June 30, 2004                  Happy-Happy Birthday to Marsha today!!

Well, last night, little dolly had a wonderful third birthday.

     
Look at all the dresses!!  Here's a new one from Grandmother... and a dolly and cake!

And a pretty new dress from Daddy... with   several "detachable" collars.  This one is the "Happy Birthday" collar. It really was a pretty neat day!

---

And this from my mom:

What to do when you get a flat tire... Texas style

A good ol' boy had a flat tire, pulled off on the side of the road, and proceeded to put a bouquet of flowers in front of his pickup truck and one behind it. Then just stood back and waited.

A passerby from the city studied the scene as he drove by and was so curious he turned around and went back. He asked the fellow what the problem was.

The fellow replied, "Flat tire."

In response the passerby asked, "But, what's with the flowers?"

The man responded, "When ya' break down they tell ya' to put flares in the front and flares in the back, I ain't never understood it neither."

This, from cousin, Mark, who is a Boeing engineer:
COW TRACKING:
Is it just me or does anyone else find it absolutely amazing that the U.S. Government can track a single cow born in Canada almost three years ago, right to the stall where she sleeps in the state of Washington, and determine exactly what that cow ate?

They can also track her calves right to their stalls, and tell you what kind of feed they ate. 

But the U.S. Government is unable to locate 11 million aliens wandering around in their country, including people that are trying to blow up important structures in the U.S.
The solution is to give every illegal alien a cow as soon as they enter the country.

---

June 29, 2004  I never cease to be amazed at the ongoing unfolding of life in America.  Those who follow Christ and the Word of God should not be surprised at the perilous days in which we live, nor of the depravity of man(kind), or the subtlety of sin and the infiltration of deception in media and government.  Now, I suppose that statement borders on conspiratorial thinking or at the very least indicates I'm listening to theorists and their mantras.  Yesterday my husband sent down a link to some articles pertaining to events that originally took place three months ago.  Seems to me that I would've remembered them and at the very least, I'd have taken notice of them at the time.  But I didn't.  Rather, I didn't even read about them.
So... the event?  The coronation of the reverand sun young moon.  This, from my husband:

Rev. Moon Declares Himself 'Savior.'   It almost sounds like an urban legend. One of those fake "Did you hear?" rumors.    But apparently it was legit. A highly credible Capitol Hill insider news publication -- The Hill -- insists that it wasn't a fake. So do The New York Times, the Washington Post and other papers. 

What the newspapers agree upon is this: The Rev. Sun Myung Moon, founder of the Unification Church, owner of The Washington Times newspaper and a convicted income tax evader, was crowned as humanity's "Savior, Messiah, Returning Lord and True Parent."

[Apparently, In a vision, Moon said the reformed Hitler and Stalin vouched for him, calling him "none other than humanity's Savior, Messiah, Returning Lord and True Parent."  This "ceremony" is almost too bizarre to be true! And, I have my doubts, by the way.  Here's another one.  Moon is a deceiver! ]

What's most interesting is that the coronation took place in March in the Dirksen Senate Office Building, not far from the U.S. Capitol. Even more interesting was who the newspapers said was in attendance -- everyone from Reps. Danny Davis, D-Ill.; Curt Weldon, R-Pa.; Roscoe Bartlett, R-Md., Elijah Cummings, D-Md. and Sen. Mark Dayton, D-Minn. Also, Reps. Sanford Bishop, D-Ga.; Chris Cannon, R-Utah; and Harold Ford Jr., D-Tenn., were listed as "Congressional Co-Chairs." Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Reps. Tom Davis (R-Va.) and Phil Crane (R-Ill.) and GOP consultant Charlie Black were listed as members of the "Host Committee."  Rep. Davis admitted he wore gloves as he actually placed the crown on Moon's head.

Well, at first I thought the name, Good as New "Bible" was a joke---but it's not!  And while it's contents pose a mockery, the production of the new book is just that: a production.  Another in the multitude of perversions of God's Word, this "work" cannot be taken seriously.

Now, this won't make national news---or even local news---
but today's a sweet day here in our home!
 
~Amelia Florence-Joy~
Our precious "baby" is 3 today!
Named for Amelia Pais and Florence Turnidge, women (among many others!!)
who've been an encouragement to our family and spiritual mentors to me.

 
Mark & Sarah's Wedding last Friday evening at Belle Chapel in Snohomish! 
Rachel reads a blessing at the cutting of the cake.
Belle Chapel is such a lovely place, historic, charming and picturesque for a wedding!
The food and reception turned out so nice---really, how can you miss when working with beautiful fruits and vegetables!  But here's how the day started:

I was making the bread for the large "bread bowl"  that would later hold the spinach dip and the "dipping pieces" beside it.  It all worked out very well.  But, you know, I think the folks were happiest about the bottomless pitchers of cold sweet-tea!  It was good and sweet---but not Georgia sweet, though!  The wedding cake and ice cream was good, too!

We're in the midst of the "crazy days" of summer!  Working through the many changes the LORD is taking our family through... graduation, babies, fellowship, travel, ministry, etc., etc.!  We're planning our annual KlaHaYa Days backyard party!  This year's is planned to be the fullest yet!  We have the great privilege to have old friends and family---not only my my mom and step-dad, but Wes's mom and step-dad, too, along with our friend, Steve: missionary in PNG and other missionary friends as well as a number of new friends this year.  And we'll be celebrating Kathryn's graduation!  So.... lots and lots on the docket!

 

---

NEW ADDITIONS for SCONCE'S  6/29

Could you add to the list....wire whisk and wind-up timer. They both just
recently broke :(

cocoa (unsweetened, powder)
tea (nat. decaf)
clothing (female dresses & tee shirts)
spices (cinnamon, oregano, chili powder)
pinto beans
tapioca powder
bandaides

(+first aid supplies - ie; Neosporin, hydro. per [how' bout GfSE?!?], etc.


Updated 6/29

We have received more financial contributions for their needs.      

The following note will remain for the rest of this month
Here are a few items that are needed for the Sconce's in PNG.  If anyone feels led to contribute, we will give the items to Steve when he comes to visit from PNG next week.  He will be able to take them back with him. 

***Steve came (from PNG) to visit on Saturday (6/26) and will be back to our home on Friday (7/9).  He will be here to share at our annual KlaHaYa Days backyard picnic /party. 

We want to send him home with some clothing, underclothes, personal care products and...???   We asked what they need and This is part of an email we received from them:

*  We have just received a donation to purchase the requested  underclothing and personal care products their family needs.

* A used Champion Juicer. (SO many fresh organic opportunities there and I feel I could use the boost!!)  [Crystal has a new-born  - their 10th child]  This has just been purchased.
* Packaging tape and scotch tape.
* Hairspray- (I finally found a can today $12!!!!) Cheap stuff is OK..only I think in Australia they do not allow aerosol on board. I'd like some for getting out ink. My favorite for hair, Finesse, is holding! :) [the "girls" in the family have long hair and would like this for holding the hair up/back---there are few items available to them there in PNG---very little pampering is available and what is, is very expensive and not quality---therefore, not done.]

* Friends brought some spices last Nov. and the oregano and basil are going fast. The cinnamon is getting low too. These are things that have to be hand carried into the country...can't put them in a crate!! Australia will confiscate anything that is not sealed/pkgd. ie: Azure bulk with a twisty does not get through well. Sometimes we can get these spices, but SOOO expensive!!

* Maple flavor -We try to make our own maple syrup...if we have the flavor. We can sometimes get readymade from Australia...but expensive!!

* A few sweet treats that we miss:  Marshmallows, jolly ranchers, chocolate chips...AMERICAN candy :) (not gum) please.

Anyone who would like to send items to the Sconce's (through Steve) can do so in the next week or so.  Email us if you'd like to help: pamela@achristianhome.org -or-   wes@alphaomegapools.com   Our address is:  PO Box 2130  Snohomish, Wa, 98291 USA
We help support these missionaries who are in PNG with Co-Mission Int.   They're in need of help and encouragement.  Plus, we love them!  :-)

June 28, 2004  Heading into a busy week or busy "season" always has my thoughts in a "whirlwind" of sorts!  There is much going on... more later on.

June 24, 2004  Need to check out the rating, contents or value of a movie?  We recommend Plugged In --- you can also review music and television (gasp!), too.

It's going to be a busy one again today!  Preparing for a wedding...  For our friends, this preparation has been for a lifetime.  I try to keep that fact in mind as we plan, purchase and work to make the foods and plan for the set-up of the reception.  I continually strive to focus on not what will actually be there... what the actual presentation will be, but how it will feel there.  I'm hearkening back to a Nancy Campbell retreat where she described "home" and admonished mothers to be about the care, the atmosphere, the attitude and ambiance of the home (and mother!).  She said, in part, that the children won't so much remember everything that went on there [in the home] but how it felt there.  So----I'm attempting to apply that admonition to the planning, preparation and serving.  It's my prayer that Sarah and Mark will remember how it felt there... that they and the guests (and especially my friend, the mother of the bride) will feel a loving atmosphere and that every memory will bring joy and a smile.

June 23, 2004  I realized that part of the "melancholy-ness" of this past week has been the absence of our boys who finally came home from the trip to Boston to pick up a car that Daniel had purchased (eBay).  What a nice vehicle it is and he's pleased with it, too.  I'm just thankful they're home, that the LORD answered prayer and they had a wonderful time.

More blogging later.

Since I haven't posted any, here are a few June pics...
                  
Timothy & "Grandma & Grandpa" Sconce last week --- Then a couple of days ago, everyone was crowding Kathryn "IM'ing" on the computer with Heather & Janelle in PNG.  Kathryn was in the pool when we called her in to chat!  She was shivering though wrapped in a quilt and towel!  Hannah stayed out in the pool.
       
Joey & Grandmother shared a birthday party  ---  Poppy and Ami so sweet! Grandmother
(and Poppy) finally home from a long USA road trip!  We didn't get pics of our Tea party.

June 22, 2004  Whew, seems like a week since blogging last!  Many things transpiring here on the homefront.  These have been busy-busy days and there seems to be no end to the busyness.  Sounds like Ecclesiastes doesn't it. 

We're preparing for the wedding on Friday evening.  There's much to do, but what a privilege and honour we have to prepare the reception---it will be a thrill to fix the food and beverages and to work together to serve.  It's another one of life's bitter-sweets: the wedding of a young woman who, it seems, was just yesterday a little girl.  It's hard to watch or experience the unfolding of life sometimes---the shifting of the sand, the tidal waves of emotion, the oceans of joy mixed with currents of sorrow. 

That's how Father's Day felt to me.  All day, there were waves of sweet memories, waves of sorrow.  That's the way it goes; those are the terms of endearment.  It seems the sweeter the days, the more poignant the grief at their memory.  I don't know where it had been, but one of the children brought down a card, a greeting card from my daddy---one of the last he'd written, one I'd completely forgotten.  I realized [again] no more cards.  No more anything.  No more anything from him or from my dear father-in-law and neither would I ever be writing to them again, no more father's day cards for them---and actually, I didn't buy any cards this year, nor did I make any.  Though it was a happy day, a full day---filled with happiness and many opportunities to be thankful---I know I am blessed beyond measure in my husband and family and I am so thankful to have my step-father, too and the many many blessings in our lives.  Even so, I missed our dads in a new way all over again.  Wes and I long for our dads who both died within months of one another nearly 4.5 years ago.   Some seasons are like this, I guess.  

June 19, 2004   Wes & I had a great time at the Washington Homeschool Convention today.  We were amazed at the materials and books available.  Incredible, really, to consider the number of homeschoolers in this state and the potential for impacting the world. I understand that not all homeschoolers are believers, but for the most part, every "vendor" was making "Christ-centered" materials available.  It was encouraging to see all that was there!  We sure didn't buy all we wanted to buy---but, we sure didn't leave empty handed either!  
One of our favourites is Rod and Staff Publishers.  We purchased some more textbooks, workbooks and other materials from the Rod and Staff representatives: Milestone Ministries, who were so helpful to us.  I have their catalog in front of me---and had I had the time and $ome more money, I'd likely have purchased a whole lot more!  Fortunately, Wes tended to be more realistic regarding the practicalities of homeschooling a large family as well as time and space limitations.  We didn't leave without also purchasing a bunch of  YWAM's Christian Heroes:  Then and Now series sets (biographies).   After a fun dinner with our friends, and then stopping to get gas (yay, Costco: $1.95) and then buying more paper and page protectors at Costco, we came home.  What a day!

We look forward to attending the Northwest House Church Conference and hearing a special guest, Beresford Job (and his family), from England.  He has a site: House-Church.org  which sheds a great deal of light on the original New Testament churches and what have become "traditions of men" today.  More extensive links to various aspects of beliefs and the life of the body of Christ in the present day can be found at The New Testament Restoration Foundation website.    I really appreciate all that's available at the In-Depth Studies ("Equipping the Believer with a Theological Foundation") website.  So many articles... so little time!

June 18, 2004     I'm thankful for the ways the LORD works to encourage us and different ones!  My mother in law sent a newspaper clipping of a great article from their local newspaper which I was able to find online: Everyone Helps in a Big Family.  I'm hoping many will have read this and will have been blessed and encouraged, as well!

June 17, 2004
Happy Birthday to my Mama today!

A busy day again today... and too much in the news to get it all straight!  Wes & Timothy had a good trip to the Sconce's near Spokane.  I suppose Timothy was glad for the distance as it enabled him lots of driving practice time!  It's hard for me to fathom another driver in our family.  Time is indeed slip-sliding away!   Timothy is getting ready to go with Daniel to Boston in order to pick up a car and drive it back home!  So you can imagine the phone conversation (day before yesterday) from a person wanting Timothy's help:  Hello, Is Timothy there?  No, he's flying home from Mexico.  Will he be home tomorrow?  No, He'll be in Spokane.  Ohmy! Will he be home on Thursday night?  No, he is going to Boston with Daniel.  Oh; well, well will he be home on Saturday?  No... still driving home from Boston.

Today is James' birthday as well.  Timothy's dear friend---(and ours)---now 16!  It hardly seems possible that time has passed this quickly! 

More later

June 16, 2004  The wonderful sentiments expressed in the last week sure haven't changed the climate in our nation's capitol... and what's likely to be a volatile issue: the Federal Marriage Amendment.  Decided in the Senate yesterday: new additions or definitions of hate-crimes.  This is going to make the passage of the Federal Marriage Amendment a bit tougher!

Timothy's home! We do praise the LORD for His provision and protection and safety for him.  As Wes & I traveled to SeaTac last night, Kathryn gave us some updates about Timothy's flight---even to the point letting me know the number of the baggage claim belt where his luggage would arrive.  This was helpful to me as the construction and renovation project at SeaTac has changed the "familiar location" of seemingly everything at the airport.  Wes dropped me off to meet Timothy and came back around when the bags were claimed---we didn't know who we'd be bringing home so we didn't bring our family down to the airport---that's why Kathryn was home and able to update us as we traveled.  It seems there has never been a time that the airport *wasn't* undergoing some major renovation or construction in all the years we've lived here!   To most every question, Timothy answers: Si, si! 

It sure was a beautiful sight... a marvelous "welcome home" for Timothy.  The girls had put candles in the windows and had lit the torches in the yard so that Timothy could see them from the road and then all down the lane some of the children were in trees and popped out when we drove by---Timothy was laughing.  He unloaded his bags in front of the washer and Hannah got them going right away.  She'd had presence of mind to have them empty and ready to go for when he came home.  (She's a marvelous organizer and planner!  'Can accomplish more in a day than I ever imagine!) As soon as the laundry's done, Timothy's ready to head back down to Mexico.  He and the others worked with a local man who'd been hired to do the welding and last week it was their great joy to to see that man accept the Lord Jesus as LORD and Saviour.  Love knows no language barrier.

Wes and Timothy hopped in the truck very early this morning in order to make a run over to see the Sconces in Hartline---near Spokane.  Marv is not doing well and Wes thought it best to go see him now.  Perhaps he thought it best for *Timothy* to see him now as the new of his cancer seems rather grim.  He wanted Timothy to be able to talk with him to let Marv know that he did go and return from Mexico and that the LORD confirmed in his heart that He wanted Timothy to continue pursuing mission's work---and to be able to have prayer with Marv.  Wes also wanted to return Marv's highschool annual.  What an amazing thing that Marv went to highschool with my own dad---and that I was able to see pictures of him in that annual.  Isn't the LORD marvelous in the many ways He demonstrates His love for us.  I never saw those pictures before and so it was a real blessing to see Marv's book!  It also brought

June 15, 2004  Pretty soon we'll be following Flight tracker... as we prepare to welcome Timothy home from Mexico late tonight!  We're looking at the yahoo tracker for his flight.

Yesterday I received a letter from a reader who was noticing that I referred to a song and have a link to Poet Voices & Phil Cross.  There was a question in our Guest Book about the lyrics of the song: The Key.  It's a song I love to hear and love to sing and often refer to it in groups or retreats.  The idea of Jesus being the Key to unlock the shackles of sin's prison or opening up the very gates of hell, swinging wide the doorway up to heaven... all because the Key was hung on a nail... well, this totally resonates with me and that's why I love the song so much.  I cringe to think where I'd be today without the LORD---not so much because of where I seemed to be or what I seemed to be doing, but precisely because of where I was and where I was going.  Without salvation in Christ, I was locked in sin's prison.  A "good" girl, self-willed, self-determined, self serving: in shackles, in sin's prison, separated from God because of the penalty of sin, eternally separated from God---from my Lord and Saviour.  But God.  Well, I then wrote to Mr. Cross and he kindly replied this morning with the most gracious answer to the reader's question and my letter to him.  He shared, in part:

 "[that with the line] "Open up the very gates of hell".  I envisioned this line in two ways.  First of all, we all deserve hell.  In Rev1:18 Christ says "I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death."  Therefore receiving the Key allows each one of us to escape the literal hell supported thoroughly in scripture.  Secondly, I always see this line referring to people who have lived in the darkest places of this life,  the "figurative" hell on earth.  Though I agree that nothing of this earth is as bad as the literal hell, many people identify the darkness and hopelessness in their lives  as hell.  Christ, the key, allows them out of this. "

I'm thankful for the work of Phil Cross and for his and others' music which is both edifying and encouraging.  Of course, his work and the music & ministry of "Legacy 5" and Roger Bennett.  A measure of music to me:

  1Corinthians 14.10-11 "There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.  Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me."

With two wedding rings in the scope at point blank range, the picture on the cover of James Dobson's book epitomizes the state of marriage in our country: about to be obliterated. I received a letter this morning---a sales deal---but I am nonetheless prompted to track the issue.  The decline of marriage around the world, the upsurge in immorality and pornography ought to be, it seems to me, alarming!  Is it alarming?  It sure doesn't look like it.  As believers, we must pray and we must *live* the Word.  The world needs a light---not the devil masquerading as light, but the True Light.

i received a letter from a friend of ours---a not-so-good-news sort of letter.  In the letter, he referred to tests he'd had, a doctor's visit and a resulting "Gleason" score he'd received and then had a request that we all join them in prayer for what ought to be their next step.  Instantly I wondered about that score.  Well, it seems that he's in a pretty tough game here with a "Gleason score" of 9.  A Gleason score is a method of scoring a couple of conditions that help determine or describe the appearance of the prostate tissue and is used to evaluate the subsequent treatment(s).  After reading the information on that particular  prostate info site , I gained a better understanding of the score of "9" he received---I decided right away that this is indeed one test where high scores are dreadful and low scores are great!

June 14, 2004  Ahhh, Monday morning.  This, from This Days Thought:  "Do not have your concert first, and then tune your instrument afterwards.  Begin the day with the Word of God and prayer, and get first of all into harmony with Him." ---J. Hudson Taylor

I'm taking grapefruit seed extract to get rid of a sinus problem that's sort of causing me trouble in my lungs.  Having had pneumonia many times, I think I've a tendency to lung troubles.  The recent burning near our home has been a tad irritating to my lungs.  I'm thinking that the GSE will help as I've experienced some improvement already.  The GSE was suggested by missn'ys to Mexico who recommended it for elimination of parasites or other intestinal ailments and for infections.  The bitter taste of a dozen drops in a cup of water is almost more than I can stand---just take a deep breath and bottoms up!   I think I'd rather use it in capsule form.   If this doesn't help completely, then I'm considering Nutribiotic Nasal spray.

Had a sweet day of fellowship yesterday.  What a blessing all around when we focus on the LORD and spend time fellowshipping with believers---genuine fellowship is like a sweet fragrance.  I didn't get to hear the whole message by a guest missionary but what little I heard was a blessing.  This particular missionary always reminds me (in appearance and some mannerisms) of the Sarg on Hill Street Blues.  I remember,  "Let's be careful out there!"  We used to watch Hill Street in the early 80's and it seems it was right about that time, the LORD was working on our hearts and we decided that maybe TV wasn't going to be a good choice for the evening activity for our family---and so,  not many years later, we eliminated it.  Looking back, I'm amazed at the subtle mind altering & immorality; and as I consider this, no wonder our morals (as a nation) are what they are.  I think of the verses in Romans 6

20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.  21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.  22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

Stephen just came in and said: Did you hear about the man who went to heaven and brought all his treasure?  The angel looked in his bag full of gold and said: "Pavement? You brought pavement?!?"

We're so looking forward to our son's return home from Mexico.  What a blessing this trip has been for him.  Now, I haven't heard many stories from him, but rumor has it that he took a frozen tarantula and put it on Nathaniel's head a snapped a picture--- I don't even want to know how he froze the tarantula---and, of course, I'd never understand why!  O, I love my boys.

June 12, 2004  The final farewell, the end of the long good-bye: the decade long good-bye.  Ronald Reagan, laid to rest, befitting the occasion: at sunset, yesterday.  Ten years ago, in an open letter to the nation, he concluded that he was entering the sunset of his life and yesterday---at sunset---his body was laid in its final resting place.  Today I'm struck with the great accomplishments of his life, his presidency and the legacy of the "Reagan Years."  Revisionist history does no justice or honour to the great accomplishments, one of which was the culmination of D-Day, 40 years later, in the tearing down of the Berlin Wall in 1989.  His determination to eliminate "big government" and bureaucracies, his innate sense of honour and respect for office and people and his decorum are things I'll never forget.  I remember the dramatic change in life and business in our country after he took office and I surely now see striking differences in leadership since that time. 

Ronald Reagan: A Tribute.   This morning, President Bush remembered Reagan in a radio address.  Eulogies from the NY Times.  The major news sites are replete with news, anecdotes, and memories of the late president, Ronald Reagan.   I'm glad for this as our children need to see men who honoured the offices they held, men of strength and character.  Were they to only listen to the media or those with the "loudest voices" today, they'd miss the truth and they'd have a very distorted view of historical events---they will still not get an accurate portrayal from most history books.  I'm grateful for the work of believers who continue to bring truth to pages in libraries, to electronic collections, and media.  May the LORD save our nation and His great Name and Word be praised.  This next week's World Magazine will feature the life of Ronald Reagan.

June 11, 2004  We're getting ready for a barbecue... and yes, it's a drizzly day in Washington.  Something I've learned over the years is to just go on with plans and know that changes in weather just have to be factored in with the planning.  So... In order to celebrate both my mom's and Joey's birthdays, we're just planning to be a little bit outside and a lot inside. :-)   We were hoping for sunny weather so there'd be hotair balloons---(or hotwater balloons---says, Ami) and skydivers to watch in addition to making s'mores at the fire ring.  I think instead, we'll be inside making mocha's!  Then our grandchildren will be with us for the weekend.

Seems when Timothy called a couple of nights ago he failed to mention that a beam had fallen on his shoulder and had then hit Nathaniel in the head... perhaps one of those little incidences that he felt no need to bother mom with such information.  I heard about the incident and thought: yep, that's just like my boys to neglect relaying such potentially worrisome information.  Additionally, I suppose that if he's to return there long-term, this will have been small compared to what all might befall him.  No pun intended.  Since he was a very young boy, he's wanted to be a missn'y in Colombia---no small apprehension here.  Daily, he immerses himself in reading the Word, biographies, commentaries, etc.  His heart is drawn to the lost... to those who've never heard and to those who would die in their sins eternally separated from God. 

I'm not sure why it stirs such a great debate or why there is such confusion over the whole issue of modesty and feminine apparel, but it is necessary to come to an understanding of the importance of modest dress----it won't happen in the world, but it sure ought to be happening in the church (universal, not buildings).   I know that early on as a believer, I received no instruction---or at least the issue wasn't addressed!  That's why I now so ardently attempt to persuade sisters to consider the matter!  Modesty matters!  Our freedonm in Christ is not freedom to do whatever we "want" but freedom to do and be what we really ought to do and be.  Now I'd forgotten about the Vision Forum site---I've just not been doing a lot of reading elsewhere lately.  Anyway, this morning, one of my daughters was reading "Doug's Blog" which a friend had pointed out to us last year.  I'll link it because it makes for good and informative reading.  But what caught my eye was the book they offer on the site:  Christian Modesty and the Public Undressing of America by Jeff Pollard.  We bought it a couple of years ago and highly recommend it.  The world demands acceptance of its ways and immoral standards.  Deviations from what's normal in the world are seen as "strange" and yet, for the Christian, we read in Proverbs that deviations from the Word are "strange."   That's the way it goes, though: in the world, what's bad is good and what's good is bad.   I noticed on Vision Forum's site that there is a newsletter sent by email---to which I just I subscribed. 

Goodbye, Mr. President:  Ronald Reagan. President Bush honours the late President Reagan.  Many stunning images in photo essays on Fox.

It seems every news report updates the events surrounding the State funeral of the late President Ronald Reagan.  I find myself steeped in memories... marveling at the passage of time, the amazingly swift passage of time.  Prompted by complaints of "over-coverage" of this past week's events (and the events of Reagan's career(s), film and political, I began to think of some of the major news stories that have also been given "wall to wall" news coverage.  I recall how the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, and worse, the OJ Simpson murder trial---not to mention 9/11, the OKC bombing (this, a memorial), wars, recounts, elections, etc., etc., had such "wall to wall" coverage and let's not forget the buzzwords repeated every thirty seconds.  Paparazzi (Diana) is the word I most quickly recall now; that, and Tom Brokaw saying "...to call the Challenger disaster a major malfunction is the understatement of the year!"  So now... I marvel that it's already been ten years since the OJ Simpson slow-speed chase and the subsequent murder trial.  Already 18 years since the 1986 Challenger Space Shuttle disaster.  Something I find incredible in the news---in the courts---the travesty of justice.  Here, Martha Stewart seeks a new trial---OJ Simpson is acquitted of charges of murder. (My boys used to say that when OJ left the courtroom he said to the clerk: Excuse me, may I have my hat and gloves? --- I know--- I used to tell them that was an awful joke.)  Well, it's going to be interesting whatever happens to Ms. Stewart---makes me wonder which exec's are getting off with proverbial murder and who's being hanged in their stead.

June 10, 2004  A drizzly-dreary day in Washington.  But my thoughts are encouraged today after receiving a phone call from Timothy (in Mexico) last night!  Seems he just wanted to talk for a moment.  He said, no matter what, he was going back... the little children... all the needs.  His heart is there---a dream, now turned reality; his life will never be the same again.  I've always known this boy had to be about the Lord's work and that it would take him to places I'd likely never go.  His heart has been broken with things that touch the heart of the Lord.  I'm grateful to my faithful Lord for His Hand in this boy's life.

Have a few new sites to share... first, The Federalist, The Conservative e-Journal of Record.  You can receive their e-letter and read more of their scope and vision here.   Another, is an old friend I link form time to time: Judicial Forum, and if you have some moments to spare, you might consider reading a solid Biblical view of law and government.  You'll read no conspiracy theories here, nor will what you read be careless rantings.  Click to read the Cominus Papers.

An old "friend" of our family continues the trek to health following bone marrow transplant.  You can follow Roger Bennett's journey to health, too!  We've only met Roger at Legacy 5 southern gospel concerts and are always moved by his sincerity and love and joy in the LORD.  Like I always say, nobody can play the piano like Roger Bennett---what a gift.

Birthday Alarm!  This program will send you reminders via email so that you'll not miss an important birthday or other important dates.  It's pretty neat with its variety of e-cards.  It just alerted us of my mom's upcoming birthday---but then, it's not like we aren't already celebrating!  A beautiful tea party yesterday and a BBQ tomorrow night as we celebrate her birthday and Joey's 9th birthday.

One more note on the Swiffer Jet mopping solution. [Guestbook entry: Truth or Fiction is a great website for looking up urban myths and legends, including internet hoaxes. I found this info on the Swiffer Wet Jet on their website for anyone who's interested. Cheers!http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/s/swiffer.htm ]  I wrote this reader to let her know that I was thankful for the information.  You know---I *know* this---and should have thought of check it out.  I do this (check truthorfiction.com) whenever I receive a sensational claim in an email---you know, all the internet giveaways, product dangers, heart-rending stories or the myriad of too-good-to-be-true stories.  So, thanks again to Mary, Jennifer, and to Carolyn, who sent in the Snopes address (snopes.com/critters/crusader/swiffer).

June 9, 2004   Several wrote to say that the pet death due to toxicity of the Swiffer Jet mopping solution is one of those internet hoaxes.  So, the story about the dangers to pet and children appears to be false although the bottle does say to keep out of reach of children and pets.  I know, I know---you know how those pets are clamoring to get into the cleaning supplies to mop the floor.  Sad, too, because I was more than a little tempted to invite the cats in for a little slip 'n slide across the freshly mopped floor.  Well... anyway... thanks for putting up with the hoax.

A pretty neat flag and prayer  in support of the troops and men and women who've sacrificed on our behalf.  If nothing else, this week sure has provoked a much needed wave of optimism and patriotism in our country.   It's been pretty moving to revisit moments in history---sad, too, how far a field our country has drifted.

June 8, 2004  America mourns the death of the great statesman and president, Ronald Reagan.  I wish I could hear all the commentaries, the quotes, the speeches and memories of family, friends, and staffers in the landscape of his life.  I remember, as a little girl, door-belling for his campaign for Governor of California.  I thought we were doing such important work!   I'm patriotic and so the pomp and circumstance of this week is heart warming and I so wish the replaying of the speeches would motivate "politicians" to honourable decisions and moral conclusions.  I just heard excerpts of a John Kerry speech prior to Reagan's death and one since... what a dichotomy.  It seems to me a couple of pages from his playbook could turn this country around---if the market is any indicator, investors remember what the Reagan years were like and have responded accordingly.  Problem is, these years are not like the '80's and the social and political landscape is marred by immorality, judicial tyranny, and convoluted reasoning.  There is great tension between two diametrically opposed political views of Reagan's Presidency and his "politics."  I suppose were we to still be living in California, we'd be seeing the stark contrast between the two this week, in particular.  I think history will reveal the great era and the moral decline that occurred when those policies were abandoned or altered.  More later...

June 7, 2004  My friend, Nancy, was just here and we were talking about the new Swiffer "wet-jet" mop and she was sharing how the cleaning solution was unsafe for children and pets (a healthy dog died from walking on the freshly mopped floor).  So---in a flash I did a google search and sure enough, I was able to locate the story she related.  So thankful I don't have babies crawling on the floor, now.  I'm glad we've been using diluted Simple Green---I haven't linked it because it was deep in a page... lots of other reading, etc.  But I thought I'd just share a heads-up on the mopping solution.  I don't like the new Swiffer Wet-Jet as much as I like the Clorox Ready-mop.  And, by the way, I *did not* invite all the cats in to lick the floor...

 We received such a beautiful bouquet of flowers from our brother-in-law as a "thank you" to us for having him stay while he was in the Northwest.  *We* are the ones who received the blessing. 

Timothy called last night to ask a question... it was as if he was next door---just calling for a quick chat, said he couldn't sleep till he had an answer to a Bible-related question.  I didn't get any particulars... just that everything is going well.

Bittersweet news: the passing of Ronald Reagan.  Finally free from the debilitating effects of Alzheimer's, Ronald Regan passed away on Saturday.  The illness had really taken a toll on the Reagan family, who called these years: The Long goodbye.

June 5, 2004  Well--- so, Timothy is off to Mexico.  The beginning of a life long desire: to serve in missions in South America has been on his heart and today he takes a first step by going to Mexico.  Though we had a power outage in the night, Timothy and Wes were up and preparing to go right on time.  Wes is driving the van to the airport with several of the people who are going on the trip---I'm thinking he probably wishes he were going along for the work as well.   His parents were missionaries to the Philippines and later his mother served in Taiwan---and he has been on short term missions to Mexico.  If he doesn't get back right away, I'll know he just decided to hop on a plane with them!

Well---what an amazing thing: I just now received a phone call from Timothy at the airport saying that Wes hadn't signed a consent form... (how'd we miss *that!*) I was sure he had---with the notary and all, but apparently, though he did sign the bottom of the form, there was a line at the top he hadn't signed.  Here's the amazing thing: only one other dad hadn't (double) signed that same form and he was the only other driver---so both of them were contacted by cell and both turned around and got those forms signed in *plenty* of time!  Timothy was waiting out at the curb so Wes didn't need to park the van!  God is good.  I'm so thankful he had a cell phone, that Timothy could reach me and I could reach him!  Now---why hadn't Timothy just called his dad?  Was it a testing of mom's faith?   Did I need more things to pray for?

What a blessing to have had our friend, Joy, here with us last night.  He's Indian (India---Indian) and is with Native Missionary Movement.  He has suffered for the faith, persecuted and beaten for preaching Christ and salvation through faith in Jesus.  Hindu's there tell him he is the most evil man, that he's trying to convert the province to Christianity and for this, they hate him.  He continues to work with the believers there, reaching the lost, even though day by day the persecution of Christians is great.  Our friend says that the more there is persecution, the more the gospel is spread---though false religions persist and spread and persecution increases.  His life is frequently threatened, his family is in danger and yet he knows that for the joy that is set before him, he endures whatever torture comes.  One of his favourite missionaries was Adoniram Judson, missionary to India in the 1800's---whose wife Ann was also known as Nancy, so last night when our missionary friend, Joy, met our friend Nancy, he was immediately taken with her and complimented her for her dear name!

Today, my father-in-law spends another birthday in Glory!  He lived to see the first week of the year 2000 and then went to be with the LORD.  I miss him today---as I miss him most every day---for it seems that not a day goes by but that we don't remember him, something he said or something he did.  His influence was tremendous.  He was a genuine father to me---demonstrated in a healthy, loving and caring relationship/friendship.  I miss talking with him---that's the hardest part of death, I think... so many times I think I'd sure like to just talk with him for a moment.  I feel the same about many people... my daddy, my grandmother... Wes's grandmother... friends... family... many others.  'Sure a lot of people I long to see in glory.

More things to write later... but now it's time to go to tea with Kathryn and a couple of friends.

June 3, 2004   Still preparing for Timothy's mission's trip.  I was sure happy to have another list for him!  It certainly wasn't as extensive as our families' "Long Weekend Packing List."  I needed to be sure and have all his things ready by today, and fortunately had the paperwork notarized a couple of days ago.  I didn't realize that when both parents sign a paper, both must be present for the notary to sign and seal the paperwork.  So... I'm glad to have done that in advance.  So then I needed to get all the last minute things... hand-sanitizer, wipes---a bath in a box, I told him.   Then he needed some first aid stuff, gum,  and snacks.  I also got him a water-bottle that advertised that it was "virtually unbreakable!"  I asked Timothy not to test it---just go with the claim.   I needed to pick up a battery for his camera---so glad I took the old battery *with* me!  Strange size!  Now, I think he's about ready to go now!  I think he's so excited that he may trot along ahead of the van to SeaTac airport!

I picked up a couple of books at the Thrift store---not because we're fearing a shortage of books around here or anything, in fact, books seem to be holding up all the walls around here---that or we're hoping for some insulation value.

Picked up a new mop.  Sad.  The Clorox Ready Mop died---the aluminum handle couldn't handle the pressure the moppers constantly applied.  So now, the replacement is a Swiffer WetJet mop.  I give it about a 4 on a 1 to 10 scale.  Maybe I am balking at a battery powered mop as we make it a policy to have as few battery operated items as possible.  That policy is fast being countered, by the way.  So, the Swiffer mop's pump is battery operated.  It doesn't feel like a convenient mop, and its awkward for me to use.  So, I've decided it must be a 'right handers' mop and therefore won't be using it as much as I used the other one.  The concept of the flat surface covered with a disposable mopping pad is very appealing, however, there are flaws in both designs.  Should this one break and it likely will, as all things do, I think I'll go back to the Clorox Ready Mop---the whole deal is less cumbersome---and cheaper, too---especially when using diluted Simple Green (don't let the horn startle you) in the solution bottle.

More later.

June 2, 2004  In preparation for our son to go to Mexico, we've been shopping for things he'll need, getting the necessary paperwork taken care of and gathering the "last minute" items.  I have a list of the things he'll need---O, what a blessing lists are!  Everytime I was tempted to fret over what we'd need for a Bible Conference we've begun to attend regularly, I just looked at my list... gathered the next thing and realized that nothing was being forgotten, everything was in order... no more fretting!  What a blessing it was to have some of the things that are rarely used, but always packed for different trips.  I'll post that list... it's alterable for other types of trips
My-o-my!  Another hurdle in the changing of server/host for this website sure caused a bit of consternation and no small stir over the past week!!!  I'm sorry about all that mess and the error/password menus that popped up!  I think most things are changed over, now.  There are still many broken links and some pages don't load properly.  It's operator error, this time, I'm sorry to say!  I will repair them as I have time.  So much to write (later) about the goings on over the last several days.  I'll not be able to reply to all the letters that came in, but I sure appreciate the concern and the encouragement all of them contained.  Really, I praise the Lord for you, for the provision of this site (thank you, Wes) and for the privilege to do this work.  Many blessings!  ~pamela

June 1, 2004  One Hundred years ago today, my grandmother, Lois, was born.  What an amazing thought this is that a mere one hundred years has brought the changes---both improvements and destruction--strides forward and plunges back---that have occurred in world history.   I am remembering her today... and also considering my own dear mother who loved her mother so much and, I believe, misses her sweet little mother more with each passing year.  My mother loved her in so many tangible ways---always considering her, always looking out for her, always providing what she needed---just as my grandmother had done for her in the early years.  I wish I'd understood then what I am beginning to understand now... as a young person, inexperienced and invincible, I didn't realize the treasure in my grandmother and I thought I'd always have another tomorrow---another day.  There are no tomorrow's for what's best done today.  Isn't that the way it goes... we don't really know what we've got till it's gone.  (yeah, I know, now that old Joni Mitchell song is stuck in my head, too.) My sweet consolation is that my grandmother was a believer and so is in heaven because she said yes to Jesus and He was Lord of her life and is eternally in His presence.  Praise the Name of the Lord!  Happy Birthday, sweet Grandmother!

More later