Well, here we are in October already! It doesn't seem possible that we are this far along in the year already. And I heard today that Walmart is putting up their Christmas decorations already! A little early don't ya think?? Whatever happened until at least waiting til just before Thanksgiving for that stuff? I love Christmas. Its my favorite time of year, but this is getting to be too much. Too much commercialism.
School started a week ago yesterday. I tell ya, in some ways its kicking my tail. In other ways, I am holding up and keeping up well. I like all of my professors and they like me, I think. I have had 2 assignments, tons of math homework and 1 quiz already between the 3 classes. Also have started on a group project for my cultural diversity class. Some of the work is tedious, but none of it overly difficult. My shrink has increased my ADD medicine by 10mg to see if that will help me focus better when reading etc., so I don't feel like my head's going to explode if I read 120 pages in one day.
The cultural diversity class will be the one that is going to give me trouble. 20 years ago in college, we had no such thing and it certainly wasn't required. The reading is VERY dry and there will be some things that will come up that I am sure I will not agree with because of my Christian faith. I am not sure about the purpose of such classes, except its "PC" (politically correct) to make everyone like everyone else. Well, guess what? We aren't going to like everyone else. We were all made as different, unique individuals by God in His image. While I am sure that He would prefer that we all get along, because of our human tendencies, we are not going to. Just a fact.
Anyways, school is going well. The only exception is this virus that has spread through the campus like wildfire this week. I am not kidding. Everyone has it; professors and students alike. We all sit in class with our noses running, sneezing, stuffed up, hoarse, coughing a lung up and just generally feeling miserable. My math class this morning was certainly feeling the full effects of it, right down to the professors stuffed up nose and hoarse voice herself. Hopefully it will pass quickly as it is kicking my butt. Because of my fibromyalgia, when I get a virus like this, I hurt much worse than the average person, which I hate. This week I have felt like my muscles have been ripped apart on the inside. Ugh.
The devil has certainly been in a battle with me lately. First it started with our great power outage of 2 weeks ago. My power was out for 4 days and I lost everything in the fridge and freezer. Some people were out much longer, I am aware, and I felt badly for them. So, while all of that had our world upside down; I am running around like a chicken with my head cut off trying to get everything situated for school. I went full blast into school and haven't really stopped. This past Tuesday morning, we woke up to find that we had no water. Isn't that just lovely? I don't think this city can do a dang thing right. And they should for the taxes we pay (outrageous!). They have been working out on the main drag and broke the water main late Monday night. Smart. Real smart. But, I digress...
So, I have all of this going on. My power out just days before school, adjusting to school, catching this virus, no water for a full day and a bunch of little things. I really feel like the devil is doing is very best to get me down so that I will give up and quit, cause he knows that this is where God wants me to be right now. Several times a day, I have been saying to myself or out loud, "In the Name of Jesus our Lord and Father, get away from me and leave me alone you stupid devil". People say to do that when you feel like the ole devil is just meddling, meddling, meddling, so I do. I have also started reading "I Talk Back to the Devil" by the great A.W. Tozer (as if I don't have enough to read!). It is an excellent book and I think will help me with these pesky daily battles that I seem to come up against whenever I am in God's will.
My workouts have been a little weird lately. I walk a tremendous amount at school, up and down stairs, carrying a backpack some days, a roller bag others. I do still lift weights etc., but its hard after walking all of campus all day to come home and do 2 more miles just for exercise. I think it would probably help me if I can just get in the groove. Got to get in a groove.
I will tell ya that working out all summer and lifting weights made a huge difference when it comes to carrying that backpack or even handling the rolling bag. I think if I hadn't been working out all summer and weight lifting that my body would have just collapsed completely. After the first day last week, I thought I was going to die I hurt so badly. But, after small group, I came home and took an extra warm shower, put on my pjs, took meds, and went to bed. Next morning, I didn't exactly hop out of bed, and I was certainly sore and stiff, but I made it up and moving.
That's one thing I have been so thankful for. The Lord has certainly blessed me with being able to sleep well since school started, and He has equally helped me each morning to get up when the alarm goes off and helps get me moving. I feel Him right there with me each step of the way, every day at school. Even through the people I have met in class or sitting in the hallways.
My church just finished a sermon series about how to "Fireproof" your marriage to coincide with the release of this Christian movie last week. I have not seen the movie yet, but the sermon series was really good, I thought. I especially liked the first and last sermons in the three sermon series, although it was hard to sit through me and not bawl like a baby. This weekend, we are going to start in on a in depth study of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. I am looking forward to that as well. It sounds like its going to be very good.
I am very thankful for New Life and for the friends I am making there. They have been such a great support to me over these past months. Just really surrounded me and enveloped me in their love and Christ's love, and some of them I haven't even met! They just send me a postcard saying they prayed for me that day, or they are rejoicing with me in something that God is doing in my life at that time, just anything and everything.
They do a tremendous job of connecting with the body of the church even though it is so large (all together about 1500 people, give or take a few hundred each week.). So. I appreciate that they make such a great effort at that. The services lately have just been awesome for me, from our time of worship and praise to the sermon, it has just been a great time for me to remember to turn everything over to God and give it all to Him. Let Him worry about the details of this or that, let Him have totally control in my life. It has just been a tremendous experience for me, really, since last May. I am so thankful to be there and have met the people I have met; in addition to learning more about God and drawing closer to Him on a truly daily basis, allowing the Holy Spirit to work the way it needs to in my life.
So, although the devil is trying his best to make me trip up or give up, I am not going to let him. With the power and help of our Lord Jesus Christ, this is one battle that devil isn't going to win.
I wanted to share a song with you that we sung at church this past weekend. I had heard it before and sang it before, but this time, it really got me and I could hardly get through it without the tears running down my face. It's all about 'Surrender'. Are you willing to surrender everything in your life to God and the Holy Spirit? Everything? Maybe it will give you something to think about the rest of this week after you listen to the song.
"Surrender" By Lincoln Brewster
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Yk0Sj7oglk
Maybe today is your day to truly surrender all to Him. All of it. All of the hurts, pains, fears, happiness, joy, confidence, your spouse, your children, grandchildren, everything. It's a hard thing to let go of it all because we as humans want to hold onto it all and "fix" or take care of it all ourselves and we can't. No matter how many times we may try, we can't. Only in Him do we find that true peace, that true settlement, that true reason for why we are here on earth. All we have to do is surrender; surrender it all. God will do amazing things once you let go.
May the Lord Bless you and keep you. May you learn the true love and grace that is found by only being in His presence on daily basis, all day. I am going to leave you with a Psalm that these days is mostly heard at funerals or the place of someone who is in serious illness. However, I think that the Lord meant for it to be so much more for us than a prayer; we should see it has stating facts and praising His name. Read it out loud and listen to the words as you read it, let it speak to you like it never has before.
Psalm 23 (NASB)
The Lord is my shepherd,
I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
He restores my soul; (Praise His name that He does this!)
He guides me in the path of righteousness
For His name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You are with me; (PTL!)
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You have anointed my head with oil;
My cup overflows.
Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
AMEN!!!
God Bless Ya'll till we meet again.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Thursday, September 18, 2008
This Is My Prayer
It has been a stressful week from Sunday to today. Our power came back on sometime overnight. The dog and I are home again and happily so. I have just been feeling so stressed this week and turned upside down, after I did my 2 mile walk this afternoon, I had some prayer/praise time with Petra.
Nothing calms me down like worshipping the Lord. Nothing else makes me feel so settled. And so, I wanted to share their song with you that means so much to me. This Is My Prayer.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjW7TXyLisQ
Nothing calms me down like worshipping the Lord. Nothing else makes me feel so settled. And so, I wanted to share their song with you that means so much to me. This Is My Prayer.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjW7TXyLisQ
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Lights Out
It has been a very interesting week, starting back with last Saturday. It is only Wednesday and I feel like I have had a years worth of stress etc., just since last Saturday.
I went out campaigning last Saturday with the Steve Stivers/Jim Hughes teams. We ended up walking about 3 miles going door to door. It was cloudy that morning, but that was just a tease. We met up about 930am and got going about 10am. By then, the humidity was sweltering, soup-like. We were only about 10 minutes into our first street of door to door, and we were both sweating like crazy. By the time we got done with the first half, we were both covered in sweat, soaking! I had it running down my legs, I was sweating so much! We took a break and got some cold water and sat in the air conditioned car for a few minutes. Then we were back at it. We got done with all of our addresses a little after noon, and by then I had given up trying to keep the sweat at bay. I just let it roll. I hung out for a few minutes when we got back, resting a bit, then said my goodbyes and headed home.
Once I got home, I changed out of my soaking clothes. Then I did my usual Saturday housework, sweating more. After I got all of that done, I took another shower, some Motrin, and laid on the bed to ice both knees which were thoroughly swollen. Nice.
Sunday morning I woke up so sore, it hurt to just get out of bed. I padded to the bathroom, painfully, and realized I was not going to make it anywhere that day. My feet hurt so badly, I could hardly stand to walk on them. I haven't had them hurt like that for quite some time. They were still swollen on Sunday morning. I iced them a few times on Sunday during the day, trying to help the swelling to go down.
As many of you know, we got the remnants of hurricane Ike on Sunday afternoon. It just kept getting more and more windy. The trees twisting in the breeze like crazy; stuff banging up against the back and side of the house. The electricity flickered a number of times, but always came right back on. I just kept praying that it would hold. It did not.
About 4pm, my electricity went out again and this time did not come back on. I waited a half-hour before I called the electric company, to see if it would come back on its own. Finally at 430pm, I called the electric company and reported the outage. They told me at that time that they estimated my power would be back on by 6pm Sunday evening. It was not. The dog and I had one flashlight and the batteries in my radio still worked, that was it. She spent most of the day in the closet, scared from all the wind and banging.
About 6pm, the tree in my front yard fell over, roots sticking out from underneath, nothing but dirt left in the ground. It made a loud racket when it fell, but thankfully fell into the front yard, missing the house, and not the other way into the driveway. The neighbors and I were outside numerous times, checking on things, making sure that the roof wasn't coming off, things like that. About 7pm, it started to get dark and I came to the slow realization that we were not going to get our power back Sunday night before bedtime. I left the bathroom light switch on, fully expecting the power to come back on sometime during the night.
The dog and I slept fitfully, waking at every little sound and not being able to see a thing in the pitch black. We managed to get some sleep, however, for which I was thankful. We woke up Monday morning and waited a bit. I went down into the dark basement and did my workout for that day. Waited til about noon and just about went crazy. My mother in law invited me over to get out of the house and be around others, even though they didn't have electric either. I readily accepted the invitation. What normally takes about 20 minutes on surface streets, turned into a 1 hour trip trying to get over here. Trees and branches down everywhere, no traffic lights, no power.
As we were preparing to make supper on the grill Monday night, the power came back on here at their house. We were all so glad. We grilled out anyways, but were glad to have lights and TV. I stayed til about 8pm then headed back to my house in the pitch black. The whole neighborhood was encased in the darkest black. I didn't like it. Made it through another night, sleeping fitfully again, but God kept us safe.
Yesterday I woke up and still no power. By now, everything in my fridge and freezer is warm and thawed. Yuk. All of it into the trash; about $40 worth of meat, milk, etc. That was painful. My mother in law had taken yesterday off, so she called me and told me to come over again. I did, thankful for being able to go someplace that had power and all. I ended up staying here last night, it's just too hard being over at home without power. I have done all that I can without lights. I went home for a bit this morning and did a few things; lifted weights; got the trash all ready and out to the curb for tomorrow's pickup; got some clothes and other things. Took a shower in the dark.
In today's paper, they had a color coded map of our city. I found my neighborhood and according to the color, they don't anticipate having the power back on there until Friday at the earliest. What a thrill. My system is all out of whack; the dogs system and nerves are a mess. She did sleep well here last night and is sleeping again now. I am thankful for that.
So, I am temporarily without a place to live that has modern day conveniences. I appreciate the fact that my in laws have provided shelter and warm food for the dog and I. Makes things interesting for me and the hubby, since we are separated. But, I am thankful to have a roof over my head that has electricity!
I have been busy today trying to get things situated for school that starts next week. There was some confusion about my financial aid and I have spent the afternoon and half the morning trying to straighten that out. I will have to go down to the campus tomorrow and do some things to get it all situated in time for classes next week. Need to get my parking sticker and school ID anyways. I will probably be there all day tomorrow, whoopee! But, at least we did get it all straightened out and I do have money for school and books! God does provide! There were many prayers that went up last night when we realized there was some hang up; but God worked it out, hearing those prayers! Thanks God!
Election Day is approaching fast and furiously. I have not found a steady, regular job yet, but do have a job working at the polls on Election day, which will bring in decent money. Better than nothing. I keep hoping that maybe all my campaign work will pay off in some manner in the way of a part-time job. That was just be awesome if that's the case. A job in the political world while still in school would be a tremendous opportunity!
Time is moving faster and faster. I am up to 2 miles in my walk and 10lb weights(starting today) for the weight-lifting portion. My muscles are sure building up well, and I like to see them, shows my hard work. My cousin should be home from overseas in November, and I am so looking forward to seeing him and hugging him. He's a good kid and I am so proud of him.
So, that's been my life the past 5 days, although it seems like it has been a year. Everything is just upturned and upside down right now and I am more than ready for it to be settled back to normal, in my house, with my electricity!
I thank God that no family or friends were injured (that I know of as of now) during the wind storm on Sunday. I am thankful to God that the tree fell the way it did, missing the house. That He kept the dog and I safe the 2 nights we did spend over there in complete darkness. And I thank Him for family who shelters and opens their arms when your world is upside down like this! Thanks family! Thanks to God!
May the Lord Bless You and Keep You til next time.
I went out campaigning last Saturday with the Steve Stivers/Jim Hughes teams. We ended up walking about 3 miles going door to door. It was cloudy that morning, but that was just a tease. We met up about 930am and got going about 10am. By then, the humidity was sweltering, soup-like. We were only about 10 minutes into our first street of door to door, and we were both sweating like crazy. By the time we got done with the first half, we were both covered in sweat, soaking! I had it running down my legs, I was sweating so much! We took a break and got some cold water and sat in the air conditioned car for a few minutes. Then we were back at it. We got done with all of our addresses a little after noon, and by then I had given up trying to keep the sweat at bay. I just let it roll. I hung out for a few minutes when we got back, resting a bit, then said my goodbyes and headed home.
Once I got home, I changed out of my soaking clothes. Then I did my usual Saturday housework, sweating more. After I got all of that done, I took another shower, some Motrin, and laid on the bed to ice both knees which were thoroughly swollen. Nice.
Sunday morning I woke up so sore, it hurt to just get out of bed. I padded to the bathroom, painfully, and realized I was not going to make it anywhere that day. My feet hurt so badly, I could hardly stand to walk on them. I haven't had them hurt like that for quite some time. They were still swollen on Sunday morning. I iced them a few times on Sunday during the day, trying to help the swelling to go down.
As many of you know, we got the remnants of hurricane Ike on Sunday afternoon. It just kept getting more and more windy. The trees twisting in the breeze like crazy; stuff banging up against the back and side of the house. The electricity flickered a number of times, but always came right back on. I just kept praying that it would hold. It did not.
About 4pm, my electricity went out again and this time did not come back on. I waited a half-hour before I called the electric company, to see if it would come back on its own. Finally at 430pm, I called the electric company and reported the outage. They told me at that time that they estimated my power would be back on by 6pm Sunday evening. It was not. The dog and I had one flashlight and the batteries in my radio still worked, that was it. She spent most of the day in the closet, scared from all the wind and banging.
About 6pm, the tree in my front yard fell over, roots sticking out from underneath, nothing but dirt left in the ground. It made a loud racket when it fell, but thankfully fell into the front yard, missing the house, and not the other way into the driveway. The neighbors and I were outside numerous times, checking on things, making sure that the roof wasn't coming off, things like that. About 7pm, it started to get dark and I came to the slow realization that we were not going to get our power back Sunday night before bedtime. I left the bathroom light switch on, fully expecting the power to come back on sometime during the night.
The dog and I slept fitfully, waking at every little sound and not being able to see a thing in the pitch black. We managed to get some sleep, however, for which I was thankful. We woke up Monday morning and waited a bit. I went down into the dark basement and did my workout for that day. Waited til about noon and just about went crazy. My mother in law invited me over to get out of the house and be around others, even though they didn't have electric either. I readily accepted the invitation. What normally takes about 20 minutes on surface streets, turned into a 1 hour trip trying to get over here. Trees and branches down everywhere, no traffic lights, no power.
As we were preparing to make supper on the grill Monday night, the power came back on here at their house. We were all so glad. We grilled out anyways, but were glad to have lights and TV. I stayed til about 8pm then headed back to my house in the pitch black. The whole neighborhood was encased in the darkest black. I didn't like it. Made it through another night, sleeping fitfully again, but God kept us safe.
Yesterday I woke up and still no power. By now, everything in my fridge and freezer is warm and thawed. Yuk. All of it into the trash; about $40 worth of meat, milk, etc. That was painful. My mother in law had taken yesterday off, so she called me and told me to come over again. I did, thankful for being able to go someplace that had power and all. I ended up staying here last night, it's just too hard being over at home without power. I have done all that I can without lights. I went home for a bit this morning and did a few things; lifted weights; got the trash all ready and out to the curb for tomorrow's pickup; got some clothes and other things. Took a shower in the dark.
In today's paper, they had a color coded map of our city. I found my neighborhood and according to the color, they don't anticipate having the power back on there until Friday at the earliest. What a thrill. My system is all out of whack; the dogs system and nerves are a mess. She did sleep well here last night and is sleeping again now. I am thankful for that.
So, I am temporarily without a place to live that has modern day conveniences. I appreciate the fact that my in laws have provided shelter and warm food for the dog and I. Makes things interesting for me and the hubby, since we are separated. But, I am thankful to have a roof over my head that has electricity!
I have been busy today trying to get things situated for school that starts next week. There was some confusion about my financial aid and I have spent the afternoon and half the morning trying to straighten that out. I will have to go down to the campus tomorrow and do some things to get it all situated in time for classes next week. Need to get my parking sticker and school ID anyways. I will probably be there all day tomorrow, whoopee! But, at least we did get it all straightened out and I do have money for school and books! God does provide! There were many prayers that went up last night when we realized there was some hang up; but God worked it out, hearing those prayers! Thanks God!
Election Day is approaching fast and furiously. I have not found a steady, regular job yet, but do have a job working at the polls on Election day, which will bring in decent money. Better than nothing. I keep hoping that maybe all my campaign work will pay off in some manner in the way of a part-time job. That was just be awesome if that's the case. A job in the political world while still in school would be a tremendous opportunity!
Time is moving faster and faster. I am up to 2 miles in my walk and 10lb weights(starting today) for the weight-lifting portion. My muscles are sure building up well, and I like to see them, shows my hard work. My cousin should be home from overseas in November, and I am so looking forward to seeing him and hugging him. He's a good kid and I am so proud of him.
So, that's been my life the past 5 days, although it seems like it has been a year. Everything is just upturned and upside down right now and I am more than ready for it to be settled back to normal, in my house, with my electricity!
I thank God that no family or friends were injured (that I know of as of now) during the wind storm on Sunday. I am thankful to God that the tree fell the way it did, missing the house. That He kept the dog and I safe the 2 nights we did spend over there in complete darkness. And I thank Him for family who shelters and opens their arms when your world is upside down like this! Thanks family! Thanks to God!
May the Lord Bless You and Keep You til next time.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Remembering....
I tried to think and find an appropriate poem to place here today for the remembrance of what happened September 11, 2001 here in our great country. I couldn't find one that I liked well enough or said what I wanted to convey on a day such as this.
Then I remembered that great song, "God Bless America"; I listened to it once again and found that yes, it conveyed all that I wanted to convey on this day. The only person I know that does this song the best way is the great Kate Smith.
So, as you go about your day today, pause for a moment or two and remember those who died 7 years ago today in New York City, The Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and that lonely field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Also take a moment and remember our troops that are now serving in our war against terrorism and say a prayer for them and their safety.
May God truly Bless America!!!
Take it away Kate:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCavKL2zdjM
Then I remembered that great song, "God Bless America"; I listened to it once again and found that yes, it conveyed all that I wanted to convey on this day. The only person I know that does this song the best way is the great Kate Smith.
So, as you go about your day today, pause for a moment or two and remember those who died 7 years ago today in New York City, The Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and that lonely field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Also take a moment and remember our troops that are now serving in our war against terrorism and say a prayer for them and their safety.
May God truly Bless America!!!
Take it away Kate:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCavKL2zdjM
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Tuesday, Tuesday
Well, here we are at the second Tuesday of September already. It is hard to believe how fast time is flying by as we have moved from the summer into the fall. It seems time is moving faster and faster as we have gone through the year. I guess part of that is because I have been busy.
I intended to write on here yesterday, titling it 'Monday, Monday' after the song from the Mamas and the Papas, but I didn't get it done. Thus the title for today's post, even though its not a song from the Mamas & the Papas.
We had storms come through here overnight that surprised me with their intensity. I knew that there was a cold front coming, but since it was at night, I figured it wouldn't be that bad. I was surprised when I saw on the late news the storms that were out there and headed this way! I heard the first thunder from a small storm before I fell asleep. The big boomers woke me up briefly when they came through later in the night, but I went right back to sleep. And it's so nice and cool today!
Had to take the dog to the Vet yesterday. When we got up Sunday morning she had a bit of a limp, but I thought she had perhaps laid on her leg wrong. Later in the day on Sunday however, the limp got worse and there was some swelling on the wrist of her right front leg. Yesterday morning, the limp wasn't as bad, nor was the swelling. So, I decided to watch her for a few days and see if things got better or worse. I went about my day yesterday, doing some "fall cleaning" and applying at yet another place for work (23rd application). By yesterday afternoon though, she is in very obvious discomfort and pain, crying a bit. So, I called the Vet and they saw us yesterday at 430pm.
He seemed to think she had some sort of soft tissue injury. He gave her a shot of cortisone and told me to have her take it easy for the next 7 -10 days. He said if after the 10 or so days, she was still limping and/or still in pain, to bring her back for x rays and such; but he felt sure it was just a small soft tissue problem. I was so thankful. She will be 10 yrs old next month and I was worried that it might have been something more serious. So, she has been resting quite a bit since our visit to the Vet. Still limping, but doesn't seem to be in as much pain.
I went to a Christian rock concert at my church Sunday night. They are a local band (my church is their home church) and are slowly branching out. The concert Sunday night was a CD release concert for the second CD; it's titled "Perspective". They were really excellent and I enjoyed the concert thoroughly. They are a loop band, which was different experience for me, and it was interesting to watch them work everything throughout the concert.
I was equally impressed with their heart for the Lord and their desire to share His word and message with the world. They are a good group of kids who were not afraid to wear their hearts on their sleeves and share some personal experiences. The groups name is STATION 2. If you would like to check them out and hear a bit of their music, you can find all of that on their website: www.station2music.com. Give them a listen!
Classes start at college two weeks from tomorrow. I am excited and nervous all at the same time. Am taking a full load, 14 hours each quarter this year to get everything done that I need to get done before transferring over to the school where I will actually get my degree. The actual class schedule is not that bad, but it will be a challenge keeping up with that full load. I need to get a backpack, notebooks, pens, and actual school books yet; in addition I need to get my parking sticker (which is expensive, I think) and my school ID. So, I have got quite a bit to do in the next 2 weeks before classes start. I had hoped to have a job by now to help offset some of these costs, but so far, nothing on that front.
I have been a little discouraged about finding a job. There is nothing worse than looking for work, I think. I have tried to do 2-3 or more applications/resumes a week, and am not getting any real bites at all. However, I am not alone in that. I have friends and family who are also looking for work; all of us looking for different kinds of jobs; all of us requiring different pay, benefits etc; and all of us are just not having much success in finding that job. I have tried to stay encouraged, knowing that God is in control. He knows what I need and I am really trying to be patient and trusting in Him to bring about the right job at the right time. My humanness wanted something two weeks ago, but evidently it wasn't in His timing. So, I am doing what I can in finding work and just trying to trust and rely on God to provide what I need at the time that He knows is right.
I will be back into a small group Bible study starting tomorrow evening. It's a group of just women, which is very different for me, but I think it will be a good experience. I have really missed my Beth Moore group, but see some of the ladies from time to time at church and its always good to see them. I don't know what my new group will be studying, but I am looking forward to it.
Our church is starting a series this Sunday on relationships and marriage. They are doing this to coincide with the release of the Christian movie about the same thing, called "FIREPROOF". In some ways I am looking forward to the series and the movie and in some ways not so much. It will be difficult to sit through at times, I am sure, because of what I am going through right now. But, I am also looking forward to whatever God would like for me to learn from or about etc., from this sermon series and movie. So, I am looking forward to it with a little nervousness. God will be there with me though and help me through it and to learn from it. He has been with me every step of the way these past 13 weeks and I know He will continue to walk with me; guide me; direct me; comfort me.
Well, I guess that's about it for this time. I hope that ya'll are doing well and living in the Word. Remember to pray for our country during the final days of this election season; its going to get very intense, I think. Also, if you would remember my cousin who is finishing up his tour overseas for continued protection and safety. We are anxious for him to come home and super anxious to see him!
Ya'll take care of one another. May the Lord Bless you and keep you.
I intended to write on here yesterday, titling it 'Monday, Monday' after the song from the Mamas and the Papas, but I didn't get it done. Thus the title for today's post, even though its not a song from the Mamas & the Papas.
We had storms come through here overnight that surprised me with their intensity. I knew that there was a cold front coming, but since it was at night, I figured it wouldn't be that bad. I was surprised when I saw on the late news the storms that were out there and headed this way! I heard the first thunder from a small storm before I fell asleep. The big boomers woke me up briefly when they came through later in the night, but I went right back to sleep. And it's so nice and cool today!
Had to take the dog to the Vet yesterday. When we got up Sunday morning she had a bit of a limp, but I thought she had perhaps laid on her leg wrong. Later in the day on Sunday however, the limp got worse and there was some swelling on the wrist of her right front leg. Yesterday morning, the limp wasn't as bad, nor was the swelling. So, I decided to watch her for a few days and see if things got better or worse. I went about my day yesterday, doing some "fall cleaning" and applying at yet another place for work (23rd application). By yesterday afternoon though, she is in very obvious discomfort and pain, crying a bit. So, I called the Vet and they saw us yesterday at 430pm.
He seemed to think she had some sort of soft tissue injury. He gave her a shot of cortisone and told me to have her take it easy for the next 7 -10 days. He said if after the 10 or so days, she was still limping and/or still in pain, to bring her back for x rays and such; but he felt sure it was just a small soft tissue problem. I was so thankful. She will be 10 yrs old next month and I was worried that it might have been something more serious. So, she has been resting quite a bit since our visit to the Vet. Still limping, but doesn't seem to be in as much pain.
I went to a Christian rock concert at my church Sunday night. They are a local band (my church is their home church) and are slowly branching out. The concert Sunday night was a CD release concert for the second CD; it's titled "Perspective". They were really excellent and I enjoyed the concert thoroughly. They are a loop band, which was different experience for me, and it was interesting to watch them work everything throughout the concert.
I was equally impressed with their heart for the Lord and their desire to share His word and message with the world. They are a good group of kids who were not afraid to wear their hearts on their sleeves and share some personal experiences. The groups name is STATION 2. If you would like to check them out and hear a bit of their music, you can find all of that on their website: www.station2music.com. Give them a listen!
Classes start at college two weeks from tomorrow. I am excited and nervous all at the same time. Am taking a full load, 14 hours each quarter this year to get everything done that I need to get done before transferring over to the school where I will actually get my degree. The actual class schedule is not that bad, but it will be a challenge keeping up with that full load. I need to get a backpack, notebooks, pens, and actual school books yet; in addition I need to get my parking sticker (which is expensive, I think) and my school ID. So, I have got quite a bit to do in the next 2 weeks before classes start. I had hoped to have a job by now to help offset some of these costs, but so far, nothing on that front.
I have been a little discouraged about finding a job. There is nothing worse than looking for work, I think. I have tried to do 2-3 or more applications/resumes a week, and am not getting any real bites at all. However, I am not alone in that. I have friends and family who are also looking for work; all of us looking for different kinds of jobs; all of us requiring different pay, benefits etc; and all of us are just not having much success in finding that job. I have tried to stay encouraged, knowing that God is in control. He knows what I need and I am really trying to be patient and trusting in Him to bring about the right job at the right time. My humanness wanted something two weeks ago, but evidently it wasn't in His timing. So, I am doing what I can in finding work and just trying to trust and rely on God to provide what I need at the time that He knows is right.
I will be back into a small group Bible study starting tomorrow evening. It's a group of just women, which is very different for me, but I think it will be a good experience. I have really missed my Beth Moore group, but see some of the ladies from time to time at church and its always good to see them. I don't know what my new group will be studying, but I am looking forward to it.
Our church is starting a series this Sunday on relationships and marriage. They are doing this to coincide with the release of the Christian movie about the same thing, called "FIREPROOF". In some ways I am looking forward to the series and the movie and in some ways not so much. It will be difficult to sit through at times, I am sure, because of what I am going through right now. But, I am also looking forward to whatever God would like for me to learn from or about etc., from this sermon series and movie. So, I am looking forward to it with a little nervousness. God will be there with me though and help me through it and to learn from it. He has been with me every step of the way these past 13 weeks and I know He will continue to walk with me; guide me; direct me; comfort me.
Well, I guess that's about it for this time. I hope that ya'll are doing well and living in the Word. Remember to pray for our country during the final days of this election season; its going to get very intense, I think. Also, if you would remember my cousin who is finishing up his tour overseas for continued protection and safety. We are anxious for him to come home and super anxious to see him!
Ya'll take care of one another. May the Lord Bless you and keep you.
Friday, September 5, 2008
The Unexamined Life by Linda Chavez
The Unexamined Life
By Linda Chavez
The biggest story to emerge from the Republican National Convention was the media's effort to destroy Gov. Sarah Palin. Members of the Fourth Estate behaved more like a Democratic fifth column this week than they did like honest reporters. Palin's stunningly effective speech Wednesday night showed they will not easily take her down -- but their malicious attacks on Gov. Palin's family prove that they will stop at nothing to achieve their aim. Since when is the private life of a 17-year-old fair game in a political campaign? Apparently only when that 17-year-old's mom is a Republican candidate.
Make no mistake -- the press outed Bristol Palin's pregnancy. Reporters descended on Alaska following vile and false accusations on Internet blogs that Gov. Palin faked her own pregnancy and that her daughter was actually baby Trig's mother. These lies weren't only spread by left-wing fanatics but by journalists like Andrew Sullivan, whose blog appears on Atlantic.com, the online version of what was once one of the most respected magazines in the country. As the rumors got uglier, the McCain campaign decided they had no choice but to reveal to the world intimate details about Gov. Palin's daughter. And the media stood by their decision to muckrake by arguing for the public's right to know.
If you don't think this reflects media bias, contrast this insatiable prying into Bristol Palin's life with the press's lack of curiosity about the behavior of another 17-year-old -- one whose story would seem to have more relevance to this year's presidential election.
In his memoir “Dreams from My Father," Barack Obama describes his troubled teenaged years. “Pot had helped, and booze, maybe a little blow when you could afford it. Not smack though," he recalls, though he admits he came close to trying heroin at the urging of a friend who shot up in front of him. He was deterred by the image “of an air bubble, shiny and round like a pearl, rolling quietly through my vein and stopping my heart," he says. “Junkie. Pothead. That's where I'd been headed: the final, fatal role of the young would-be black man."
Obama's drug use went on for at least a few years, though he is noticeably vague in describing exactly when it began, how extensive it was, or when it ended. At least one of his friends was arrested for drug possession; another had a mental breakdown after one too many acid trips. But Obama has been reticent to reveal the extent of his illegal activities -- and the media haven't cared enough to pursue the question.
Past drug use by presidential candidates was considered a legitimate subject of inquiry for Bill Clinton (who, famously, “didn't inhale") and George W. Bush. News organizations devoted considerable investigative resources in 2000 to track down unsubstantiated rumors about Bush's alleged cocaine use -- and printed the accusation, even when there was no credible evidence that it was true. Yet those same news organizations treat Obama's admitted -- and apparently heavy -- youthful drug use as if it were off-limits.
What a candidate did as a young man -- even if it was illegal -- should not necessarily disqualify him from becoming president. But shouldn't we want to know a bit more than he's volunteered to date before we make a final judgment? Did Obama ever sell drugs to anyone? When was the last time he used cocaine? What other illegal drugs has he used? As an adult, has he been present when others were using illicit drugs?
Why is it reporters who were willing to pursue Bristol Palin, who isn't on the ballot, somehow think it is unseemly to ask Sen. Obama tough questions about his drug use? Oh, that was a long time ago, they'll argue. But a 1986 arrest for driving while impaired by Gov. Palin's husband -- not the candidate -- is somehow worthy of extensive front-page coverage?
The double standard is shocking -- but perhaps not to Sen. Obama. In his memoir, he gives the most telling explanation of how he has gotten away with avoiding discussions of his drug use. It was the same technique he used on his mother when she confronted him in his senior year of high school: “I had given her a reassuring smile and patted her hand and told her not to worry, I wouldn't do anything stupid. It was usually an effective tactic, another of those tricks I had learned: People were satisfied so long as you were courteous and smiled and made no sudden moves."
With two months left to Election Day, it will be a test of the media's integrity to see if they devote as much time delving into Sen. Obama's drug use as they did into Bristol Palin's sex life.
COPYRIGHT 2008 CREATORS SYNDICATE, INC.
By Linda Chavez
The biggest story to emerge from the Republican National Convention was the media's effort to destroy Gov. Sarah Palin. Members of the Fourth Estate behaved more like a Democratic fifth column this week than they did like honest reporters. Palin's stunningly effective speech Wednesday night showed they will not easily take her down -- but their malicious attacks on Gov. Palin's family prove that they will stop at nothing to achieve their aim. Since when is the private life of a 17-year-old fair game in a political campaign? Apparently only when that 17-year-old's mom is a Republican candidate.
Make no mistake -- the press outed Bristol Palin's pregnancy. Reporters descended on Alaska following vile and false accusations on Internet blogs that Gov. Palin faked her own pregnancy and that her daughter was actually baby Trig's mother. These lies weren't only spread by left-wing fanatics but by journalists like Andrew Sullivan, whose blog appears on Atlantic.com, the online version of what was once one of the most respected magazines in the country. As the rumors got uglier, the McCain campaign decided they had no choice but to reveal to the world intimate details about Gov. Palin's daughter. And the media stood by their decision to muckrake by arguing for the public's right to know.
If you don't think this reflects media bias, contrast this insatiable prying into Bristol Palin's life with the press's lack of curiosity about the behavior of another 17-year-old -- one whose story would seem to have more relevance to this year's presidential election.
In his memoir “Dreams from My Father," Barack Obama describes his troubled teenaged years. “Pot had helped, and booze, maybe a little blow when you could afford it. Not smack though," he recalls, though he admits he came close to trying heroin at the urging of a friend who shot up in front of him. He was deterred by the image “of an air bubble, shiny and round like a pearl, rolling quietly through my vein and stopping my heart," he says. “Junkie. Pothead. That's where I'd been headed: the final, fatal role of the young would-be black man."
Obama's drug use went on for at least a few years, though he is noticeably vague in describing exactly when it began, how extensive it was, or when it ended. At least one of his friends was arrested for drug possession; another had a mental breakdown after one too many acid trips. But Obama has been reticent to reveal the extent of his illegal activities -- and the media haven't cared enough to pursue the question.
Past drug use by presidential candidates was considered a legitimate subject of inquiry for Bill Clinton (who, famously, “didn't inhale") and George W. Bush. News organizations devoted considerable investigative resources in 2000 to track down unsubstantiated rumors about Bush's alleged cocaine use -- and printed the accusation, even when there was no credible evidence that it was true. Yet those same news organizations treat Obama's admitted -- and apparently heavy -- youthful drug use as if it were off-limits.
What a candidate did as a young man -- even if it was illegal -- should not necessarily disqualify him from becoming president. But shouldn't we want to know a bit more than he's volunteered to date before we make a final judgment? Did Obama ever sell drugs to anyone? When was the last time he used cocaine? What other illegal drugs has he used? As an adult, has he been present when others were using illicit drugs?
Why is it reporters who were willing to pursue Bristol Palin, who isn't on the ballot, somehow think it is unseemly to ask Sen. Obama tough questions about his drug use? Oh, that was a long time ago, they'll argue. But a 1986 arrest for driving while impaired by Gov. Palin's husband -- not the candidate -- is somehow worthy of extensive front-page coverage?
The double standard is shocking -- but perhaps not to Sen. Obama. In his memoir, he gives the most telling explanation of how he has gotten away with avoiding discussions of his drug use. It was the same technique he used on his mother when she confronted him in his senior year of high school: “I had given her a reassuring smile and patted her hand and told her not to worry, I wouldn't do anything stupid. It was usually an effective tactic, another of those tricks I had learned: People were satisfied so long as you were courteous and smiled and made no sudden moves."
With two months left to Election Day, it will be a test of the media's integrity to see if they devote as much time delving into Sen. Obama's drug use as they did into Bristol Palin's sex life.
COPYRIGHT 2008 CREATORS SYNDICATE, INC.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
HEAR YE! HEAR YE! HEAR YE!!
ALL OF YOU LIARS, LIBERALS, FEMINAZI'S AND OTHERS TO THE LEFT OF CENTER:
LAY OFF MY GIRL, SARAH!!!
SOME OF YOU HAVE BEEN SO MEAN AND JUST OTHERS OUTRIGHT LIARS!!!! YOU HAVE DRAGGED HER AND HER FAMILY THROUGH THE MUD THE PAST FEW DAYS AND I AM HERE TO TELL YOU TO LAY OFF!!!
ESPECIALLY ABOUT HER DEAR DAUGHTER. IT IS HER FAMILY'S BUSINESS, NOT OURS. WE SHOULD STAND BY THEM AND PRAY FOR THEM AS THEIR FAMILIES ARE DOING. IF ANY OF YA'LL ARE SO PERFECT THAT YOU THINK NOTHING EVEN REMOTE TO THIS COULD HAPPEN TO YOU, THEN SHAME ON YOU.
SARAH PALIN WILL SHOW THE WORLD TONIGHT WHAT A STRONG, CONSERVATIVE, MOTHER, WIFE, GOVERNOR LOOKS LIKE AND I APPLAUD HER!!! I SUPPORT HER AND JOHN McCAIN 100%.
SO, YOU LIARS, LIBERALS, FEMINAZI'S AND THOSE LEFT OF CENTER, JUST GO HOME! THIS ELECTION IS OVER AND WE WILL NOT BE DRAGGED THROUGH THE MUD NOR STAND FOR IT IN OUR PARTY WHEN ATTACKED LIKE THIS!!!
LAY OFF MY GIRL, SARAH!!!
SOME OF YOU HAVE BEEN SO MEAN AND JUST OTHERS OUTRIGHT LIARS!!!! YOU HAVE DRAGGED HER AND HER FAMILY THROUGH THE MUD THE PAST FEW DAYS AND I AM HERE TO TELL YOU TO LAY OFF!!!
ESPECIALLY ABOUT HER DEAR DAUGHTER. IT IS HER FAMILY'S BUSINESS, NOT OURS. WE SHOULD STAND BY THEM AND PRAY FOR THEM AS THEIR FAMILIES ARE DOING. IF ANY OF YA'LL ARE SO PERFECT THAT YOU THINK NOTHING EVEN REMOTE TO THIS COULD HAPPEN TO YOU, THEN SHAME ON YOU.
SARAH PALIN WILL SHOW THE WORLD TONIGHT WHAT A STRONG, CONSERVATIVE, MOTHER, WIFE, GOVERNOR LOOKS LIKE AND I APPLAUD HER!!! I SUPPORT HER AND JOHN McCAIN 100%.
SO, YOU LIARS, LIBERALS, FEMINAZI'S AND THOSE LEFT OF CENTER, JUST GO HOME! THIS ELECTION IS OVER AND WE WILL NOT BE DRAGGED THROUGH THE MUD NOR STAND FOR IT IN OUR PARTY WHEN ATTACKED LIKE THIS!!!
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