Face to Face

Maybe I had too many advils today due to a headache...but I felt like waxing philosophical tonight!
(*Edited at the end)

I have recently been introduced to the joys of Facebook. As if I didn't already spend enough time on the computer through blogging!

I am trying to manage my time, though...and now that we've started schooling full force again after Christmas break, I don't have nearly enough time to fritter away. (I think that's my new favorite word...)

But there is something compelling about mingling with friends...and friends of friends...and friends you thought you'd forgotten...and names and faces you barely know but you went to school with their brother's cousin and there they are, wanting to be your facebook friend!
And why is it so intriguing for us to read what everyone is "doing right now"?
I mean, why do I care that my cousin's sister in law is munching on crackerjacks at the moment?
But somehow I do...

I tell you I am totally drawn to it all....and so are thousands of others across the country. So, why do you think that is?

Maybe because we all need to feel "connected" to others somehow.
And the irony of this age is that the more technology has advanced, the further it has isolated us from connecting to others face to face. So perhaps our society is hungry for closeness and connection again.
So what do we do? We "virtually connect with people"...not face to face...but with facebook!

Something else that I've noticed is that most of everyone's list of friends are not really all friends at all...but acquaintances.
I know the word "friend" sounds ...well, friendlier...but it would be far more truthful to label our list "acquaintances", don't you think?

In fact, a true friend is so rare...and if you have even one in your life, you are truly blessed.
And no one...not even any earthly best friend... can compare to Jesus and Who He wants to be in our life.

"A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."

All of this said, I still am currently drawn to Facebook...I like occasionally chatting with others that I know, or keeping up to date with them...and finding old college friends after decades. There's no denying all that can be interesting and just plain fun!

But in the meantime, hopefully I won't lose sight of two important things:
Although my list of "friends" may actually include real friends...a true friend is so much more than a name on Facebook.

And secondly, I never want to be so encased in a virtual world (facebook, blogging or even e-mail) that I forget that we were really created for giving our friends and family honest to goodness hugs, looking at one another in the eye...and smiling at those around us...

face to face.

So, what are your thoughts? Have you ever struggled with balancing computer time and cultivating face to face friendships?
*Edited to add that I wouldn't trade my blogging friends for anything...because some of you have become what I consider "true" friends!

Christmas Rush

Are any of you feeling the Christmas crunch?

Well, I am...mostly because of our children's schedule this year.
They are privileged to be apart of a very spectacular Christmas program put on by the church where they attend Missionettes.
It's quite the deal...adult choir, teen choir, live orchestra...we're talking big, here, folks!

Tonight marked a 3 hour rehearsal for them...then tomorrow is "dress rehearsal" and Friday is the first of ten...yes, you heard right!...ten performances! Five this weekend and five next weekend!

Are you beginning to feel just a bit winded just reading this?

I guess I didn't realize how many performances were involved...but yet, they love being a part of it all! The leaders are incredible and it's been so rewarding for them since my oldest joined last year.

But it is going to be a challenge to find time to all go to the tree farm together and cut down our perfect Christmas tree. At least, in the daylight!
But somehow, we'll figure it out...

I think I understand how easy it is for families- especially we moms- to allow stress and demands take their toll on us at Christmastime.
So much to do...
the home has to be perfectly decorated...must attend parties...send out those Christmas cards...buy and make gifts...wrap, wrap, wrap...
And somehow, in the midst of it all, we need to teach our children about the real meaning of Christmas.

So...what do we do?

I think that just as so many of us cut back on spending when there's a financial recession...when we start to feel overwhelmed, we need to start cutting back on activity.
For example...sure, I've written a Christmas newsletter every year for ages...but would the world stop if I skipped a year?

Don't you think that too often, the demands we face are sometimes put there by ourselves?
At least I know that's true of me.
Sometimes, we just have to let some expectations and activities go...and know that it's better to make simple memories with our families, rather than hurrying this way and that.

But all of this said, I'm not sorry we've committed to our children being in the choir. I believe it was the right thing for them...they love it, and in fact- although I won't be sitting through the show ten whole times, I am looking forward to seeing it at least once because I know it's going to be spectacular!

But since we do have this rather heavy commitment, I need to remind myself to relax my other commitments when possible...and to relax in general!
To give our family plenty of "down time" when there is no agenda at all.

And I'm going to really try not worry about the little things. Like getting our tree.
Because when I stress the details, I lose focus on why we're even putting up a Christmas tree and decorating our home...which is to celebrate God's love for us in His sending Jesus.

So, today I'm going to just trust Him that all the little things will come....the tree, the decorations, and perhaps even the newsletter... maybe.
But most of all, I want to keep my focus on the One we're celebrating and take time to enjoy the simple joys of this season.

What about you...do you sometimes have to find ways to try to slow down at Christmastime?

*Edited to say that I can't believe how many little typing mistakes I found and corrected just now...must have been all that stress I was writing about! :)

Honoring those who served

(Thank you to all of you who commented on my walk down memory lane...and OK... especially to those who said I hadn't changed much along the way! Extra blogging points for you!) ;)

In honor of Veteran's Day, in our school days here at home we've been learning about those that have served in defending our nation over the years.

My daughter interviewed her own daddy just a few hours ago, with sample questions that I found on the internet. As some of you know, he served for four years in the Navy during the first few years of our marriage...and it was fun to see her with her list of questions, pencil poised, asking questions of her daddy in which brought back a lot of memories- for both of us!

While I was doing some research for things to incorporate into our Veteran's Day "theme", I found a website called,
Operation Gratitude.
This site is dedicated to bringing letters and care packages to both soldiers who are currently deployed, as well as a special section for distributing thank you letters to veterans. I immediately wanted to be involved in this somehow!
I'm hoping we can participate closer to Christmas by sending something to a deployed soldier, but this week I thought it would nice to have my nine year old write a simple thank you note to someone who had once served.


The folks at Operation Gratitude will receive the letter first, check it to make sure it is appropriate, pick a name on their list, and then send it on from there to a veteran somewhere in the country that will walk to his (or her) mailbox, peer curiously at the envelope, and hopefully be blessed as it is torn open and read.

We don't know who this veteran will be...a man or a woman...a recent veteran of Iraq or an aging WWII survivor.
We probably won't ever know. But God does. And we're praying for whomever receives it.

Years and years ago, I wrote a narrative poem with old fashioned style stanzas, as I thought about the WWII era in particular. I thought of the soldiers who came home, wondering if they still possessed everything that they held dear.
Unfortunately, I can not find that poem, but I still remember the first stanza:

In shades of golden moonlight hues, a lonely soldier steps

To reach a destination known within a memory kept,

Past homes of glowing fire light, and sounds of laughter near

He only hears the echo of his footsteps in his ear.

Remember to pause and remember...and perhaps thank someone who helped protect and preserve the freedom that we hold so dear.

Blessings!

Impossible with Man...

Final thoughts... Post Election.

I am hoping this will be my last political post for a long time. But tonight my mind and heart are whirling...and I have to share some honest thoughts one last time. Some are not so pretty...but it helps me to sort them out.

Never before have I personally felt such a heaviness in my heart after an election.
Never.

And being in my mid-40's now, I've seen a few over the years...
I remember personally feeling disappointed when Clinton was elected.
And downright irritated when he was re-elected.

But you want to know something? I don't think I have I felt such a sickening kind of disappointment as I do tonight.
And the blunt truth is that tonight- while the blanket of electoral votes freshly cover the map- I am ashamed to say that I feel disappointed in my country for the leader that they have chosen on this day.
For someone who always has held a deep love of country, feeling disappointed with it is completely foreign to me...and a feeling I don't relish at all.
I want to continue teaching my children what a privilege it is to be an American...and to hold dear all that our founding fathers fought so hard to keep. So I am praying, in part, for my own attitude...

I keep remembering what happened in the Old Testament when Israel kept clamoring for a king. God told them that they shouldn't have one, but they insisted anyway.
So he let them crown their king...because God gives us a free will. And lets us make our mistakes sometimes.

Still...even though I strongly feel that this was a completely wrong choice for our country because this man's values go so contrary to God's Word... I keep reminding myself that God is still the Inhabitor of His people.

Perhaps this is a wake up call to so many of us. Not to become complacent- but to pray more earnestly for our nation (and yes, our leader) and for God to bring about a revival in our land.

Tonight, the Bible verses from ArcaMax Publishing, which e-mail verses to us each day- sent the following passages our way. I thought they were just what so many of us need to stand on just now and so I wanted to share them with you...

Fear Not! The waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm." Proverbs 1:32,33 NIV

All your children shall be taught by the LORD, And great shall be the peace of your children. In righteousness you shall be established; You shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; And from terror,for it shall not come near you.

Isaiah 54:13,14 NKJV

The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

Psalm 121:5-8 KJV
__________________

For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!" The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God.

Romans 8:14-16 NASB
__________________

Thanks be unto God for His wonderful gift: Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God is the object of our faith; the only faith that saves is faith in Him.

Let's pray together for our nation...

Blessings!

Precious Life...

On the eve of this election, I wanted to say just a couple more things...

(I may not get political again for a long time, so bear with me...)

First...No matter what the outcome, we have to remember that God is still in control and will still be working in people's lives, caring for them, and bringing people to Himself. I have to remind myself of this truth right now, over and over, as we pray...

However, while there is still time left, I have to speak out one last time- not so much for a candidate, but for what he stands for.

And for me, it is truly one of the most important issues...the right to be born.

Please take time to watch one more video...and feel free to post it, as well.
It is too important not to see...

Behind the Facade...

In the two and a half years I've been doing this, I don't think I've gotten political on my blog.

Until today.

And first, let me start by saying that if anyone reading this is from the "left" side of the tracks, let me assure you that I respect your right to believe differently. That's what makes our country the great democracy that it is.

However, since this is my personal blog, I do get to express my opinions, right? And I just can't hold it in any longer...

As I look around, it becomes obvious to me that too many people have been caught up in the hype and charisma of Obama...but when asked what this "change" is that will take place, some can't even say.

Perhaps they didn't like the last administration for whatever reasons. So they just want "change".
Doesn't matter if the change might prove to be actually worse... just change.

And more often than not, they are looking at the packaging... the slick, youthful and talented orator.
But when you get down to the heart of the matter, the substance- where there is any- is scary.

But I'll let the candidates speak for themselves. You have to base your decision on the one who's values most mirrors your own.

Obama:
"Throughout my career, I've been a constant and strong supporter of reproductive justice and consistently had a 100% pro-choice rating with Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice America." ~ Obama for President Press Release 1-22-08

In contrast...

McCain:
"Whenever the value of the one class of persona is not respected whether they are unborn, handicapped, and elderly, the dignity of all mankind is threatened...I understand how every child literally alters the course of human history." ~ John McCain 1-22-08

Obama:
“It’s not that I want to punish your success [with higher taxes]. I just want to make sure that everybody that is behind you, that they have a chance for success too. I think that when you spread the wealth around that it is good for everybody.”

And here is Obama's own words, nothing omitted, concerning our national defense:

"We cannot continue to rely only on our military in order to achieve the national security objectives that we set. We've got to have a civilian national security force that's just as powerful, just as strong, just as well funded." - Barack Hussein Obama

And please, watch this short video where he speaks for himself- the truth is there and it is so eye-opening.
(It may take a moment to load...)



So this Tuesday, you are free to vote for whomever you choose.
But know the issues.
Make sure you know the real issues behind each of these men.
And then vote your conscience.

Weekly Attitude Check

Although my week had it's negative moments for me, I am beginning to realize there are so many blessings if I just open my eyes.

But first, let me list for you...


Things I didn't like this week:

*Having to see the dentist for the third time this month, only to have him tell me that it looks like he has to refer me for a root canal. My second one in the last two years. Yay.

*Finding a dead mouse in the large bag of dog food out in the garage.

*Meeting with a new family with five children for a park play date only to have my two be the only ones who got one "owie" after another, complete with crying and whimpering.

*Having to do overtime cleaning the house from top to bottom Thursday because we were having company the next day and messes had gotten out of hand....all this after getting up early to go to the dentist.
Let's just say that by that evening I felt a little cranky.

Things I DID like this week:

*Having a lovely clean house today!

*Having said company...another new friend and her little girl, and enjoying just the best time chatting with this mom for hours and getting to know her better. (Plus, having her bless me with a frappicino!)

*Being able to get by with just an occasional advil until the dreaded root canal with very little discomfort...and being blessed with insurance to cover part of it!

*Being thankful that the dead mouse in the dog food was in the garage...and not inside the house!

I am feeling much more blessed than I did just a day or so ago. God has a way of turning negative experiences around sometimes into blessings....especially when we work on our own attitudes!

Have a great Labor Day weekend!

Sticks and Stones...

...probably wouldn't inflict as much hurt as the unintentional wound from your own flesh. At least that's what I'm thinking at the moment.

This was not the cheerful, upbeat little post that I planned. In fact, this is not like most of my posts at all. But this is from my heart tonight...and painfully honest... and it helps to sort out my feelings... so bear with me.

Sometimes, there are those days when you are nervous or moody or teetering on the edge of feeling sad and discouraged...so that it only takes one hurtful thing said to reduce you to a heap of tears.

And the hurt is made that much worse because it comes from the lips of your very own eight year old daughter.

I won't go into exactly what the hurtful things said were, but they were her private thoughts revealed, not wanting to hurt me at all. When she saw that she had (though I did try to hide it) she cried, deeply remorseful.
But then...so did I in private.

It was the kind of revealed feelings that one might expect your daughter to express to you if she was dangling from the throws of adolescence...thirteen...maybe twelve. But not eight. Definitely not eight.

Keep in mind that she didn't spew these things out of a spiteful heart...in fact, she was afraid to bear her thoughts to me. Which makes them more painful.
Though these were not her exact words, it was almost as if her true feelings were that she was the offspring of some strange, nerdy family...with nerdy parents and uncool mom who didn't "look" like other moms. A family who was so uncool, that their car broke down on the way to a wedding one time and didn't seem to have it all together like other families.

When I had time to get myself together from her remarks, I was- and am- bewildered.
There were a couple specific things that were mentioned tonight which were true...painfully true. But after feeling my spirit completely crushed for a good while, I began to think about all the kinds of families out there...single parent families, working families...and although many of these were good families, I began to think how blessed she was to have her particular family.

And I didn't look like other moms? I may be 44, but I have to say, there are times I think I look darn good for 44!
Oh, I have my bad days...um weeks...but I *try* to keep fit, wear make-up at least most of the time, and sometimes even wear semi-trendy clothes. (Although, I admit not quite as much as I'd like, because my wardrobe money tends to go to the kids for their own clothes, toys and school books...hmmm...)

I see wonderful moms out there of all shapes and sizes, and can't help but think that their children probably still consider them truly beautiful. Especially their eight year olds.
Maybe not so much their twelve year olds.
But more than likely, their eight year olds.

Now, keep in mind, my little girl loves me like crazy. Hence her tears, when she realized her statements were hurting me. And bless her heart, she kept telling me afterwards that she loved me. But nevertheless, they were her true eight year old opinions and thoughts...and that's what hurts this mommy the most. She didn't throw out words to intentionally hurt me out of anger....but honesty.

I've heard of those first hurts inflicted on parents from their children...I just didn't think they would be coming so soon. There's almost nothing that can hurt your feelings worse than your own child thinking less than wonderful thoughts about you.
I thought the embarrassment she might feel would come later on...but for now, they would think that the sun rose and set with me.

(At least my five year old still does.)

And if she thought these things now, what about five years from now? Was all hope lost?

However, as I was in the midst of the pain, sitting alone on the sofa after hearing these hurtful words at bedtime, I was reminded once again that it is not the opinion of a human that is the measuring stick of worth...but of who I am in Christ. He knows my shortcomings and sins, but still, He not only loves me, but is proud of me because of who I am in Christ.

As I sat on the sofa, I prayed...and I prayed that if there is something about me that conveys a lacking in confidence (which I'm sure there is) that God begins to heal that in me, not only for my sake, but for the model I want to portray to my daughters about being a woman.
But I also pray that my daughter's eyes are opened to see me with new appreciation...yes, even admiration.

Because, though I am so far from being the perfect parent, I know that she actually blessed with a loving mom who continually gives of herself to her on a daily basis.

We may seem currently like a "dumb family" in her eyes, but we are a Christian family who loves the Lord...sometimes falls short, but always strives to please Him.

I may not be blonde or perky nor always wear this season's latest trends on the walkway...but my appearance seldom scares anyone when I venture out in public and, more importantly, I hold Christ-like values in esteem.

But maybe, instead of her attitude about us growing worse, maybe with God's help, it will only get better.

Maybe, by the time she's twelve, and her heart is crushed by a friend who has betrayed her or a boy who won't even look at her...I will fix her her favorite sandwich and tell her she's beautiful, not really seeing her broken out complexion nor her gangly legs...and maybe...just maybe...
she'll suddenly think I'm the coolest mom around.