The Welcome Home Blog

August 04

  
go get your cupp'a!


Rebekah Wilson (The Hope Chest: A Legacy of Love) has a new book, the first in a series of twelve books for girls; each of these books will contain a project and teach skills and companion kits will allow for practical application of the skill presented in story-form.  Rebekah just wrote to me to let me know of this new book: Grandmother's Hope Chest: The Running Rooster.  Rebekah's one of the women I pray to meet in person this side of heaven... but I am sure I'll know her there, as I'll have a lot to share with her---and much for which to thank her!

For Azure Standard Bulk & Natural Foods - Snohomish Area drop shipment --
write to me.  By the way ---deadline for order is Friday, Sept. 10---3pm  (thanks Kelli) -
 Ray Comfort's Monthly Column

  August 30, 2004  It's amazing, isn't it, that the month of August is coming to a close---wasn't it just Father's Day?  No, wasn't it just a few weeks ago that  we were planning all the things we were going to do this summer?  Ahhhhhhhhhhh, Summer '04 is fast becoming simply memories and pictures to look back over and now it's time to look ahead to autumn and winter.

Kathryn's box of books and study materials came in the mail.  If the weight of the box is any indicator, this is going to be a very heavy year of study for her!  I suspect there's going to be a great benefit to us all as she studies and makes application: on us, her unsuspecting subjects.   I'm sitting here at my computer desk and on one of the shelves to my right I gaze at her books: titles such as, The Human Body, Growing 101 Herbs That Heal, The New Complete Book of Food, Naturally Healthy Woman...  and then there's mine: The Fifteen Minute Meal Planner... I smile---wondering if my life has reached the stage where I don't have time to make a long term commitment: just the fifteen minute sort.  She's not intimidated by the study schedule or the volume of required reading for the course and for that, I'm very thankful and anticipate a great year ahead. 

I have another Kindergartener this year and our last "little" will begin "pre-school" work, too.  Ahhhh... another one of the bittersweets of motherhood.  The days are long and the years fly by and the running is exhausting and the sitting melancholy.  I'm writing an article on the bittersweets such as these.  I remember 6 years ago the seeming assault to my senses, the raw deal of motherhood: there are finish lines---and the race is *so* over when it's over!  My boys---my all in all---my boys grew up, one married and then the other moved out, and I was stunned at the finality of it all.  They were never coming home [to live] again and I was never going to be their mother in the same way ever again.  It was so over.

Then a new normal.  Now these very very most familiar "visitors" come in and make themselves totally at home in *my* house---open the fridge and gulp down gallons of milk and ask when the cinnamon rolls will be ready... these visitors who question when I began doing things thus and so, when did I start letting the little kids do thus and such.  These most dear *visitors* that are as much a part of this home as the frame that supports the roof or the foundation that supports the walls, and yet... soon it's time for them to go... home.

   August 29, 2004  Today's our son and daughter-in-law's 6th anniversary!  Amazing how the days are long and the years... O, the years *fly* by!  That dear couple... six years and now the third blessing is on the way.  God has been so gracious to them---so very gracious.

Well... we sure enjoyed catering the wedding reception... and what a joy it was to share the special day for our friends.  We always count it a privilege to do things like we did for this wedding.   To have the honour of preparing the foods and setting up the room and serving the guests is really a treasure to us.  My husband joined me in all the shopping, and my daughters helped in the preparations and our friends, Kelli & Kristin, also came and spent the whole day---never tiring and never slowing and yet it was a very long day!  So... sweet memories of another couple joining in marriage and the great honour to serve them.

August 27, 2004  The more time goes by, the more I'm convinced that the upcoming presidential election will not be decided in voting booths or mailed ballots---no hanging chads this time around---and it's not going to be spectacular ads that get Kerry elected or Bush reelected.  It's not going to be a book or even a smear-campaign that gets one of them elected.  Kerry would be wise if he were to simply save his money... just not spend another dime, really.  Newspaper reporters are doing a fine job of campaigning for John Kerry---they've left reporting and have taken up editorializing... and on the front page, no less.  No, he wouldn't have to spend or lose another dollar and they'd still be paid the same salary, they'd still show up for work at the newspaper companies turned campaign headquarters for whom they write.  Yes, it'd still be one fiery campaign, alright, and all Kerry would have to do is wake up each day---and not much else.  It's becoming apparent that it doesn't matter what he does or doesn't do, anyway.  This election's not at all about the selection of the best man to represent our country.  It's a pretty sad day when it doesn't matter who *is* in office---it seems it only matters that the guy who's there now: won't be.

Now.. what I've been mulling over is this:

Philippians 4.8 "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

I was simply in awe of the mercy of the LORD as He brought this to mind and situations that have been difficult lately, schedules that have been demanding, relationships that have been strained suddenly were made very easy, light and comfortable and it's all because I have had this priority out of order and the moment I realized it, and began to think on things that were honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report,  virtuous, and praiseworthy---to really think on these things, my countenance was changed, my outlook was changed and I no longer can see the things the same way.  The more I strive to have the mind of Christ---that is: to think on these things, the more I see life situations are simply opportunities for me to see Him work, to see Him be glorified, to see His Hand in them all---and to be a willing vessel He can or will use.

more later.

August 26, 2004  I sure am questioning why some people are seeing ads on our site---pop-ups and all... how annoying!  We chose a long time ago to go with a host such as we have in order to avoid such annoyances to readers (and ourselves) and we've been glad and haven't minded the expense---but now I'm irritated with what some are experiencing.  I never see them---so I don't know what the ads look like or what's being offered.  Plus---maybe even as important, when I set a link in one of these blog entries, I never link to a site that I've seen questionable material or ads.  However---when I link to a news-story, I guess I ought to put a disclaimer---when I read and subsequently linked there wasn't a problem---what happens in the interim might be a different story.  I have been glad for some readers to bring to my attention when some bozo takes a legitimate link and messes it up.  This is apparently happening more and more.  P-rn sites are taking expired "Christian" or "religious" domains and utilizing them---just to be obnoxious , I guess.  Never seeing who they're offending---they make no sense---they're just hateful schemers.  I suppose we're going to see a lot more of all this as the moral fiber of our society deteriorates and slides further and further into the abyss.  Even so, Come, LORD Jesus.

Preparations are well underway for the wedding reception we are doing this Saturday!  The bride and groom have some really fun ideas as to how they want things to be and so this has really added to the fun of the preparations and things we're going to be making.  I'm not so sure I'd like to be in the catering business every week, but the weddings and banquets we've done have sure been a lot of fun---and to me, that's a wonderful thing---to be able to do something we love for someone else and then to have them be pleased---what a blessing! 

We chatted with Timothy again tonight---so glad to have downloaded IM 6.2----------we've had some very funny and very lively conversations.  He also showed me on map-quest where he walked today and some spots he hopes to go to soon.  Perhaps even the Library in Long Beach.  Then, Imagine this: he went to a church on Catalina... he said it was small but that there was a true emphasis on evangelism and a true joy in the LORD, there.  Interesting---then a quick search yielded that there is a house church on the island, too.  I will be interested to hear what happens there.  God works in marvelous ways!

You notice I'm not *even* commenting on all the activities in the political circus!  Suffice it to say: Incredible.  Grown men---the behaviour of some is really beyond foolish.  I s'pose I've said too much here already.

more later.

August 25, 2004  Finally, I talked with our son Timothy---rather chatted online.  What a blessing it is to have the computer!  As time goes on, however, I am either going to have to get much faster on the keyboard or I am just going to have to quit IM'ing altogether as it is too difficult to carry on three conversations at once!  In addition, there are always at least two people nearby when family is on IM.  I've often wondered lately about the things that are part of our lives today that weren't available even 15 years ago.  It's pretty phenomenal how quickly things have changed, how technology has changed the world---and how many things have become necessities because of changing technology.  I suppose they once said the same thing about telephone stands by the sofa to hold the phone and the phone-book. Or later, those enormous television cabinets that had to be made to hold the television set.  Funny.

 
August 24, 2004 
Our daughter, Kathryn, will begin studying Shonda Parker's Professional Herbalist course this year.  She'd been praying about what to do for her schooling and how to best use the time in this season of her life.  So, Wes and I really encouraged her to pray, to wait on the LORD for His leading and to be patient waiting for direction and provision.  It is quite thrilling to have her home, to have her planning this course of study and to see the Hand of the Saviour in her life.   We felt that as she has this time and desire to study, that the professional course would be a reasonable plan and might possible help her see some of the ways the LORD is preparing her for her future.   She's such a blessing to us all and we pray the LORD will continue to use her and use this course to increase her understanding of Him, His creation and His provision as well as deepen her walk with Him---daily depending on His provision for strength, wisdom and understanding.  (I'm pleased at the prospect of having her teach and encourage all of us here in our home!)

I took some time today to redo links and eliminate dead links on a bunch of pages... my, how time has flown!  Some of the pages haven't been updated for years!  Ooooops!  So... several of the assorted recipe pages  have been updated.  Many have not ;-) 

I was just mulling over some letters I have received, precious letters from women in different places with special needs, facing unique situations in their lives---who've written letters I want to respond to and I was realizing through the reading of these letters that I am so grateful to the LORD for the opportunity of my life.  I don't often value my life---in fact, there have been seasons where I have so *not* valued my life that I wished it wouldn't have to go on---that I wouldn't have to face the next thing (whatever that was at the time) and yet, God in His mercy didn't answer my foolish and selfish request. 

One of the reasons I write to women---one of the reasons I blog, is because I find the Lord encouraging me through seasons---growing me though life's circumstances and He continues giving me opportunities to learn and to grow and to share with women who are in or have been in or are going to go through "the next season"---perhaps with dread.  It's perhaps difficult for some women to fathom how lonely many women are, how challenging some women's lives have become, how hopeless some women's lives seem to them.  For women who haven't faced disappointment or loneliness, the prospect of such is unfathomable---but for the women who have faced or are facing grief or anguish, the reality is ever present in the theatre of their minds and/or in the reality of their daily living. 

So... blogging... I blog for me, I blog for my children, I blog for those who never receive a helping hand or rarely have an encouraging call from a friend; I blog for those who hope someone will shed some light on the path or who'll understand the pain in their heart; I blog for those who want to know what it is to live in a loving family---what it is to be a wife and mother;  I blog for those who don't know Jesus but know He's calling them and want to know more; I blog for those who do know Him and seek to know Him better---walking with a sister who feels the same and seeks that high calling.   So I blog---so humbled at the mercy and goodness of the LORD that, I being in the way, He'd choose me---He'd use me.

By the way, next time I think I have my hands full, I'm going to remember this mom who had two sets of twins in the same year!  The odds of birthing two sets of twins are quite amazing---apparently something like 2% chance in that woman's childbearing years, so imagine twice in the same year!!  Whew!

August 23, 2004   I received a nice letter from a subscriber to my Welcome Home letters---her interest was in House Church and some questions regarding fellowships that meet in homes.  I took an interest in her address and took at look at her website that focuses on stamping.  From there, I took a look at the Stampin Up website.  It's sure amazing, the proliferation of stamping, scrapping, journaling, cardmaking, etc., etc.   I love sweet memories of our friend, Beth, and her stamping business which she began something like thirteen years ago.  I had the great privilege of receiving many beautiful stamps and lots of encouragement and instruction in stamping techniques.  Here's a confession: we still have about 10 shoeboxes of pictures, no photo albums, a couple very sparsely or unfilled baby books and thousands of digital images... I doubt I'll ever do all the things I dream of doing---however, perhaps one day a spark of creative genius will take over and magnificent books will materialize form all these photographs and images.  Probably not this week, though.

We order many of our foods/grains from Azure Standard in Oregon.  Trouble is, it's a "once-a-month" process and therefore timing and prior planning is absolutely necessary.  In order to make sure we'll have what we need and to not *over-purchase* I need to pay attention to levels in bins and jars.  I use "frosting buckets" that I got years ago from a local bakery.  They're a perfect size as they hold 1 gallon less than a 25# sack---so I put part of the product in a gallon jar and the rest in the sealed bucket that I use for my "store" for each item.  I really like the variety and the quality of the foods we order.   Now we have a wonderful advantage of having our drop-ship location so close to our home!  This makes a huge difference for me!  I suppose I *could* order via UPS, but we have a group of ladies whose orders exceed the minimum for the monthly truck delivery.  If you live in the Snohomish area and you'd like more information on how you might be added to the members of our route, you can write to me.

Bob's Red Mill is a company Azure represents and I sure like their products---from flours and grains to cereals and mixes for whole grain biscuits and rolls.  
August 22, 2004   
Happy Sunday to you.  May the LORD bless your day.

August 21, 2004 
Had a good long day yesterday---we came to the end of the boxes of peaches we'd ordered so the canning is all done for the week!  Here are some pics of the day.  I put them in a page of helps for canning.  My sweet Kathryn did most all of the set up for the day!  She's amazing to me!  She thought of everything without even being reminded!  How grateful I am for the blessing of the LORD in her!   Hannah also is my sweet gift!  She worked beside me all day. Our friend Kelli livened up the work by bringing us yummy coffee's from Starbucks---woohoo!  I think that's what contributed to the staying up until 3:30 this morning! Well, we have lots of plans for the week ahead, so more canning will have to happen after next week.  Next, it's pears (very time consuming *but* yummy!) and then italian prunes and applesauce from our italian prune & apple trees!

Well, many blogs to read, much news to peruse and thoughts to decipher!  More later!

August 18, 2004   I was wondering how Roger Bennett of Legacy-5.  is doing---and like I often say: O, what an incredible journey-to-health he is traveling.   I was discouraged by the news of his blood infection---I find myself less optimistic as the different pieces of news fall into place.  I'm not so optimistic as it is when the "C" word is mentioned and yes, I have read much on Dr. Lorraine Day's site; even still, cancer is for me one of the things I've never personally seen many survive.   And yet, I do seek to be optimistic and more than that: to trust in the LORD.  His ways are perfect.  And, yes, as our old friend Janet, before *and* after she was ill, (and then died of cancer) used to say, "We'll all die on time."  Ah, yes, I understand that a little more than I used to.  What I do trust is that God is sovereign and His will is perfect and He is working all things together for good---now, good may not *seem* good to me at a given moment, but I can fully trust that whatever concerns me, God is in it or is allowing it for my good.  I ponder this quite often and I don't question Him as to why He allows what He does in my life or in the world---most of the time.

My family like to use IM to communicate back and forth.  Today our oldest son sent a link to liven up the already [too] lively IM.  Here you go, if you want to add some pizazz to your IM.  We're missing Timothy so very much today.  It's going to be a long long seven weeks, I can tell that right now.  In addition to him just being pure comedy around our home, he's an incredibly hard worker!  I miss his zeal to accomplish as much as possible in as little time as possible!  I miss his humor and quick wit.  I miss his impersonations and his insatiable desire to learn new things about anything at all!   It's hard for me to be glad he's on a boat at Catalina... probably *really* roughing it, no less, while so many are missing him here and all... Oh well, we've all got much room for the LORD to work in us to continue molding us into vessels He can use!

We're making plans to be at the believer's conference at Deer Lake near Spokane for Labour Day.  Our whole family sure looks forward to this special time away fellowshipping with the brothers and sisters in Christ!  But first!  We have much canning to do and much school preparation as well---oh, and weeds, did I mention the weeds in the garden?!

August 17, 2004  Well, Timothy got off okay... even sent me an email letting me know that he'd arrived safely in Long Beach and that the plane only crashed twice.  Nice guy, eh?  So... here the children have already begun the asking when will Timothy come home?  Today's our grandson's third birthday.  Tara made a lovely party for him... a delicious assorted salad dinner which several of us contributed to and then and a 'watermelon' cake for his celebration.  She saw the idea for the cake at Martha Stewart's site.  You can see pics of it there and I hope to put up pictures soon.   It was really nicely done!!  She's quite remarkable!  I forgot my camera so will have our son send them over the mail.  You'd likely never believe the events of the day... so I'll spare you the details; suffice it to say, it's been such an eventful day that it's time to fall into bed for the night and pray for a beautiful sunrise.

Brought home another truckload of sand for the sandbox which is now enclosed so a vehicle cannot easily access the area---poor planning!  THAT's why i need to rest up!

August 16, 2004  I'm remembering our friends whose son was killed six months ago today---it was a Monday, much like today, a day of working and busyness and schedules and then it was a day of tremendous sadness.  That sadness lingers to this day.  That family will never be the same... actually, in many ways, none of us will ever be the same.  For, it is from that time that our family began making some changes about some things we did because of "tradition" and really didn't have a very good reason for doing them.  For example, my husband (and our children) has always worn a suit and tie "to church" and always to weddings, funerals, memorials, etc., etc.  When he was preparing to go to Justin's funeral, he pondered what he'd wear and then he decided that he would not wear a suit---but he would wear what would seem most appropriate---not a suit.  Then... on the folder we received for his service, there was a quote: Judge a man by his fruit, not by his suit.  Now, I don't believe that that was technically "suit" as in jacket and matching slacks, but rather, the outward covering.  That statement meant a lot to Wes, and to me and from that day to this, I have resisted feeling judged for wearing actual suits and have determined to rather be very very sure that my outward appearance isn't a cover for what is or is *not* on the inward heart.  I didn't understand a lot of what that young man thought or why he did some of the things he did.  I'm not sure I ever will, but one thing I know and it is that God truly does, in fact, create us for ourselves---not for others---to BE---not to SEEM.  I read that many years ago and haven't forgotten it.  It's been interesting over the months... because as changes have slowly occurred in our  home and family, I realized some things I'd not known and in addition, because of some hurtful situations, I've had to really examine the what and why of what we do daily.   Those situations practically paralyzed me emotionally and amazingly, as I have discovered at other times in my life, the hurt is generally one-sided; so that was really eye opening.  I liken it to holding bitterness against someone---when that happens, only the bitter person is harmed.  The offender goes on---oblivious to the pain they've inflicted by their criticism or insensitivity---or worse: abuse.  That's where forgiveness, short accounts and a determination to just walk with the LORD and let Him be the blessed controller of all things. 

As things began occurring to us a few years ago and we began to question the traditions of men and religion, we began to wonder what is church, anyway?  And why do we *go* to church---the religious building---if we *are* the church?  If we *are* the church, then why do we act like attendance at the religious building *is* the walk?  Why do we act like that is tantamount to or a definition of faith?  We used to *never* *ever* miss a "service" and *never* dress inappropriately for the religious activity---but then what is faith, what is the walk?  What is it to be a Christ follower?  What is it to be faithful?  Is it measured by attendance, by positions, by numbers of years of service?  Is it measured by performance?  Oh---please do not misunderstand---I so believe that many many things will necessarily and appropriately be apparent in the life of a Christ follower---but not necessarily things that people have come to believe equate faithfulness or even faith.  Ah... so the learning.  The walking with Jesus.  The life---the response to the saving life of Christ.  O---what blessed assurance!  A blessing to know that Justin is safe with Jesus---and that's what's really important no matter what happens in this life.  In the end, it's just Jesus.  Everyone has to come to that point where they decide what are they going to do with the most important fact of History.  What do you do with Jesus? 

Hebrews 4.13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.

More on this later.  For now, I must scurry about---our son is leaving from SeaTac in a few short hours for seven weeks in California.  Poor boy... seven weeks on a boat. ;-) 

 
Here we were tonight... getting some last minute things done...

  
August 15, 2004    This is the Day the LORD has made! Let us rejoice and be glad in it !

August 14, 2004  My dad's last name was Bears---yes, really: Bears... a name I was given at birth but didn't carry after the age of 8.  He loved his name, he loved his heritage, he loved people... In the nearly five years since his passing, I'm all the more grateful that I had opportunity to know him---I so loved him!  I recall that first conversation when I was an adult, I instantly recognized the voice I hadn't heard since I was a child. I instantly knew: this is my daddy.  He was at once a stranger and my familiar daddy.  Strange---it was.  I have a fondness for bears because of his fondness.  He collected them before they were trendy to collect.  He had lithographs and paintings, plush and ceramic, books and photographs of bears---teddybears.   Here he was a big man (one thing I didn't inherit: height!) and he was a fabulous chef and... he loved teddy bears!  Though I didn't grow up side by side culinary enterprise, I've always had an innate interest in food preparation and presentation.  I've loved cooking , collecting cookbooks and any sort of utensil and dishware and the only thing I like more than making dinner is making reservations for dinner! ;-)   I get that from my daddy *and* my mother and my husband, too.  So... bears; that's the reason you see bears here and elsewhere on my site.

A little stirring about John Eldredge---the man's man, presenting a new paradigm for biblical manhood.   Maybe, in reality, it wouldn't be all that bad if men were more like Mr. Rogers (meek, humble, soft-spoken, sensitive, gracious, giving and forgiving) and yet knew when to employ that daring courage, a Braveheart-type---shoot 'em up protector, valiant warrior sort of man of God.  Instead, men don't seem to know where or what they ought to be.  Society has confused the course of manhood and left men sort of groveling to be things they never saw modeled.  Sort of a conundrum of being what they know deep down they're created to be, afraid of being shot down for being that way, attempting to be leaders in their homes and yet having wives who want to wear the pants (and so, by default they let them), determined to not be how their fathers were and yet by their very nature falling into similar behaviours they viewed as children.   They've heard: be brave, don't cry, be a man---then: hey, why don't you have feelings?, why don't you express emotion?  They wonder and wander around---what in the world am I supposed to do/be anyway?   No wonder Eldredge is popular---no wonder there is a willingness to overlook his theological quirks (sin vs. wounds, a world a war sin nature etc., etc.), no wonder men want to be a William Wallace---a Braveheart---no wonder it appeals to them to see in print things they've always wanted to see---picturing themselves on some sort of big game hunt and rapid water life adventure.  Men have felt dead and here's a guy who seems to understand that---he seems to epitomize and articulate what they've known---they really are wild at heart, no wonder it appeals to them: someone giving them  "permission" for a battle to fight, an adventure to live, and a Beauty to rescue.   No wonder it appeals to women who've longed to be the Beauty they'll rescue. 

I'd still read and apply with caution----yep, men are wild at heart.   I mull over what I read... then I mull over what I've read in the Word... then I contemplate:   It takes a very very strong man to remain quiet---to stand still and see the salvation of the LORD.   The Master was quiet before His accusers---He rebuked the devil, He did nothing but the will of the Father.  He turned the tables and drove out the moneychangers.   The Lord Jesus:  "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls."   Matthew 11.29

Wes and Timothy and Sean went to hear Ray Comfort this morning.  What an interesting guy---if you've never heard him, he's really got an incredible way of talking to people and witnessing the gospel!   You've got to have a bit of time as you peruse his site---listening to testimonies, listening to his preaching the Word.  His approach is different than most evangelist's in that he doesn't start with offering people a plethora of exciting benefits of salvation or of walking with Jesus or being a Christian.  Instead he starts with the Ten Commandments---he begins where people are and doesn't make promises where they will be if they "accept" Christ.  He's one of our favourites---so I'm very glad they have an opportunity to hear him today. 

August 13, 2004  The sound of airplanes overhead is a common occurrence here at our house, but what's not so common is the rumble of military jets overhead.  And that's what we've been hearing for the last half hour or so.  Could it be the President's visit in Medina this evening?  I wonder.

Well, there's way too much in the news today---commenting on a couple of things may seem to invalidate other stories but such is not the case.  Interestingly, there are days that have so many "headlines" that it's truly difficult to reflect on each---and, imagine, these are just a smattering of what's really going on in the world!  Reality is that lives are being lost, battles are being fought and won, weddings and marriages, births, deaths, disappointments, losses and triumph's are what's really going on in the real world (in addition to those sensational headlines in the Star!).   A homemaker is winning the battle that threatens to crush her: laundry, debt, disarray...  A man is winning the battle that would destroy his home: prnography.  A teenager is winning a battle to stay pure in thought and deed.  A mother is winning the battle to press on to teach her children in the face of adversity and fatigue.  A grandmother is reflecting on years gone by and wondering if she made a difference in the life of another; she's winning the battle by living as an example to her children.  A father is winning the battle by staying on the job in a factory where the pay is not commensurate with the effort expended year after year.  These are the things that make up real life.

And then, there's a hurricane that's threatening the lives and homes of thousands in Florida, the dramatic and flamboyant chef, Julia Child has passed away, President Bush is visiting the state of Washington, The Olympics begin today---still honouring little-g gods 2700+ years later.  As with any sport, there are a few who dampen the spirit of the games.

I was thinking about Julia Child who, like Martha Stewart, made difficult things achievable and cut through socio-economic strata's to encourage development of skills in cooking and presentation.  Simple homemakers to culinary giants benefited from her techniques and forthrightness.   At 6'2" she towered over most guests I ever saw her cooking with and yet she seemed to have an ability to have everyone at ease.  So... Julia Child, dead at 91.

I have a couple of blogs I read sort of semi-regularly.  Yes, that's a solid indefinite.   So, I have a blog I read that frequently tends to sum up what I might have written on a given topic.  Well, what I might have written had I the same ingenuity, insight and ability, that is.  Though, sometimes, I do have a thought or two worth recording and/or reading.   They're fleeting and usually come to me when I can least write and then never remember them.  That might have seemed like an arrogant statement---I assure you, it's not from a position of strength or confidence that I write, but from a position of weakness and willing vulnerability.   So, anyway, this blog caught my eye this morning because of references to John Eldredge and others... even Bill Gothard and Rick Warren.  You may know that I have been cautious of the ministries of the latter two and am ambivalent in some ways regarding the former.  I think everyone who likes John Eldredge probably, like me, is willing to overlook some of the skewed theological positions or suppositions he takes or makes.  So, then, I smiled as I read his assessment that Eldredge builds his foundation from the particular and makes his theology revolve around that assumption.  David Wayne the "jollyblogger" asserts that John Eldredge builds from a "controlling paradigm."   Though, John Eldredge does, in fact, have something going for him and his appeal is understandable.  Men want to be manly and women want manly men----no matter how much it's perpetuated that women want soft, tender, sensitive, kinder-gentler men.   Women need to know their husband or father will be survivors, they'll be protectors, that they'll come through.  As Eldredge states in one of his books, "...the Christian male of today seems to think that the epitome of being a Christian man is to become a kind of Mr. Rogers type character - the meek and mild guy who wouldn't hurt a fly. Eldredge says that the William Wallace type of Braveheart, or the Maximus character in Gladiator is a better role model." Now, who'd argue with that---well, perhaps lots of people but the problem is, that Eldredge builds on that premise rather than concluding or drawing that premise from the Word of God.  I noted that David Wayne included some thoughts on others who build on this same method. He said in his blog:  "Many years ago I heard someone ask John MacArthur what he thought about the ministry of Bill Gothard.  MacArthur said that one of Gothard's main problems is that he generalizes from the particular."  He then appropriately noted that we all do this... we tend to build our position from *our* perspective, don't we?   Eldredge's work does, though, tend to push a man to decision, to action, to take a stand.  I think that's the appeal he has to both men and women.  That's the anecdotal sort of evidence upon which his "theological" foundation is laid and which is, I'd say, the same approach Bill Gothard takes for many of his "basic principles."

 

Well, you can be sure this is going to be twisted... 'seems that Michael Reagan will be a guest speaker at the Republican National Convention which begins at the end of the month.  Any speech he might give will likely be far different than that of his brother, Ron, who addressed the DNC a couple of weeks ago.   I was amazed listening to Ron Reagan; he so smoothly and succinctly gave what was tantamount to and end-all-be-all, cure-all source for health: stem cell research.  I comment on this because of the nature of his talk, he inferred that the cures were already present, that these cures might be prevented or blocked because of people who care more about their theological positions than the health and well-being of the American people.  Such emotionally laced charges make it hard to disagree with the man---but wait! He's talking about creating life to kill it to *attempt* to give better quality life to others.  Inferred is that if you're against such a noble effort and such sincere intentions, then you're a self righteous ignoramus.  But what about life?  What about the sanctity of life?  A society that uses life to form a spare parts banking system of sorts is a sin-sick society.

It seems that all the commotion over same s-x "marriage" and the ridiculous illegal actions and judicial misconduct is really an attempt of the enemy to just wear down the opponents.  That's the way the enemy seems to work---erode the resolve, break down the barriers little by little until the sin inundates and pollutes the society.  The unthinkable becomes the assumed behaviour and that behaviour becomes the norm and normative behaviour  becomes a force to be reckoned.  Amazingly, the actual numbers of the group in question are proportionately small---but like "movie-stars" who set trends and social agendas, the numbers are proving to not need great quantity to have great sway in some arenas and *appear* to have greater influence than actually do.  I think of it like the tooth ache that can render a man incompetent to function---a very small area of decay bringing down an otherwise healthy, exuberant man.  Indeed, that's what sin does.

My friend told me:  The difference between "inside the box" and "outside the box" is that outside the box is bigger.  Hmmmm...  I'm thinking on that one, tonight.  Well, that, and I am hearing lots of noise from the "Freedom Fest" a christian concert of sorts.  I was going to link to the promoter's website---but, then, I thought: uh-no, I don't think so.  I mull over in my mind: what would the LORD Jesus think about being taken to a "concert" about Him that [to me] seems like nothing about Him and everything about the world.  So, then... another: Hmmmmm.

August 11, 2004  Sometimes, thinking "outside the box" means one needs to *be* outside the box to *think* outside the box.   But there's an element of risk and fear outside the box---for the box itself provides a measure of safety and predictability .  We all tend to prefer the secure and conventional to the vulnerability of the uncertain.  To me, that's the huge difference between the institutional or traditional "church" and gatherings of believers who fellowship outside the structure. Meeting house to house or "outside the box" is diametrically opposite the structure of the institution---and yet very much potentially the same---if (like in some home schools) the believers attempt to duplicate the system on a very small scale.   Outside the box requires a different kind of walk, a different application of faith.

'Just happened to be at home on Sunday morning---I listened to a sermon on the radio (University Presbyterian Church - Seattle) and marveled at his comments and the Scripture that he was using as his text.  He emphasized that the Lord does not dwell in tents made by men's hands---he said it's not buildings but a walk with God---fellowcitizens with the saints...  builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.  God cannot be contained in a building. (Ephesians 2) He continued on, exhorting the willingness to participate in God's divine plan.  I then began to think on the text of the previous chapter in Ephesians (1.22-23) what God has done: "And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all." 

But the Christian "church" doesn't look much like this today, does it?!  But what we seek... in meeting together house to house---what we long for and do seek: Christ: the Head of the church: filling all in all: our Rock and Redeemer.  That's outside the box thinking and, my-o-my, it's a very open and vulnerable place to be.  True fellowship is great and sweet; opposition is strong.  We see that, more and more, we are understanding why it's easier to stay in the box.  But to do that would be a fatal move.  Christ is the Head of the church---believers across the world: His body, the fullness of Him that fills all in all.  Where is and what is the church?

I need  to add a disclaimer of sorts as my thoughts may appear critical, judgmental or even mean-spirited *against* the "church."  I don't believe that people in the system are unbelieving, nor do I think that people in the system are necessarily there because they *want* to be.  In fact, I think that being a very hard worker in the system demonstrates a sincere desire to obey the Word and follow the LORD---the system works best that way.  But when we take a look at the Scriptures, we don't see a system, we see Christ.  We don't see hierarchy, we see Christ.  We don't see programs, methods, amusements, seeker-sensitive evangelism, etc., etc.  We see the work of Christ, the Holy Spirit at work, the Word of God: sharper than any two-edged sword.  God doesn't need gimmicks or games or flashy-worldly youth programs any other thing man devises to build His church. 

There is generally enough in the "system" to warrant remaining, for those who remain.  After all,  where the Spirit of the Lord is there is love and I believe it's that love that keeps people in even flawed systems.     2Corinthians 3.17 "Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty."   One of the things I most pray for lately is that sweet liberty---liberty to love and walk with the LORD and to walk with believers inside and outside the system.  I'm seeing this is easier said than done because believers *in* the system are at odds with believers *outside* the system and too much time has to be spent on defending either position.  Whether conscious or not, the system divides believers---though those *in* the system think it's those *outside* the system that cause the division.  But again, where the Spirit of the LORD is there is liberty.  Liberty is sweet.  Now my prayer is that liberty will be sweet for everyone.  This liberty is not always smooth, not always beautiful, not polished, not predictable, not definitive, not always comfortable, or a hundred other things that seem to be integral parts of the system.  But---this liberty *is* total dependence on the LORD of Lords.


Andrew's Sixth Birthday - Cupcakes & Peanut butter Pies!
And a rarity, to have all the family home *and* remember
to have a picture taken!  Here, our 11 children, our daughter in law
(pregnant!),  2 grandchildren and Michael's friend Lindsay.
Now... to have everyone *looking!* would be neat, too!


The Lord has been very merciful to us all.

August 10, 2004  That story in Women's Wallstreet has now become a four part article regarding "Terror in the Skies."  Others have taken note of this and have added stories of their own.  A recent Newsmax article indicates this is happening nation wide.  Problem is, some of the warnings are seen as political smokescreens or convenient ploys of the Bush Administration---nothing would be surprising in an election year---however, the fact is politics or no, terrorism exists and whether the cautions or alerts are for political gain or are authentic, it's not worth the gamble to write them off.  Obviously the enemy knows this, but more, the enemy will not be appeased and this isn't a political war.  Jihad [Robert Spencer; Islam Unveiled] is not about what goes on in this country and our puny election, it's about radical Islam's determination to destroy the West and advance the agenda of destruction and of bringing the world into subjection.

When tempted to go off the deep end over all the political fiasco's from terrorism, elections, judicial tyranny, even to local land use, I'm mindful of the Scripture: 

 "And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him."  Daniel 2.21-22

It's so easy to get caught up in all of it, to consider the issues and determine to "do something" about them.  What really can be done?  Calling or writing has seemed to have little to no effect on the minds of the representatives whose minds are set on their course and whose eyes seem blinded by personal gain and ignorant of Spiritual Truth.  Interestingly, when moral absolutes are presented, it seems those who present them are labeled intolerant are the only ones held to a standard.  And so... prayer.  Pray---pray the God of all knowledge, the God of all comfort, the God of the beginning and of the end will be merciful and save our nation.  Allegiance to God and prayer for His purposes to be accomplished seem to be the only actions worth pursuing---inherent in both is faithfulness to Him and acknowledging His purposes in all things.

Had a nice note from a reader regarding the Constitution Party as I had commented on the Dems and Republicans yesterday.  I was trying to recall the name of a local candidate running in the Constitution Party a few years ago.  I'll have to do some reading.  I often wonder if this country will ever be more than a two party legislature or a plurality of parties in the system?

August 9, 2004  Another special day at our house... another birthday: today Andrew is six!

Well, I'm actually sort of glad that I wasn't blogging during our stay in California over the last couple of weeks.  Had I blogged, you'd have gotten a really odd slant of the Democrat convention.  Ahhh... my first of a litany of pet peeves: Democratic.  Democrat-Democrat-Democrat... I see nothing that resonates democratic at all.  But lest I appear to be against Democrats and therefore aligned with Republicans, I am neither.  Though I am, in this state, a registered Republican.  Unlike the news stations I listen to at home, I listened to or watched television which to my dismay was a lot of sludgeovision.  I think the most disconcerting was the speech by former (impeached) president Clinton.  It's hard to believe that just a few weeks previous, this same man who received high accolades for the convention speech, had been interviewed and asked why he did what he did [affairs] and he had replied: "Because I could." ---this same man was being lauded as such a great orator and communicator.  Thus proving the pride of life and the ends justifying the means.  Acclaimed for his speech, Clinton was reveling in the moment and amazingly, like John Kerry, talked of "Washington" as if it were a person or a place he'd never known or occupied.  Amidst the clapping, I wondered (aloud) where have these people been?

Seems John Kerry is condemning Bush for continuing to read to school children and for his six minute delay in responding to the aid advising him that America had been attacked on September 11, 2001.  Nevermind that he, himself had apparently sat in a daze for seven times that long on the same morning.  He's getting plenty of opportunity to practice the posturing role and the face of biz as usual while behind the scenes a whole lot of communication/protection/surveillance is going on!   O, see all the rhetoric and smearing... most amazing that the loudest contenders or defenders are people who spend their whole lives playing fictional characters or impersonating others. 

more later...

August 7, 2004  Too much sorting to blog.  Sorting socks, sorting laundry, sorting newsbytes, sorting thoughts, sorting plans...

August 6, 2004  This, floating about in the mail, is a copy of part of an address attributed to Bill Gates to the graduating class of Mount Whitney High School, Visalia, California.  After driving through the valley of central California (where Visalia is located) last week, I imagine they'd be ecstatic if Bill Gates ever visited them... but then, had he really visited the school, he'd have referenced farming, not "burger flipping" when commenting on opportunity in that area---and in reality, this whole speech sure doesn't sound like Gatespeak or geekspeak or nerdspeak at all.

Rule No. 1:   Life is not fair. Get used to it. The average teen-ager uses the phrase "It's not fair" 8.6 times a day. You got it from your parents, who said it so often you decided they must be the most idealistic generation ever. When they started hearing it from their own kids, they realized Rule No. 1.

Rule No. 2:   The real world won't care as much about your self-esteem as much as your school does. It'll expect you to accomplish something before you feel good about yourself. This may come as a shock. Usually, when inflated self-esteem meets reality, kids complain that it's not fair. (See Rule No. 1)

Rule No. 3:   Sorry, you won't make $40,000 a year right out of high school. And you won't be a vice president or have a car phone either. You may even have to wear a uniform that doesn't have a Gap label.

Rule No. 4:   If you think your teacher is tough, wait 'til you get a boss. He doesn't have tenure, so he tends to be a bit edgier. When you screw up, he's not going to ask you how you feel about it.

Rule No. 5:   Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your grandparents had a different word for burger flipping. They called it opportunity. They weren't embarrassed making minimum wage either. They would have been embarrassed to sit around talking about Kurt Cobain all weekend.

Rule No. 6:   It's not your parents' fault. If you screw up, you are responsible. This is the flip side of "It's my life," and "You're not the boss of me," and other eloquent proclamations of your generation. When you turn 18, it's on your dime. Don't whine about it, or you'll sound like a baby boomer.

Rule No. 7:   Before you were born your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way paying your bills, cleaning up your room and listening to you tell them how idealistic you are. And by the way, before you save the rain forest from the blood-sucking parasites of your parents' generation, try delousing the closet in your bedroom.

Rule No. 8:   Your school may have done away with winners and losers. Life hasn't. In some schools, they'll give you as many times as you want to get the right answer. Failing grades have been abolished and class valedictorians scrapped, lest anyone's feelings be hurt. Effort is as important as results. This, of course, bears not the slightest resemblance to anything in real life. (See Rule No. 1, Rule No. 2 and Rule No. 4.)

Rule No. 9:   Life is not divided into semesters, and you don't get summers off. Not even Easter break. They expect you to show up every day. For eight hours. And you don't get a new life every 10 weeks. It just goes on and on. While we're at it, very few jobs are interested in fostering your self-expression or helping you find yourself. Fewer still lead to self-realization. (See Rule No. 1 and Rule No. 2.)

Rule No. 10:   Television is not real life. Your life is not a sitcom. Your problems will not all be solved in 30 minutes, minus time for commercials. In real life, people actually have to leave the coffee shop to go to jobs. Your friends will not be as perky or pliable as Jennifer Aniston.

Rule No. 11:   Be nice to nerds. You may end up working for them. We all could.

According to Snopes: "No, this list didn't originate with Microsoft head Bill Gates. This is much like the speech attributed to Kurt Vonnegut in 1998.   The Internet was swept with a narrative that has come to be known as the sunscreen speech. That work of inventive fiction was actually the product of Chicago Tribune writer Mary Schmich."

This list is the work of Charles J. Sykes, author of the book Dumbing Down Our Kids: Why American Children Feel Good About Themselves But Can't Read, Write, Or Add. ...Many versions of this list omit the last three rules:

Rule No. 12:   Smoking does not make you look cool. It makes you look moronic. Next time you're out cruising, watch an 11-year-old with a butt in his mouth. That's what you look like to anyone over 20. Ditto for "expressing yourself" with purple hair and/or pierced body parts.

Rule No. 13:   You are not immortal. (See Rule No. 12.) If you are under the impression that living fast, dying young and leaving a beautiful corpse is romantic, you obviously haven't seen one of your peers at room temperature lately.

Rule No. 14:   Enjoy this while you can. Sure parents are a pain, school's a bother, and life is depressing. But someday you'll realize how wonderful it was to be a kid. Maybe you should start now. You're welcome.

"Advice columnist Ann Landers has printed the first ten items (uncredited) several times, and the list has been used by radio commentator Paul Harvey. The prize for misattribution, however, has to go to The Atlanta Journal and Constitution, which printed the list twice in three weeks in mid-2000, the first time crediting it to "Duluth state Rep. Brooks Coleman of Duluth," and the second time to Bill Gates. "

August 5, 2004   Finally bloggin' after a wonderful trip to California... seeing friends and family, celebrating Jennifer's graduation from the Orange County Sheriff's Academy, and seeing lots of old favourite sites!  Glad we're back home... and getting back into normal living in the real world! ;-)

More tomorrow...  for now, here're a few snaps of the days in California.  It was beautiful.

 

   
Jennifer's Graduation on July 28th from the Sheriff's Academy in Orange County...
A day at Huntington Beach and another day at Laguna then to sea... Catalina.

These pics represent all the things our life normally i-s-n-'t---except for the smiles!


On Aunt Martha's boat at Catalina (playing Up & Down the River)... complete with a beautiful full moon!
 
Then, on Golden Gate Bridge & Fort Funston (where Wes used to Hang Glide) and then to Joe's of Westlake
Then on to the Mighty Redwoods of Northern California


(our two oldest boys, daughter-in-law & grandchildren not in pic)
Our family                 


Ma, Pa, and Baby
 

   

 looking to my left, looking ahead, looking behind me on the trip!
They watched the scenery... in their dreams, on the computer and out the windows!
Nearly 3000 miles... a new transmission, lots of pictures and lots of happy memories!

Someday my children will read "mama's blog" and catch a glimpse of some of what was "important" each day,  some
"snap-shots" of  the day, what was going on in the world and what really stirred up some of my thoughts.  Whatever is
"documented" here will pale in comparison to the importance of their lives to me: my husband, my children---they are my story.
 

a special movie

In memory  Kathryn Lindström  please support the Susan G Komen foundation

past welcome home blogs      January-June 2003 in pictures   ~  July-December 2003 in pictures

 

July Blog 2004

June Blog 2004

May Blog 2004

April Blog 2004

March Blog 2004

February Blog 2004

January Blog 2004

December Blog 2003

November Blog 2003

October Blog 2003

September Blog 2003

August Blog 2003

July Blog 2003

June Blog 2003

 

 

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