I Wanna Be a Writer

I have always liked to write ~ for as long as I can remember. I wish I had kept some of my writing from high school. It would be fun to see how it has changed over the years. Anyhow, I write poetry and short stories, mostly just for fun or for friends. But I have always wanted to write a novel. Sound silly? And the older I get, the stronger the desire. I can't afford to take classes or anything. But, I recently found a whole year's worth of "The Writer" Magazine. It is FULL of information and writing exercises. It is a fascinating magazine. So, I have finally started working on my first novel, using some of the tips and lessons from the magazine. I also started 2 new blogs. The second one is linked to the first one. Just something I decided to try for fun. I don't know if I'll ever get anywhere with it, but it feels good. Another thing I have always enjoyed is learning new things. And I certainly have lots to learn about writing. So you should check it out. Click here to go to the first site. There is a link on that site to get to the second one if you have any interest.

Busy, Busy, Busy

Wow! It has really been a while since I've written anything here! Where did the time go?

Well, as you can imagine, I'm sure, life can be hectic, chaotic, full of pain, full of laughter, full of stress, full of peace, lonely, full of friends, etc., etc. Sometimes one season follows another, sometimes it seems like several different seasons at once. Such is life on this planet.

So, many things have been going on. You should see my granddaughter now! She is 14 months old and more amazing everyday. She is definitely a delight to behold. I could go on and on, but I'm probably the only one who would really enjoy that, so I won't.

Oh, and I started a new blog. You gotta check it out! I love to read, and I love to write (all kinds of writing), and I think this new blog could be a blast. Go to http://progressivenovels.blogspot.com. I can't wait to see where this goes (assuming others get involved and find it as intriguing and fun as me...)

I have to run for now, but I promise I'll be back.

Nadya Suleman and Her Octuplets

Wow! Fourteen children. I don't know this woman or very much about her, but she must have a heart the size of Texas. Have you listened to any of her interviews on TV? She is very articulate, intelligent, educated. She is actually going for her Masters Degree in counseling! She is no "idiot" as many have called her, she deserves NO death threats, as apparently many have made toward her. Do we wonder why she would make such a decision? Yes. But do we ~ any of us ~ have a right to attack her for her decision, threaten to take her kids away and adopt them out, or belittle her for her way of life? ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!

How can ANY one of us complain that she has used disability payments (which she rightly received, not by manipulating any "system") to help pay for raising her children?! How can we say the budget deficit is already too large and therefore she deserves no public assistance (which she hates receiving and has a plan to stop as soon as possible)? How can we be FOR the so-called "stimulus package" of President Obama and yet complain AT ALL about any budget deficit, or about burdens on the taxpayers? You have GOT to be kidding.

"Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who is struggling to close a $42 billion budget gap by cutting services, declined through a spokesman to comment on the taxpayer costs associated with the octuplets' delivery and care. State Sen. Sam Aanestad, R-Grass Valley, an oral surgeon who sits on the Health Committee, said that once a state Medical Board investigation is complete, lawmakers could review issues from government oversight to standards in fertility treatment." Just how many freedoms are we Americans willing to give away anyway?!!! My outrage is NOT toward Nadya, but toward those citizens who are so heartless, and those government officials who would use this as an excuse to take away more of our rapidly eroding personal freedoms.

"It's my opinion that a woman's right to reproduce should be limited to a number which the parents can pay for," Charles Murray wrote in a letter to the Los Angeles Daily News. "Why should my wife and I, as taxpayers, pay child support for 14 Suleman kids?"

"Why should my wife and I, as taxpayers, pay child support for 14 Suleman kids?" ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?! Those of us who consider abortion to be murder are yet required AS TAXPAYERS to fund abortions for any and every reason ~ worldwide!!! There are so many things our tax dollars are paying for that we SHOULD be outraged about, and yet we are, for the most part, strangely silent.

And all those who have sent DEATH THREATS to this family actually believe there is less wrong with THAT than there is with having a large family!!!

Would I have made the same decisions Nadya has made? No! But should she have the freedom to choose the size of her family? YES! How many single mothers continue having children out of simply irresponsible choices (too inconvenient to use a condom but oh well, I'm on welfare anyway and always will be, so no big deal)? This is not what Nadya has done. She CHOSE to have a large family. She has a PLAN to improve her life circumstances and NOT BE DEPENDENT on welfare long-term.

She was also berated on talk radio, where listeners accused her of manipulating the system and being an irresponsible mother. "From the outside you can tell that this woman was playing the system," host Bryan Suits said on the "Kennedy and Suits" show on KFI-AM. "You're damn right the state should step in and seize the kids and adopt them out." Berated on talk radio? What kind of people have we become? And "you can tell that this woman was playing the system." How can you tell that? Because I can't tell that. "The state should step in and seize the kids"? Let me ask you, should the state step in and seize kids every time the parents make choices the state doesn't like ~ or you don't like? Because that would certainly make me feel safer in my home. If I insist my kids attend church, should the state step in and "seize them"? If I insist my kids speak respectfully to me and other adults, should the state step in and "seize them"? If I insist my kids do chores around the house and don't pay them minimum wage, should the state step in and "seize them"? If I choose to home school my children, and as a result they score better on every academic test known to man than public school children their age, should the state step in and "seize them"?

Do we think anything through to its logical conclusion anymore here in America? This so-called "stimulus package", or "national healthcare", are 2 things that can ONLY BANKRUPT this country, if you think things through to their logical conclusion. But that doesn't seem to be very popular these days. I want what I want TODAY ~ to hell with tomorrow, to hell with logic, to hell with freedom. Give me, give me, give me. America has become the spoiled brat in the Willie Wonka movie ~ I want it! Give it to me NOW! I don't care! I want it!

Wake up America. Open your eyes and see where your selfishness and greed are taking you and your grandchildren and your great-grandchildren. Work hard and pull YOURSELF up. Stimulate YOUR OWN family economy with delayed gratification, putting even very small amounts into savings, being creative entrepreneurs, helping each other, getting out of debt and staying out of debt... Stop asking and expecting the government to take care of you. That isn't America. There is not ONE SINGLE country in the entire world where socialism has worked, or where national healthcare has worked. Not one. Do your homework. America has always been unique and it has always worked, and because it worked so well, we were able to help other countries and peoples. Now we are becoming more like the other failed countries, and there is no one to help anyone.

It isn't too late... yet... But it is getting close to it. Start by changing your own attitudes, and by voting for people who can help AMERICA for tomorrow, not just you and not just for today.

I hope you will tell me your opinions. And I hope they are not laced with "death threats" because we may disagree. I have been articulate and rational, though passionate. Please do me the same favor.

Paula

I have been reading about the Paula Goodspeed suicide. You know, the one who auditioned on American Idol and was turned away. Goodspeed had been diagnosed with mental illness before she auditioned on the show. Apparently she had already been stalking Paula Abdul, had legally changed her first name from Sandra to Paula, had a personalized license place that referenced Paula Abdul, had Abdul's picture hanging from her rearview mirror, and tried to dress like her and imitate her style. I read that she had been sending disturbing letters and notes to Paula Abdul for almost 18 years before she ever auditioned on Idol. I also read that Paula Abdul, who begged the show's producers not to allow the audition, was shaking and terrified during the audition. And now Goodspeed's family wants to blame her suicide on Simon Cowell's rudeness during the show. Amazing. I am sorry for the tragic death of Paula Goodspeed. But it seems to me she was a ticking time-bomb that could have been triggered by anything. I didn't even think Simon's remarks were all that rude ~ he simply questioned how any performer could sing with "so much metal in her mouth." (Goodspeed wore braces.) If you listen to her interview before the audition, she could barely speak clearly, leaving you wondering how her singing would be. And it wasn't at all good. And as far as criticizing Simon Cowell for his "rudeness": a) the show is extremely popular not only to viewers but to aspiring singers, with Simon being the way Simon is; b) those who have seen the show and know themselves to be "sensitive" to criticism should avoid auditioning in the first place (I know I'm too sensitive to ever give it a try, and so I don't); c) I didn't think Simon's comments were that harsh ~ he could have been saying that without the braces she might have a chance so try again at a later date; and d)as I said before, she was already so troubled that if she hadn't been set off by the show it would have been something else. I pray for her family, I pray for Paula Abdul who I believe is also suffering in all of this, but I do not believe Simon or anyone else is to blame. Please, please, please let's stop always trying to blame someone when something happens. Life happens, life owes us NOTHING, life can be hard, and it can be tragic (believe me, I know), but life is what it is, and no one "deserves" better, or "deserves" a break, or "deserves" to have it easier ~ life just is what it is on this earth. If we want more inner peace as we experience life as it is, there is only one source for that kind of peace, and it isn't having more money, or suing someone for more money, or gaining fame through whatever means so you can get more money ~ seriously, it is ONLY possible with a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as your savior. The peace He gives comes from Himself, who loves you and never changes, and His peace is dependent ONLY on Him and not on your outward circumstances. And what He gives He gives because of His great love, NOT because any of us "deserve" it. My heart breaks for those who experience tragedy, such as the family of Paula Goodspeed, and I will continue to pray for them as they have to face each day without the one they love. But I do hope they will stop trying to find someone to blame. It won't help them deal with their loss.

An Un-Christian America

Hello readers. Sorry I have been away so LONG. Wow... Between family stuff, getting ready for the holidays, and the flu ~ well, I haven't even been checking my e-mail regularly, let alone doing blog-stuff. And it might continue to be sparse till after the new year.

There have been a number of things on my mind of late that I would have loved to expound on here if I had been able to sit down and take the time... But most of those thoughts have passed on to be replaced by new ones, so who knows whether I will ever put those others in type. But today I read an article that has my mind a-goin' in yet another direction.

Being a Christian myself, there is much that I have taken for granted about America, believing that America will always be America, even though I could sadly see the decline of Christian foundations and principles and the increase of anti-Christian sentiment. I knew that America was originally founded on Christian principles and that our "triune" government was set up to emulate the triune God, but I never really thought through how inseparably intertwined "America" is with those biblical principles. No. America will NOT always be America if we continue in the current direction.

When Thomas Jefferson wrote in the Declaration of Independence that "all men are created equal," and that this was "self-evident," what did he really mean? Slavery and social hierarchy were extremely obvious and prevalent at the time. What he meant was the equal VALUE of each human life. Not equal rights, equal finances, equal opportunities, equal intelligence... Equal individual value. This is rooted in Christianity. God Himself sees all of us individually as equally worthy of salvation, equally worthy of the shedding of His son's blood. Today, uniquely in the world and in history, Americans have representative democracy, with full citizenship extended to each individual.

In world history we see that some cultures left weak children to die, infanticide was common (still today in many parts of the world), those who wanted sons had no hesitation about killing newborn daughters, humans were even murdered or mauled by animals for entertainment. Christianity contributed to their demise.

Women have traditionally held very low status throughout the history of the world, including Jewish and Muslim societies, and still today in many cultures. Jesus broke the traditional taboos of His time allowing women to travel with Him and be part of His circle of friends and confidantes. Christianity helped to elevate the status of women in society. Christianity introduced the idea that adultery is equally serious for both the man AND the woman, and treated both men and women equally in the rules of divorce

Politically active Christians were at the forefront of the anti-slavery movement. (Watch the movie Amazing Grace about William Wilberforce.) In America, the Quakers were among the first to embrace abolitionism, soon followed by other Christians who believed the biblical notion that human beings are equal in the eyes of God ~ promoting the view that no man has the right to rule another man without his consent. This idea is the moral root of both abolitionism and of democracy.

The greatest events in American history were preceded by massive Christian revivals. The "First Great Awakening" swept the country in the mid-eighteenth century, laying the moral foundation of the American Revolution. Historian Paul Johnson describes the War for Independence as "inconceivable...without this religious background." The revival provided essential support for the ideas that fueled the Revolution. John Adams wrote: "What do we mean by the American Revolution? The war? That was no part of the Revolution; it was only an effect and consequence of it. The Revolution was in the minds of the people...a change in their religious sentiments."

The "Second Great Awakening," which began in the early nineteenth century, fostered the temperance movement, women's suffrage, and the abolitionist movement.

In the twentieth century, Rev. Martin Luther King's "I Have A Dream" speech referred back to the Declaration of 1776, a proclamation issued 200 years earlier by a Southern slave owner. Both M.L.K and T. Jefferson reflected the influence of Christianity in American politics.

The modern idea of freedom that we hold so dear is rooted in a respect for the individual. The right to express our opinion, choose a career, buy and sell property, travel where we want, live our own life. We are responsible only to respect the rights of others.

Friedrich Nietzsche, a German philosopher and one of Western civilization's greatest atheists, warns that the ideas that define Western civilization and its freedoms are based on Christianity. He says that because some of these ideas seem to have taken on a life of their own, we might have the illusion that we can abandon Christianity and still retain them. This illusion, he warns, is just an illusion. Remove Christianity and the ideas fall too. Look at the examples of any other culture where this has taken place. Look at Europe where secularization has been occurring for well over a century. Increasingly today there is evidence of the decline of the nuclear family; overall birthrates have plummeted while rates of divorce and out-of-wedlock births are up.

Nietzsche also warned that, with the decline of Christianity new and opposing ideas would rise. Do we see this today in the demands for the radical redefinition of the family and arguments for infanticide? The decline of Christianity would also mean the gradual extinction of the principles of human dignity.

If we cherish what is distinctive about Western civilization, whatever our religious convictions, we should respect rather than denigrate its Christian roots. We should respect rather than denigrate Christianity.

I love America. With the good and the bad, her ups and downs, I love America. I fear for her, though. Without a change of her current direction, I fear that the America we have always known is about to become something else. A victim of selfish disrespect for: the rights of others, the value and dignity of human life, the freedoms of religion and speech, the right of the individual to work hard and attain financial success, the right of the individual to choose NOT to work hard and that same person's right to suffer the realistic consequences of their decisions, the right of free enterprise, the right of personal responsibility and growth, the right of differing opinions... I pray that America will stand, by God's grace, and be America. Apparently what we need is another great, massive revival. Glory to God.

These are my thoughts and opinions. I welcome your input. For now, we still have the right to agree or disagree. Let me know what you think.

Really Excited!

I have to say it again, because I am feeling so excited today, and I can't keep it to myself. I have truly found the best business to be in. The more I become familiar with the company and the people, the more absolutely impressed I am. A debt-free company, founded by Christians, run by Christian ethics and principles, a GREAT training system that will serve you well no matter what line of work or business you choose to involve yourself with (better than a masters program in business or business management), a very aggressive compensation plan, and a team approach that means they are helping you succeed, as a team. Those who designed this business system have many patents and awards in other fields, have written best-selling books, and have designed this system based on their experience in multiple areas including network marketing. They took the best of all they had learned, dropped all the less desirable components, tweaked it all with their varied knowledge and genius ideas and ~ TADA! You won't find a better business to be involved with. EVERYONE needs to learn more about MonaVie. Read Paul Zane Pilzer's book The Next Millionaire; read Robert Kiyosaki's book The Cash-Flow Quadrant. Fascinating information about the current trends in economics and business. Check out this video, and this one, and then check out my personal business website. There is absolutely no downside, guaranteed. Okay ~ I'll stop. But seriously ~ do yourself a favor and do the research. You are in for a big surprise. As they say, "You don't know what you don't know."

And a Very Merry Tossmas to you!

You have to watch this video. It is very clever and very creative ~ two things I love. If you are not a Christian you may find this video offensive, and I apologize, in that I don't like to offend anyone. But, I guess for me, I can't figure out why even non-Christians want to change the name of the holiday. People have been celebrating Christmas for many a year without the slightest acknowledgment of Christ or his birthday. And I don't think they found it offensive ~ because "Christmas" is what the holiday is, however you decide to celebrate it. But I must say that I find it offensive when they change the name of the holiday to something else ~ keep the holiday but change its name ~ because they don't believe in Christ and/or don't want to offend those who don't believe in Christ. Why are they not concerned about offending those who DO. Anyhow, I like the video. Watch and enjoy, if you dare.
(Okay... I couldn't get the code for embedding it here to work for some reason so click here to watch the video.)

Lingering Impact

We are still paying the price for hitting that Michigan Deer. Still working with the insurance company. Still have only one vehicle. I am having to drive my husband to work every morning and pick him up every evening ~ 30 miles from home. Sure cuts a chunk out of the day, not to mention out of the checkbook. I'm sure it will all be over soon and we will have the insurance $$ to try to find another dependable used car. We have had some doozies (sp?) in the past. Anyhow, some time this week, hopefully, we will be able to resolve this and have that second car. I have to run now ~ gotta go get my husband from work. Have a terrific evening everyone. And watch out for those deer!

Psalm 23

The 23rd Psalm... Is there anyone (Christian that is) who hasn't memorized this chapter of the Psalms? I love this chapter in every Bible version (at least those versions I have read ~ there may be versions out there that I haven't read, but I have no reason to think I WOULDN'T love them, too). Well, I came across a video that is too precious for words. You just have to see it. Here it is. (It might take a few seconds to load, but it is worth the wait.)

Beautiful Day!!!

OMGosh! The weather today in Michigan is so incredible! The sun is shining and I bet it is in the 60s. It was snowing 2 days ago! I hear birds singing through my open windows, and I love the smell of the sun on the fall leaves. Just a gorgeous day. I hope the weather is as amazing wherever you are. I think I am going to shut up and go outside with my granddaughter and enjoy it. Bye for now!

Big Family

I am so grateful for the family of God. I love that we can pray for each other, comfort each other, care for each other ~ even though we may have very different opinions and ideas. I feel I can be open and honest with my brothers and sisters in Christ ~ no masks, no hiding. It is a beautiful thing. And when we do hurt each other ~ and I think that is inevitible ~ we can talk things through and forgive each other and usually end up with a stronger bond than ever.

And you know what is an even greater blessing? When someone you love in your earthly family is also part of your Christian family ~ it is like a double blessing. Sometimes in our earthly families the only thing we have in common is blood. Unlike "friends" whom you get to choose and with whom you may have LOTS in common. So many times I think earthly family members get hurt or frustrated and decide to walk away. Maybe you don't speak to your brother for years, or never call your mom... But when you add the extra dimension of having Christ in common, that usually seems to change the outcome. With Christ in the midst of the situation, both parties are usually more open to talking things through, working it out, forgiving each other, even agreeing to disagree on some things. And the bond of the "double family" is deeper than ever.

I love being a child of God. I love being part of a huge family. And I love that some of my earthly family have become my double family. I pray that my double family will grow in numbers. What a tremendous blessing. 

Like a Child

Look at this beautiful, innocent child (my lovely granddaughter, picture taken this morning). She hasn't really a care in the world. She trusts completely, she is content, she fully believes that the one who is in charge of taking care of her and protecting her and supplying her needs... will. Haylie (just over 5 months old) has been teaching me so many things. But one of the biggest lessons is trust. What it looks like NOT to be the one in control, and be okay with that, and just peacefully trust. Is this what it means to come to God like little children? These days, God speaks to my heart most clearly and most loudly through little Haylie. And I never expected that. I expected a lot of things ~ joy, triggers, heartache, laughter, good and bad memories from the past, worry, tears, love ~ but I never expected that Haylie would be my teacher. Everyday that I am privileged to babysit, Haylie speaks to me of God again and again. Here I am Lord. I'm listening. Show me more and more of yourself. And watch over this precious gift we call Haylie, and bless her great big. Thank you, Lord, for her life. You have blessed us all with this precious little one.

Because of His amazing grace,

Rewritten Princess

We Hit Our First Michigan DEER!

Can you believe it?! We have lived in Michigan now for 20 years and never hit a single deer. Our neighbors have hit deer, co-workers have hit deer, the boys' teachers have hit deer ~ but we never hit a single one. We have come close many times. We always live in the country and deer are quite plentiful. We even see them in our yard sometimes. We see them crossing our road in herds so large you can't count them. Especially this time of year we very often see them standing at the side of the highway or crossing the freeway, or quite frequently taking very, very long naps on the shoulder or in the median laying in what looks like very uncomfortable positions (cough, cough), but in 20 years we never hit one. Till now.

Sometimes you don't see them crossing the road ~ sometimes they just materialize like a spirit right in front of your car. RIGHT in front of your car. How they got there you have no idea, but what happens next is pretty ugly. I was not in the car when it happened. I was at home with dinner on the table watching the clock and wondering why it was taking my husband and son so long to get home from work. Then the phone rang... 

I will spare you the gruesome details except to say ~ man, deer meat is very tasty! Not tasty enough, however, to make us feel better about the damage to our favorite car. The car we used to enjoy driving ~ smooth ride, great gas mileage, no mechanical issues, low miles, low car payment, bought used and carried a higher value than what we owed. THAT car. Not the car we have paid off that has just shy of 200,000 miles on it and gets only 17 mpg. Soooooo... the insurance company totaled the car. I mean, it was just one deer, for crying out loud. But those deer are pretty solid creatures. So, today, we go car shopping and exploring our options. And life goes on... Thankfully!

I DID IT!

Well, it is finished. I finished my very first knitted garment ~ the sweater for my beautiful granddaughter. Here is a picture of her wearing it this morning.

And here is a picture of her doing with it what SHE thinks I made it for ~ to chew. She really seems to like it a LOT.

However ~ alas, it is BARELY big enough. It will probably only fit her a week or two instead of all winter. So ~ back to those knitting needles. I am thinking maybe slightly bigger needles will do the trick. I hope...

(As I type, Haylie is sitting next to me "talking" up a storm. I think she will be very opinionated, like her grandmother...)

I love learning!

I love learning new things! Don't you? All kinds of new things. I love "book learning" ~ reading new books, whether it be history or autobiographies or even a good novel (you can learn a lot from a good novel). I love learning new skills, whether it be a new craft like knitting, or learning to build something, or new leadership skills, or new people skills, etc., etc. I just LOVE learning. It's like I'm hungry for learning. And there are so many things out there to learn ~ you never run out. Am I strange, or is everyone like that?

Anyway, I have recently been learning to knit. Actually I sort of learned as a child (took one class at 4-H and then it was cancelled), and have done a tiny bit of dabbling since then on basic things like square potholders or straight scarves. But NOW ~ I'm knitting a sweater for my

 granddaughter! And it is SO much fun! I love seeing something new take shape. The sweater is actually almost done and it is really cute and even looks like it will fit! I can't wait to finish it and try it on her.

All that to say... I LOVE LEARNING!

Here are current pictures of the sweater... I'm so excited!

The Results Are In

Well ~ election day is over and we have a new president-elect. Wow! The intensity of this election is like nothing I remember for previous ones. I'm glad it is over. Passions were/are high, I heard we had record voter turn-out, and the process we believe in worked. But our responsibilities for this election are not complete. A couple of things spring immediately to mind.

1. Phil. 4:8 "Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable ~ if anything is excellent or praiseworthy ~ think about such things."

2. Our nation and this new administration need our prayers ~ now more than ever.

Our God is still on the throne. Read Daniel chapter 4. God has a plan. It is He who sets up kings and takes them down ~ for His own purposes, which we can't fully know or understand, because His ways are sooooooo high above our ways.

Daniel 4:3 says, "How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; his dominion endures from generation to generation."

Daniel 4:17b says, "The Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and He gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of men."

As far as God is concerned, nothing has changed. He has a plan. And nothing takes Him by surprise ~ He knows the end from the beginning. His purposes will be served. No election of man can ever change that truth. I pray we all can rest in the eternal truths of God's word, and remember Phil. 4:8. No matter what changes we see taking place all around us, remember that God's word is true, and He never changes, never slumbers, never makes mistakes, never lies, and never leaves us.

Praise be to the Name of the LORD!

By God's oh-so-amazing grace,

The Rewritten Princess

Go to this website to join thousands of others (including myself) for 77 days of prayer for the new administration which will be sworn in 77 days from now.

Vote on Nov 4

I wish everyone would vote. I believe it is a right, a privilege, and an obligation. I was surprised to hear my 21 year old say recently that he didn't think he was going to vote. I absolutely can't understand this mindset. I am very passionate about voting ~ about being informed and having an opinion and casting a vote. He said he feels he doesn't have enough information to vote in good conscience. WHAT?! Okay ~ if voting is important (and it is) it should not be viewed as being optional. And if voting is not optional, then you have to take the time to become informed. I do agree you should not vote without knowing who or what to vote for ~ it shouldn't be like a pop quiz where the answers don't really matter. There are many, many ways to become informed, and it's not that difficult. And it's not like the election comes up unexpectedly ~ we have plenty of warning and plenty of time to prepare ourselves. One way to become informed is to check out the non-partisan voters' guides put out by focusvoter.com. They get the voting records of the candidates, they find out what organizations support each candidate, they get the actual wording of the proposals, they ask ALL the candidates the same questions and post their answers, and they put it all out there in one convenient location so it is quick and easy to learn a great deal. It is true there are no perfect candidates, but there are not perfect voters either. We just need to take it seriously enough to get involved and to vote.

My husband pointed out to me the other day that in Michigan, where we have the worst economy of the whole nation, and where our economy was a disaster long before the nation's economy took a down-turn, many people blame it all on Bush and the Republicans; and yet, we have Democratic Governor Granholm, Democrat Carl Levin, Democrat Debbie Stabenow ~ all career politicians in office here for many a year. Why are they not held responsible? And as for the nation, we have had a Democrat-controlled congress for how long? And apart from making excuses and blaming everything on Bush, what else have they done? But... those who have not taken the time to be informed are susceptible to being led around and manipulated by the liberal, "Democrat" media who certainly are not informing people of the truth about our candidates, our proposals, our economic condition and its causes, or our future. And we blame those the media says to blame, and we re-elect the ones who are actually responsible.

Be informed, vote, and then, no matter the outcome of the election, remember that God is not up for re-election. He can't be voted out. He always has been on the throne, and He always will be. And His ways are perfect, His word is true, He is just and faithful and merciful and eternal. Kings and kingdoms rise and fall, but one thing never changes ~ Almighty God. Our leaders can worship Him or deny Him, they can seek Him or ignore Him, they can trust Him or try to forget about Him, but that never changes eternal, absolute truth. God IS.

October 31

Wow ~ busy week! Our church has this event every year on October 31 called Treat Night. It is really an amazing experience. There is no admission charge, it is open to all who come (although it is targeted specifically to the innercity neighborhood where the church is located) and it is so much fun. We have a Moon Walk, hot and cold cider, popcorn, cotton candy, animal balloons, face painting, a hay ride, and a number of games ~ and oh yeah ~ CANDY! It is staffed entirely by volunteers. I don't know how many years we have been doing this, but every year we have more kids and more fun. It is such a delight meeting all the kids and parents and seeing all the smiles and hearing all the laughter. I must say though, by the end of the evening, we are all totally bushed. It is a whole lot of work leading up to it, then we are all on our feet the entire evening with setting up, staffing the event, then cleaning up afterwards. We all go home and drop into a comfy chair, too tired to even get ready for bed. But it is so worth it all that each year we are all geared up and excited to do it all over again. We have even thought of doing something similar during the summer, though that hasn't come about yet.

It is great to be part of a "family" who is so interested in offering family-friendly, wholesome entertainment at great personal sacrifice, and no cost to others. It is an expensive evening for the church, but that is not our focus. And this "family" is so supportive to each other in good times and bad times, not judgmental, not self-serving, no hidden agendas, just true love, concern, compassion, friendship and support. Perfect people? Absolutely not. Flawed, moody, broke, broken, disappointed, disappointing, imperfect people who have been knocked down, wounded, made mistakes, have regrets, can't pay their bills, struggle with their kids, etc., etc., just like everyone else. EXCEPT ~ they've given their broken, imperfect lives to God, trusted Christ as their savior ~ and that makes ALL the difference. That's where the miracle begins.

If you haven't accepted Christ's love and forgiveness, I highly recommend it. Contact a local Bible-believing church and ask the pastor to lead you to this loving Lord. It is something you will never regret. I promise.

I Found It ~ Really

Have you ever found yourself thinking:

Man, if only there was a company worth working for.

If only you could trust people to tell you the truth, without some hidden agenda and half-truths.

If only something that seemed too good to be true could really be true.

With all this modern technology, shouldn't there be something that really WORKS where our health is concerned?

If I could design the perfect busines, it would look like...

Well, I have personally had these thoughts many, many times. If only there could be a company you could feel really good about being associated with. If only there were a way to really help people ~ not by throwing money at a problem, but help them with their health, their self-esteem, their know-how, their family situations. If only there could be a "perfect" scenario. If only I could not only pay my bills each month, but have extra money to give to special projects at church, help fill the food pantry, support the local women's shelter, help families with special-needs kids, give more to local and foreign missions...

Well, I have found something I think is really amazing. I have not been associated with them very long (only a few months), but the more I learn and see, the more excited and impressed I really am. If you are curious ~ if you'd like to know more ~ seriously ~ check out the links in "My favorite links." I have never seen ANYTHING quite like it. And trust me, I am a hard-sell, having been let down hard in the past, I am a major skeptic. But I have done some digging on this one, and I mean it when I say "this is the one." It actually addresses EVERYTHING that would have been on my "if only..." list. Be sure to either leave comments here or "contact me" on my personal business website with your feedback and/or questions. If you take a chance on this one, you will never regret it.

Prayer for the Elections

I am praying for God's perfect will for America. For the upcoming elections. I don't know what God's will is. I know what I think it is. I know what my will is. I am very clear on how I plan to vote. I have done my best to be informed, to be current on the important issues. I have tried to see past what I hear from the main-stream media, past what the political info-mercials tell us. I feel that I am clear on the issues as they relate to my values, beliefs, and priorities. I know exactly how I intend to vote. As I have talked to some, I find that many people still have not made up their minds, they are confused on the issues. I pray that everyone who goes to the polls on election day would take the time first to read up on the issues, educate themselves on where the candidates really stand. There are voter guides available from Focus on the Family. These are non-partisan, strictly-the-facts guides that simply report the past voting records for all the candidates running for office, and other factual information. These guides are simply intended to educate everyone on the issues and the candidates, not to sway anyone's vote one way or the other. We must all become informed voters. The issues are too big, the future of America too precarious, to vote without knowing the facts. Get informed ~ then vote. There is still time. Go to http://focusvoter.com/ and click on your state, then fill out the information, turn off your pop-up blocker, and there you go. It is worth taking the time to be informed.