today

That was fun! I typed the word today, hit a wrong key, and got the message that my post had been published. I would have had you wondering about that one if I had left it.
My 7th grader, Abi is home from school today, not feeling very well. A boy threw-up at Sunday School yesterday, so I am hoping it is not the beginnings of that!
I will be subbing this afternoon and tomorrow morning in the preschool room at school. That should be interesting. When I walked September to school this morning I showed her where the preschool room is so she can find me after school.
She is very excited about her costume and Trunk or Treating and the party at school. She is not so excited about picture retakes tomorrow, and absolutely un-thrilled about her doctor appointment on Thursday. She has a wart on her knee that has been lasered twice, and probably will be a third time. Hopefully, that will be the end of it. We tried freezing and 2 different meds first, which did nothing to it. We are ready to be done with it!
I am off to run errands before I go to school at noon.

Why our country is in trouble

These are quotes from the latest edition of the Reader's Digest, found in a story about the housing market and foreclosures. (emphasis by colored words, mine)

Those with adjustable rate mortgages who want to keep their homes-the majority of the ones being squeezed-will have to make big sacrifices: no new cars or computers, and fewer vacations and meals out (and forget extras like an upgrade to a flat-panel TV).

Home-owners now suffering the consequences of the credit crisis probably took on more than they could handle, should have recognized the risks more clearly, and hardly got the best advice about what they could afford.

We have such an entitlement society that giving up vacations and new cars and eating out are considered sacrifices, something you shouldn't have to do to keep your home! And as for the probablies and should-haves, well, duh! Our society has been so programmed that we are entitled to everything nice and everything now that we have no clue how to live within our means. And yes, I am even pointing fingers back at myself, as I find myself caught in this thinking from time to time. And what are the two biggest culprits in getting America to think this way? TV and the government. We spend hours in front of the idiot box watching programming and commercials where everyone has everything they ever want, and if you can't afford it just get a loan (no consequences ever shown). Then we have the government telling us we have a right to this and that and if we can't afford it or don't want to work for it, why they can set up a program that will provide it for us. Never mind where they get the money from. We really need to sit back and think about our priorities and our choices in life.

And yes, I do feel bad for people who are losing their homes, but at what point do you start to take responsiblity for yourself and the choices you have made? And at what point does our nation get some common sense back?

How long has she been watching me?

October 22, 2007
Sufficient
Nancy Leigh DeMoss: God's Word says, "My grace is sufficient for you" (2 Cor. 12:9). Just what does that mean?
It means that when I'm exhausted and think I can't possibly get everything done—His grace is sufficient for me.
When I'm having a hard time with the person who gets under my skin—His grace is sufficient for me.
When I'm tempted to let my frustration loose and speak harsh words—His grace is sufficient for me.
When I've given in to my lust for food for the umpteenth time in a day—His grace is sufficient for me.
When I don't know which direction to go or how to make a decision—His grace is sufficient for me.
What do you need God's grace for? Wayward children? An aching body? Loneliness? Hormones going haywire?
Whatever your story, His grace is sufficient for you. Ask Him for His resources to meet your need and His grace to help you endure.
With Seeking Him, I'm Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

This transcript is taken from the nationally-syndicateddaily radio program Seeking Him with Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

This email was sent by: Revive Our Hearts2727 Niles-Buchanan Road Buchanan, MI, 49107, USA

is silence golden?

Are you ever in a group of people and keep quiet because you think differently than everyone else? Do you keep quiet because you want them to like you, or because you do not want to offend them? If I am being absolutely honest, 99% of the time, it is because I do not want them to view me as different and have a reason to dislike me. Of course, then I wonder if there are others who share my viewpoint, but have also kept quiet for the same reason.
At what age does it no longer matter what people think? Is that a character trait that I will always have? Or does it come from being teased and left out as a child, and having no idea why they didn't like me?
I find myself doing this even with people I will never see again, or with people who do not matter to me. Then again, I have always tried to avoid conflict (except with my siblings!), so maybe that is what I am doing. But I guess even that goes back to wanting people to like me. One thing brought up in Sunday School this morning was about God asking, "Am I not enough?"
So, how do I change my focus from what others think to "what does God think"?
I do pray that someday I will be able to say, YES, GOD, YOU ARE ENOUGH!

Overheard in my car today

1st and 7th graders are having a conversation about "cuss words".

7th: Don't stick out your middle finger, it stands for something not nice.
1st: Why, what does it mean?
7th: I'm not sure, but it is a bad word. (Mom sighs with relief that 7th is still a little naive.)
1st: Lots of kids at school use bad words, they use the s-word a lot.
7th: You mean (spells out s-h-*-t) ?
1st: Yep, they say shut up all the time! (Mom laughs, glad that 1st is still very naive.)

DUH!

Waiting for the toast to pop up takes forever unless you put bread in the toaster

I am back, off and on

I am back, but postings will probably be sporadic. I have lots of things I am behind on, and on most days nothing very profound to say.
Today I could do a rant on the cost of health insurance and medical care, but it would only be a rant as I have no solutions. And no, Hillarycare is NOT a solution. That would be like cutting off my arm because I broke my finger.
On the other hand, having just gotten back from a doctor appointment, I am very glad we do have good medical care.