.
They likely
truly do
want to be
liberated
from their
evil
tyrannical
oppressors,
but they
cannot truly
become our
allies---this
can never
happen for
it is
completely
contrary to
their
foundation----unless,
they defeat
their
liberators
by subtly
infiltrating
the
infrastructure
of America.
Since
America
seems
radically
bent on
eliminating
all
references
to God and
destroying
any
references
to
Christianity
and
attempting
to eliminate
or at least
suppress
Christian
institutions/teachings,
America
seems to be
hemorrhaging
to death.
Happy
97th
birthday to
Grandma!
Here she was sharing a testimony of God's faithfulness as she was honoured
last week at
the 100 year
anniversary
celebration
of the Sedro
Woolley
Free
Methodist
church.
Then, much
to the
delight of
everyone
gathered
there,
she sang a
portion of a
hymn and
thanked
everyone for
attending!
November 29,
2005
More
on
"tracking"
I was
talking with
a
representative
from the
mortgage
company.
They call
about once a
month,
totally
disregarding
our
"national do
not call"
list status.
And
generally I
politely
remind them
of that and
they quickly
excuse
themselves.
But this
time I was
interested
in a lower
mortgage
rate perhaps
and so I
listened to
what he had
to say and
thought:
yeah, yeah,
yeah, when
he thanked
me for being
such a
valued
customer.
I resisted
saying
something
like, O yes,
bet ya say
that to all
the girls.
Instead, I
mumbled
something
like: well,
you're
welcome---every
little bit
helps, I
guess.
Actually,
inside I was
thinking at
what is paid
in interest
each year
surely ought
to make them
smile!!
Anyway....
what got me
thinking of
this again
tonight was
the
instantaneous
acquisition
of our files
and
financial
information.
Never mind
thinking
that there
is some
measure of
privacy---well,
unless
you're
totally cash
and carry no
driver's
license,
don't own a
vehicle
other than a
bicycle and
don't carry
a social
security
card and
don't file
with the
IRS.
Otherwise,
if you're
like the
majority of
Americans,
in a split
second they
can obtain
all your
financial
records.
He asked me
to verify my
address for
him. I
am sitting
there
thinking...
for goodness
sakes, you
have the
mortgage--in
fact, you
own more of
it than we
do---you
tell me
*our*
address---seeings
how we share
it and all.
He was
slightly
amused when
I
reluctantly
gave him
part of the
street name.
Then he
wanted the
last four
digits of my
SS number...
I gave
him the last
single
digit---he
gave me the
other three.
Okay, okay,
you win, I
am thinking.
I wonder if
he knows
what the
scale says,
too.
So, he
shared with
me the value
of our home
and asked me
if I knew my
credit
score... no.
are you
kidding?
I am not
going to buy
anything---not
on credit,
anyway.
Instantly,
he tells me
the scores
from the
three major
reporting
companies.
He
congratulates
me on great
scores.
Why thank
you, I
say... then
I remember:
I don't make
any money, I
just spend
it. I
personally
have no
money, I
have no
job---of
course my
scores are
good! ;-)
Then he told
me the
balance of
the American
Express
card... I
gasped---as
I use it to
buy the gas
at Costco
(last
month's
gasoline was
too steep
for
everyone!).
It's a
monthly
budget
expense and
so I don't
consider it
a credit
card per
se---but
that didn't
matter to
him.
Well... as
he related
numbers to
me---all the
records
instantly in
front of
him, I sure
felt like
asking him
if he liked
what we had
for dinner
that
night... too
much salt or
was it okay
for you?
I took the
information
and told Wes
about it---I
think he was
glad to just
hear about
the
information
and that's
all.
So, the
representative,
poor guy...
working on
the evening
before
Thanksgiving...
tough break.
November 27,
2005
Life
gets....
curiouser
and
curiouser.
This, from cousin, Mark, who is a Boeing engineer:
COW TRACKING:
Is it just me or does anyone else find it absolutely
amazing that the U.S. Government can track a single cow
born in Canada almost three years ago, right to the
stall where she sleeps in the state of Washington, and
determine exactly what that cow ate?
They can also track her calves right to their stalls,
and tell you what kind of feed they ate.
But
the U.S. Government is unable to locate 11 million
aliens wandering around in their country, including
people that are trying to blow up important structures
in the U.S.
The solution is to give every illegal alien a cow
as soon as they enter the country.
November 26,
2005
Celebrating
Sweet Hannah
ME...
We
celebrated
another
birthday in
our home
today!
What a
delight to
celebrate
the birth of
Hannah m-e.
The ME is
for
Mary-Elizabeth.
She's named
after
faithful
Hannah, the
mother of
Samuel in
the Bible
and after
her
great-aunt
and
great-great
Grandmother
Mary
Elizabeth
Bistline.
Hannah
didn't want
to have a
"big deal"
for her
birthday and
so Kathryn
had planned
to just take
her out to
Starbucks
for a coffee
and then to
a local
store for a
little
shopping---which
was a
thrilling
idea to
Hannah.
Instead,
Kathryn had
made
arrangements
for a few
friends to
arrive the
morning of
her birthday
after she
returned
home from
her
breakfast
date with
Daddy.
After the
friends
arrived, she
learned that
they'd all
be going out
to the
thrift
stores to
try on
clothes and
to spend the
day
together.
I attempted
to give no
indication
that I would
be preparing
a tea-party
for them for
when they
returned
home later
that day.
But just as
soon as they
were out the
door, I got
busy baking
lemon bars,
and
preparing
the scones
and tea
sandwiches
and setting
the table
for tea.
They enjoyed
the party
and the "shirley-temples"
and the
special time
together.
It was a
perfect day
for her.
|
Kathryn and Hannah |
The birthday Tea Party table... Larissa
took these pics. |
Later that
day more
friends and
family
arrived and
we had
homemade
pizza and
salad.
And after a
wildly
rousing
round of the
"Happy
Birthday"
song, there
was ice
cream for
dessert.
I sure wish
we had taken
more
pictures.
It seems we
were all
caught up in
the moment
and somehow
the camera
was
forgotten.
Hannah was
our first
baby to be
born at home
with our
then
midwife,
Wendy
Swetman.
O, how this
time of year
makes me
reminisce
and miss the
precious
gift of that
dear friend
and midwife.
What a
blessing she
was to
me---to our
family as
she so
tenderly and
yet firmly
took care of
me through
the births
of three of
our babies.
She has a
skilled
determination
to handle
each
situation
with care
and precise
clarity of
thought---always
instinctively
knowing just
what was
needful at
the time.
I will never
forget the
amazement of
discovering
that she'd
ridden her
motorcycle
over to our
home and how
she removed
her leather
jacket,
pants and
gloves, got
scrubbed up
and seemed
literally
transformed
into the
serious and
skilled
labour and
delivery
coach and
with the
professional
skill of a
doctor, she
set about
her work and
in moments
had our
entire
situation
under
control.
Hers is one
of those
bittersweet
memories...
precious to
all of us,
she died
during the
year I was
pregnant
with Naomi
and O, how I
often wish
she'd been
here at home
with us on
that
Christmas
Day when
Naomi was
born.
November 25,
2005
The
memories
roll on...
This time of
year always seems to bring out the memories and they
sort of wash over and flood my thoughts. As I
worked about the kitchen yesterday, I was mindful of
something my father had said many years ago as we
sat around that Thanksgiving table. He
recommended that everyone look around the table and
take in each face and what was being shared that day
because, he said, surely the next time would look
different---that gathering would not be the same the
next time... maybe someone would not be there, maybe
someone new would be. So, over the years I
have thought of that observation many times... and
many times I've marveled at the changes. No,
the table is never the same. From year to year
there've been changes, many changes. In our
family, throughout the years it seemed that there
was always a new baby or one on the way and so we
could always be found giving thanks for God's great
gifts---another baby to love, another sweet face at
the table or the great anticipation of what God
would bring in the months ahead. And
He's been extremely generous and breathtakingly
faithful through the years. Other changes
have brought unique blessings---many
home-comings and lots of excitement. But the
changes have also meant there were home-goings.
Over the years the gathering around the table
included tears and recounting of many memories as there have been many goodbyes.
So, then, I consider again what my daddy shared...
take a look around this gathering will never be the
same. And then I consider further, he was
right. The crowd has never been the same
again from year to year and since his passing, many,
many changes have occurred; I'm sorry he's missed
them.
November 24,
2005
Thanksgiving
- 2005
|
prayer time... andrew's peeking
and kathryn is seeing it through the
lens. |
which way shall we pass the food?
|
|
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♥
2
0
0
5
♥
|
 |
|
dolly usually sits in her favourite
place...
right next to daddy |
brothers anchored that side of the table
|
I thought
I'd give
sort of a
slice of the
day in words
and in pics!
We surely
give thanks
unto the
LORD... He
is good, He
has been
faithful to
all
generations...
we can only
praise Him.
It was such
a delightful
day---I
thoroughly
enjoyed
preparing
everyone's
favourite
Thanksgiving
dishes.
What I
thought
early in the
day was a
bit of a
problem
actually
turned out
to be a
blessing.
I had put
the frozen
turkey in
the fridge
on Monday
and assumed
it would be
thawed by
today... but
it was not.
In fact, it
was still
icy.
So, Wes put
it in the
large
stock-pot
for several
hours and we
occasionally
changed the
water and
the turkey
thawed just
fine.
A few hours
later than I
had
previously
intended, I
gathered
herbs from
the
remaining
plants in
the herb
garden and
some more
spices and I
filled the
turkey with
them and
then put the
turkey into
the 22 quart
roaster.
It was ready
in about 4
hours---and
as I removed
it from the
roaster and
began to
carve it a
little while
later, all
my helpers
agreed, it
was
delicious!
I made lots
of gravy for
the dressing
and mashed
potatoes,
and made
cranberry
relish,
sweet-potato
casserole,
peas and
carrots,
Mary's
Snicker's
salad and
fresh french
bread.
It was all
yummy.
Later on,
after we'd
talked some
more, played
some games
and visited
with
friends, I
set out
several
pies...
Pumpkin (of
course!),
Lemon
Meringue,
Dutch Apple,
Pecan and a
Peanut-butter
Chocolate.
We so
enjoyed the
time we had
together as
a family
around the
table.
We sang,
gave thanks
and enjoyed
the
Thanksgiving
meal.
Everything
tasted
wonderful
and we all
we so
pleased to
have Michael
join us but
were a bit
melancholy
that the
rest of our
family was
not with us.
It really
was a good
day.
God is good.
I wish I had
taken some
pics of
another
activity
today... the
annual
scouring of
the
newspaper
ads to see
all the
"door-buster"
sales that
will be
happening
all around
the area
tomorrow.
Between Wes
and Kathryn,
a few stores
are slated
to be
visited at 5
in the
morning for
deals to
beat all
deals.
I will be
sleeping...
and will
smile when
they return.
Mary's
Snicker's
Salad
6 apples,
cored and
diced
3
"king-size"
Snicker Bars
(cut down
the middle,
then cut
across into
small
slices)
1 small
container
Cool-Whip -
Whipped
topping.
After dinner
and all the
clean-up was
finished, our older
children
also spent
time with a
couple of
friends who
came by
later in the
evening.
Hannah had
been
diligently
working on a
project and
they had a
plan to make
a paper
"count-down" chain for
a
friend.
Our friend
is in a very
unique
situation---one
that at
first made
me
nervous--- I
didn't
understand
it and
didn't know
how to react
or to relate
to it.
It made me
uncomfortable
then but
does not at
all any
longer.
Her fiancé
is in
prison.
I often cry
when I think
of him...
there behind
bars because
I know he is
a changed
man.
Charged at
eighteen, he
is now
twenty two.
The foolish
boy got
caught and
he knows it
was the best
thing that
could have
happened to
him.
When I think
of him, I
have this
strong
thought that
he is
serving time
for someone
I know who
walked that
same path
but didn't
get caught.
The chain
represents
his release
from prison
in a little
more than
three
months.
He is an
incredible
young
man---really,
very
incredible
and is a new
creation in
Christ
Jesus.
Wes visits
him weekly
and
thoroughly
enjoys his
time there.
Andrew is in
a quite a
remarkable
position in
that because
of his
conduct, he
has been
given some
unique
opportunities
to share
with others
what God has
done and
most recently,
to help
encourage
young people
to stay away
from drugs
and alcohol.
What was an
ugly
situation
has been
used for
good and God
is receiving
all the
glory.
Truly, I
share
this, a bit
reluctantly,
because of
the
sensitive
nature of
the matter.
And yet,
like other
sensitive
subjects I
share from
time to
time, I know
this
scenario is
being played
out
thousands of
times over all
around the
country.
Families
have sons in
prison for
very foolish
behaviour as
a result of
drug use,
etc.
Not to
mention all
the other
troubles
that happen
everywhere,
everyday.
Thanksgiving
tables
across the
country were
minus a
member today
because of
situations
much like
what I've
described
here.
This ugly
topic is a
scourge in
many
families---so
disgraceful,
that some
never talk
about it
with
anyone---and
yet, it's
very common.
And so, I
guess I wish
to encourage
any sister/family who has a
son (or
friend or
family
member) in
such a
situation:
The arm of
the LORD is
not
shortened
that He
cannot save.
And, as
Andrew says,
the prison
bars do not
keep God
out.... God
moves in
prisons.
Before he
was ever
arrested,
Andrew was
in a prison
that drugs
built.
But
now---though
behind bars,
he is free
from that
prison.
Amen and
amen.
Andrew is a
living
testimony of
God's work,
God's
mercy---His
saving
grace.
His is an
incredible
story---he
is an
incredible
man.
We look
forward to
celebrating
March 7th
when he
walks out
that gate a
free man.
So... the
chain has a
hundred
links and
will be
given to our
friend on
Monday so
that she can
see tangible
evidence of
the passing
of days and
so that she
can receive
special
encouragement
along the
way.
Each of the
young people
wrote a
message, a
Bible verse
or a quote
on each
link.
As you can
see from the
"count-down"
on the top
of the menu
bar to the
left...
we're
counting
down the
days, too.
November 24,
2005
Happy
Thanksgiving
- 2005
O, give
thanks unto
the LORD:
for He is
good;
for His
mercies
endureth
forever.
psalm 136.1
My heart is
overflowing---no,
gushing with
thanks to
the LORD for
what He has
done---for
who He
is---and for
His
marvelous
loving
kindness to
us all.
I am amazed
at His
provision,
His gifts,
His mercy on
us all.
I am amazed
at the mercy
of God.
Even when He
is rejected
He is
loving---still.
Even when He
is
discounted,
discarded,
disregarded,
disobeyed or
disparaged
by those He
created---those
He loves,
those for
whom He sent
His only
begotten Son
to
die----even
then---even
then He
remains
faithful.
So, I survey
the year.
When I have
been
faithless,
He has been
faithful---utterly
faithful.
When I have
been
careless, He
has been
careful---utterly
careful.
When I have
been
unloving, He
has been
loving---utterly
loving.
When I have
been tough,
He has been
tender.
When I have
been
anxious, He
has been
calm---utterly
calming.
When I have
been angry,
He has been
kind.
When I have
been
doubtful, He
has been
sure.
When I have
wandered, He
has been
Steady and
Sure.
When I have
been
restless, He
has been
restful.
When I have
been
quarrelsome,
He has been
soothing.
When I have
been
without, He
has
provided---utterly
providential.
When I have
been
tearful,
He's been my
joy.
When I have
been weak,
He has been
my strength.
When I have
been sick,
He has been
my health.
O, LORD, You
have been
good.
You have
been
faithful.
In this
mixed up,
crazy,
upside down
world, You
are utterly
Faithful---I
love you
LORD, my
strength.
November 22,
2005
A heart to
heart chat
about the
Internet
If it hasn't
happened in your house and you're sure it hasn't,
then count your blessings. But if it has
happened at your house and you know about it, then
here is a small consolation: you're not
alone---that, and you know it. What is this?
Internet prngraphy. Just as sorrow skips no
home, it seems that the destruction and filth that
channels through the vast and intricate
world-wide-web seeps into most every home that's
hooked into the pipeline. It's incredible to
me how the LORD allows things to be revealed with
"co-incidental" timing and with unmistakable
clarity. It's also interesting and
incredible how things seem to come along in waves or
seasons. We haven't had a 'season' of this for
quite sometime and suddenly, we've been inundated
with information regarding the endless, sticky,
stinky, tangled web of the internet and the far
reaching scope and role in people's lives---real
people, real lives, real problems. My
heartfelt and sincere sympathy to all those who've
experienced the devastating and shattering reality
of internet prngraphy or who've endured the shame
and devastation of discovering a spouse or son or
daughter involved in even what is called "mild"
prngraphy... or stuff that's "not that bad."
I often think
of the allusion to or illusion of "mild" prngraphy
is like being "sort of pregnant." One is or
one isn't pregnant. One is or one isn't into
internet prngraphy. It's a hugely enormous
problem----and it's fairly simple to spot. I
can almost hear a collective sigh when parents or
spouses take a peak into the black box. And I
am recommending more than simply a peek---I am
suggesting a long, long look at the history on
the computer.
Right-click on
the "Start" button, then on the drop down menu that
gives you such options as: Open, Explore, Search...
click on "Explore" and look on the menu bar to the
left and spot "Local Disk (C:)" and then scan down
till you see: Local Settings---click on it. You'll
then see some options, one of which will be:
"History" and you'll click on that. When you
do that, you'll see something like: Today, Monday,
Last Week, Two Weeks Ago... and so on. When
you click on any one of those, you'll see lists or
"thumbnails" depending on what you've chosen as your
desired method (Thumbnails, Tiles, Icons, List,
Details) of viewing on the menu box that says
'view' when you click your cursor over it.
When you see the tiles or when you see the list,
you'd likely see many images that you are familiar
with if you are the only one who uses your
computer---but if you are not the only one who uses
your computer, then you'll likely see many images
you're not familiar with. It's almost
impossible to be prepared to see shocking
images---or, to read names of prnogrphic websites
that were visited from your computer.
Your first clue
of trouble? No history. When cyber-tracks are
erased, there *IS* a reason and usually never a good
reason. Secondary clues might be a bit
trickier... because depending on the suspect
person, the tell-tale clues will be different.
I almost hesitate to post on this any further
because of the trouble I *know* is out there.
Some say ignorance is bliss. Those who are
ensnared in sin are not experiencing bliss though
they might deny the pain they're experiencing.
I feel like tossing out this disclaimer: Now,
if there are no clues, there are no clues... and
after a brief inquiry, and denial leave it
alone---if there are problems, they *will*
resurface. There is no hiding sin---it will
surface.
There are
numerous websites that can help with personal or
spousal involvement in internet sludge. *But* before
you react/act/attack, think and be wise---stop and
think and be wise. There are many helpful
suggestions
here and
here. I suggest you pray for wisdom if you
find that there have been prnographic sites visited
and because you can verify the time of the viewing,
you can document the usage. There is freedom
from the trap.
More on this
another day...
Your kids... are they into more than simple school
work and chatting with friends *you* know on Instant
Messenger? I have a few personal thoughts
along with what my friend has shared; some very
sobering information about today's trends among
teens.
November 21,
2005
A
family
affair...
The latest
pic of our whole family... all together at the same
time and being still enough to snap some pics!
We celebrated what the LORD has done... we
celebrated family last night...
Wes's mom was here from Indiana, my parents were
here and we celebrated their 25th wedding
anniversary and
our grown sons were home for the celebration, too.
It was one of those wonderful evenings where
everyone just
enjoyed being able to talk and laugh and eat
together.
Our eleven
children, our daughter-in-law and our three
grandchildren.
four generations! and
three generations!
Some people gather 'round the fire, some gather
'round the table, some gather 'round the
television...
but this is probably the most common gathering place
for our family... the computer.
Here they were checking the quality of pics... this
would determine whether or not we'd need to retake
Someday maybe my children will read "mama's blog" and catch a glimpse of some of what was "important" each day, "snap-shots" of the day, what was going on in the world and what really stirred up some of my thoughts. Whatever is "documented" here will pale in comparison to the importance of their lives to me: really, my husband, my children —they are my story — they are my legacy. 
because of Him, I'm a help-meet for my husband, the mother of eleven children and a daughter-in-law and happy gramma to three. I share slices of life because of what God is doing and has done --- and with the hope of being an encouragement to others to press on toward the mark (Philippians 3.14)