Favorite Christmas Decoration

This is one of my favorite Christmas decorations. It's a hand-made ceramic tree.

It has been in my family since I was 10-years old. My mother won it in a raffle-type drawing at her office Christmas party.

It was handed down to me in the late 90's. We obtained different "lights" for the tree then when we visited a ceramic shop to replace some of the "bulbs" that had gone missing.

For the past several years we've kept out an obvious Christmas decoration all year to remind us of the birth of Christ, whose coming was to save mankind. This was the decoration we kept out in 2006.

We just got the brilliant idea to also keep out an obvious Easter decoration to remind us of Christ's propitiative death. Although we don't decorate in the same fashion for Easter as we do for Christmas, so there will be less options.

I hope some of you will share your favorite Christmas decorations on your blogs.

Slaughter of the Innocents

So soon after the joy of Christmas Day where we celebrate the Christ-child coming to us in the form of a human-babe as our Savior, is the remembrance of the slaughter of the innocent children, which was yesterday.

“Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying: 'A voice as heard in Ramah, lamentation, weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted, because they were no more' .” (Matthew 2:17- 18).

I cannot fathom such heinous acts. And yet, each sin I commit is heinous to our Lord. There isn't a heirarchy of sins as if one is more heinous than the other. All grieve Him.

Thankfully we can cling to the cross and be assured of the forgiveness of ALL of our sins in Jesus Christ's name and because of Jesus Christ's shed blood!

Citizen Soldiers by 3 Doors Down

Saw this last night during the previews before a movie. I really liked the message of it and so thought I would share it here for all of you. Coming from a military family, I've always been appreciative of the sacrifices that others make on my behalf so that I can live in the freedom they've secured for all Americans.

After Christmas Meltdown

Ya know how your kids anticipate the Christmas season when they're little? They are so excited and sometimes that excitement leads to goodness abounding.

But after several days of that, and the presents are opened and the doll has lost her clothes already then a certain attitude starts to creep in. You think you recognize signs of it in the quick tempers and sarsactic words and glances, and then the "I've been too good for too long" monster rears its ugly head and lets out a roar.

Which of course is met with a roar back from a parent whose been waaaaaaaay too liberal the last several days in hopes of keeping peace and not raising a ruckus during this "most wonderful time of the year."

Roars fade away quickly and life returns to normal. It's like a reset button and now all is at peace again . . . (until the next anticipatory season approaches next year.)

Sharing some of our handmade gifts this year

These first four pictures are little baskets that I made with some help from my teenagers for R. She loves to play with Liddle Kiddles. Not all of these are Liddle Kiddles. Some are dollies about the same size we found at the Dollar Store. She loves playing with little things. These were a big hit! They are made from ice-cream cups that I punched holes into with a paper punch and then decorated with beads and made handles for. The handles are bead strung on wire or have wire wrapped around them so that they stand up.

Following that is a decorated jewelry box. Our oldest loves kitchy things like this. It's in her favorite colors, black and blue. We threw in the white to make it all "pop." She'll probably keep some kind of potpourri in it. We gave it to her with some new earrings in it.

The last ones are what I made for our middle daughter. She's been wanting things to carry jewelry in for her purse or to store jewelry in for her room. She likes to keep like things together, so she has lots of little boxes, etc. It's made with cotton fabric on the inside and felt on the outside with tiny embellishments of snaps (to close) and beads with ribbon for handles. We gave it to her with some new earrings in it.

Feast of St. John, 3rd Day of Christmas

We have been blessed by the electronic form of devotions offered by Higher Things, a youth magazine put out by some really special folks in the LCMS. It's geared for those of confirmation age and up through college.


Here's their offering for today:


Higher Things Daily Reflections December 27, 2007 - The Feast of St. John

Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 51:17-52:12; Matthew 2:1-12


“Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following.” (John 21:20)


Today is John's day, his Feast. Like St. Stephen, he, too, will suffer mightily for confessing Jesus. But as today's gospel points out (John 21:20-25), John will not suffer martyrdom as the others. Rather than being killed, he will be exiled on the island of Patmos, from which he would complete the Scriptures by writing the book of Revelation — the book that was part of our Daily Lectionary for most of Advent. I know, you think Revelation is a scary book. Really, it tells you nothing new, nothing different than what God has already spoken to you from Genesis to Jude. Let Scripture interpret Scripture. If you come out of Revelation with something new, something different, ask your pastor about it. He'll be happy to show you why this book begins, “The revelation of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 1:1). It's all about Jesus, not about some blueprint by which you might figure out the times, or decipher when Jesus is coming again — if you just read it right. It's all about the Lord Jesus, Who gives Himself for you.


That is what John marvels at. He's beside himself that Jesus would love him in this way. When, in John's Revelation, he saw Jesus, he “fell at His feet as dead” (Revelation 1:17). How unworthy he was! Jesus' response? He laid His hand on John and said, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He Who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death” (Revelation 1:17-19).


Those words reminded John that Jesus had given the keys to the kingdom of heaven to His church on earth (John 20:22-23). John's sins locked him out of heaven. But Jesus made sure that His church on earth had the authority to unlock heaven for John, to forgive John his sins. And to forgive you all of yours! That's what amazed John so much — Jesus' love for him.


Have you ever wanted someone special to love you? Someone whose love you knew you didn't deserve and, left to yourself, would probably never have? But then it happened! How did that happen? By grace, right? Remember how you felt? As if your feet didn't touch the ground!
That's how John felt about Jesus. Sure, Jesus loved all the disciples. But even more, He loved John! That is why, when John writes his gospel, he refers to himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” He couldn't get over it. It was too good to be true. But, true it was. Just as it is for you! So says the Absolution your pastor speaks over you, unlocking heaven for you, forgiving sins — giving you Jesus' love, just like Baptism and the Supper!


Available in podcast format or for a download for the season. Visit their website for more information.

Today's devotion was written by Pastor Brad Drew, Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, Metairie (New Orleans), Louisiana.

Pastor's Sermons, and a Homily

Sunday we had Matins, and it was d i f f e r e n t.

In the past, our church has made a habit of doing Matins on the 5th Sunday (if there is one) from the red hymnal (TLH) page 5. People in our town have come to expect this and often visit our church from other parishes so they can take part in Matins on those Sundays.

Since we were having services on three successive days, this past Sunday we tried it from the new burgandy hymnal, (LSB, page 219). We're gonna need some time to work on this...

The kids from the two confirmation classes split up readings following the Common Antiphon. This was punctuated by still pictures of the other children from Sunday school classes who were still photographed several weeks ago as various characters in the Nativity story. Because these pictures were projected on a screen at the front of the church, those families with young kids packed the pews up front. Pastor made a wry comment about the population up front that day. :-)

Our middle daughter sang a solo a capella during the offertory, What Child Is This (LSB 370 verses 1 and 2). I suppose some would same I'm prejudiced, but I do love to hear her sing, especially a capella.

Because I was recovering from a tension headache/migraine and the after effects of the medication for that, my oldest daughter will give her synopsis of Pastor's homily that day.

S shares: "The text this Sunday came from the Old Testament reading, Isaiah 7:10-17. Pastor began by giving us a little history of the conflict going on, of Ahaz thinking he could save his kingdom (Judah) from the two warring kings bent on destroying him by placing his faith in Tiglath-Pileser I, the Assyrian King, rather than placing his faith in the Lord who is always faithful to Israel and Judah. This story can also be found in 2 Kings 15-17. God told Ahaz He would not let these two kings take Jerusalem. However, with fear in our hearts from outside threats, we become paralyzed. Ahaz rejected God because he thought he could fix it himself. Threats often get our attention, but the most important question is where will you put your trust when fear surrounds you? If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all. Ahaz was told by Isaiah to ask God for a sign. Ahaz, in his piety, said he would not test the Lord. But the Lord wanted to give him a sign, and so he did. He foreshadowed Christ’s rejection by the world. He said that Israel’s salvation would come from a humble maiden, not a “strong” king on the throne. Immanuel, the name God gave His Son in Isaiah, means God is with us. He always has been, and always will be. He strengthens us with His Word and His Promises."

My favorite hymn from this service was Now Sing We, Now Rejoice (LSB 386, verse 2). Come from on high to me; I cannot rise to Thee. Cheer my wearied spirit, O pure and holy Child; Through Thy grace and merit, Blest Jesus, Lord most mild, Draw me unto Thee! Draw Me unto Thee!

Christmas Eve there was a candlelight service in the evening. This is always an impressive service as we realize the impact of Christ's coming into the dark world with His light.

The church was brimming with members in happy moods, eager to share hugs and hellos. It was crowded, so folks had to sit up front, again. Here we were treated to a service laced with hymns appropriate to the readings. I still was not completely over the headaches, so my middle daughter offers her notes from Pastor's sermon that evening.

K writes: "The text for the Christmas Eve service was Luke 2:8-14, about the angels visiting the shepherd’s as they watched over their flocks by night. Pastor told this story from a different perspective though, from the view of Herald, the apprentice angel who longed to give an important message. One day God announced that He would be sending His Son down to earth to save it. This was of course, the biggest news that heaven had ever heard before. It got the Archangels like Michael and Gabriel talking about how human’s ignorance of important things and their penchant for the mundane might put a slight damper into God’s plan. Even though God had written the law on their hearts, they still ignored Him. But God had decided to send love, instead of more laws, in the form of His Son. And not in something grand by human standards, but as a baby, a helpless, tiny infant born of a virgin. As the angels watched the birth from heaven, Herald noticed that no one down on earth really noticed what was happening, after all, it was just a baby being born, and that happens every day. So Herald decided to try and tell the people what was going on. But they were all too busy, except the shepherds. He appeared to them, and they trembled from fear. After telling them not to fear, some of the other angels had noticed what Herald was doing and joined him in the spreading of the good news. Hark the Herald Angels Sang, Glory to the Newborn King. "

My favorite hymn from this service was The People That in Darkness Sat (LSB 412, verse 2), To us a Child of hope is born, To us a Son is giv'n, And on His shoulder ever rests, All pow'r in earth and heav'n, All pow'r in earth and heav'n.

Yesterday, we had a communion service in the morning at our regular service time. I was disappointed to find that the sanctuary was not very populated. Although I do understand the struggle of the morning and the tradition of opening gifts on Christmas morning.

Some time back in November, our Pastor has asked our middle daughter if she wanted to sing a solo for one of the services near Christmas. She agreed to do the one on Sunday, and he asked her if she would consider singing on Christmas Day. But first he had to check something and said he'd get back with her. As we entered the church and were removing our coats (it was snowing lightly), he asked her if she would do another solo at this service. He was getting back with her. :-) Ok... she took a deep breath and agreed. He said she could sing whatever song from the hymnal she wanted. But, upon looking through it, we had sung most of the songs in the last fews days or would, and so she asked him if she could sing O Holy Night verses 1 and the chorus, which isn't in the hymnal, but Pastor agreed to let her sing it. It's her favorite Christmas song.

Yesterday's sermon was about gift giving and gift getting as described by Garrison Keillor and how this represents what people think of us, or expect of us. Garrison Keillor opines that the best gifts are those we give ourselves.

Pastor believes that unexpected gifts are sometimes the most delightful because we don't always ask for what we need and we aren't even sure what we need sometimes.

Jesus Christ, in the form of a human baby was a gift that was unexpected. He was not the powerful warrior expected. He was a disturber of the peace, however. Pastor admonished us to find pleasure, surprise and delight in the gift of God, through His Son, who aids us through all our trials and tribulations.

My favorite hymn from this service was Let All Together Praise Our God (LSB 389, verse 4 and 7), He undertakes a great exchange, Puts on our human frame, And in return gives us His realm, His glory and His name, His glory, and His name and Your grace in lowliness revealed, Lord Jesus, we adore, And praise to God the Father yield, and Spirit evermore; We praise you evermore.

At church on Christmas Eve we meet a new family visiting our church for the first time who had recently moved here from Illinois. They've yet to find a place to call home and so are living out of a motel for the time being. Turns out this is a homeschooling family with a daughter close to our youngest daughter's age. They were looking for a liturgical church after leaving the Roman Catholic church three years ago. I think they were looking for more than what our smaller parish offers, but their transcience during this time of year seemed poignant. They were obviously lonely and in need of some fellowship. I've done what I can to introduce them to the various aspects of the homeschool community. I pray they'll soon be connected to a church and a homeschool group for the support each offers.

12 Days of Christmas

For those not from a liturgical background, the 12 Days of Christmas may be a misunderstood time of year because so many think it ends with Christmas Day, when actually it's just beginning. It's a short period of time between Advent where we prepare for the coming of our Lord (with the three-fold anticipation of the remembrance of Jesus Christ's birth, Jesus Christ's coming to us now in Word, wine and bread, and in His return to us) and Epiphany (which begins with the wise men's visit to Jesus and ends with the beginning of Lent (a penitential season where we remember Christ's last 40 days on earth).

For those with questions about the 12 Days of Christmas, I high recommend this site for your edification about this special time of the church calendar.

Today we remember the feast of Saint Stephen, the first martyr, whose death is told in Acts 7:54-60. In Matthew 23:24, Jesus said, "Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men and scribes; some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city.” Jesus tells us this in His last week on earth. After His triumphant arrival in Jerusalem. He knows what is to be His outcome. He knows what is to be the disciples' outcome. His prophetic words first take hold when Stephen is stoned to death.

This reminds me of Psalm 3, where David laments his distress when his son, Absalom, has expelled him from the city. Stephen, too has been expelled...from the synagogue by the Sanhedrin. Unlike David, Stephen is not afraid, and he faces his death with courage provided by the sight of the King of Kings with His Son, our Savior, by His side.

And so this verse seemed appropriate to today, Psalm 3:3 "But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head."

God is our shield, just as He was Stephen's especially on that day he was tortured to death.

Scene It!

We played Scene It this evening. Here were some things overheard while playing it.

"Sound of Eunuch" someone guessed at the spellbinder clue for Sound of Music. To which another person blurted out, "Yea, but he's got a great voice!"

"Get your squeek on!" We have a talented family member who can sound like a chipmunk with very little effort. The "chipmunk's" giggle is the funniest!

"Well, I think it's romantic!" said the least romantic person here!

"Hannah Banana" for a clue for Daryl Hannah. Someone thinks she looks like a banana -- blonde, lean and uncurvacious.

After a clue leading to Martin Landau, someone remarked, "He's ancient if he's still alive." Another person said, "If he's dead he's stinky and still old." We're so kind!

Another spellbinder clue resulted in this being blurted out, "Chesapeake in Love!" The real answer was "Shakespeare in Love."

But the clincher of the evening that had us all in stitches was the off-handed comment from someone leaving the room who said, "It's ET you idiot! I'd recognize those flowers anywhere!" Remember the flowers that bloomed when ET was feeling well, and drooped over as he became ill?

None of what I blogged about above may be of particular interest to you. But here's my point: Aren't families precious? The way we entertain each other and know each other's jokes, sore spots, gifts and talents, buttons to push, likes and dislikes? Isn't it fun to discover more about each other and to joyfully spend time together?

That's the kind of Christmas I pray each of you had... the kind where you appreciated the family the Lord has blessed you with. For those who have a different sort of family that perhaps can't be a blessing to each other, I pray the Lord will give you people who can be a blessing to you so that you can know the amazing love of family. As fragile, sinful people, there are plenty of opportunities to ask for and extend forgiveness to one another, and to learn and grow together.

Ok, enough of the waxing philosophical!

Now begins the 12 Days of Christmas!

3rd Sunday in Advent

I've been rather negligent in posting about our Pastor's sermons lately.

Yesterday's sermon was quite interesting. It was about patience and based on the epistle reading from James 5:7-11. Isn't it interesting how many people can hear the same thing and think, "Was he a fly on our wall this week?" It just points out that the depravity of men's hearts is everywhere. Sin is pervasive. But so is God's love and forgiveness, if we cling to it in faith.

As we concluded singing "When John Sat in Prison" and settled in for the sermon we waited for Pastor to begin speaking. He stood up and looked like he might begin. He looked throughout the assembled congregation but spoke nary a word. This continued for some time. I was amazed at how quiet it got. Not even coughing or rumpling of bulletins could be heard. Since we sit near the back I noticed some squirming in seats -- mostly by the adults (we have so few children in our parish anyway).

Finally Pastor began to speak and he started by saying that it's hard to be patient. Then he asked how long we thought he had paused there. There were guesses of one minute and two minutes. He said it was two minutes. Then he asked if it felt longer. Our youngest blurted out, "It felt like five minutes!" After that he said he thought of doing it for four minutes but he didn't think we could take it. :-)

Pastor shared different scenarios of how we can be impatient because of circumstances, as well as everyday things. He likened patience to a substance we carry in a tank on our backs and expell as we dole out patience so much so that at certain times it seems the tank is empty and we have no more patience to expend. Then we blow it and remove all doubt that our patience is gone.

Then Pastor shared about how our prayers can become like a gift list we hand to Santa expecting it to be fulfilled on our timetable and in our own way. But our ways are not God's ways and His timing is perfect.

Pastor reminded us of Jeremiah and Isaiah, as James makes mention of (not directly, but as prophets) in the epistle reading, who were patient (not perfectly) despite incoveniences and that in faith they clung to God through it all. Were they happy about circumstances? No. But they clung to the Lord anyway.

Pastor asked, "Why should we be patient?" He answered, because the Lord is patient with us. He doesn't loose his patience with our sinfulness, as we continue to commit the same old, sorry sins over and over and over again. God is patient because Jesus bore our sins on the tree. Claimed as His in baptism, we remember what He has done for us.

Awkward -- what would you do?

So, I had a clandestine phone call from my friend this afternoon. She called me from her freezing garage in whispered tones.

My friend's family is entertaining a new young man friend of one of their daughters. It's a male friend whose expressed some interest in their daughter. Though they've never met in person, they have spent a lot of time together via electronic means.

So the young man enters their home and niceties are exchanged as this is the first time everyone is meeting each other. They sit down.

Their humongous dog takes a leak on the young man's pants. In his nervousness he acts like he doesn't notice. They act like they don't notice. But as soon as he leaves the room they clean up the pee from the floor in a secretive way so that no one is the wiser.

Well, what would you do? How would you have handled that?

As for me, I'm waiting by my phone for the next clandestine phone call from the garage.

Dancing the night away

My older girls attended the AFA's Snow Ball this past Wednesday.

Here are some photo's from it.

This first one is S, Pilot Dancer and K. All three are good friends. Pilot Dancer is K's dance partner.

This is Pilot Dancer and K doing a classic blues dip.

This is the same dip but from a different angle.

K swept S off her feet! Silly sisters!

The Multiple usage of Kerchiefs

Wonder what Pioneer Woman would think of this usage of kerchiefs?

Sleep tight Ken and Barbies.

Hubby

Here's a picture of my hubby from the Support Group Leaders Brunch in June 2007 at the CHEC conference.

Just wanted to share since our 21st anniversary was last week!

Politics

Our oldest daughter, S, has been a politico all her life basically. When she was almost three she shunned her grammy upon learning that grammy had voted for Ross Perot in 1992. When S was 9 when she started volunteering on campaigns and helped with Bill Owen's campaign for Governor of Colorado. That was the first time I was referred to as "S's mom." It certainly hasn't been the last. S has volunteered on many campaigns since then and now works for a PAC/Small Donor Committee and will be the co-office manager for two state representatives starting in January.

S inspired my husband and I to become more politically active. Where S went, so did we. As a homeschooling family, that meant that all of us went.

K, on the other hand, is not that interested in politics. She would rather impact the culture via movies or music. She wasn't thrilled about being at rallies, political strategy sessions, phone banks, etc. The one thing she did enjoy was honk and waves. And I think she did enjoy seeing President Bush as the commencement speaker at the AFA and when he came to the World Arena. (That's where R learned to put up her first three "W" fingers and chant "four more years!" like a pro!)

So this discussion yesterday was particularly amusing to me. And you just never know when kids will say the darndest things.

I was driving our middle daughter, K, to her job at the library and S and R were with us. We were listening to the radio. Rush Limbaugh was on, that's what my husband had been listening to so when we turned on the radio that's what we heard. Normally we would change the radio immediately to a station playing music. However, Rush was talking about Nancy Pelosi and her expenditure in the amount of $15,000 for flowers, and her total expenditure of over $3 MILLION dollars (paid for by the taxpayers of America). This is an amount that is more than double what Rep. Hassert spent in one year, and she's only been doing this for 9 months.

Anyway, K said, "Next thing you know we'll be paying for her manicures and pedicures." This was quite a wry statement from our non-political daughter. Oldest daughter, S, said, "Or maybe her haircuts!"

I remarked, "Wow, K, that was pretty sarcastic of you ... and funny!"

K replied, "Well, politics is only interesting when you can make a joke out of it!"

That's darn funny!

Hopes and Prayers

There are times when hope is a precarious thing. It balances on a precipice between doubt and faith. The slightest breeze can upset the balance.



One of the hardest things is that sometimes people equate your hope to some kind of yardstick of your faith. If you have hope, then you have faith, and the more you hope, then that's an expression of your faith expanding.



But it doesn't work like that. I think sometimes people who believe that really haven't gone through times of trial and depravation. It grieves me to see people suffer for extended periods of time and for others to then knock 'em down a little more by somehow expressing that their faith isn't quite adequate if they don't hope enough.



Prayer can be the same way. In faith and hope we turn to our Lord with whispered or spoken pleas, words that express the depths of our hearts' desires. Desires for peace and contentment as well as possibly earthly ease in our everyday struggles. When those struggles remain, when we continually fight the battles of survival (and that may be different things for different folks) and there isn't relief, then there are some people who will tell you that you aren't praying adequately, or that you have a secret sin in your life and you're being punished for it. These responses grieve me as they are not Biblical and again, knock down those who have been praying in earnest hope of relief and a change in circumstances.



I guess, I'm trying to say that I wish we could all remember to be kind to one another. To walk beside each other in love and companionship and to express ourselves a little more carefully with each other.

Fun with Music

Had to take a break from my quilting -- my carpal tunnel is acting up. So I've been perusing the blogs and found this feast for the ears here.

So I went looking on You Tube and found this awesome rendition of Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody. I remember being so intrigued at the blending of styles that Queen did especially with this song. The Beatles did some of that too, but not as well as Queen did in this song.

Enjoy.

Decorating for Christmas

Our youngest has such an imagination. Since we got the Christmas decorations out on Sunday and decorated the house and tree, she's been playing with various ornaments and such. As she does so, she's been humming or singing "Away in a Manger" which the children are going to sing on the last Sunday in Advent at our church service.

While it's not something she's saying that cute and adorable, it's something she's doing, and that's close to "Kids Say the Darndest Things."

Enjoy!

This first picture represents a choir she's set up on our bookcase next to the Christmas tree in the living/dining room.

And this is a Christmas wedding in Bethlehem, so you'll see the major characters of the nativity, coupled with Barbies (from vending machines) and small Disney characters.

Hear My Prayer

Stunned.

Amazed.

Incredulous.

Those are the words reeling through the Christian community in Colorado Springs following yesterday's inexplicable violence at New Life Church and the YWAM center in Arvada.

New Life Church sponsors a homeschool group called "High Country Home Educators" and because of that, and the work I do for CHEC as their Support Group Leader Liaison, I know lots of people who attend New Life Church.

My first reaction yesterday, upon learning of this heinous crime, was to pray for those I knew who attended there. It's been a long year for them as they have weathered the scandal and fall-out of their Pastor's revelations and resignation beginning last year in November. I have watched those friends struggle for understanding, reach for and extend forgiveness, exhibit mercy and seek His peace. It's been a long battle for them. And now this...

Sometimes, you just have to shake your head and cry out to the Lord, "Why?" And yet, it's not ours to know why. We receive Him in Word and Sacrament, and lovingly trust in His providential care over our lives and may not know why this side of heaven.

As the parent of two teens the same ages as the sisters who were murdered yesterday (I used the word murdered instead of killed because of the 5th commandment), I am concerned over the violence so prevalent in our society that may endanger them. I've been hugging them a lot more today, grateful for their safety for now, trusting and praying that God will always keep them safe.

We've been in prayer a lot today. Praying for those hurt or killed and their families, including the young man who committed these crimes and his family. Praying for those who knew them (we do know one of the shooting victims who is ok), and all the officials dealing with this.

This morning we began a new book in our devotional time. It was given to us this weekend by dear friends. It's called "Reading the Psalms with Luther." Psalm 4 struck us because of the events of yesterday:

"Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness!
You have given me relief when I was in distress
Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!"

The exclamation points indicate some urgency in this Psalm. But I also noticed that the psalmist didn't ask for his prayer to be answered, he isn't demanding resolution. He's asking the Lord to hear his prayer. There is comfort for the psalmist in just knowing that God has heard his prayer. May it be so with all of us.

May HIS will be done.

Tebow WON the Heisman!

This well-rounded athlete was homeschooled K-12 and assisted his father over several summer vacations to serve in underprivileged areas in the Philippines, and is the only sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy.

Congratulations Tim Tebow, 2007's Heisman Trophy winner!!!

More Friday FUN

How well do you know the Bible. Another one from Cheryl.

You know the Bible 98%!

Wow! You are awesome! You are a true Biblical scholar, not just a hearer but a personal reader! The books, the characters, the events, the verses - you know it all! You are fantastic!

Ultimate Bible Quiz
Create MySpace Quizzes

What Kind of Poetry Form Are YOU?

Cheryl brought this one to my attention!

What sort of poetry form are you?

Ottava rima? Me? That can't be right! Too frivolous? But tut, there's no such thing! Let others ponder thoughts of wrong and right, Or sit and think how much they love the spring; I'd rather spend my time in gleeful spite, Or maybe laugh, or maybe sit and sing. Besides, it might be fun to be inspiring - But surely it would get so very tiring. http://quiz.ravenblack.net/poeticform.pl">What Poetry Form Are You?

Passing the Baton

Yesterday my daughter, S, and I attended a Passing the Baton seminar given my Dr. Jeff Myers (I've long recommended his weekly newsletters for homeschool support group leaders).

This seminar was FREE because it was being taped for the upcoming release due to be packaged and available in late March.

One of the things I've struggled with over the last several years has been that I was brought up in a Christian home, and yet, while the Christian life was modeled for me by my mother and by my father in the way they lived (that means they weren't perfect but I could see how they tried to live their faith), it wasn't discussed. And I had and have lots of questions! You know, the traditional Lutheran life-long catechical question, "What does that mean?"

During one of the sessions yesterday, Jeff remarked that what is discussed is important, what isn't discussed isn't important. He was trying to emphasize that we must have conversations with our children and those we mentor about our faith and how it affects our life.

The seminar was so practical and not filled with a bunch of fluff and stuff. I've always admired Dr. Jeff Myer's seminars as he seems to be pretty down to earth and isn't pious and doesn't claim to be an expert. He is a coach in the best sense of the word.

I'll be processing all of what I heard yesterday into a couple of upcoming Memo articles for homeschool support group leaders.

Another OLD Christmas photo

Me, age 22 months, in Japan.

Another FRIDAY Fun Christmas TAG

Another Christmas TAG from Elysa. She didn't tag me, but said anyone who wanted to play could, so I am.

Favorite traditional Christmas song: The Christmas Song sung by Nat King Cole (brings back lovely Christmas memories of when I was a child) and Ave Maria sung by Harry Connick, Jr.

Favorite contemporary or modern Christmas song: I Pray on Chrismas sung by Harry Connick, Jr. (lovely bluesy song!)

Christmas song that makes you cry: Mary Did You Know sung by Donny Osmond

Real or artificial tree: REAL!

Favorite Christmas edible treat: Molasses Drop Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

White lights or multi-colored: BOTH!

How many Christmas parties will you go to this year? One

Favorite act of kindness to perform during this season? Totally secret gifts to those not expecting it.

Favorite sounds of Christmas: The vibrant songs of my fellow parishioners at church singing together during the Christmas Eve service

Favorite things to wear: Red poinsetta earrings and "Jesus is the Reason for the Season" pins

Favorite Christmas movie/TV special: A Charlie Brown Christmas, A Chipmunk Christmas, and White Christmas (love the songs in that!)

Eggnog or hot chocolate: Hot Chocolate!!! Eggnog only if it has been heavily masked with rum.

Favorite Christmas book: The Very First Christmas by Paul Maier

Peppermint or cinnamon: Both

What's on the top of your tree? Our tree is not up yet since we keep it up through Epiphany and do not put it up before our anniversary (which was yesterday), but when it does go up, probably tomorrow since our 7-year old cannot WAIT, it'll have either a star (last year it was an angel and we alternate)

Traditional Christmas meal growing up: Turkey or duck (duck is greasy and I don't like it!) or cornish game hens, with the usual trimmings of home-made mashed potatoes with gravy, stuffings, cranberry sauce (from the can), green bean cassarole, fruit salad (canned fruit, jello and whip cream with toasted coconut on top) and pumpkin pie!

Online shopping or traditional "go to the store" shopping: Traditional -- it's the only time I get to really shop with my hubby!

Something you rec'd as a Christmas gift as a child that you still have: As an Air Force brat, we learned early on to purge and get rid of things that were no longer useful, so as I grew up and wasn't playing with things, my mother was sending them to her my sister's children in Texas. The only toy I have left from my childhood is one Liddle Kiddle (she's a Gardenia one, and looks better than the one pictured there). I don't know if she came to me as a Christmas gift, or birthday gift, or Easter basket surprise!

How many Christmas cards you have mailed so far: Three!

Favorite source for Christmas ideas: ??

Coordinated/themed or hodge-podge tree decorations: Hodge-podge, I've never had the time or resources for a coordinated theme.

What's on the top of YOUR Christmas wishlist: Our trusty printer, scanner, fax machine had a cartridge leak all over -- I want that all-in-one unit to be cleaned of the icky ink so I can use it again!

Roles you've played in Christmas plays/programs: I had a solo in my 6th grade musical program which was filmed by a local TV station. I sang "Let There Be Peace on Earth" a very 70's song.

We will celebrate the 12-days of Christmas again this year. An idea that came from a Pastor on the Martin Loopers list. One gift will be opened on Christmas Eve (that's our family tradition which was my family's tradition), after our church service. Then gifts from others (grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc.) will be opened on Christmas Day. Our gifts to each other will be opened one per day through Epiphany. It helps to decrease the greediness and helps us take advantage of the after-Christmas sales. This allows our children to really enjoy each gift.

And now, for your viewing pleasure is a picture from Christmas 1962. We were still in Japan and this is what my parents had made up.

I'm the toddler, then in the middle is my sister, Pat, holding my brother, Paul, and next to Pat is my oldest sister, Pam. Pam and Pat had finger curls, I am sporting what we have come to call "the grandma ponytail" since it was my mom who did it and liked it, and Paul is just a baldy.

Heisman Contender was Homeschooled

Tim Tebow, quarterback for the University of Florida, is a contender for the Heisman Trophy in collegiate competition.

Guess we don't just have a monopoly on the National Spelling and Geography Bees anymore.

Princess Bride Meets Achmed

This morning, as we were trying to craft and poor little R was having to wait until we had everything situated just so... she uttered this now infamous line that I am sure will go down in our family's history.

"My name is Inigo Montoya, I kill you!"

This is a mismash of part of a Princess Bride line followed by a Jeff Dunham line from this skit. (This skit does contain some curse words, but not much compared to some of his other routines.)

Jef-f-fa Dunham has been entertaining our family with his ventriloqy for some time now.

Lutheran Carnival Time Once Again

Carnivals bring up memories of fun, spinning rides and food that may make you sick if you eat too much of it, sticky fingers and giggles and fun!

So, when I visit the sites listed in the Lutheran Carnival, it brings up spinning thoughts that fester for a while in my brain, and that's a good thing, unless thinking too much makes you ill. :-)

Enjoy!

1st Sunday in Advent

Anticipating the birth of our Lord, while we also anticipate His return!



So the church was all decorated with evergreens today and they smell awesome! I love the simplicity of them, and yet the festive appearance of them.



This is our Pastor's first advent with us, and he chose to go with blue vestments and paraments. The advent candles are all blue, except, of course, the Christ candle is white.


The sermon was excellent. It always sounds a bit odd to say that, though, as if my opinion on his sermon matters. This pastor can certainly weave together points well and make pertinent points that I recall during the week and are salient to my life.


Today's sermon was based on Matthew 21 from the three-year lectionary, series A. Pastor started out by telling us about a successful king. A beloved king. A king who tried to honor God. This king was King David. He told us about his son. His son whose jealousy caused him to kill his brother and so he was banished from the city for awhile. Upon his return, Absalom purposefully set out to undermine his father and take his place. Eventually, Alsalom won the hearts of the citizens and David and his court had to flee. David, in his brokenness, set out to climb the Mount of Olives in his bare feet with his head covered, reflecting on his own imperfections and sins. Wondering, "Where did I go wrong?" Parents of all generations have wondered this same question.


Then Pastor started talking about how especially at this time of year, we have expectations of how things will go. We dream of and plan for a perfect gathering of friends and family. The world offers us its solutions to our problems. Whole marketing campaigns are centered around convincing us that their products will make us happy, will make us youthful, will solve our problems, cure our loneliness. But the world's answers are vapid and vane and vapor. The good news comes instead from the Gospel, such as Matthew 21. We see our King as He comes from the Mount of Olives, the same place where David wept. Christ comes to provide for us, not for Himself. Christ will also be driven out, as was David, but Christ won't reject His father as Absalom did. Jesus hung between the earth and heaven on a tree, as did Absalom, but Christ bridges the gap. Christ will be pierced by a sword, as was Absalom, but in Christ's brokenness is our life. And Christ comes to us in bread and wine offering peace, forgiveness and life.


So behold your King, He is coming to you, giving to you comfort that the world cannot offer.


Blessed is the name of the Lord.

Tagged AGAIN!

This is a lovely, lovely tag and one I will not complain about no matter what you call it!

Susan has tagged me continuing Emily's wonderful meme.

You are supposed to share your three favorite Christmas memories, no matter if they are uplifting, silly, odd or what have you. I have so enjoyed reading other people's memories, and my sentimental side is definitely showing!

I'll go in order of occurance.

1. When I was seven, we went to the sportsman club my dad was president of for their annual Christmas dinner. (This was not a mystery meat night, thankfully!) After the meal Santa came, and that was a good inticement for the children to finish their meals! Something I had noticed but not made mention of to anyone was that after each Christmas meal at the sportsman's club, my dad would excuse himself on some pretense of business he had to attend to. Each child was called by name to come up and sit upon Santa's lap. When I was called, I went and and I was so happy to sit on Santa's lap and tell him what I wanted for Christmas. Then he gave me my present and told me to be a good girl and to go back to my mommy. When I got back to my mother, I was so excited! I ran into her arms and hugged her and told her that Santa had a ring just like daddy's! Well, as you might have already guessed, my dad was Santa all those years. He did not wear his ring again while playing Santa.

Now -- a little twist to this is... my husband's father belonged to the sportman's club too. My husband remembers sitting on Santa's lap at those Christmas parties. Years later, after we were married, my husband joked with us that he had asked Santa for me as his wife.

My husband and I had so many opportunities to know each other before we "met" when we were 22-years old. My mom and his dad worked together in civil service at the Air Force Academy, both our dads belonged to the same sportsman club, and we both attended the same junior high school (that's what they were called back then) for two years. However, we didn't meet until we were 22.

2. My next memory is from our first Christmas in Arizona. What a culture shock! It didn't even feel like Christmas to me. Where were the evergreens? Why did people put lights on their cacti? Where was the chilly weather and possibly snow? How could anyone feel the Christmas spirit in this summerish atmosphere?

Having moved to Arizona in pursuit of furthering my husband's career with a start-up company (the owner promised us the moon and stars and all I have to say about that is GET IT IN WRITING FOLKS! As far as business is concerned, always get it in writing!) So, here we were in a strange place, a strange state and a strange climate. Hubby was working upwards of 70-hours a week. I was determined that our Christmas would be the best ever! We had our first two daughters then, and they were happy little things, aged 5 and 3. Christmas eve we spent together as a family and did the traditional putting out of the cookies and milk with a note for Santa. Then off to bed the girls went, with "sugar plums dancing in their heads." In the middle of the night I got up to use the restroom and then went to check on the girls who shared a room. Between our rooms was the living room. And what did I find there?

Our second daughter, K, had gotten up in the middle of the night to play with what Santa had left. She had the dolly's diaper off... and she ransacked through the stocking which is in a big red heap there. Then she crawled inside the doll's playpen and fell asleep! Isn't that just adorable?

3. This is my favorite Christmas memory, and it just happened last year! It still makes me well-up with huge tears everytime I even think of it!

After the roller coaster of emotion associated with unemployment for over three-years, my husband was blessed with a job two days before the "official" foreclosure of our dream home, which we joyously owned for seven years. It wasn't enough time and he didn't make nearly enough for us to keep the house. So we had to move out on 9/11/06. To make things worse, we had the house up for sale hoping to salvage something for the mortgage company and something of our credit rating. The sale fell through the day before we were to sign the papers, and so we had to move out in 4-days. We had made arrangements with the buyers to stay at the house for another few weeks. We got in high gear packing and many of our friends came to help us. What a blessing they all were! They wrapped items with care and helped us move things we could not move by ourselves with my hubby at work. We had no place to go and were planning on living in a 20-year old motor home until we found a place. Much of our belongings had to be packed to be stored. We found a place and moved in at the end of October.

Roll ahead to two months to December 2006. In the process of all that chaos somehow we lost our youngest daughter's most beloved toys, her Krystal Princesses (she had twelve of them and they had all their original accessories and condo units, that's what she called their snow domes) and Liddle Kiddles. They were all together in a blue airline bag. Ever since R was a baby she has played with and enjoyed tiny things. Krystal Princesses were her sisters' and could not be replaced as they are no longer manufactured. It's the same deal with Liddle Kiddles, some of which were mine as a child (they were my favorite toy) and some were her sisters'. On top of everything else we lost, this was just too much for my mommy's heart to take. R grieved so much for them, and I grieved for her loss. I am bawling just typing this out.

On Christmas Eve last year we found a package on our snow-covered front porch. Whomever left it there had to have been awfully sneaky and quiet as our dogs usually announce anyone who even passes by our house. But there was this big package and it was addressed to "To R from Santa."

We had absolutely no idea who had left it. And because of the unexpected nature of it, I went ahead and let R open it right away. It was filled with Liddle Kiddles and some Polly Pockets (the tiny ones). I have never (and I don't expect I ever will again) seen such a happy child! It was such a wonderful surprise and we had no idea who had done it!

It took over six long months to discover who had blessed us so! I have never felt such joy than when R received that gift.

Now, whom shall I tag... how about Glenda, and John, and Elizabeth, and Kelly, of course, and Barb, and Kristi and whomever else wants to do it. BUT, please if you do, leave me a comment so I'll know to go check out your blog, ok? THANKS!

Latin Guys and Cologne

My oldest daughter, S, did not want me to relate this story... so I offered to let her tell the tale.

Here it is.

A tale of Latin guys and cologne…


It has to be… oh, two or three years ago now (see mom? I’m getting old before my time. That’s what you get for letting me work in politics. ::wink:: ). Actually, you know what. It was when I was 16. So only two years ago. My mom, sisters and I were shopping in Longs. We come across a display with Antonio Banderas on it, with a scent for men (cologne) and women (perfume). Thinking it was kinda odd that a GUY would be making WOMEN’S perfume, I decided to decline smelling that one, and instead focused on the cologne. Which smelt really really good. In my fervor to find words to describe this amazing… smell, I blurt out (mind you, this is before debate took it’s full effect on me), “Wow, it smells like a Latin guy!” ::groans and/or laughter is applicable here::

Then, as I turn around, I see a little old lady looking at me like I was nuts (which, she had every right to, after that…). Great. To make my lack of language skills worse, of course someone would have to overhear it. So I added to my sister, and loud enough for the lady to hear, “Not that I’ve been smelling any Latin guys lately…”.

So yes, I’m extremely weird (and rather proud of it). And yes, I do now have a fetish with cologne (I’ll happily admit it!). Oh, yes, and that is why my list includes: rich, nice teeth, and smelling like a Latin guy. But that list (and what it’s for) is a story for another time. =D

Just for my daughter, I went trolling on the internet and found this picture of the cologne she is speaking about.

Friday Fun

What American accent do you have? Your Result: The Midland "You have a Midland accent" is just another way of saying "you don't have an accent." You probably are from the Midland (Pennsylvania, southern Ohio, southern Indiana, southern Illinois, and Missouri) but then for all we know you could be from Florida or Charleston or one of those big southern cities like Atlanta or Dallas. You have a good voice for TV and radio.
The West
The Inland North
Boston
North Central
Philadelphia
The South
The Northeast
What American accent do you have? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

I'm busy now

I said, "Hello! Hello! Progeny #3... can you hear me?"

R said, "I'm busy now. Can you bother me another time?"

Just don't try to talk to that kid when one of her videos/dvd's (which she calls ddd's) is on.

Tagged! ::shudders:: EDITED

So, yes, I do have an objection to the word meme.

And the word "tagged" brings up memories of orange vests and hats, several days stubble on a man's face, smells that are indescribable and the staring eyes of a dead animal such as a deer or an antelope. Why the hunting parties always had to have the animals hanging in OUR garage is something I'll never probably know. But there they were. The sound of their skin being removed by sharp knives that then carefully cut the animals apart is still something that gives me the hebejebes!

My dad taught hunter safety for years. He was president of a sportman's club more times than I can remember. He drug all of us kids to "mystery meat" dinners and made us at least try the mystery meat. And NO it doesn't always taste like chicken!

I am the only one of his four kids NOT to have shot a gun. I just don't think it's within me to do it.

A few years back I remember him calling me and asking me what I was doing. At that time I was working on a homeschool event where different homeschool parents would present a workshop on their expertise. We called it the "Day of Workshops" or DOW for short. So I answered my dad, "I'm working on the DOW." He got all excited. He thought I was working for the "Department of Wildlife." Nah! Once he found out it wasn't that, he wasn't much interested in what my DOW was about.

So -- what I'm really supposed to be sharing about are seven random things about me.

1. When I was a young and wild thing before being married, I won a hula-hoop AND a dance contest in one evening ON top of a bar. One of the clients of the attorneys I worked for were the owners of a 50's type bar in town. As an employee of their attorney I had free admittance to the bar. We visited it often. :-)

2. As an even younger and wilder thing in college, I spent an evening with Mike Reno of Loverboy fame. He was sweet and never tried anything and we talked and talked. He was missing his prior anonimity and spending an evening with "just a nice girl" was something he valued very much. Too many girls wanted him just for sex. Of course, those red leather clad buns from their album "Get Lucky" were, shall we say, enticing.












3. I love to go camping. I think dipping my toes into an ice cold Rocky Mountain lake is divine. For several years as a child, my father insisted on us going camping EVERY weekend between Memorial Day and Labor Day. We had a set routine so that by the time he got home on Friday evening from work, we were gone within minutes heading into those beautiful Rocky Mountains for weekends of fun!

4. My oldest sister was a great seamstress. She used to surprise me often with her own designs of Barbie clothes. I would wake up in the morning to find one of my Barbie next to me dressed in my sister's latest creation. My sister also made me the cutest outfits. I wish she had been able to pursue that passion of hers a little more. She inspired me to pursue my own creative endeavors. So random thing about me #4 is I love to do crafts! Crocheting is my favorite, but quilting is right behind it!

5. I resisted with all my being to have a computer in the home. But, my parents bought a computer for us one Christmas because they wanted to email with us (they had one and knew how to use it!) In fact, my dad is the only resident in his assisted living facility that has a computer in his room. He still uses it and loves to hear from people via email. He especially likes getting pictures of his grandkids and greatgrandkids. He also loves a good joke sent via email.

6. These are getting hard to come up with. When I was young I thought it might be nice to be a rock and roll star. I love to sing, especially when the radio in the car is turned way up and the windows are way down and the kids are there with me. Embarassing them is why I do it. They cringe and try to hide. But when we're NOT at a stop light, they're singing just as loud as me.

7. I pray myself to sleep almost every night. Sometimes I wonder if that's insulting to the Lord. Ya know, that I fall asleep praying. I pray it's not.

So the rules -- sheesh. Go look 'em up on my friend's blog and consider yourself tagged if you wanna participate!

Signs

R is reading, but she sometimes gets a bit lazy, much like one of her older sisters when she began to read.

At the library today, there are reserved parking spots just for people returning their books. In fact, there's a sign that says, "Reserved for Book Return Only."

So R was trying to read that. She guessed, "Reverence for Book Return Only." Then I corrected her, and she started saying, "Bow down to the holy books," and "oh, the holy books."

By george, I think she's captured our odd and sometimes irreverant sense of humor! She had us laughing!

Why Is It...?

After comisserating with each other about our teens this morning, my friend and I had a conversation about why it is that certain sports things occur on TV and it's ok. We each have sports junkies for husbands.

For instance, on the Dancing with the Stars finale on Tuesday (yes, I know, some won't consider this a sport, but dancing is part of the summer Olympics these days) they showed someone burping -- TWICE! Now, I ask you, who made that executive decision? Out of the hours and hours of tape showing dancing haps and mishaps, why were we treated to that bit of "juvenile" humor? WHY?

And then, why is it that baseball players are always shown when they are spitting (tobacco or sunflower seeds or just spittle) or scratching? Can't the people in charge switch to another shot so that we aren't exposed to that stuff?

And why don't all professional football players wear some kind of underwear? Don't they know when they bend over especially in their white pants that certain things are visible? Didn't their mothers remind them to always wear clean underwear in case they were in an accident?

And basketball players. Oh my! Why are they constantly "rearranging" themselves? Is it just to make sure things haven't fallen off with all that running around? Why can't they save that for the locker room? Oh wait! There are cameras there too!

What is up with that? Can't we interview sports figures on their field of play? Must we follow them into the locker room?

Just the mild musings of a SAHM on a Thursday morning. Contemplating these things brings me less heart-burn than thinking about the teens.

Cogitations on Non-Quotidian Words

Part of our home education surrounds the weekly assignment of vocabulary words. As my children became high school aged students, I no longer assigned them words, but instead had them find their own words, usually about eight a week. We would meet weekly to share and discuss our new-found words. Sometimes I would put parameters on the words, such as one week they had to all be German-based words used in English, or words that were fun to say, or words that described spring, or words we didn't like.

I thought it might be fun to share some of them here.

Because it was my personal favorite, I'll share some of the words we like to say. These are words that we liked because of the way they sounded when spoken. I haven't noticed that these words have invaded our spoken vocabulary, but I do occasionally notice them in their written assignments, and that, of course, was my main objective! ::big grin::

ankyloproctia -- a stricture of the anus
aubergene -- eggplant, OR a deep purple color
extirpation -- exterminate
orgulous -- proud
pasquinade -- a lampoon posted in a public place, OR satrical writing
percolate -- to pass or ooze through
sesquipedalian -- user of big words
tempus fugit -- time flies
twitterpatted -- having lost one's senses ususally due to an attraction to the opposite gender

What are some of your favorite words to say? Nothing nasty or distasteful or curse words, please.

What Holiday Are YOU?

You Are Easter

You are an optimistic, hopeful, and genuinely sweet person.Sensitive and affectionate, you are easily touched.You love nature, animals, and anything cute or cuddly.For you, every day is a new chance - no matter what happened yesterday. What makes you celebrate: Almost anything. You love most holidays and celebrations. At holiday get togethers, you do best as: The peacemaker. You can prevent any squabbles that might break out. On a holiday, you're the one most likely to: Remember to include everyone

What Holiday Are You?

In Stitches

Oh my goodness! I'm going to shameless promote my friend's (IRL - in real life) blog. She has a hilarious entry about a wooden spoon here. And then another one about brothers here. And another one about her proclivity about using public restrooms.

Enjoy! (Oh the picture above was taken by my daughter of Kelly one day this summer while she was barely living through a house renevation.)

McCarthy redeemed

Such a misunderstood time in our history surrounds the whole "McCarthy era."

Here's a rather illuminating article.

Additionally, I'd recommend reading Ann Coulter's book Treason. I think it's the best book out there to learn about the Cold War all the way through the War on Terrorism.

I remember when I was buying that book a few years ago at Barnes and Noble with my teacher's discount. The young clerk asked me, "Are you sure this book is for school?" I replied, of course it was. She asked me what kind of class it was for. I told her history. She asked me why we weren't using a textbook. I told her I preferred NOT to use textbooks since everyone has a point of view expressed in their writing and we might as well know upfront what that is. She said she had never used anything but a textbook in her public school. I told her, "Oh I'm so sorry to hear that." She stopped questioning me and gave me the teacher's discount.

Overheard while playing Mexican Train

R doesn't often make requests of the whole family, so we try to honor them when she does, especially because she's the baby of the family.

Last night she requested that we play Mexican Train. This fun dominoes game was taught to us by my parents after they had spent time snowbirding in McAllen, Texas in the mid-90's.

These comments, in no particular order, were overheard while playing Mexican Train last night.

"It tastes like potting soil!"

"Did you say pond snot?"

"Yes, I drooled, get over it!"

"Warts, plucking, festering." (Don't even ask!)

"That looks like baby poop!"

"He had good personalities."

"Put it under your coat like rocket man."

"Pluuuuuuuuuleeeeeeeeeeezeeeeeee -- your pie!"

"Deal with it, sista!"

"Boil 'em, mash 'em, stick 'em in a stew!"

"She made me draw turkey one."

"Your turn, Hootie."

"There's a spider in S's sunflower seeds!" (Evin grin)

"What are you doing? Licking it!?"

"I feel like an old lady." (Not said by me!)

"You can feel my ears bleeding."

"She's a one-year old acting like a uno-tic."

"I want to lick the bowl out."

"I think your head might get stuck in there."

Good Evening People of God

Our Pastor greets us each service by addressing us as "People of God." He does this was a huge grin on his face.

His sermon last night, at our Thanksgiving Eve Service, was based on the text 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

He began by telling us the story of Felix Powell, who along with this brother, George, authored the World War I song, "Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag." (Thanks to my Mom and her fabulous repertoire of songs, I was familiar with that song.)

The last lines of the chorus are:

What’s the use of worrying?
It never was worth while, so
Pack up your troubles in your old kit-bag,
And smile, smile, smile.

Well, despite this cheery refrain, Felix's life was one of disappointment and he ended it by killing himself in 1942.

Pastor reminded us of various situations where we "smile, smile, smile" because that's what's expected even though we may not feel like it. As I've often heard my husband say (although Reader's Digest currently is crediting Kevin Costner with it), "Second place is just the first looser." Pastor recalled how he supposed the first runner-up in the Miss America pagent might feel. It was quite comical and made us laugh out loud (yes, in a Lutheran church!) :-)

Then, just for emphasis, he reminded us, twice, that "you have committed no sin for which Christ's blood has not cleansed you." Christ is "with us always" to comfort, heal, encourage, and to ease our burden of sin.

Then he shared with us situtuations where he personally knows of people keeping their focus on "giving thanks in all circumstances" which doesn't necessarily mean we like the circumstances, but that we remember to thank God for everything and we ask him to "increase our faith and help our disbelief." (Luke 17:5 and Mark 9:24)

He ended with telling us it isn't enough for us to "pack up our troubles in our old kit bag and smile, smile, smile" we need God. He alone will preserve us.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Overheard while watching Dancing with the Stars

You know my dancing queens love to watch "Dancing with the Stars." We've faithfully watched for four seasons.

These interesting comments, all from the Dancing Queens, were overheard Monday evening...

"The female singer looks like a Viking mistress."

"He's not so much hairy as he is fuzzy." (They oppose the ever increasing yardage of skin that seems to permeate this kind of dancing.)

"Shouldn't they have viewer warning for that!?"

"Ew! Now I'm going to think of Len being whipped whenever I hear that song!" (The song was "I Can't Get No Satisfaction.")