In Honor of our Veterans.....

You have to listen to this. It was sent via email to me today, and I just had to share it with everyone. Here is the full message:

Get a load of these high school kids. At the conclusion listen to the high notes on the trumpet . . . played by a high school kid? One of the fathers
recorded it, added some graphic enhancements to the recording, and posted it on the web. The song, of course, is the 'Battle Hymn Of The Republic.' Be prepared . . . it will definitely send a few shivers up
your spine. Click below!


http://www.greatdanepromilitary.com/Battle%20Hymn/index.htm

An arm, or a leg....or both?

I'm sure you've all seen the spoof of a gas station price sign that says the cost of regular is "An Arm," the cost of mid-grade is "A Leg" and supreme is "Both." Well, that's how I'm starting to feel when I leave the grocery store.

I could understand it when gas prices were skyrocketing. But now that the price has come down some, it seems like the prices in the store just keep rising. When I went for groceries this weekend, I came home with six bags and a $100 bill. And I didn't even buy any of the pricey items, like meat or cereal. I kept wondering what in the world I bought for $100 that fit in so few bags.

Today, we went to Target to get pull ups for Connor and some other essentials, like tissues and toilet paper. I nearly had a stroke when the clerk told me my bill was $67. I had two bags of stuff, and it came to $67.

At this rate, we're going to have to raise our own cows and chickens and have a garden, because pretty soon, I won't be able to afford real food at the store anymore.

Don't let the door hit ya....

...where the Good Lord split ya!

Sorry to be so blunt, but quite frankly, I'VE HAD IT!

In the last 24 hours, I've heard a lot of people complaining because John McCain didn't get elected. The bulk of those complaining have threatened to leave here and go to Canada to escape Barack Obama's extreme liberalism and socialistic ideas. For those of you who have never been to Canada, you clearly do not know what you are saying. Ask my Canadian husband, and he will happily explain to you that Canada is far more liberal and socialist than Barack Obama could ever be, so your escape plan to our northern neighbor might not be such a great idea. Trust me on that one.

While people who voted for McCain have a right to support their candidate, threatening to leave their own country in protest is just ridiculous. And I'm sorry, but it's also, in my opinion, a COP OUT. So you don't like who is president? Stand up for your rights! The fate of this country isn't in the hands of one man or woman. No president has absolute power, that is why we have Congress and the courts. And I just don't understand how otherwise good people, who claim to love their country, can threaten to duck and run the minute things don't go their way. As the daughter of a U.S. Veteran, I find this line of thinking very offensive. My dad fought to secure your freedoms, so you could live here and enjoy them and cherish and RESPECT THEM, not so you could run to Canada the minute things didn't go your way. If you really love the United States, then you stick it out, through thick and thin, and do your best to make the changes you want to see. It's not up to our government to save people's souls, help the poor and needy and make everyone happy. That is up to us. So if you are really that unhappy, then by all means, leave. It's your God-given right, and the right of every US citizen, to exercise their freedoms. Just don't expect me to understand it.

I also want to remind my Christian friends about one passage that a wise man shared with me today (thanks Bob!). Read it and then think really hard about what it is God wants us all to do right now, because I think this passage is pretty clear:

Romans 13

Submission to the Authorities

1Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. 4For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. 6This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. 7Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

The country has spoken....

We have a new president-elect of the United States.

I fought to stay awake last night until all the votes were in, but gave up the battle of my weary eyes after I saw that Obama had taken both Pennsylvania and Ohio. I figured it was pretty much in the bag at that point. And sure enough, when I woke up this morning, I discovered I was right.

I realize many people are unhappy with this turn of events, and I can fully understand where they are coming from, as a Christian and as a fellow American. But honestly, I think this country is going to face some really hard times in the next few years, and that wasn't going to change no matter who got into office last night.

And love him or hate him, you at least have to admit that this is history in the making. On Aug. 28, 1963, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his "I Have A Dream" speech. Dr. King's vision, his dream, was to see blacks and whites living harmoniously together, sharing equal rights and privileges. While I'm still not entirely sure the two races are living together "harmoniously," this is a huge step in the right direction. I wonder what Dr. King would think if he were still alive today.

In 1966, blacks finally gained the right to vote, like every other American citizen, after a bitter civil rights battle. I couldn't imagine what it would have been like to live in this country, pay taxes, and still not have the right to vote. To that community, I'm sure this is an exhilarating moment. I must admit, that I never thought I'd see a black president in office during my lifetime, and I'm not all that old yet. :)

As one of my friends said yesterday, there's no reason to panic. God is still in control here. So whether you're candidate won or not, just pray for the future of this country.

It's election day....

DID YOU?

And no, I'm not telling you who I voted for, because I like to keep my politics to myself. :)

On a side note, I forgot to mention that I saw John McCain on his tour bus Sunday, headed down Route 22 toward Pittsburgh. He was sitting right up front, waving to people as he drove by. It was priceless.

Take time for the important stuff....

This next week is going to be nuts for me, especially tomorrow. I have to take my son to school, then find time to vote, then take my son for another assessment for his autism treatment, then take my dad to Pittsburgh for his radiation therapy. I have a feeling I'll be wondering if I'm coming or going before the day is over.

A very wise friend of mine (thanks Bob) sent me this poem this morning. I wanted to share it with everyone, because it's so true. Enjoy!

TIME TO PRAY

I got up quite early one morning

And rushed into the day,

I had so much to accomplish

I took no time to pray.

The problems just tumbled about me,

And heavier came every task;

“ Why doesn’t God help me,” I wondered,

He said, “ WHY DIDN’T YOU ASK ?”

I saw naught of joy or of beauty—

The day sped on, gray and bleak:

I asked “ Why won’t the Lord show me?”

He said,” BUT YOU DIDN’T SEEK !”

I tried to come into God’s presence;

I used all the keys at the lock,

God gently, lovingly chided,

“ MY CHILD, WHY DIDN’T YOU KNOCK?”

I woke up quite early this morning,

And paused 'ere entering the day:

There was so much to accomplish

I HAD TO TAKE TIME TO PRAY !

Hallowween Fun

I'm not a huge fan of Halloween, so I was a little surprised when Connor's preschool--- Christian preschool---decided to have a party for the kids. With Connor's sensory issues, he hates wearing certain clothes, so finding a costume was a challenge. But I found a baseball player one that he liked, so he wore it proudly during their parade.