Black Friday claims another life.....

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081128/ap_on_re_us/wal_mart_death

OK, I'm sorry, but there are just no words for this. This poor man was trampled to death by shoppers who just couldn't wait to get in the store. And for what? $4 slippers and half off TVs? What has the world come to when people resort to this kind of brutality in the name of getting a shopping bargain?
The worst part of all was when the story said that when shoppers were told they had to leave because someone had died and they were complaining because they had stood in line for 3 hours to get in!
Like I said, there aren't words for this. Well, maybe there are a few, but I'm too polite to use them here.

Blech!

I don't know what this is that I have, but it is the hardest bug to get rid of!

I first got sick 3 months ago. I was so sick I sent Connor to my mom's house and I spent the next 3 days in bed. I haven't been that sick in a long time. After about 4 days, I felt better. Thought I had kicked it. A week later, my cough was back. So I went on antibiotics. Two weeks went by, I felt good. That lasted about 7 days. Then I got sick again. Sore throat, coughing, massive congestion. Ended up with a sinus infection, and I haven't had one of those in 5 years. So I got more antibiotics and was feeling pretty good....until 3 days ago. I have the sore throat, congestion and coughing all over again. AHHHHHHHH!

I saw on the news the other night that there is some sort of "super bug" going around and it's really hard to get rid of once you have it. Gee, I have no idea what that's like. :P

Must Read Author!

Last week was my birthday, and my darling husband came home with presents for me. I'm the first to admit that his presents don't usually make me smile. Sometimes, they perplex me. But it's the thought that counts, right?

Well, this year, he clearly thought very hard when buying me a gift. Among the things he got me was a book by author Lynn Austin. The book he got me was entitled Until We Reach Home. It's about three immigrant women from Sweden who flee to America to escape some pretty terrible circumstances. It takes place in 1897, so it is an historical novel. But more than being historical, it is very religious in nature. The things these three women endure (and no, I won't tell you, cause I don't want to spoil it for you) during their journey is incredible. But the author uses them to show how the women come to find God. It is very well written and very powerful. I was in tears by the time I finished. I highly recommend it.

I was so moved by this author that I searched for more books she has written. I just finished one called Candle in the Darkness. It takes place during the Civil War. Again, an historical piece with religious undertones. Again, I found myself in tears when I read it. This woman is remarkable in how she weaves an accurate historical tale, all the while making you think long and hard about your faith.

She has written many other books, and won a Christy Award in 2001 for her historical novel Hidden Places. That is the book I am reading next.

I highly recommend this author. I think even a person who isn't remotely Christian would enjoy and be moved by these books, so it might be a great way of reaching out to someone you know who needs a nudge toward Christ.

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.