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 Voting Your Conscience This November - David Kupelian  and The Media Matrix, also by David Kupelian
Third Party 2004? A Conservative Christian Concern - Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr., Th.D. 

November 30, 2004     So... the last day of the month and we're heading into the final month of 2004.  Can you hear the jingles coming?  No, I don't mean jingle bells, but the year-end and new-year jingles... stuff like, close the door on 2004, come alive in 2005;  you'll survive 2005, you may have been dead as a door in 2004 but you'll revive in 2005!  You know?  Slogans will be everywhere.  So... I wonder about the close of the year and plans for the new year.  I always wonder what the new year will bring. I know one thing's for certain:  I need to start my new year's resolutions---today.   

You see, as part of my recuperation, my mother brought over a box of cough drops.  Well, okay, so they were chocolate truffles.  Trader Joe's Chocolate truffles.  You know, she'd read the reports and came to the conclusion that there was only one thing to do to ease up this pneumonia and that was to go ahead and take part in the research regarding the medicinal properties and benefits of Chocolate.  Now, I've known for a long time some health benefits of chocolate.   So, she must've known that part of the reason I'd not gotten well sooner was the great dearth of chocolate around here.  So, then, I did share the truffles---and yes, the box is empty.  I still have a bit of a cough.  Any weight-loss from sickness has now been restored.  Therein is my dilemma.  The pecan, pumpkin, and lemon meringue pies are gone---Tara sent over some chocolate cheesecake and that was tasty.  The turkey dinner that could have fed an army---did.  A couple of meals at restaurants, and meals elsewhere added additional pounds.  So, now it's nearly the first of December and I'm considering stepping up to the plate (uh, no, I suppose "plate" was a bad start to this analogy of playing the diet game) and attempt to bat away whatever's pitched my way... and to attempt to not steal any bases.

I do love the month of December.   It's sort of a winding down, getting ready sort of time.  I love that the shortening of daylight hours is only going to occur for another month and then, little by little, the sun will shine longer and the days will seem brighter.  The winter sun in the Northwest is incredible, to me.  I never noticed seasonal differences in the angle of the sun when we lived in California.  I never noticed seasons passing, nor much change in temperature from month to month.  But I notice all of these things now and look forward to the different sweet blessings of the seasons.  Our little Naomi, born on Christmas Day, really looks forward to the month of December!  I love her enthusiasm and I love the precious memories of her birth and early days that winter nearly eight years ago.   The LORD's given me many more reasons to be grateful throughout the year... these are just a few.

More later.

November 29, 2004    Two memorial services in as many days with a 96th birthday party for Grandma sandwiched in the middle.  I've been mulling over the amazing opportunity of my life and the ways in which the LORD has worked so incredibly and so mercifully.   God is good---all His ways are good.  He works in amazing and mysterious ways.

I continue to reflect on the events of these past days.  Every day’s an opportunity to see the unfolding, great and marvelous plan of the LORD.  Everyday is an opportunity to see His Hand in even seemingly inconsequential things.  Friday night as we took our daughter out for her special birthday dinner, we shared with the server that we were celebrating a special occasion, the birthday of our daughter and throughout the meal, our server was so gracious and loving to our daughter, giving her special consideration and attention, even bringing her a special sundae with a lighted candle for her dessert.  At the close of the evening, we thanked her for her attentiveness and her obvious care and contribution to our celebration.  Our server commented that we were special and she told me there was "something sweet" about me.  I pondered that as we left and knew the only thing sweet in me is Jesus---it’s all Him, anything good in me.  Well, you can imagine my amazement when I looked over at that memorial service on Saturday afternoon and saw "the waitress"---our sweet server from the night before! there at the memorial service for *her* mother in law!   I continue to marvel at what must've been on *her* mind as she was so sweetly serving us that night, telling us of her 20 year old son and other children---never mentioning the passing of her mother-in-law, but still on her mind must've been the thought that the next afternoon she'd be attending her mother-in-law's service.   A dinner reservation or a Divine appointment?  I marvel.

You never know the impact you might have on a person---or their impact on your life.  You never know how a “stranger” may well be not a stranger at all.  We were drawn to her that night and had opportunity to share our thanks for her at the memorial service.  You never know that your sphere of influence is greater than your sphere of acquaintance.

As I continue to reflect on the events of the last few days, I consider the other interesting incident which led to our attending the memorial service on Sunday afternoon.   The Bible says, in Proverbs 27.10, “Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not….”  I reflected on the meaning of that verse Saturday morning.  You see, my husband never picks up a paper in town because we already have a daily paper delivered here at home and we read other papers on the net.  But, for some reason, he did pick up a Seattle paper Saturday and brought it home and shared with me the obituary that caused me to reflect on the verse I just mentioned.  You see, in that paper was news of the death of the wife of my father’s friend.  Had my husband not picked up that paper, I’d not have known that the memorial service would be held Sunday.  We felt it was important to attend that service, important to demonstrate honour to that friend of my father---though I did not know his friend.   It was an opportunity for me to see once again that the LORD is ever making intercession for us, that He is acquainted with all our ways and that He is working all things together for our good.

My own father passed away five years ago and so never knew of the illness of his friend’s wife, and of course, could not be an encouragement to him now in his grief over the loss of his wife.  O, how I love the LORD… nothing escapes His gaze and nothing happens by “accident” with Him.  I call a thing like this a co-incident: where the horizontal meets the vertical; When the LORD meets us where we’re at.  My husband didn’t buy that paper by accident—it was a *co-incident!* a divine appointment. 

I see the events of the past days as affirmations to what I've said many times, that our sphere of influence is greater than our sphere of acquaintance.  We must be ever watchful, ever careful to observe what the King is doing... every day's an opportunity to see the King.  One of my favourite verses in the Word is:  "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen."  John 21.25

I believe that He's still working like that today, and I believe that were we to know, to really see, all the things He's doing on our behalf, we'd not be able to contain ourselves for even the smallest fraction of His work for our benefit.  I believe we'd not be able to fathom any of the depths of His love for us were we to even have a glimpse of a hint of His care and His tender mercy.  The Word says that He lives to make intercession for us.  Imagine that, if you will; ponder it all of your days:  "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them."  Hebrews 7.25

So what's in the news?  It's all seemingly so unimportant sometimes...  I don't know and for today, I sort of don't care... the Good News is dominating my thoughts.  And I'm so anxious to see the King.
 

November 27, 2004    We had such a special day with Hannah for her birthday.  In addition to the celebration we had on Thanksgiving Day for Hannah, she also enjoyed her special birthday yesterday.  Wes took her to breakfast---a tradition he has with all the children: to take them out to breakfast on their birthday.  Wes & I also had the privilege and blessing of taking her out to dinner at a pretty restaurant to celebrate.  We've set a tradition for our sons and our daughters to receive specific gifts on birthdays that have special significance.  For our daughters, we have set the tradition of taking them out for a special meal where we have time to talk over and reaffirm commitments they've made in and for their lives.   Wes bought Hannah a ruby ring and at the end of our meal, we gave her the ring box that was tied with a beautiful long ribbon.  She was overcome for a moment with the joy of receiving the ring and also at the realization that she's come to this point in her life.  She loved her ring from the first and we were delighted that she was so pleased.  We smiled as we saw her appreciating the beauty of the simple ring and Wes continued to share with her more of what it means to retain honour and what it does and will mean to be a virtuous woman all the days of her life---that it's not a path or choice she'll one day take or make, but rather, that she is, and has been, traveling such a path already.    "Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies... Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised."  Proverbs 31.10, 30

   
Kathryn loved fixing Hannah's hair and Hannah even let us take some pics of her!


And now...   Some Thanksgiving memories

  
Our son, Daniel and Tara's three children... and our daughter's holding the new grandson.



Good to the last bite...
and then dessert!


We shared lots of "Hannah stories"


We all laughed a lot!


'melia and a picture of
her precious daddy

 

These two pics were taken during our family sharing and prayer time. Once again, Dad's behind the camera and we didn't get shots of everyone.

 
and finally, doi8ng what we always do... we do stuff on the computer, we hold babies and share stories.
  
Stephen was checking something on the computer and Samuel was saying goodnight to our friends and Wes was
looking through the ads... making plans for the fabulous "Day after Thanksgiving" sales at the crack of dawn.  Wes
& Kathryn *did* hop out of bed at 5 to get to the sale at Staples! They were happy for the speakers, dvd's and a
 few other 'deals' they found!   Kathryn came home and went back to bed while Wes took Hannah out to breakfast!

November 26, 2004   "Thanksgiving Day 2004, By the President of the United States of America, A Proclamation..."

Our family sure enjoyed the Thanksgiving day together!  We had delicious foods, great conversations, a wonderful time of sharing what the LORD's done in this past year as we each shared five (at least!) things we're thankful for.   We had a time of family prayer and I'll always remember this Thanksgiving as one of the sweetest.
                  

I'm so grateful to Kathryn for her incredible work and all she did to make the meal so delicious.  I'm confident that she could have prepared the entire meal herself had that been necessary.  While I wasn't able to do the preparations as I usually have done them, she ably stepped in to prepare most of the meal.  As I would share some of the ways I prepare things, she would gather the ingredients and I would help with whatever necessary while she did most all the actual work.  As I was feeling a bit better this week, and more so Thanksgiving morning, I was happy to prepare the turkey, dressing and gravy.  And while those were well underway, I added to Kathryn's many pumpkin pies by making pecan and lemon meringue pies as well as Hannah's birthday cake.  Kathryn had made potato rolls the night before, and had made the cinnamon rolls for breakfast Thanksgiving morning.  Everyone seemed eager to pitch in and help... even the youngers helped all day.

It was sure a blessing to have my parents here, to have our older sons home, our daughter in law and our grandchildren, too.  We all agreed that one of the greatest blessings of the past year was the new life He's given: our newest little grandson---his birth and health, and our daughter-in-law's health, as well.  We marveled at God's merciful kindness throughout the year, His provisions and His protection.  As we shared the day together, it was evident that everyone was profoundly aware of our great heritage and God mercy.  Hannah enjoyed the gifts she received and as always was a bit embarrassed by the attention she was receiving and for the rousing and drawn out round of "Happy Birthday" our family always sings each birthday.  We were also blessed that our dear old friends came by for the evening, too.  It was a blessing because as the LORD has directed us in different paths regarding the church, we were able to see that some things don't need to change when the LORD is in control---friendship is one of those things.  We talked and laughed together and I was so happy they were able to visit and to see the new grandbaby, too.  We laughed over the ads in the paper and all the fabulous 'deals' available to early-bird shoppers for the day after Thanksgiving sales.  I, for one, will likely *never* be an early-bird shopper.  Now, were they to have a night-owl sale... maybe. ;-)

By the time everyone else went to bed, everything was all tidied up and put away, the china was washed and put away and the broth from the simmering turkey carcass was already strained and refrigerated.  I had a sweet time with my middle boys who seemed too excited to go to bed and so, stayed up with me!   I'm happy they've learned to build a great fire in the woodstove as this is the way we heat our home and it's a bit chilly, early this morning!  A couple of days ago, I'd made an applesauce cake, so I shared a piece with Stephen and Joseph as we waited for the kindling to make some good coals for the larger pieces of wood to be added---everyone is always happy to wake up to a warm home!

Today's Hannah's birthday---our sweet baby, born at home---It's hard to believe this much time's passed since her birth, but it's equally amazing to me (because she's capable and wise beyond her years) that she's only the age she is.  I don't know where the years have gone, but I sure have a treasure trove of sweet memories.  She's creative and dramatic and flamboyant; she's industrious and ambitious; she's sensitive and thoughtful, patient and tenderhearted; and to me, she's the epitome of spring and summer. 

Today we celebrate not only the birthday of this precious daughter, but also, the great blessing she is and has been all of her life.  I often feel as though I cannot adequately express or describe her worth or the tremendous blessing she is.  I've always felt that this one is like a precious flower that continues to bloom and has an almost intoxicating, lingering fragrance.  She's always been totally charming and lovely and utterly delightful---our Hannah m-e.

This picture was taken at our friend's home in California...
a happy memory of Hannah's delight in playing their beautiful piano.

 

More about Hannah's birthday... tomorrow.

November 25, 2004

Happy Thanksgiving!

We're thankful to the LORD for His mercies,
His provision and protection in this past year.


We're thankful for Family and Friends
and grateful for the opportunities He's afforded us
and for the opportunity of our life.

God bless you and your home.


November 24, 2004   Just when it seems that things are going totally crazy concerning the so called separation of church and state, you're not going to believe this one:  Seems that there's a lawsuit pending in California over the reading of the *Declaration of Independence* in California public schools.   Here's another reason to be wary of government schools.

Apparently, George Washington and other founding fathers of this nation face censorship in the California schools.   How stupid is this?  You'd think that anyone with an ounce of sense would figure out that there is something grossly wrong with the  "separation of church and state" thinking when the founding documents, writings of the founders of this nation, government buildings and monuments all contain numerous references to God and numerous references using the words of the Bible and prayers including the name of the LORD and prayer for His protection and blessing on this nation.  I would suggest that there be a wake up call... that the true meaning and intent of the first amendment be addressed and applied and that this nation get back on track.  I see all this as a recipe that started out with wonderful ingredients and instructions and along the way bits of the recipe have been snipped away and all sorts of conflicting and poisonous ingredients have been tossed in the pot---true this nation is often called a melting pot, but community and order can only exist when the intent is kept intact.  Careening down the slippery slope of secular humanism, this nation will not survive when God is forgotten or eliminated.  Every person will face the living God and every person will give an account on that day.

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD;
and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.
Psalm 33.12

The wicked shall be turned into hell,
and all the nations that forget God.
 Psalm 9.17

  My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge,
I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me:
seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
Hosea 4.6

When you're blessed... who do you thank?
When you're in trouble, upon whom do you call?
In the day of calamity and terror, to whom did this nation pray?
Of whom did the angels sing?   To whom did the Pilgrims pray?
This Thanksgiving... there is only One who will hear the prayers of the people. 
There is only One who can save.  Only One who has the power over life and death. 
There is only One who can deliver this nation. 
It is not allah, it is not mohammed, it is not buddha, or any other god.

 Neither is there salvation in any other:
for there is none other name under heaven
given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Acts 4:12

His Name is Jesus.
 

May the LORD hear the prayers of His people
this Thanksgiving and may God save this nation.



I pray the church will heed the call of the LORD.    If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.   ––2Chronicles 7.14     I pray the church will repent and turn to God, turn away from all the religious trappings and all the other things that have captured her heart.   I believe the church is being humbled already.  But I pray people -we- will humble ourselves before the LORD;  I pray the church will look to Jesus: the Author and Finisher of our faith and that He will indeed bless His church.  I do not mean denominations or buildings or programs or works or any such thing---that's not the church.   The church is the body of Christ---not a place or a thing.   No matter where the body of Christ gathers, so long as the body gathers in His Name, that's the church.  I pray that God will bless His people and draw many to Himself: that the world may know... Jesus.


November 23, 2004   Cooking in preparation for Thanksgiving is well underway here in our home.  Lots of pie crusts are made, a gallon of Cranberry relish is made and Kathryn's going to make cornbread today for the dressing for Thursday.  It's finally beginning to taste like Thanksgiving around here---even if it feel like it.  I'm so grateful to girls for their continued help, to the boys for all the work they're doing with the younger's and to Wes for all the errands he's been running for me.  We're also getting ready for Hannah's birthday!

Happy 24th Anniversary to my parents!    Next year... perhaps an extended vacation?!?!  We'll miss spending time together with them today---but will look forward to Thursday.  We talked on the phone this morning... amazing how time flies and how many sweet memories we hold in our hearts.   We're very fortunate to live near to one another.

In the News...       
Looks like Congress is really getting ready for Thanksgiving!  I guess we all spend money on things others would find ridiculous, but really... there's a limit––or ought to be!  Then... Dan Rather is finally going to step aside, at least partially.  Seems, even he, is recognizing he's overstayed his welcome and it's time to get going!    And, so more on chocolate as a cough suppressant.  We *already* know it suppresses many things... distress, boredom, weight-loss, etc., but the thought of chocolate cough syrup!  And then there's the ongoing recount for the governor's race in Washington State.    So far... it looks like Dino Rossi remains ahead.  So far.

I received a letter in the mail, and yes, it was addressed to *me.*  Surely it was sent to me by mistake as it was from the Happy Paws Farm in Arlington.   They obviously don't know of my high disregard for pets.   They were seeking a donation which I seriously considered doing.   I knew they meant money when a kitten wouldn't possibly fit in the tiny envelope.   Even still, I strongly considered sending them some cats but thought they might not appreciate that donation.  They apparently are not on the Food Chain Today mailer.
 

November 22, 2004     I've been saying for the last couple of weeks that I think I'm not getting better quicker because I haven't have enough chocolate or Dr. Pepper.   I haven't been having lattés or mocha coffee's and no hot chocolate.  Now... you may recall  sometime back that I had reason to have that cup of coffee, but here's some news that might just help me and my coughing companions.   Seems that chocolate contains theobromine, which has apparently been shown to be a third more effective on quelling coughs than codeine.   Now, the study to demonstrate or prove this was a small study, but I think I just might give this a try and see how it works in the days ahead.  I know that codeine wasn't working well for me and I do know that chocolate is something that I can handle.

We're getting our Thanksgiving Day meal preparations underway.  After making up our menu and shopping list this morning, Wes went out with the younger children and did all the shopping for me.  I believe this this the first Thanksgiving meal for which I've done no shopping and will do little of the actual physical preparation.  I measured out the ingredients for the pie crusts this afternoon and Kathryn blended them and put the divided pie-crust dough into 'sandwich bags' for individual crusts that will be rolled out on Wednesday.  I pitted and chopped some dates and will prepare the cranberry relish tonight.  The food processor will do the work for me. 

We went around the living room this morning and asked each person their favourite part or menu item of the Thanksgiving meal.  I believe this was Wes's way of reducing the list a bit; but, alas, every item was someone's favourite and so all the items stayed on the menu.   It was interesting to hear what was significant to each person.  You know... just like at your house: jell-o was on top.  No one is particularly interested in dressing or stuffing---but Wes had that near the top of the list, so it also stayed on the menu... along with cranberry relish and sweet potato casserole.  Our daughter in law will be pleased about the dressing---and she's in on the preparations and she'll make my Russian cream recipe and green bean casserole.  I'm glad she's doing this... I never make green beans for Thanksgiving --- I miss my grandmother's and so just choose not to make them at all.  Thanksgiving and other holidays are sure wrought with emotion and memories.  It's amazing how fresh "ancient" memories are!

In the News:   The more time goes on... the more devastation and evil that's uncovered, the more I see a small glimpse why our country is at war and why, Iraq---why now.  More mass graves in Iraq, More on the scam of oil for food with Kofi Annan's refusal to release the "oil for food" records.


November
21, 2004    It's interesting, the things the LORD uses to speak to our hearts, to shape our thinking and to mold our character.  I've been sick for a month now and find that His love is sweeter and deeper as the days go by.  A few weeks ago I wondered if I'd ever get well---little did I know then that I'd sort of relapse, get weaker, have trouble with my ribs, etc., and that I'd miss so many events that were dear to me.  Some of the events, gatherings, important dates, etc., I'd looked forward to all year and yet, the LORD, in His wisdom, had me in a place where I did not have the option to choose or to proceed with plans I'd held so dearly.   When the LORD wants to establish a new work of the heart, He seems to sometimes choose some peculiar methods and timing.  So it has been throughout this past month.   Day after day, I've found His mercies to truly be: New every morning, great is His faithfulness.  I'm always most grateful for the very low times the LORD's brought me through and for the testings of my faith.  I know, right well, that God never tests us expecting us to fail.  His tests are for our good and His Glory.  And so, today, this LORD's day, I do give Him glory and honour due His Name. 

From Psalm 91:   "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust." 

When He takes us through a time of testing,  when we know the test... we know the test is of the LORD, for our  good, it is then that we can dwell in that secret place---we're reduced to no place but the secret place and our refuge and our fortress is nothing short of the perfect place designed by the LORD.  Then we see through it all,

"Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.  He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday." 

Because we have seen Him---our eyes have beheld His glory and we've been carried through the snares and the darkness, we can see that through it all, we can trust in His truth: our shield and buckler, our protector and provider. 

"Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;  There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.  For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone." 

There is safety in no other, there is health in no other, there is no power greater than the LORD Almighty.   Because I've been in the care of the LORD, nothing that concerns me has been overlooked or forgotten and nothing I've needed has been neglected.  My security rests in eternal things, not on things that I can see.  His angels are watching over me and nothing that befalls me is surprising to my LORD for His permission's been given for all the experiences of my life, all the opportunities of my life, my health and my weaknesses---all are know to Him.

"Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.  Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.  He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.  With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation."

The days when I felt alone and afraid, I praise the LORD, He brought to mind His wonderful Word, the testimonies of my life and the ways of His dealings through the years.  Fevers and sickness, pain and shortness of breath, from all of these, the LORD has been my comfort and my deliverer. He has heard my prayers, He's heard the prayers of the saints and He has shown His salvation.  He has been with me in trouble.  He has answered me---has spoken to my heart in prayer, through His Word, through song, and through the praises of His people.  He has delivered me---I am satisfied in my LORD.

November 19, 2004    I awoke to the most beautiful sound and thought, that must be what it's like to wake in heaven every day.  My family was singing around the piano while Kathryn was playing for them.  They were working on learning a song that has some difficult parts in a minor key.  It's an old hymn, We Shall Jesus.  The words are beautiful... but that's not what I was hearing, specifically; I was just loving the sound... the piano is located in the little room beside our bedroom so the music is quite beautiful.  I've even come to adore the practicing of young, new piano students, for I have seen the results of those early days.

Because we live next to the Snohomish River, we tend to keep a pretty close eye on the weather and storm report.  One place I like to consult is the NOAA site and forecasts.  And then for specific river watch, I check the Snohomish River at Snohomish.    I used to have the River Watch line on "speed-dial" on our phone!  Really!   The Snohomish River crests at 25 feet and our house supposedly floods at around 32-33 feet.  I often wonder what it would be like to experience an actual flood of our home.  In all the years of the 90+ years of this home, it's only taken water one time... but apparently the property has flooded numerous times.  It will likely flood one day as more and more restrictions are put on rivers and dams here in the Northwest.  The river bottoms that used to be dredged are no longer dredged and so, the rivers will continue to rise over time with silt and debris from the mountains and streams.

One year, in particular,  I was so concerned that we'd flood that I called frequently, and walked over to the river's edge just to see how high the water had risen from the last check.  I recalled during our first year in this home when I had read in the Psalms that morning, the 29th of November, 1996, :  


The LORD sitteth upon the flood; yea, the LORD sitteth King for ever.

Psalm 29.10

From that point, I knew that no matter what the LORD would allow to come this way, no matter what we face:  The LORD is on the Throne and He sits King forever.  I might be shaken by the threat of flood... I might even be afraid... but I will know:  "The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" –Psalm 27.1

Beautiful things to see at Dutch Gardens!   Planning now, planting now... for a pretty garden in the Spring!

Well, like I said yesterday... the ACLU machine isn't going to quit till it mows down every single reference to God in this nation.  A girl posted on the message board---referenced God, on a federally funded  website.   It's going to get ridiculous and probably very ugly!  Pretty soon no one will know what ACLU stands for... in stead of ACLU, people'll just start slurring out the name, saying I'llsueyou---if you're a Christian, that is.

Pray for our military... every day, every step, every move is filled with peril.  No weapons of mass destruction? 
Blood Infections in Soldiers---  No weapons of mass destruction?  No Al-Qaida link?

Arlen Specter will fill the Senate Judiciary Chair position after winning the nomination.   You can continue to let your voice be heard through email to committee members.

November 18, 2004    What I wrote for blog-17 regarding my need to settle down from talking so much news-politics-war-news-fighting-etc., is better summed up by Peggy Noonan.  So, I leave her article with you, today.  She's said it best: Ssssshhhhhhhhh.

What follows was written before the above: sssshhhhhh.
I shared on yesterday's blog that I thought Kevin Sites was compromising the military effort in Iraq.  I would now say, further, that he's not only a threat to our military effort there, he seems to be aiding and abetting the enemy and is more of a threat than he seems.  I wonder if he realizes his egregious position there---but as an anti war activist, what a coup for him to be there on the front lines.  His actions are on par with the Iraqi insurgents who hid in mosques to lure troops and then claim the troops desecrated the holy places.  Sick terrorism.

How far will the ACLU go?  When if finishes with the Boy Scouts, with it go after chaplains?  How about chaplains in the Military?  How about Pastors in 501c3 churches?  How about public libraries that carry Christian books and tapes?  How about Christians who work for the government...  do you see how ludicrous this is?  Where will they stop?  When will the ACLU say enough is enough?

If you wondered what it might have looked like in Egypt during the eighth of the ten plagues of the LORD, take a look at Egypt, today.  Swarms of millions of locusts descended on Egypt and likely brought to light the Scriptures of old.  Does the LORD still move today?  Yes, He does.   Whaddya think, is this a plague of the LORD?  

Here in Washington... the governor's race is too close to call and wound up with an automatic recount.  We found ourselves listening to the news quite a bit yesterday!

November 17, 2004    [added note] As I was going to sleep last night and upon waking, I realized that I'd left a pretty dismal blog for the day and realized that there are so many other things that would be or would have been edifying.  For instance, I could've/should've shared some of the things the LORD is teaching me in these last few weeks.  I've written some and yet there's much that's unwritten, much that's never been recorded in a journal because, at the time, I was unable to write it.  So these days have been a treasure trove of sweet inspirations and time with the LORD.  These days have also been a strong reminder that the *stored Word*, the known Truths, the memorized Word is the ONLY Word that can be read in the dark.  So... I guess I wanted to insert this because of the dismal news on the airwaves and in print---but the Word is not dismal---it is HOPEFUL and it is LIGHT!!

Do you need a smile today and some thoughts to carry you through?  Here you go! (Thanks, Katherine.)

This quote from the McInnes-Hume website:
"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take - but by the moments that take our breath away."

If you're following the news concerning the appointment of Arlen Specter to the Senate Judiciary Committee, and you oppose the nomination, you can sign a petition stating your opposition.  To do so, click here!  today.    If you'd like to write an email to the senators on the committee, go here to use the form.  When I am sending form letters to multiple recipients on the same topic,  l write a single concise letter and then copy and paste the same into each form I want to send.  I don't do this with personal letters as that erodes the sincerity of each one---but with political letters, I do this.   [In case you're wondering why I oppose Specter, is because Arlen Specter so ignorantly calls conservatives: "extremist," "far-right fringe" and "radical extremists." ]

Pending confirmation by the Senate, Dr. Condoleezza Rice will be the next Secretary of State.  

Katherine also sent me a link to a very sobering video of the "legacy" of Yasser Arafat.  It does take a moment to 'load' but it's worth the short wait.  It reveals a man who was, as wicked as Saddam Hussein (new: funding terrorists and their families), a vile man, many call the "godfather of terrorism." All I can say is... whoa!

More on the war on terror.  You know... I've long thought that so called "embedded reporters" are causing more harm than good in Iraq and around the world.  Because of *their* vantage point as well as *our* vantage point, It's difficult to accurately assess what's going on... and a play-by-play of the "war" is foolish, in my estimation.  It was foolish last March and has been ever since.  It's foolish on a number of counts, but one in particular, I believe reporters are a real threat to security and to the work of the military.  Never before in the history of the world could reports and film footage be transmitted so instantaneously, therefore, never before in the history of the world could the world stand by and "watch the war" as if it were a movie or a presentation to be critiqued---it's a war.   [At this point I will spare my litany of comments about soldiers; they shoot people, it's ugly and mean and tough---it's war.  That's what they do.]

So, back to "reporters."  All this is particularly problematic when news headlines such as "Setback to US image in War" and then the article.  Iraqis condemned the act as "cowardice" and "something forbidden in Islam."   What isn't widely reported is that a member of that same unit was killed two days before that incident (apparently, a booby-trapped insurgent feigning death was strapped with explosives; upon moving him they both died), also, not taken into consideration, that the marine in question was, himself, shot in the face the day previous and still another member of the unit was killed later in the same day of the shooting in question.   The military, not the reporters, need to carry out the mission they've been given.   That NBC reporter, Kevin Sites had a choice... and made a foolish one---and his irresponsibility and zeal has compromised the effort to carry out a very dangerous and complicated mission against a shifty, horrific foe.  NBC claims that Sites' video of the soldier was to be edited to obscure the name of the Marine---but is it a surprise that Al-Jazeera got hold of the tape and aired it unedited?  Shame on NBC.  Is it not then a bit more clear that the networks have an agenda---and do you think that US loyalty and national security is at the top of their agenda?  

I believe our military efforts are compromised by news bytes that give an infinitesimal  slice of what's going on in a very large and very dangerous arena.  Yet, it's that small scope that serves as the portal to the war for a majority of people.  It's like watching network news and coming away believing that what's been 'reported' is all that's going on or is the accurate report of what's going on.   Read this article and you'll se just how slanted the networks really are and what their agenda really is.  Conditioning minds to see things through a particular lens and mislabeling, discounting and crushing any other view is what networks do best---and though they do compete for market share, the "big three" are not all that different---not really different at all.

The war is turning dirtier and uglier by the day.  Street fighting has always been nasty.  Next:  US and Iraqi troops fight to reclaim Mosul.  I've often thought this isn't a "winnable" war.  Islamic terrorism is a force that refuses to surrender and like cancer, is radical and multiplies seemingly endlessly.

Have travel plans---by air?  Keep your eye on the news for a possible nationwide walk-out by flight attendants.   And if this Washington gubernatorial race wasn't gripping enough, now Ohio will go through the arduous recounting of the ballots from the November 2 election.  Amazingly, the Libertarian and Green Party apparently raised more than $150,000 in four days---well above the
$113,600 required for the statewide recount.

________________________________________________

November 16, 2004    Sort of a low day yesterday and after a major computer fiasco, I think I have some things back in order, thanks to Wes and to Daniel who stayed up late to help me.  I lost some files, yesterday's blog---and it was the very best of the best!  Okay, humbly, now:  I had several great things to share with you... there were some great news items yesterday and some interesting political comments.    You'll just have to pick up a copy of the Enquirer if you want to know what's going on!

Some news items of the day... talk about a weapon of mass destruction: Saddam was a most vile and dangerous individual.   How about another weapon of mass destruction:  the ACLU---the Pentagon caved to the ACLU (which is anything but!) and agreed to penalize the Boy Scouts.  Oh, the myth of separation of church and state has far reaching consequences.  Judicial tyranny and the ACLU are a couple of the greatest threats to this nation. 

Don't you find it incredible the paradoxes in life?  So Merck pulls Vioxx off the market when its discovered that doubles a person's risk of heart attack and stroke---but there's a WARNING LABEL on the drug "RU-486" for, read this: "FDA and Danco Laboratories have received reports of serious bacterial infection, bleeding, ectopic pregnancies that have ruptured, and death, including another death from sepsis that was recently reported to FDA." When I first read about that drug being marketed a number of years ago---I immediately would repeat: R U 4 86?  NO!  Incredible... take a drug off the market!   But for another... just put a label on it... please let us keep killing our babies!  It's all so sad and so sick---it's nothing but anathema.  

The soldier that was pictured on the front page of a number of newspapers probably would never have guessed a photo of him would end up causing such a ruckus, not to mention that his pic would ever end up on the front page of a newspaper.  Seems many are troubled about the message the soldier is sending to impressionable individuals who will see the photo and think that smoking is as cool as it gets.  I can see their point... but really... war's an ugly thing, a dirty job in an ugly place.    I don't know about the smokes---I hate them, actually---but that's one of the faces of war.  I don't excuse it... it's a face of war, it's dirty and tired and facing death---it's a face, some mama's son, I'll never forget.

A friend sent me an email containing a pic of John Kerry wearing a T-shirt with the caption: I spent 250 million to be President and all I got was this lousy T-shirt.  A pretty good image editing job on the person actually wearing the shirt---it could almost pass for Kerry, himself, but the form was too athletic or lifelike.

November 13, 2004    A question that came up on the message board was in regards to modest dress and how to locate a good pattern for... a jumper, I believe.  Well, I did happen to find some great links for patterns years ago and posted them in the Sewing and Crafts page but realized I'd never posted them to the Modest & Feminine Attire page (so I did!)--- but then I came across great patterns for quilted jumpers (and more!) which led me to another "jumper search" which yielded great results!  One was Jumpers at oldpatterns.com (I had to scroll down quite a ways before finding patterns near to this decade!) and while I did find many more links to "modest dresses" I was discouraged to see what is considered to be: modest dress.

A little news... pretty interesting to see the election results map and then to read the numbers by percentage points.

more later...

November 12, 2004  I missed another Bible Study last night.  While I've benefited greatly from the net, radio programs, Bible reading, etc., in these last few weeks, I so miss listening to brothers in the LORD share from the Word.  I so miss singing and praying together with the families and hearing what the LORD is doing in different lives.  I miss many things.  I see more and more what the Word has to say about fellowship and assembling together:

"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."  
Hebrews 10.25

It's pretty neat to see that more women are utilizing the message board and sharing ideas and encouragement with one another!  It really is my hope that many will pop in from time to time and share their knowledge and understanding on different matters concerning any area of home-life.   I still think the message board is a bit cumbersome and sort of difficult to navigate---but that just may be my lack of knowledge about how boards run and also Kathryn and I may need to adjust some settings to ease the navigation.  I like that it's there when women have time to use it and hopefully won't take up too much of their computer time.  I also love that the board is drawing older women ;-) and women from different parts of the world. We've so much to learn and so much to share with one another.  I'm hoping my mom will pop in from time to time...

Resting all morning till the icepack on my chest began to melt enough to cause the towel to become damp---causing me to wake from dreaming I was in some sort of lake.  So, I'm up for a little bit today after a difficult time yesterday in which I must've done more damage to my ribs/muscles or fractured a rib.   I was coughing-coughing-coughing and felt a pop in my ribs on my left side; I tell you the truth---I thought for a moment I'd not be able to endure the pain.  (sort of like labour transition, girls, but without the gift in the end!) I know I'm being rather dramatic here, but in my panic I even called Wes to come home.  So, I've been doing ice packs, 20 on/40 off; ibuprophen and more water.  The nurse I spoke with also suggested wrapping my ribs--which I will do.  I was doing a little research online about rib fractures.

In the News:
What wasn't a problem when Christine Gregoire was ahead is a problem now that she's behind Dino Rossi in the race for Governor in the State of Washington.   So now there's a lawsuit by the state Democrats---and a counter suit threatened by the state Republicans.   As in other states, it's the "provisional ballots" that are causing the uproar.  O, how I wish that voting regulations would tighten up and eliminate the problematic "early voting" and provisional ballots---even the matter of voter registration ought to be addressed and be taken more seriously with more examination and attention given to meeting eligibility requirements.

Well, it's finally over---or almost over.  The Scott Peterson murder(s) trial has a verdict: the jury has determined him to be guilty of murder in the first degree in the death of his wife, Lacy, and guilty of murder in the second degree in the death of his unborn son, Conner.  Not to seem overly critical or judgmental in all this, but I must say that the whole  story was really aboveboard (pun intended).  I thought the man was duplicitous in all the reports I read and so the smarmy details and wicked schemes that were undertaken, it's no surprise to hear of the guilty verdict.  Now comes the sentencing; with the conviction he received in California, he faces a sentence of life in prison or death by lethal injection.

O, my-----If the news of the 56 year old New York woman giving birth to twins didn't grab you, how about this:  A 59 year old ~great grandmother~ will soon deliver twins!  But, how 'bout this for a serendipity to the story:  she and the father of the baby will REmarry before the baby is born.  When family members, concerned for her health, suggested she terminate the pregnancy, she felt that in doing so, she wouldn't be able to live with herself---that the babies were a gift from God.  Now I, and some of my friends think our spans of childbirths were long... think of this: 44 years!  Wow.  A story to follow, to be sure.

It was sort of difficult to listen to the news yesterday as some newscasters seemed to laud the accomplishments of the now deceased Yasser Arafat.  Why in the world cannot reporters just call a spade a spade.  The man was a terrorist.  All the "political correctness" is extremely far-fetched---especially given the fact that our country is at war---a war against terrorism-terrorists.  Arafat was certainly no hero---he was a terrorist; and as terrorists go, I'll have to question the judgment and comment by Jimmy Carter calling Arafat "a powerful human symbol and forceful advocate."   Carter's statements are almost scary.  A powerful human symbol, alright: a symbol of terror and the force of terrorism.  The fact that Carter believes Arafat was an "indispensable" leader confirms how out of touch that former President really is.  Remember what you know about this man and write it down... history will likely portray him as a beloved statesman---but you'll know the truth.

November 11, 2004 
             You're reading this because a soldier fought for, and defends this nation.  Thank you, veterans, for your sacrifice and courageous service to our nation.  Even now, men and women are in harm's way, risking their lives that a country might be free and our own protected from terrorists who seek to destroy us.    The President, on  Veterans Day - 2004.

And then, there's the media matrix again... and these talking points are beginning to spread---first with Christ Matthews and now with Matt Lauer.    He compares the war in Iraq with the Revolutionary War army under George Washington.  Watch carefully, revisionist history continues on.  You're going to hear more on this... I'm sure.

O, Thank You, LORD, for the countless men and women---soldiers---who have given their lives for the cause of freedom, who have paid the ultimate price for the establishment, protection and advancement of freedom.  O, God, I thank You for the freedoms my family enjoys, for the freedom to live and move about, to speak, to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to pray! I thank You, LORD, today and everyday for Your grace and your favour.  I thank You again, for the veterans who've made us a free people.  O, may God save our nation.

The war has many faces.  It's taken many forms and touches countless lives.  Terrorists have faces---but most we'll never see.  Just as we'll never see the faces of the Soldiers that bring us freedom---who give their lives that we might live in freedom---no matter what people believe about the war or . The words of Zell Miller on September 1, at the Republican National Convention:

 "...For it has been said so truthfully that it is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us the freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.  It is the soldier, not the agitator, who has given us the freedom to protest. It is the soldier who salutes the flag, serves beneath the flag, whose coffin is draped by the flag, who gives that protester the freedom to abuse and burn that flag..." 

The Soldier has a face.  The War has a face.

Another terrorist has died.  Yasser Arafat has died in a Paris hospital---and surely no tears are being shed by Israel who has known no peace in the presence of an enemy they consider an evil tyrant with his devious schemes and cohorts.

And that Governor's race here in Washington state just continues to be...  O, soooo close!

While I do get concerned over the price of gasoline... I'm not nearly so concerned about it as I am about the price of *chocolate!*   Well, that may not be entirely true, but it's close.  Turmoil in Ivory Coast has led to problems with cocoa exports.    Apparently there's not going to be a significant increase in consumer prices or a decrease in availability---unless the turmoil continues and the ports remain closed.  This may be a boon for other countries as Ivory Coast exports 40% of the world's cocoa.

Well, it looks like Bill G. is attempting to give the Google-boys a run for their money----and I'm not so sure it'll be an easy race.  As far as search engines go, the Google boys seem to have a broader appeal and really seem (just like Bill's coup de grâce with Windows and its other products in the PC industry) to have done all the right things at precisely the right time.  'Makes me wonder if Microsoft was just a day late... I wonder also if Google has a broader appeal---people have trusted Goooooogle for years, know it's "user friendly" and is very efficient (as a search engine) and perhaps will have a preconceived notion that MSN Search will just be a glorified version of the Yahoo search---or cumbersome like its current pc search.  As for the Google boys, to their credit, they're likeable guys with a very successful program and seem to just get beeeeeeeeeeeter.  In the back of my mind... a little voice is screaming... what about the history of Microsoft---it mows down every obstacle it faces---I then consider the dominant success of IE and Hotmail and IM and MSNBC and, and, and.  Microsoft isn't the only one seeking to build a better mouse trap.  Others have their eyes on the search-engine prize.  And not to be outdone by the MSN giant, with its search engine reaching some 5 billion pages, Goooooogle, on Wednesday, upped its index to 8 billion.   That's not all that surprising in our double it, super-size it, astronomicalize it world.

November 10, 2004    Today I have some gift & website recommendations! I haven't referred to this site in quite awhile: Karla Dornacher.com. Her books are truly some of my most favourite---both to enjoy personally, and to give as gifts.  Whenever possible, I purchase a few to have on hand when I know I have some special "gift occasions" coming up.  Her books seem to be a blessing to whomever they're given.  I know that when my husband bought me one a few years ago, I thought it was one of the most beautiful books I'd ever been given---I know this is due, in part, to the fact that they're filled with Scripture throughout.  Her artwork is also quite heartwarming.  I have her 'greeting cards' link on my page of E-cards for you to send.  Her books are the devotionals as Susan Branch's are the beautiful water colour, handwritten cookbooks---also my favourites.  Wes just bought me her new Autumn cookbook.  Her website is almost as beautiful as her cookbooks!  But the trouble with websites as opposed to books is that you can't carry them around, smell them, freely thumb through them, make notations, splatter marks and history in them, or press flowers in them or fold over the pages and you can't really pass them on to future generations.  But!~ they're free to you, and you *can* bookmark 'em and visit as often as you like!  And I hope you will!

One of the things I enjoy each day is tea---and so love my pretty teapot Wes bought for me.  It was a treat to have it as he knows I love different dishes, teapots and teacups.  The one he bought for me is from Christian Book Distributors.  Of course I love its colour, but more, that he bought it for me.  CBD offers lots of gifts and every sort of wonderful books at marvelous prices.  My favourite Stash Teas are Earl Grey & English Breakfast and another favourite is "Constant Comment" tea.  And my favourite coffee is Millstone's Chocolate Velvet and Swiss Chocolate Almond.  When local stores are have great sales, we sometimes stock up on coffees and teas but it's also great to find coffee & tea at low prices online.  Of course, Wes would say that finding great deals on eBay is the best shopping!

November 9, 2004    It's a rather dreary day here in the Pacific Northwest.  The days are getting shorter with fewer hours of daylight, the leaves continue to fall from the trees nearing the end of the spectacular presentation of brilliant fall colours.  Soon, most all the tress will give way to winter with the unseen preparation for the Spring beauty pageant.  One thing I greatly appreciate is the outdoor refrigerator---our porch becomes a very handy place to keep things cold---but the trouble with this method is that the refrigerator becomes a freezer :-0 through the night.  This is a wonderful time of year to prepare for Spring... stores have spring bulbs in stock, there are *numerous* online companies and Michigan Bulb company also has great prices for bulbs, plants and seeds.  I try to add little bits here and there every year.  It's amazing to watch the dramatic display of colour throughout the Spring.

Today's my first day without a fever, so I'm starting to see a difference after taking these new meds---or maybe the codeine makes it all not matter so much. I'm taking an amoxicillin/augmentin drug that's supposed to be effective in treating pneumonia and upper respiratory infections---the Azithromycin apparently wasn't strong enough??   Anyway, in addition to lots of rest, the doc suggested drinking more water---I think my mother got a hold of them before my appointment to let them know what was needed. ;-)

Anyway... Wes and the children continue to be incredibly helpful and organized here in our home.  I'm so grateful to all of them for carrying out all the necessary chores, schoolwork and help with one another here at home.  My huge regret is not being able to help Tara and the new baby just yet. 

I'm so glad for the encouraging letters concerning the creation of the message board.  I'm sure hoping that it will be a way for questions to be quickly answered and for women to communicate ideas in the different forums.   Hannah and Kathryn helped set up a couple of new forums within the board so that the topics are a bit more varied.  This venue was chosen over an email "discussion list" so that readers can "visit" the board when time allows rather than receiving group emails or digests each day.  I truly love email lists but because of my tendency to get all wrapped up in ongoing dialogue and spending too much time facing the screen instead of facing my family,  I've had to refrain from involvement---though I miss my internet friends everyday!  

November 8, 2004

What a blessing it was to be able to go over to Daniel and Tara's to see and hold the new baby.  I just could not wait!   I did go right back to bed upon returning home.

The baby is sweeter than I could've imagined.  Little Zachary was born a few days early.  Tara shared that his cord was wrapped a couple of times around his neck and that the midwife moved quickly to 'unwrap' it.  I sure see the Hand of the LORD in the preparations and the birth.  Tara was very rested last night by the time we arrived and was so gracious to allow me to hold him.  Such a miracle: birth... life.  I love that God has given us the children He has... and I love that He's allowed us to be grandparents.  We're humbled at the work of His Hands.


Well, I went back to the doctor today.  Still running a low-grade temp, and still having pain & trouble breathing and still have the pain in my left side. So then... new meds, new suggestions for recovery and Tylenol w/codeine for "sprained ribs."    Now, I've fractured ribs before... but sprained?  No---didn't know that was a possibility and my children thought that was pretty comical.  
So... I broke our digital thermometer---totally by accident so Wes bought a new one at Costco yesterday.  He bought an Exergen Temporal Scanner.  It's quite a nice and quick way to take one's temp.  Wes asked the nurse today what she thought of the scanner's accuracy and she thought it was very accurate but cautioned that the forehead must be thoroughly dry for an accurate reading.

Post Election---we still have some jitters over the nail-biter gubernatorial race between Dino Rossi and Christine Gregoire here in Washington State.  It's truly remarkable: the backlash of the recent elections.  I marvel that democrats are trying to blame someone for the outcome---but I guess we all do that sort of thing, don't we, when "our guy" loses.  Well, there's surely a new definition to the term, "seeing red" isn't there.  Now, looking at a US post-election map, the whole country looks rather red---and truth be known, lots of those "blue" counties are only narrowly so.  It's odd to me that liberals think that something's wrong or that the margin was too slim for Bush to have really gained the victory.  More of  "The Media Matrix" (link I shared the other day).  I heard on the radio today, something like: it was not truly a fair election because George Bush wasn't really an incumbent President and therefore wasn't really re-elected. So... whatever.  Looks to have been a pretty decisive win to me.

Well, it looks like the new  message board is working out okay.  I'm so glad---but, tell you the truth... I really don't know what in the world I'm doing there...  I just fumbled my way through setting up the board and now still need to figure out out it all works!  Really!  Sad but true... I need to have Kathryn help me iron out any kinks and help it all run smoothly.  She sweetly agreed!   So, I hope everyone will bear with me as I overcome the obstacle of the learning curve.  I just hope that sisters will just be able to share with one another, that questions will be more easily or more quickly answered so that I don't inadvertently neglect a question or request.    I recognize that I only put up a limited number of "topics" and so will need to go and figure out how I did that and how I'll add more areas for discussion/sharing.  In the meantime... I hope the message board will be a source of encouragement, information and blessings.

More tomorrow or... later today ;-)

November 7, 2004  We have a new Grandbaby!  We praise the LORD and rejoice with our son and daughter-in-law at the arrival of their third child, Zachary Jacob Alexander, born this morning at 6:38!  Wes drove Kathryn and Samuel down to their home to watch the little ones so that they could go on to the birthcenter.  Baby Zachary was born about a half an hour after they arrived!  (Yes, just like the birth of Abigail)  I ached with disappointment at not being able to be there with them to share in the marvelous event.  I'm still not well and remained at home this time.  It is such an honour and privilege to have been present for the births of the first two grandbabies so to have missed this one was very discouraging.  It was such a joy to receive the pictures that Daniel sent as soon as they arrived back home.  I'm astounded at today's technology that allows on the spot communication and transmission of photos instantaneously.   Astounded and grateful and so amazed at the merciful grace of God!  So, without further delay... here's our new grandbaby!

 

If, when you get through your Bible reading today and you wonder what to wonder about...  SeanK has a few things for you to ponder.

November 6, 2004  I sometimes have difficulty replying to the emails I receive so I thought I'd set up a message board... but this may be a temporary thing as it might prove to be too cumbersome to actually be convenient for readers or visitors here.  I'm also thinking that perhaps the messages of others will be most helpful as I can only give a small bit of encouragement or a particular or limited view in answering questions.  Anyway... perhaps a message board will be of help.  Additionally, perhaps this isn't the "best" board to go with or the best format... we'll just have to see how it goes.  I'll try it for a couple of months or so and see what kind of results we have.  So... here's the  message board.  Go ahead---post a topic or a comment, get a conversation going and perhaps others will join in.

I'm still not well so I need to keep my time here brief.  I sure appreciate the encouragement and wishes and prayers for health!  What a blessing to me and what an inspiration!  I've been a bit discouraged that this pneumonia is dragging on and my "to do" list is growing while I do nothing much at all.  I, again, must share that my husband and family have been a tremendous help and blessing to me.  I am humbled at the graciousness of the LORD in and through them and to me.  He is more than amazing to me.

November 5, 2004  I'm up for a little bit today... slower again as we had a bit of a late night and while I was anxious to be up and about, I realize this morning that each day seems like two steps forward and one step back.  It was our turn to host the Bible study here and what a blessing it was to spend the evening with friends, reading the Words, singing and praying together.  Our minds were never far from our friend, Amy, who was in labor.  We prayed for her, for her husband and family and then later, near the end of the evening, were delighted with the great news that their little baby girl had been born at home and that both mother and baby were doing very well. 

So... for the past little while I've been reading, as I do most days, the news on the net while a newspaper lies folded on the table near me.  I read the news on the net for a number of reasons---print size, for one---it's certainly easier since I broke yet another pair of reading glasses, it's easier bcz I don't have to wade through the pages of (!?!?)centerfolds of our local newspaper and I can sit here in my bathrobe and slippers, never leaving the house, and yet jump around reading relevant articles from paper to paper across the nation or around the world.   And oh, the stories!  The ignorance of the Republicans or the homophobic religious right or the out of touch majority of America, it's conjecture what would've happened had Senator Kerry been elected President and what does all this mean for 2008?  The media scrambles for an answer----why did this happen?  They talk about the "unteachable ignorance..."  I'm telling you---look at a USA county by county map!  By and large, the major cities of the east and west coasts of the country think that whatever *they* see or think is what's going on or thought in the rest of the country---and it just isn't so.  What's more: the district by district election results would show and even more dramatic picture than the county by county one does.  I'm left wondering what is the LORD doing/allowing here and what are we, as believers, to do in response to this election.

I'm sorry for Mrs. Edwards and the heavy news on an already emotionally draining day/election season.  As I read the reports yesterday, I was moved by the thought that she has much to bear and is likely drained from the experiences of the previous months---and now, the difficult news: breastcancer.

Ohhhhh the agony of the delay in knowing the outcome of the Rossi vs. Gregoire gubernatorial race.

So Americans are setting their sights high---or, north, that is.  Seems that thousands of disenfranchised Americans are considering a move to Canada, something that Canadians find amusing and seem to welcome the Immigrants and America has welcomed immigrants for hundreds of years.  So the disgruntled Americans have a chance to live in freedom, without oppression from people they disagree with; they have more opportunities to advance their cause.  A country that desires to grow, is more liberal than the US is (perceived to be), and has a favorable immigration policy that would enable Americans to become Canadian citizens in a year's time---less were the immigrants to marry a Canadian.  I love this, from: David Ljunggren - Reuters article:  "The idea of increased immigration by unhappy Americans is triggering some amusement in Canada," Commentator Thane Burnett of the Ottawa Sun newspaper wrote a tongue-in-cheek guide to would-be new citizens on Friday. "As Canadians, you'll have to learn to embrace and use all the products and culture of Americans, while bad-mouthing their way of life."  So, to those who seek the perceived freedom they'll enjoy in Canada, who will be more in the dark than they are currently, who will find an entirely different definition or paradigm of freedom, not to mention a sore lack of great Mexican food: au revoir!
levity, a little levity.

November 4, 2004  Another day to reflect on what's just happened in our country.  I think we've all spent so much time reading about campaigns and the mudslinging that went along with all the rhetoric that it's hard to process what's transpired in the last couple of days and more what the implications are in Bush's defeat of the formidable opponent in John Kerry.  I mull over all the comments I either read or received concerning idealism, Michael Peroutka and the dangers of pragmatism in voting.  I reconsider and then reaffirm my decision to vote the way I did.  I consider what would seem to me to be a nightmare had the results been different.  Then I reflect on the simple reality:

Daniel 2.21-22 "And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:  He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him." 

Interesting:  "We fret and fume till we have our desire, and then we have to fret still because the attainment of it ends in bitter disappointment". –C.H. Spurgeon

Compared to recent weeks, today's news is relatively "slow."   The talk around the world is more skewed than the talk around the country---it seems to me---but it's no surprise that the Dems have already set their sights on 2008---now, scarier than Mr. Kerry: Mrs. Clinton.   I'd be pretty surprised if that one is taken seriously, in the end.   One thing I must say is that I truly believe Mr. Kerry's speech was very gracious---a refreshing change from all that's been seen in previous weeks.  It was very encouraging, actually.   So then, now it's time to pray and work for change as led.  The momentum of the success of the election coupled with the desperate need for wisdom and understanding to be encouraged, there are enough conservatives plus individuals in the "Constitution party" to perhaps send a message to Washington (DC) to effect change.  I pray so.

President Bush shared in a news conference today, "I earned capital in the campaign - political capital - and now I intend to spend it."  I pray in the spending, that he'll be listening intently---first to the LORD and then to trusted advisors and the very people who elected him to office, and then that he'll spend his time wisely.  His "victory speech" was well done.  I'm so not surprised at the jabs he's taking and the angry words from those who feel defeated or "disenfranchised" in this week's election.  America is at war---a civil war of polar opposites in terms of morality and ethics---------not to mention the tangible war on terror(ists).  The media war is, in my opinion, deadlier with secular humanism and immorality at the core.  I continue to mull over the article: The Media Matrix by David Kupelian ---a Worldnet Daily exclusive.  If you plan to read it---and you ought to, go get a cup of coffee... you'll be awhile. ;-)

We celebrated Stephen's birthday, which happened to also be Election Day and so as our family gathered to celebrate, we also had our minds and eyes on the election returns.  Very, very rarely our family has the television on---in fact, with the reception of only one channel and the antics required to obtain an acceptable picture, it's generally not worth the effort or the inconvenience of the wires and antennas necessary.  However!  On that night and its outcome was enough to pique our interest to endure the picture quality and... amazingly enough, Dan Rather.  Of all the anchors to endure...  it was almost painful to watch him, obviously agitated that some were 'calling' states, he, at times, was noticeably distraught at the apparent outcome.   So we watched, we all talked together---happy our sons were home, happy my parents were here and that Stephen had a special friend over and all the little guys played Monopoly.  We later joked that that's what the map of the USA counties election results looked like: a red monopoly.


Stephen is 11 now!  We gathered to sing to him,
Another rousing round of "Happy Birthday!" He had a chocolate frosted vanilla cream cake with chopped candy bars and m & m's on top!
 


Our family ---plus, my parents, our daughter in law, our grandchildren, and Michael's girlfriend, Lindsay;
all together for the evening to celebrate and celebrate!
 

Kathryn prepared a complete roast beef dinner
with fresh potato rolls and then served everyone!
She always blesses me.


Andrew had me looking after
Bob the Builder

Little granddaughter,
Abbey, and her 'cell-phone'

 
A rare moment when all of our children are home and can gather for a
  family pic.  So... here we are:
Wes & me and our 11 children.
Daniel - 25 (married to Tara, 2 children + 1 due any day), Michael - 23,
Kathryn -18, Timothy -16, Samuel -14, Hannah -13, Stephen -11,
Joseph -9, Naomi -8, Andrew -6, Amelia -3. 
(Thanks to our friend James for taking our pic!)



From these pics, it sure doesn't look like a very busy evening... but it was---and was lots of fun!  We love our family so!


Election results had us captivated...  ;-)
Some of us stayed up pretty late!
 


November 3, 2004    Wahoo!in a word.

 

November 2, 2004   Welp... this is it!  All year long... we've thought about it, dreamed about it, talked about it, reminded everyone about it!  This is the day we've been counting down, waited for,  and here it is!  We've watched the calendar, we checked off the days, heard the wishes and have made our plans... so, here it is...

Stephen's Birthday!

                       Happy birthday!

 

 
 

Oh, and also, yes indeedy, it is here: Election Day 2004. Now the fighting's done...

 whatever was going to be said has been said, whatever was going to be done is done, whoever is going to win is going to win... when it's all said and done, before the day's over, or tomorrow, (perhaps) we'll know the outcome of this most bitter, nasty, reckless, dirty, mean-spirited election.  What a pitiful display: Americans (The world's Superpower) putting on a shameful show of arrogance, greed, deceit, and uncivilized behaviour for the whole world to see---and worse: for our young generation to... model?

I'm guessing that President Bush must be exhausted and reflective as this day essentially brought his rigorous campaigning to a close---this is likely the last time he'll undertake such a schedule, to be sure.   This, from Drudge, A transcript of Limbaugh's program concerning what's at stake in this election.  His comments are worth reading.  The photos are gripping.  There's a lot more at stake in this election than I believe any of us can fathom.  Our country, truly engaged in a civil war of sorts, is at a crossroads.

I believe that if John Kerry is elected President today, he will have pulled off the heist of the century.  He will have courted half the nation to connect with him in a presidency that he has never defined, to endorse a man they do not know and who has successfully and masterfully deceived them to the point they didn't question his integrity, his moral standards, his ethical standards, his political records and surely, his military records.   It's pitiful, really, that so many haven't questioned the man behind the man John Kerry.  Pathetic that the media has robbed the American people for so long it doesn't even have the moral fiber to authentically present events.  Tom Brokaw's interview with Kerry last week was edited "
Brokaw: "Someone has analyzed the President's military aptitude tests and yours, and concluded that he has a higher IQ than you do."  Kerry: "That's great. More power. I don't know how they've done it, because my record isn't out in public. So I don't know where you're getting that from."   Hmmmm.

It's too late now to ask any more questions, to make any more statements or to hypothesize the validity of political positions or strategies.  It's too late to rationalize why we're voting the way we are or why a vote for this one or that one cancels the other.  It's too late to refute the arguments of those who dispute our position or think we're backslidden for our perception of the political field and it's too late to withdraw an already mailed and postmarked absentee ballot ------------BUT! It's NOT Too Late To V-O-T-E today!


November 1, 2004     I've had many people urge me to change my position on this year's presidential election and I must admit, they have compelling arguments---and I actually agree with much of what's being said.  That said, I still maintain the position that it's unwise to vote for a third party candidate in the "two party system" we have.  Additionally, the Electoral College is a "two party system" as well.  And that said, I believe we have more influence and can pave more inroads with the system than we allow ourselves to believe.  It will take work---it has taken work---probably more than anyone has realized or would believe---and probably more than most people are willing to contribute; and I don't mean financially.  Attempting to work a system that that doesn't exist is futile in my opinion and I believe actually may work adversely and squander precious resources.   Just think of the resources George Bush does *not* have today because of the alternative parties and how many votes he will not have on Tuesday for the same reason. 

We are to be lights in this world---we are to live in this world but not be of it. I believe that an attempt (today) at a third party "fight" is counterproductive.  I understand the rationale of making inroads, of incrementally gaining strength or recognition, gaining or meeting the requirements of the states' ballot regulations, and further, I fully respect those who say that God could do a miracle.  The latter is absolutely indisputable. This country will need many regardless who is elected on Tuesday.   I believe that the rationale that every time there's an election, more third (or fifth party, in reality) inroads are made is understandable---though inaccurate---but I also believe that roads are right now being paved in Iraq and it's very unwise to not support that effort and allow the completion of what's been set in motion. Those slow or incremental steps that "third party" candidates hope to make can never really impact the vote in the way they intend.  A thought I continue to mull over is that in addition to the war in Iraq, we have another war taking place on our soil right now and it's a moral war---and I believe that it's a war that we cannot afford the luxury of taking small steps to conquer.  I truly believe a vote for anyone outside the Republican candidate and the Democrat candidate is a vote for the Democrat candidate and a prescription for foolish decisions---some which may truly determine the fate of this nation.   So, I'm sorry for offending a brother or a sister in Christ---but not sorry for taking this stand.  Other comments I've made can be read in last month's blog: here.

Well, it's sure getting close, now!  One day to go, till the Presidential election---and a whole lot more!  While our eyes are on the two facing off in the presidential contest, there are many races around the nation that are being fought with as much or more intensity.   In addition, while our eyes are on our battles, battles are raging in the middle east with a vengeance!  All's not well in Iraq and not all quiet in Iran and the recent tape release by Osama bin Laden dominates much of the web news.  Then, in what seems to me to be a preposterous---almost reckless accusation, Walter Cronkite even accuses Carl Rove, Bush's political manager of setting bin Laden up as a means to sway the election---and further, that the outcome of the election will not be known until early Spring.  But you know what?  I keep bringing to remembrance The Media Matrix by David Kupelian (article) and think Walter Cronkite is a very clever man himself---if anyone knows the power of the media, it's that veteran news man, to be sure.

Now about Wes's Chicken Noodle Soup recipe.  I'd say his soups will cure whatever ails you!  He starts with a 22 quart stock pot half-full of water, brings it to a boil and then proceeds to fill the pot with a couple of chickens, chopped carrots---several, celery a whole stalk or two chopped in large pieces, leaves and all, onions--a couple, a few heaping tablespoons of minced garlic, about an eighth cup of fresh ginger - thinly sliced, a handful of parsley, seasoned pepper, a tablespoon of garlic-parsley salt, a tablespoon of italian seasoning, and probably some other spices ;-) added, too.  He then brings this to a boil and then reduces the heat and simmers it for several hours on low heat.  He then removes everything by straining the broth through a large colander.   He returns the broth to the pot or into gallon jars to cool in the fridge [or on ice in the ice-chest] in order to skim the fat off the top.  Then, he proceeds to remove all the meat from the bones and gathers the carrots and small bits of other vegetables and puts them in a container for use when making the rest of the soup.  Later, he dices carrots and some onion and celery and brings them to a boil, cooks for a few minutes and then removes them from the pot and then uses that water to boil egg noodles for several minutes and drains off the water.  He then takes the skimmed broth and puts it in a large pot on the stove, adds the cooked veggies, the chopped cooked chicken (and broth veggies) and the noodles and stirs to mix them and when the soup is hot:  it's time to eat!

Kathryn makes potato rolls which taste so good with homemade chicken noodle soup!  I'll bet I can get her to give me the recipe... then I'll post a Chicken Soup for Whatever Ails Ya page--with both of the recipes.

Prayer requests? please write us, we'll gladly post them in Prayers & Praise.
[Email address harvesters crawl the web and because I post my email address on this site; 
the address harvesters send me *tons* of absurd spam, so when you write, using our address links,
[ you'll need to please remove the "--remove this spam trap--" before sending mail ]
 
 
 
Someday my children will read "mama's blog" and catch a glimpse of some of what was "important" each day,  some "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: my husband, my children---they are my story; they are my legacy. 

a special movie

In memory  Kathryn Lindström ~ please support the Susan G Komen foundation

These are a few of the Current Places we regularly visit on the Net!
The Drudge Report... ♥Judicial Forum  ♥ seank's Blog  eBay  Doug Phillip's Blog
 
Rebekah Wilson, The Hope Chest: A Legacy of Love) ---much for which to thank her!
Azure Standard Bulk & Natural Foods   Ray Comfort's Monthly Column
 Roger Bennett of Legacy-5: An incredible journey to health.
 
Here you go, if you want to add some pizazz to your Instant Messenger---it's FUN!

 
 

 

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