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Voting Your Conscience This November - David Kupelian

October 30, 2004   One thing that being sick has afforded me is the great opportunity to stay home and out of stores.  I generally never go to stores (aside from Costco) during much of October---any year; so much gruesome merchandise, so much evil that I just don't enjoy being out much.  I've really had little option, and no inclination, to venture out anywhere and probably won't until Tuesday.  I imagine many feel as I do about the month of October...  Well, my thoughts move on.  I wonder what we'll all be talking about a week from now.  Interesting.

Amazing... this, another last blog entry of the month; another month with long days and very short weeks.  I remained here at home today while the family has gone to the cider press---an annual multi family event a couple of hours south of here.  I just got up to get a mug of simmering chicken broth and have decided it's better to stay up for awhile than to remain in bed coughing.  I glanced out the window just in time to see what is probably one of the last skydives of the year and the backdrop: the most majestic billowy clouds of brilliant white against the deep blue sky.  The skydiver looked to be painted into the picture.  The skies become very quiet over the winter as fewer pilots fly at this time of year; the hot air balloons, the skydivers and various other sports seem to take a long winter's nap.

Talking with the nurse on the telephone yesterday was an encouragement as she gave ideas for relieving this headache and cough.  She was pleased about the chicken soup---saying that medical research shows there really are tremendous benefits for eating/drinking chicken soup to help cure illness---especially respiratory illnesses.  Well... so then, Wes makes the best chicken soup.  He made the 22 quart pot nearly full of chicken and lots of vegetables and lots of garlic and lots of fresh ginger and after bringing it to a boil, he let it simmer all night (which was actually not a very long night).  Then he strained out all the bones, etc. and parts of vegetables that were just for the broth making, skimmed the fat, and pulled of all the meat from the bones and put several quarts in the fridge, took some in the crock pot to the Cider Press gathering and left me a small pot on the stove---which I've been thoroughly enjoying.  I really don't feel like eating anything but the soup.  Nothing much sounds good... no, not even a mocha--bleck. (well, at least not this week)

I was reminded yesterday that it takes quite awhile to recover from pneumonia and to not plan on doing much very soon.  So here I am a mother with 9 children still at home, another grandbaby due in less than two weeks, a little guy who has a birthday in a couple of days... and everything is going along fine.  Strange to have my children carry on as though nothing has changed in the home.  Everything is actually rolling along better than when I am well.  Or so it seems.

Boy-o-boy!  The pre-election FRENZY is just about to make this country e-x-p-l-o-d-e!  They're calling it PEAD: Pre Election Anxiety Disorder that's making people just act in absurd ways while they attempt to defend, persuade, challenge and make sense of all that's going on.  Polls just keep indicating the same: this country's polarized---just plain split down the middle.  I feel like this is sort of like (in a lesser way) the days leading up to Y2K.  Remember?  Do you remember watching the clock at around 6pm on the 31st of December 1999?  Do you remember thinking: ohmygoodness---nothing's going to happen.  I recall receiving an email from my friend in China... it was Y2K there already---and I thought, hmmmmm, well, nothing's going to happen.  I think we began baking something around midnight that night.  I wonder what we'll do on Tuesday night around midnight?

All the fraud, lost ballots, "disenfranchised voters" and misinformation has surely been monopolizing the news, conversations, and perhaps even serious decisions people are making.  I believe there's such a huge lack of knowledge about history, the political / election process, current events, voting records, etc., that it's just ignorance that's fueling the frenzy. 

We've got an initiative that'll be on the November 2 ballot: I-892, that's being called a lot of things... the property tax initiative, the slot machine initiative, etc., etc.  I hear commercials for and against the initiative every day.  Every day I wonder: what are people thinking?  One of the problems with this particular initiative is that more gambling is necessary for people to enjoy the property tax reduction they'll receive if the initiative passes.  If the initiative does not pass, the Tribal casino's will continue raking in the majority of the gambler's money thrown away in this state.  Apparently, the initiative would allow an equal number (18,225) electronic slot machines in the state of Washington as are in Tribal casinos in this state.  Dallas Burnett of the state gambling commission says, "They're huge, and they are the wave of the future."   No one benefits from gambling.  No one benefits in the end.  I marveled at a comment in the Seattle Times article: "putting the machines in restaurants, bowling alleys and other neighborhood locations not typically thought of as gambling venues adds up to "normalization. ... It takes down the barriers between gambling and the rest of the world."   [Rachel Volberg is the president of the National Council on Problem Gambling] Just another angle of the desensitizing of the world. 

Back to bed... More another day.

October 28-9, 2004 pamela's slogging... so no blogging --- for today.

October 27, 2004   Not much blogging today... I've been out of the loop a bit lately---spending much time in bed trying to get well and get rid of this cough and headache.  My family has been phenomenally helpful and has really come to my aid.  Kathryn is taking care of everything that concerns me around our home.  Everyone's schoolwork, study time, practicing, etc., etc. has been going smoothly as she has them on a very tight schedule.  Her abilities astound me.  Everyone's willing heart and cheerful attitude has been a tremendous blessing to me.

What I thought was the flu and a bad cough actually turned into or turned out to be pneumonia.  My husband took me to the ER last night after a day of 104.1° fever and not being able to breathe very well.  By the time we were in the exam room, my temp had reduced to 102.9° and I was really thankful to Wes for taking me in---I had resisted to that point.  I was under the erroneous assumption that this'd all go away if I just waited a few more days. 

The following is a portion of a note I received  by email yesterday---concerning Roger Bennett.

"Roger did not get good news today. His test results are all in and the Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia has turned into Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. It is Roger's understanding that this is a much more dangerous type of Leukemia. Unfortunately Roger is going to have to have another stem cell transplant. It will require a much more aggressive round of chemo-therapy than he had last time leading up to transplant. They expect that it will require a six month stay in Houston. On Monday, Roger will be put back into the resticted environment at M.D. Anderson and they will begin treatment immediately."  ---Scott Fowler
 

 October 26, 2004 Sometimes when I am tempted to fret, or am caught up in disappointment or regret or fatigue over situations I face, I consider some of the ways of God in my life.
Then... often I consider the ways of God in others' lives and I ponder... I ponder their situations, I consider the loads they carry, the sorrows they bear, the limitations under which they function and then, putting myself in their moccasins, so to speak, I ponder life in their place. (Roger Bennett as an example---yet, many-many others.) As tears well up in my eyes, I can no longer see my own trials or pain or dissatisfaction for theirs is far greater and mine pale in comparison.  In my quiet time this morning I was reading parallel passages in Luke and Matthew and was considering the barns and bigger barns, the sparrows and the lilies of the field.  Then I harkened back to the passage of the rich young in Matthew 19 "Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions." (21-22)  Then I considered: LORD do I hang on to things that prevent me from following You?  Are there obstacles in my life that I prefer over preferring You? Do I love any of my obstacles----any, more than You?

I'm aware that daily blogs have been derailed by politics... my apologies.

___________________________________________________________

In the News...

One of the most powerful contemporary social commentaries I've ever read: The Media Matrix by David Kupelian a Worldnet Daily exclusive.  Get a pot of coffee... you'll be awhile.

Whoa.... wait just a sec... not so fast there, sonny.  Don't be so gleeful over the latest October surprise.  The October Surprises just seem to get bigger and bigger!   Yesterday we heard there were explosives missing in Baghdad with Kerry citing "incredible incompetence" in Iraq and now... now there's a report that those ten billion tons of explosives were missing 1.5 years ago!   So the big October surprise became more of an October Oooops.  [the exaggeration: mine]

Deceit, Denial, Fraud, Immorality, Greed... all of these will characterize the condition of these days in history.  Voter fraud is a symptom of all these.

The war on terror is getting to be a real terror on the pocket book of the nation... more money's needed.  Whaddya say they start tapping into some of the oil money in that country?

Then... do the stories never end of John Kerry's "Vietnam Veterans Against the War" anti-war activists' activities?

The courts sure have been busy in Ohio as judges determine that the "provisional ballots" of those who vote outside their precinct should not be counted.   Hard to believe the ignorance here... but apparently, many think "that the Republican official's rules are too restrictive and allege that they are intended to suppress the vote."  
Then... yesterday in the news: here's hope for Ohioans who seek to make their voice heard next week. 
The Ohio State Supreme Court has ruled that it will not prevent the Marriage Protection Amendment measure from being placed on the ballot on  November 2nd.    It is a victory for a couple of reasons... the people will decide and a small group has not been allowed to thwart the political process.  This does, however, open the door to activist judges who will likely attempt to legislate from the bench when facing "civil rights" fights of a select few. 

With all the debates and all the decisions, there are compelling reasons to vote for Michael Peroutka, even though he will not win, even though it will *only seem* to be a "throwaway" vote, even though it might seem like a hopeless vote.  I can see and do see why a vote for Michael Peroutka would be wise... if for no other reason than to start the ball rolling to get this country thinking beyond the two party system.  Now... a vote for Peroutka would (in my humble opinion) be a vote against the troops in Iraq---and probably before all's said and done: Syria and Iran!  But in reality, I understand the position of believing that we are wrong to be at war.   Thus I understand why many *will* vote for Peroutka.  Yet, I guess I don't understand the position that this is unconstitutional intervention---given that our country was attacked and Intelligence indicated who our enemies were.  But then, that's an argument for men far more intelligent (no pun intended) and informed than I will ever be.  And Constitutional law is something I obviously do not know.  SO... having now unwound enough rope to hang with, I will bow out of the debate... and pray that God will guide the voters of this nation and that God's Will will be done.
 


Well, here's a new twist to pumpkins/pumpkin carving I've not heard before:
(this from our friend, Christina----thank you)

What is like being a child of God??   
It is like being a pumpkin. 
God picks you out from the patch,
Brings you in, washes all the dirt off of you. 
Then he cuts off the top and scoops out all the yucky stuff.
He removes all the seeds of doubt, hate and greed, etc.
And he carves you a new smiling face and he puts His light inside of you
to Shine for all the world too see!
October 25, 2004  I see that many Christians are at an impasse concerning the upcoming Presidential election and the philosophies behind the choices they face.  I have friends who support Michael Peroutka of the Constitution Party and friends
who support the Republican party and while there are differences in the party platforms, and as unbalanced as this sounds, I respect and support both.  I've shared in past blogs why I'm supporting President Bush in this election, but that doesn't mean that I don't believe Mr. Peroutka is the wrong choice---quite the contrary.  Our nation is at war.  Our country hangs in the balance as far as judicial appointments (Justice Rehnquist for example), abortion laws, tax laws, social security, and more.  It seems to me that it is a very very difficult choice for believers at this time---especially given the Vice President's view of "civil unions" etc., etc.  But, this is what we've got---given that our country is at war, that there are very clear differences in opinion/values/etc., and given that George Bush seems to have a clearer view of the nature of our enemy, it seems wise to support him. Do I support him across the board? No.  Do I think he has compromised his Christian faith? Yes.  Is it possible for  a Christian to be in government/politics and remain without any compromise?  I don't know.  Are any of us without compromise?   I'd hope we'd all determine to be unwavering in our faith and moral decisions.  I determine to be uncompromising in the decisions or stands I take---especially one such as this. 

I don't believe our nation understands that immorality that will destroy our nation, I don't think there is a proper understanding of the role of government, the nation of Israel, nor the power and intent of our enemies; our political correctness does not allow us the examination of the evil of Islam or to declare it to be evil---with Islam (and as the national religion of Iraq---still) there will never be peace between nations because anyone who is not Islamic is the infidel and to be annihilated; Islam is not a peaceful religion---but our troops are there in Iraq and other countries to liberate people, to weaken and eliminate the terrorist threat and so because there are tens of thousands of troops at home and overseas fighting for freedom and the protection of our nation, I have decided to take this stand.  I pray it's the right one.  This I know, our President and elected officials need our prayers-----------  This nation needs the LORD.

I downloaded the Google desktop search program  yesterday.  I like the speed and ease of the search---though I'm not certain if Google's desktop search is faster than Windows file search, but it sure seems to me to be faster but maybe it's just the simplicity of the search that's made it a better choice for me.  I really like the feature of seeing older versions of webpages that had previously been viewed, a simultaneous search of both the web and my computer for specific files, and a seeming near instant response to the search query.  On a family computer, I can see some real value in indexing all pages viewed: whatever is viewed will also be able to be "re-viewed" so there might be a "privacy" issue to consider.  It may be a deterrent to the searching or viewing of inappropriate pages.   I think those "Google boys" have more than struck it rich with this one.  I wonder what they're thinking over at Fortune Mag now?  Before the IPO of Google shares, Fortune ran a story saying that there was trouble ahead for Google.  Now that the IPO proved successful and Google didn't flounder for additional revenue, I wonder what's being said about Google now?
 

  October 24, 2004   In the final 8 days before Election Day, the campaign rhetoric
is almost at a frenzy now.  All the ads you'll see and hear in the next week are
designed to grab your attention and your emotion and they capitalize on ignorance
to insure the success of grabbing both.  I received a copy of an article printed a couple of weeks ago in the Ellensburg newspaper, by Mathew Manweller---it'll only be online a few more days.  It rang true with me as I have been saying for a number of months that the upcoming election is of such enormous import that its outcome will be reflected for decades to come.  Well, back to that article, like so many news stories, this one will be or has been unnoticed by papers around the nation, its message missed by the masses and it'll likely never receive the acclaim it's due.  I wasn't going to post anything over the weekend as I've still not been up to par, but the importance of a couple of things compelled me to share.

I'm reading transcripts of ads (thankful I don't have sound and images for these! I'm shaking my head: a press release says: "George Bush, time and again, has chosen the wealthy, the powerful and the well-connected over America's working women," the campaign said in a press release. "John Kerry will not just talk about family values, he will value families."  Hmmm.... I wonder how he then explains the annulment of his first marriage---the family that marriage was.  Annulment of a marriage that became a family with children could hardly be characterized as valuing family.

More of the hard to believe around the nation... no, it's not another break-in at a campaign office (though there have been a couple more); no, it's not another story of election fraud (though there's been that and bullying and more); no, it's not another story of how the left is insulting the right or the right is smearing the left;  no, this time it's news of a teacher jailed for beating up a parent who had to go to the emergency room?  Hmmm more of the hard to believe. The final paragraph: "Let me assure you the school is safe and that our students have been involved in appropriate instructional activities throughout the day." Principal Karen Konke wrote in letters to parents regarding the incident.

I imagine anyone who purchased shares of Google stock is smiling this weekend!  Reminds me of a friend who had opportunity quite a number of years ago to buy a large amount of stock in a little company in Redmond... but then wondered, would it be worth it to invest in a no-name software company?

 

 October 23, 2004 

 Today's our little granddaughter's  second birthday... 
Happy birthday to little  Abigail.

 


 

 

 

With all the talk of flu shots and how terrible the flu will be in our country this year because of the shortage... I seem to have picked up the flu---so, in reality, I guess I got my flu shot.   I'm up for a little bit to cough, talk to my family... take some more GSE, tylenol, aspirin, 2 grams of C, cough some more and drink and some hot tea---this has been the regimen that tides me over for about four hours at a time.  I've also added some Floradix iron & herbs since I seem to be a little low on iron right now.  I share this because people lots of times forget that they might be low-iron or need to increase vit. C significantly during times of sickness (and stress!).

No more blogging till Monday...unless there's some hugely interesting bit of news to share... but, I doubt it, the news is all the same: mud.

October 22, 2004  I'm thinking that we (as a nation) are appearing more and more uncivilized as the days go by.  The category "the weird and hard to believe" is growing.  Seems last evening as Ann Coulter was giving a speech at the University of Arizona, two men threw pies at her.  Then... there's this puzzling situation of who'd be "in the Whitehouse" if John Kerry wins the election---for all the good that Mrs. Heinz-Kerry has done... the following article (toward the end) tells a little more of who she is and the influence she'd be in Washington.  It's being said that everyone wants her in the Whitehouse... that she'd bring some pizzazz---that's not all she'd bring.  I marvel at the state of affairs of late.  We are really experiencing some incredible times in this country.

 Patience is a virtue and that's sure been tested in Paul Hamm's life as he's waited quite a while for the rightful ownership of his Olympic Gold medal.

Every now and then I visit a particularly helpful website or receive a link to a great article or I receive a letter from a sister in the Lord describing a website they've found encouraging---well, such is the case here:   If you're in need of fellowship with other women so that they might help you on your journey as a mother and homemaker, see CMOMB or Christian Mommies of Many Blessings
 


October 21, 2004  I'm a bit under the weather the last couple of days---so, a bit more time for reading and writing.  We live in the Northwest---often cited as the most unchurched region of the nation.  Sometimes I wonder why in the world the world we live here... and then I consider the above and know precisely why---because this area is so dark (yes, and literally, too) and needs the LORD.  We are continuing to ask the LORD for opportunities to reach the lost with the Gospel of Christ.  People are asking questions, they're seeking answers to the complex situations they face.  They get a whole lot of misinformation and mixed messages when they seek solutions for the problems or difficulties they face.  It's a shame that in a country with the finest materials readily available, with Bibles and with resources so prolific, it is hard to understand why the darkness---or why such difficulty conveying the message of salvation and redemption through Jesus Christ.  I've heard many times that it is precisely these things that hinder the spread of the gospel.  America, it seems to me, is much like the church of Laodicea---luke warm... in need of nothing... wretched, poor, miserable, blind and naked.  Whatever the case, we pray the believers of this nation and around the world will yield to the LORD, seek His Face and live in obedience to His Word.  We know that the Word says blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD.  May it be so of America once again.  I pray for reformation in America, I pray for reformation in homes, I pray for reformation in the church, I pray for reformation in walking with the LORD, I pray for reformation in families, I pray for reformation in music... I pray for the LORD to show Himself strong on our behalf.

Keeping an eye on the Terri Schiavo case.  No matter where you stand on this matter... it's such a pitiful situation and there now seem to be no easy answers.  Does a husband have a right to speak for his wife?  Do her parents have a right to speak for their daughter?  Would early therapy and intervention have changed the condition and thus the outcome of her life?   So many questions in this tragedy.

Tomorrow night stations around the nation will show excerpts of the film Stolen Honor: Wounds that Never Heal.  Not everyone will be able to view the film;  stations around the country pressured Sinclair to not air the film in its entirety and because of that pressure, they've changed the format and will show the program in an edited version.  You can see the program [for a fee] in its entirety at Stolen Honor.

I just shake my head at this news story concerning halloween and a public school in Washington state.   Now, I have absolutely no support for the celebrating, acknowledging, any participation in halloween, but it seems to me, that in the name of political correctness, we've (as a nation) really gone over the edge.

If there was mayhem in the streets and a subsequent death following the Sox win last night, just think of how things might turn out on Election night.  Then... if anyone will rile 'em up in Florida, it'll be Al Gore!  All he needs to do is get the voters to believe they were wronged, they were cheated and no one has the right to deny them their vote or take it away again this time... roar.... roar...

It seems to me that strategies are being calculated and set in place that will insure that John Kerry will not lose the upcoming election---sort of a "he cannot lose, he must not lose" agenda determining victory regardless the actual outcome. 

"...John Kerry, bracing for a potential fight over election results, will not hesitate to declare victory Nov. 2 and defend it..."
   If this "election day strategy" doesn't alarm you, and if the Kerry "SWAT teams" around the nation doesn't grab your attention, perhaps the thought of Bill Clinton desiring to head of the UN will!  This is not a new thought... covered in the early months of 2003,  he's had his sight set on the post for some time, somehow, it seems to have such incredible implications should John Kerry become president and appoint leaders who will perhaps tend to make decisions that will erode the foundation of our nation as we (knew?) know it.

I share this because it's likely the only civil action and reaction I've seen in the two campaigns to date.  Two very civil women---Mrs. Bush and Mrs. Heinz-Kerry---this regarding Mrs. Bush's reaction to Mrs. Heinz-Kerry's comment doubting that Mrs. Bush ever had a real job.  Bush advisor, Karen Hughes criticized Mrs. Heinz-Kerry for neglecting to mention the job of being a mother.  These are things sometimes only mothers understand or remember.

From Late Last Night....  In the News:  Now, this has gone beyond the ridiculous... Kerry blaming Cheney for getting a flu shot goes beyond the pale.   Maybe the only redeeming thing of the day for the Kerry team was the gracious apology by Mrs. Heinz-Kerry for her remark about Mrs. Bush.

Floridians: vote early; vote often.  Early voting opened in Florida a couple of days ago.  I can't help but question the constitutional legality of this course of action.  

But if early voting seems questionable, selling a vote surely is!  Bet this father was surprised at the knock at his door.  Seems his son didn't know it was illegal or "a big deal" to sell a vote.  Hmmmmm.  'Guess his son missed out on his US history classes or his US Government class in high school.  Or do they still teach that course, anyway?

 Son Timothy tells me that the Boston Red Sox haven't won a Series since 1918.  He was overjoyed at the news they beat New York in the final game of the play off last night.  

October 20, 2004  Money talks and talk talks---and both talk loud where advertisers are concerned.  Seems that many sponsors of the program "Desperate Housewives" are pulling their advertising.  Apparently because of the pressure they say is coming from the American Family Association---a "group that has over the years been a relentless critic of the entertainment industry."  It's not that the AFA is a critic of the entertainment industry, it's that the entertainment industry, in its relentless pursuit of ratings and shock value, is continually airing programs that contain inappropriate material (an understatement, to be sure).  It's as if they have license to be as nasty as they want to be and don't care what people/families think.  So... people are telling them---families are telling them and will continue.  If you ask me, it's yet another reason to avoid Disney-anything.  Magic was never good for the family... no matter how sweet those matinee's seem(ed).

Speaking of talk talking... Seems that many have been doing just that about Sinclair Broadcasting and an upcoming "documentary."  The Post headline will satisfy 'em because that's probably all they'll read, but in reality, portions of the film apparently will be aired on Friday evening.  Interesting to me that Michael Moore doesn't get the same pressure for a movie---but then, he's on the right side of the fence, I suppose.   This coincides with a verse we were just taking a look at:  "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" Isaiah 5.20

Hmmmm.... "I'm a little concerned about this notion everybody wants us to be objective." ---Peter Jennings.    "But I don't know that she's ever had a real job — I mean, since she's been grown up." said Teresa Heinz-Kerry of Mrs. Bush.

Here's a story you'll likely not hear about (a full page ad A24 in the Washington Post), especially when there's such a fixation by the media on John Edwards' hair. 'Guess it became a hot topic a few months back when John Kerry mentioned it at a political rally in Cleveland.

Does a shortage of anything automatically trigger the impulse to go out and get it?  Flu shots, for example---have you suddenly felt the urgent need to go get a flu shot even if you've never gotten one and never intended to and don't even vaccinate your children?  How about the news that gas will soon be a $3. a gallon?  'Make you want to go out and fill the tank(s)? Or, what about news that one or another candidate is ahead in the polls in your state?  'Make you want to go out and post a sign, make a speech, place a phone call?   Tyranny of the urgent.

According to the latest poll... isn't it incredible that this is what it all comes down to?  The latest poll. 

A return to normalcy...

 October 19, 2004   Morning:  Did you know that there's a site called Junk Food News?  I was looking up "Twinkies" as I had just received a newsletter ( realhealthnews.com  ) that described, in part, the demise of Interstate Bakery, the nation's largest wholesale bakery, filed a Chapter 11 in September.  I had forgotten about these "treats" or perhaps: Threats.  I wonder what the folks will do now when they want deep fried Twinkies or Tropical Twinkie Lasagna or Twinkie Tiramisu?

Whaddya guess?  Do you s'pose that the early voting in Florida will be challenged or unchallenged?  Well, I'm thinking here, a re-count's a 'sure thing' if Bush wins Florida.  And if Kerry wins, I'm guessing that this early voting trend will continue---and one day, "Election Day," will mean little if anything at all.  'Seems to me that one day... you'll just perhaps not even have to register to vote.  It'll just be: vote early and vote often---may the "luckiest" guy win.

People are already complaining in Florida----it's sort of like someone yelling, "Fire!" in a theatre.

If voters weren't persuaded by John Edwards, then perhaps the promise of drugs will---and the *will be* voters received nice little pill boxes to ensure they'll have something to put their pills in when Kerry is president.  Smart... hand 'em something and they'll never forget ya. Perhaps if they really want to help people, they could hand them pamphlets describing proper diet/nutrition and exercise regimens that would eliminate or reduce the need for the medical intervention they think will heal and/or keep them well. But then, I guess they could've handed out gin soaked raisins, too---a little something for whatever ails ya. (levity---------a little levity; really, that's all) 

Pretty quick we'll be hearing of Bush's "supposed" draft again... this time it's going to have a different twist, though, this time it'll be something like... if you get sick... will your doctor be there?  Not if he/she's drafted...  The US contingency plan to draft medical personnel.

I haven't been feeling well the last couple of days... coughing, achy, headache---so I've been trying to beef-up, as it were, and try to get rid of this before it settles in my lungs... I've had pneumonia quite a number of times over the years and though it's been a while, the memory of seeming non-stop coughing and spiking fevers is very vivid.  So I have been taking GSE---Grapefruit Seed Extract, Vit C and other things along with lots of teas.  We juiced a  large bag of carrots with the Champion Juicer last night and have 10 quarts of juice now.   the Champion Juicer is quite an amazing thing---incredibly powerful and seems to easily handle any amount we put in it!  Those who didn't really go for the carrot juice, preferred apple and kept running out to the apple trees and were bringing in buckets of apples to juice.  I think they have at least a gallon left.  I take the NutriBiotic GSE plus capsules, by the way, because I can hardly bear to swallow the 10-15 drops of GSE in 12 ounces of *any*thing.  That, and they have lots of other "good things" in them.  I'm now a diehard fan of GSE!

 Earlier:  It seems everyone's talking about it... everywhere, it's in the air.

Everywhere you look, it seems there's a banner, there's a bumper-sticker, there's a yard sign, there's a person waving a sign earnestly pleading support for the candidate they represent. Everywhere discussions can be overheard:  who are you for?   A few organizations are coming out with their endorsements of the candidate of their choice and listing reasons for their decision.  Pat Buchanan has succinctly conveyed his position and given rationale for his decision.  I'm not following any of the people who seem to shape much of the thinking in our nation.  Now, nothing against the profession of theatre or drama or sports, but really, isn't it incredible to think who shapes the thoughts of at least half of the residents of this nation.   Amazing.

Well, it's noteworthy that a common thread seems to be that none of those who've made their position known are wholeheartedly for a particular candidate---in fact, many are simply endorsing one and urging the voter to do the same so that the other doesn't win.  I've had a number of people ask me who I would support given my strong conservative views and the likely choice might be The Constitution Party  and the presidential candidate Michael Peroutka (who appears to be a very fine man, by the way).   I've mulled this over and over and have (personal opinion only here!) come to the decision that I would most likely vote Republican---and I know that this may be a tenuous position but I believe that in order for a third party to gain any ground, it must begin at the local level with "inroads" being forged in the states and once positions are secured at the local and state level, then the federal level would become a very hopeful situation. 

I don't necessarily consider voting "outside" the two parties to be a "throw-away" vote.   I do, however, consider very seriously that at this particular juncture, it would be very very wise for Christian families to consider well what's at stake in this particular election.  Probably the most significant reason I will likely vote "Republican" is that I consider the appointment of judges to hold tremendous consequences for the future of our society/nation.   I understand that judicial reform is paramount---that judicial tyranny is becoming a burgeoning blight on this nation with disastrous social implications.  This is why I am extraordinarily concerned with who will fill the presidency in the next term.  Some would say it's the most critical time our nation has ever faced---certainly, in my lifetime, I would agree.  Our nation faces grave danger every time God is disconnected from a facet of society.  Just look, for example, at what has happened since prayer was removed from schools in the '60's.  Look again at the legalization of abortion in the early '70's.  Then, consider, secular humanism as the backbone of the government school system.   So, barring any unforeseen disclosures, misconduct, etc., of the President, I plan to take the course of endorsing a Republican administration---but yes... I do have a tad bit of reservation, too.

One thing I'm afraid we're going to continue to hear is the cry of fraud!  Yet another instance of monkey biz and voter registrations.  This time, it was for cocaine.  Makes me wonder... when the Toledo police searched through Ms. Pitts's home and found evidence of drugs, did they arrest her for paying Mr. Staton with crack instead of cash?  Because, I'm thinking if people are being paid in crack instead of cash, then voter registration fraud isn't the only problem going on.  [Update: Mr. Staton was arrested----bet he thought as most of them do:  only stupid people get caught.  He was right.]

There are so many lies and so much mudslinging, that it's truly becoming impossible to sift it all.  One site I've appreciated is Fact Check.org as it's really been keeping up with all the comments, the measured and deliberate posturing and delivery of speeches being made and "facts" being quoted.  No doubt about it, politics is getting very nasty.

more later.

October 18, 2004  No time for bloggin' today.

October 17, 2004  Half-y Birthday, to Kathryn.

 I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.
Psalm 16.7


October 16, 2004   Mayday For Marriage -Tens of Thousands of people gathered at the National Mall in Washington on Friday.  O, you didn't hear about it?  You didn't see it in the papers? Had it been another kind of rally encouraging and celebrating another definition of the marriage, it would have been all over the wires.    It was estimated that there were between 140,000 and 170,000 people in attendance.  Hardly a peep in the media... and the stories, I had to hunt for them... and finally found a few... and the headlines say that it was a gay marriage protest.  "Gay marriage" for all intents and purposes, is an impossibility; really.

John 14.15-21 If ye love me, keep my commandments.  And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;  Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.  I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.  Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.  At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

In the news... a woman died as a result of a fall waiting in line for the Oprah Winfrey Show.  It's sadly ironic that the incident happened in nearly the same time period as the woman who died as a result of a fall while waiting in line for a flu vaccine.   So... based on apparent current logic standards:  it's really best to just avoid lines.

Ignorance  is plaguing our society.  I find myself wondering where this country will be in the years ahead if/when the flood of ignorance completely engulfs our political system and government---schools and churches notwithstanding.  It's grievous to consider that  much of history and even what is occurring in the world today is being lost because of the  social and political propagandist newscasts and revisionist history.  With the proliferation of instruments of media, it is not surprising, the volume and scope of misinformation.   In addition to the disingenuous speeches concerning the *supposed* Bush draft plan, Rock the Vote has quite an array of material that may be adding to the confusion and the proliferation of lies that are igniting political furor; additionally, MTV is promoting erroneous political views. 

Politics is not the only venue of misinformation---I think such is the case with so-called "contemporary christian music" too, by the way.  I listen to the lyrics of songs and am grieved at the propagation of false religion(s) and new-age influence and misrepresentation of the Scriptures(!) with inaccurate citations or interpretations.  These misinterpretations leading to both misunderstanding and misapplying the Scriptures or the Word of God in the lives of those who take in the music and it becomes for them "the gospel."   I refrain from posting lyrics... there are many and the feel good music of the day is defining or redefining "religion" for many and so, to all who sing and hear the music, to all who are listening to the political propaganda and rhetoric... I pray: read the books, read the Book; read history and read His Story.

More of the glazed over, vacant stare as I ponder John Kerry's remarks from a segment of the third and final presidential debate:   "My faith affects everything that I do, in truth... There's a great passage of the Bible that says, 'What does it mean, my brother, to say you have faith if there are no deeds? Faith without works is dead.' And I think that everything you do in public life has to be guided by your faith, affected by your faith, but without transferring it in any official way to other people... That's why I fight against poverty. That's why I fight to clean up the environment and protect this earth.  That's why I fight for equality and justice. All of those things come out of that fundamental teaching and belief of faith."

Again, I say, Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. And shake my head... glazed over.

Timothy's home from California now, and Kathryn has been away caring for the family and home of friends of ours while they've been away.  What a joy it has been to be confident to send young people out to assist others.  As Kathryn attended the Mother-Daughter retreat with me last weekend, I was again mindful that the LORD has blessed so abundantly and has been *so* merciful to us.  In spite of us, actually, He has raised up wonderful people I couldn't be more pleased to call my children/friends.  Through the years I have trusted the LORD to provide for them, to give them the equipping and the opportunities they need to be the people He's designed them to be.  How grateful I am today for the influences in their lives, for the friendships, materials, opportunities and experiences He's provided them---and because of the "miraculous" nature of the provision of many of their experiences, I anxiously await the days ahead as His plans for them unfold.  There's a point to all this thoughtful contemplation and it is this:  God has been merciful to us and it's more than sobering and more than humbling to me to reflect on His goodness, His protection and provision.  While we've lived "by faith" all of our marriage, and surely faith that's been tested time and again, I am humbled with the awareness of God's mercy.  He's been very merciful and very patient with us---I'm in awe of His mercy and provision.

October 15, 2004  Today...    Yes, it's politicized, yes, it's commercialized, and yes, it's *N*O*T* getting the attention it needs, warrants, and deserves.  It's the Mayday for Marriage Rally in Washington DC---and with the papers reporting on the event with headlines such as "Pastor takes anti-gay-marriage message to nation's capital" Now, had this been a homosexual day or some other sort of blatant assault on the family, the headlines would be soaked with hot ink! Instead, you're hearing little if anything.

And you're probably NOT going to hear much about it in the news unless there is some sort of problem and not with headlines such as  Teresa Heinz-Kerry  suggesting gin-soaked raisins for arthritis pain.  Wow---could have saved Merck a whole lot of headache over the drug Vioxx.  Teresa's remedy probably came from this source.  Now, she was talking to seniors about healthcare and yet was offering a relatively cheap alternative "medicine."  However, before long, there may be a whole lot more trouble than the relieving of arthritis warranted. And then there's the continuing stir over the comments attacks on Mary Cheney during not one, but two presidential debates.  I think I might agree with this author and say that "The first could have been an accident. The second was a calculated attack." 

Some of the news regarding Iraq is getting pretty tough.  Another reminder that war is ugly---and---dangerous and some soldiers are saying: No.

And then there's the headline People Camp Overnight to Get Flu Shots.  One woman even died as a result of a fall while "waiting in line." But... when John Kerry's president... people like...

Oil is now at nearly $55. a barrel and on and on.  And then there's Kerry still harping on the very dead issue concerning the Draft.  No wimpy politician, he.  'Guess he must've missed the vote in the house---and the fact the "draft bills" were introduced by Dems not Republicans. "The vote, which shows Republicans en bloc voting against any effort to bring back the draft, could help shut down Internet rumors that the Bush administration had a secret plan to reinstate the draft. The White House had said Bush would veto the measure if it passed."  It's hoped that the rumors would be shut down... but with Kerry's calculated speeches... it's politics as usual.

But Marriage---we're not hearing a whole lot about marriage.  Perhaps this is as calculated as the comments concerning Mary Cheney.  After all... Kerry can't really "go there" and talk about marriage.  That might lead to the opening of a Pandora's box that he really might not want and cannot afford (literally) to have opened; not when that box contains, in addition to many other stories he'd likely rather have everyone forget, an annulled marriage.  [I never get that---you know... a marriage annulled... a marriage that produced children... it really did occur and there is history *and children* to prove it.  Annulment, what is with that, anyway?  As if God didn't see, and as if the Pope has power over the laws and institutions of God.]

From Last Night....

It's interesting, depending on which side of the dial you're on, the particular spin you'll hear concerning the presidential "race" and campaign. Now if you read the daily campaign press releases in the nation's newspapers, you'd think we have a complete dolt in the Whitehouse, masquerading as President of the United States.  You'd think there's no way on earth that a bumbling country bumpkin from some hick town in Texas could've made it across the street---let alone the Whitehouse.   I was listening to a local station that, depending on the time of day and personality on the air, seems to me to be all over the map concerning politics and social representation.   I don't listen to "conservative" talk-radio late at night because of the way-out-there conspiracies and the types of guests that are generally invited to talk on the program on any given night.  It's just too over the top for me to listen to the line up concerning UFO's and planetary life and that whole genre of programming.

So then... if you want to know what the "left" is thinking, you really needn't go to the extreme of staying up late, doing laundry, dishes, sweeping and packing for guys going on a hunting trip---no, you just have to imagine that whatever you hold dear, whatever you treasure, whatever freedoms you seek to preserve and pass on to your children, whatever stand you're taking concerning marriage, the family, faith, etc., etc. is going to be mocked and spit upon by the left---that is, if you are standing on the "religious right."  Which, by the way, I am and do.

The new favourite word around here, thanks to Lynne Cheney, is: tawdry.   Tawdry.  It just exudes the meaning she intended when describing the behaviour of John Kerry and his remark concerning the Cheney's daughter, Mary.  So there was no small stir concerning the remark and its implications.  There's now a third shame, shame, shame.  Now, shame on Elizabeth Edwards who said, concerning Lynne Cheney's reaction to Kerry's Wednesday night comment, "She's overreacted to this and treated it as if it's shameful to have this discussion. I think that's a very sad state of affairs.  I think that it indicates a certain amount of shame with respect to her daughter's sexual preferences."     By the way, with Kerry's personal background what it is, I'm not thinking it's such a good idea to go digging around in someone else's family.  Let the candidates debate on the candidate's issues, credentials, and records.  There's enough there to keep 'em *both* busy.  Very busy!

Internationally speaking...

More strikes in Falluja aimed at al-Zarqawi---these after two suicide bombings inside Baghdad's "Green Zone" on Thursday.   Pray for our troops... pray for wisdom for leaders in this country and our allies around the world.  These truly are perilous times.

Since Wes's mom was a missionary in Taiwan, news from that part of the world tends to pique our interest.  Seems Mount St. Helens and news at the US Forest Service site is not the only thing quaking... as Taiwan experienced a strong offshore earthquake... no small temblor, that!

 Don't be surprised at the tactics and the rumors and the blatant accusations on both sides concerning voter registration fraud.  Couple of days ago it was the registering of people multiple times... now the rumor-mill is projecting that not only are applications being mishandled, but that GOP backed workers  are throwing out voter registration applications.   After this election season, I shall be surprised at nothing.  

More later...  and no doubt, there will be.  Oh, by the way ... floss your teeth; they won't be there later if you don't. 

You're welcome.

October 14, 2004  I've been a parent long enough for it to be apparent [no pun intended] to me that when a guy's a great debater, he's usually got something to sell or something to cover.  I've been a parent of boys long enough to know that it's usually the latter when it comes to great debates or great debaters.  I think that a lot these days---between cleaning and homeschooling, working with the children and reading... and talking like a fool to my kitchen radio!  I had more than a handful of comments for John Kerry and his smooth-talking, give-em-a-bunch-of-false-stats, debating techniques last night during the third and final presidential debate.  For the last couple of days I've been thinking, shame on John Edwards and the audacity of his comments pertaining to stem cell research and the comment, "When John Kerry is the president people like Christopher Reeve are going to walk again!"  Now, I think, double shame on John Kerry last night for his swipe and jab at Dick Cheney and a reference to his daughter being a homosexual.  It was in poor taste for John Edwards to lob that crass comment last week in the debate with Dick Cheney (to which Dick Cheney responded magnanimously) but John Kerry's condescension simply demonstrated his arrogance and thus proved he'll stop at nothing in the weeks ahead to gain votes.  It's going to be a tough 19 days I'm afraid.

In the news...
I've never believed that the WMD report is accurate or complete.  I'll never be convinced that there were no WMD and that WMD's are no longer a threat.  I *do* believe the biggest WMD was caught and is perhaps not a threat.  Saddam Hussein was the greatest single weapon of mass destruction---though, I believe there are likely many others in addition to nuclear and biological weaponry.


I keep wondering where is all the news regarding Afghanistan?  Such and incredibly remarkable event took place over the weekend and hardly a peep in the news over this phenomenal event.  People who have faced a lifetime of war and oppression, who've never voted, let alone voiced their opinion publicly, have experienced the great privilege and freedom to vote in an election!  "Maybe things don't appear to be going so well in Iraq, but we must be doing something right in Afghanistan, which so often seems a sideshow in the war on terror." So, here we have this marvelous story---this is a great success in the war on terror---this is, in part, why our men and women are risking and giving their lives---this is incredible sacrifice.

Microsoft is so much more than the "energizer bunny" that keeps going and going and going... it's like the perpetual idea-want-need-gotta have media machine.  It's interesting to me how they continually shape, reshape, design and redesign the thinking and what become the essentials in a home.  It may be too expensive today... but just wait... just let the item simmer a bit and eventually it will progress from a  sooo-cool idea to an absolute necessity.  No dummy, that Microsoft.  Introduce an idea... let people mull it over... let them live a little while with their soon to be antiquated giant sized boxes and messy wires... let them see a sleek product... let them trip over their clunky video players and they'll just about pay anything for the lustrous, Media Center Extender... the solution to every one of today's inconveniences.  Just think... everything: "when and how you want..."

October 13, 2004   Mount St. Helens... still rumbling and maybe more, soon!

Shame on John Edwards for capitalizing on emotion and manipulating voters into believing that stem cell research has indeed produced positive results and potential cures for "juvenile diabetes, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and other debilitating diseases."  While Christopher Reeve might have been glad that John Edwards was talking of the miracles of Stem cell research, his own words betray Edwards' proposition that "When John Kerry is the president people like Christopher Reeve are going to walk again!"  Reeves, himself, in a Reader's Digest interview [October 04] indicated that "embryonic stem cells are effective in treating acute injuries and are not able to do much about chronic injuries."

I guess Colorado Secretary of State Donetta Davidson will be looking at ways to reform the system---this, after it was discovered that there's a whole lotta fraud going on.  In order to pick up a little extra cash---with some registration drive workers earning $2. per application, it's no wonder they padded the numbers a bit by registering as many as possible---whether or not they were legitimate! Apparently, there was also a little problem of felons registering to vote. County Clerk and Recorder Carole Murray said, "I have to question whether we should be allowing people to accept money for voter registration."  Yep, I guess!

This is almost comical and sadly ironic: One woman, who forged names on some forty registrations said she was helping her boyfriend earn more money from a get-out-the-vote organization called ACORN or Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now.  Now, that's reformation---it's no acorn, it's nuts!

This may become somewhat of a big deal----------or not. I wonder what will be the outcome of the petition for indictment of John Kerry.  Incredible, isn't it?!  There are apparently many (160,000) who are joining the push to indict him on several anti-American statements and activities---even now, even now during the presidential campaign.


Halfy Birthday to Sam...  and slowly making his way to the halfway mark of his teen years.
And, yes, the boys chided me for still celebrating their half-birthday's. Some things never change.

October 12, 2004  ---So happy I filled my espresso machine with water and fresh ground coffee yesterday morning so that all I needed to do this morning was plug it in and turn the switch!  Some mornings having a cup of coffee is more of a coffee event than just enjoying a hot beverage on a chilly morning.  It's sort of like going to Starbucks in a bathrobe and never leaving home to do it.  Since Kathryn is not home to share some tea, a mocha is today's hot beverage!  1 Cup of hot steamed milk, 1 tablespoon Ghirardelli's ground chocolate and about a half cup of espresso coffee---that's it!

Well, If the name-it-claim-it religious folks aren't scary enough, this will be: Sounding like a faith healer, John Edwards said yesterday: "When John Kerry is the president people like Christopher Reeve are going to walk again!"   The implication being that Reeve could have been helped by stem cell research and that John Kerry will insure the research happens.   Problem is, human beings must be grown, harvested and killed in order for this "research" to be carried out and then, further, nothing's been proven in all the research to date to affirm the use of stem cells is, in fact, "curing" people; and finally, capitalizing on the emotion of Reeve's passing is inexcusable. 

Well, it's all amazing. as I tuned in the radio to hear all the talk shows covering the different comments I shared yesterday.  I found myself standing in my kitchen talking to my kitchen   under-cabinet radio/CD player and asking the callers: what are you thinking?!?!  Now, I never call into talk shows but I do talk to them!  Maybe you do this when no one's around ;-) too.  So, there I was talking to the radio and wonder what in the world are we going to do with the mess of this campaign and election coverage?  I smile as I imagine what the days will be like a month from now.  Hmmm... a month from now, all this will be history, all this mudslinging will (hopefully) be over and then on a happy note: our third grandchild will likely be born and life for our family will take a new definition and dimension! 

The inextricable link between "religion" and "politics" is evidenced in the statements of Founding Fathers, on US currency, etched in buildings and on monuments.  So the Supreme Court is going to hear the "Ten Commandments" case... and whatever they "decide" there will have far reaching effects throughout this land.  Consider the interior of the chambers of the Supreme Court, for example, or consider *what* will be considered "religious" and what will be permissible should the court rule that the posting of the Ten Commandments is, in fact, illegal.  But then, what about Indian "artifacts" or displays of other religious symbols that many in this country are sporting or using in interior design.  Just what is "state property" and what is private, anyway?    Think of the demolition necessary should the court rule the posting unconstitutional.   Consider the implications of actually [attempting] removing "God" from this society and yet leaving all the other gods this society worships.

I was baking was baking varieties of butter cookies for my husband for his Bible Study guys.  They meet each Monday night and we like to send him off with treats to share with them.  It's a blessing to me that he has developed friendships with them.

One of the highlights of this past weekend's Mother Daughter retreat out at Camp Gilead was the last "chapel" and the words of the speaker, Caryl Parkinson, who shared the following and then some closing thoughts.  The points she shared are too good to not pass along---so here they are in a very condensed form --- these are for mothers (but revise the wording to fit and make personal application)

Passion

What am I doing on a regular basis to instill a passion for Jesus Christ in the lives of my children?       Philippians 3.10

Peace Am I content and at peace with the life and circumstances God has given me?  Do my children see in me: contentment?    Philippians 4.11
Power What spiritual disciplines are my children learning from me?  Do they see me in early morning prayer and quiet time with the LORD?  [she then suggested Journaling (my hot topic and joy!)]   Proverbs 31.15
Priorities Godliness is profitable above all things and unto all things.  Are my priorities right and in order?  What do my priorities say to my children---about God, about them?     1 Timothy 4.7-8

Prayer

Are you a woman of prayer? Can you say to the LORD with the Psalmist, I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation?
(...I direct my prayer unto thee and will look up. KJ)    Psalms 5.3

I love retreats!  Things seem to happen at retreats that don't happen elsewhere.  I'm not just sure why this is.  I guess it's the expectation and the setting of getting aside and doing 'business" with God that most people experience at retreat.  Now, my great blessing is that my daughter Kathryn is old enough to come to retreat and I can share that time with her as well as have her be there as a blessing to/for other women as she shares with them, they with her and how many times she's helped mothers with their babies.  I love opportunities to share with women and to pray with and for them.  I guess that's another reason why I am so thankful for hardships and struggles the LORD's brought me/us through... I see He's used them all.  God never wastes a thread.  Never.   All of His ways are good and nothing He does is wasted.  Nothing is for nothing with God. O, how I love the LORD my strength!

October 11, 2004  Later on I'd like to share some of the highlights of this past weekend's Mother Daughter retreat out at Camp Gilead because there were some ideas mentioned that are relevant to both men and women, youngers and olders. And by the way... every time I mention some thing for men, I pray it will be recognized that I have no intention of being a "leader or teacher" of men.   This is a peer site... that's all.

Laura, Seams Like Yesterday, sent me a letter recommending young lady (Cheri Cross) who has a website, making and selling modest dresses for ladies and girls.  A Joyful Handmaiden's site offers nice looking clothing and I'm recommending it though I have not personally communicated or dealt with the owner.  I attempt to make available links to sites that will enhance a Christian's home, life, business, etc.  I receive many requests to post links and frequently I decline the request after seeing the merchandise or the clothing or when I read of the person's other affiliations.  News articles are something that falls outside this personal conviction as I frequently post links to articles purely as FYI---not an endorsement of a site, eg: CBS or whatever.  I need to update the Modest-Feminine Apparel  page here and will do so... sometime soon.

I occasionally refer to the media being the "mouth-piece" for the dems.  It's always a marvel to me: the double standard of liberals.  It's almost a given that the media is left.  It's almost a given that the reporting will favor, highlight, showcase or exalt the left.  It's almost a given, these days, that no matter what John Kerry utters, it will be reported positively---or ignored if the incident might portray him negatively.  Another predicament is the discrepancy of  the left concerning what's being said in radical right-wing media---how it must stop and how there must be fairness and objectivity.  Hmmm.  A frequent utterance lately: Hmmmmm.  What's being broadcast in most living rooms and dropped on most doorsteps these days is hardly fair and objective.  One thing the mainstream media does do for the liberal left: saves them money.  A whole bunch of money.  Imagine the potential cost of hours of free campaign speeches and advertising they receive every day of the week.   Incredible.  Now it doesn't matter that Dan Rather had no problem using [falsified] documents against Bush... or that night after night there are negative reports about the Republican party or about the war in Iraq.  But now... the Sinclair group plans to air a "documentary" about Kerry and the DNC is totally up in arms and is determined to prevent the airing of Stolen Honor: Wounds That Never Heal.

Not far from here, in Redmond, a young girl, who'd been missing for a week, was found in her wrecked car down an embankment.  Incredible.

Christians have long been silenced in  (if they're 501c3 --- "Hush Money") churches.  Over the weekend, 'seems John Kerry went to 'church' but not to worship, to campaign.  Now, why isn't this being reported with the broad brush negative paint Bush would've received had he done the same--say, in a Catholic church?  Doesn't it just seem incredibly ironic that Kerry would go to church---outside his faith and more and then turn the worship service into a campaign rally?   And then to further assail the intelligence of the parishioners by asking who of them has relatives who are married to individuals of the same s-x.  Then if that wasn't bad enough, shame on Jesse Jackson for harbouring bitterness and propagating oppression closed with: "The power is in your hands: hands that once picked cotton, on November 2 can pick a president."   Shame on the irrational Jesse Jackson for perpetuating the oppression of the historic slavery of many black Americans.   Kerry did a little more dredging in the mud, referring to the alleged mishandling of the ballots and recounts in the Florida election, saying "Never again will a million African Americans be denied the right to exercise their vote in the United States of America." More lies, more yuck...  that campaign ploy in the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church.  More on Kerry... equating terrorism with prostitution and gambling which he considers a nuisance, sadly and frankly demonstrates his lack of understanding of all three.  He is quoted as saying, "it's something that you continue to fight, but it's not threatening the fabric of your life.''  I'm telling you... ignorance of the destruction and potential damage caused by any or all three. 

Today's index page quote:   
America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and
lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves

--Abraham Lincoln

I'm imagining Wes will gulp hard when he fills the van with gas in a couple of days... now at just under $54. a barrel, oil's at an all time high and filling that 15 passenger van will sure reflect that!

  Because of many requests we receive and many readers who pray for these needs,  I'm putting up a new Prayer Request page where requests will be posted and praises or answers added.  You can make a  request by writing
prayers@---removethisspamtrap---AChristianHome.org 
 

October 7, 2004  As I shared recently, one of the unforeseen serendipities of tending a website is the blessing of communication with people I'd never likely meet this side of heaven.  For this, I'll be eternally grateful.   God's been very good to me and has blessed me on the net---it's not been an immoral abyss to me personally and it's not been a source of temptation for me---well, except for the enormous time-gobbler it sometimes is for me and for my family!  My point in all this meandering is to share a link to an article written by Barbara Curtis who's been an encouragement and inspiration to me through her books and website and personal letters.  With all the political rhetoric dominating the newswires, she's refreshing to me and I think will be to you, as well.  By the way... if you're having a bit of trouble in the chores department... take a look at this page.  It's never too early to do the right thing and I'm learning it's never too late to work to get things right.

Ahhh, only three weeks till this political mess is given a rest (for about three years).  Here in the states, as in other nations with free elections, the political mudslinging gets to be unconscionable and the absolutely insatiable desire to win whatever position sought assures that there will be no holds barred in the process.

So now, no WMD's. Hmmm.  More of the hard to believe.  If Saddam couldn't be found for the length of time it took to locate him, and if bin Laden still hasn't been located, then what's the true likelihood that there are truly no WMD's.    Now, I s'pose I'm sounding an awful lot like a Bush sympathizer---which isn't the case, actually---it's just that of the options, Bush is clearly the better choice and Kerry is... not a consideration.  He is, however, looks to be a force to be dealt with as far as the Bush camp is concerned.  And right about now, I imagine that with the news release of no WMD and further that there's more thought that the numbers of  troops necessary are not in place.  Those, and the political spin being put on the VP debate on Tuesday evening, will make for some real ramping up of the ammunition necessary for the battle on Friday evening between President Bush and  John Kerry.  Depending on who you read or listen to, you'll hear both sides and you'll likely not be able to suppress your reaction.

If you've got 12 minutes 39 seconds, then you'll want to take a look at John Kerry in action. No presidential debate necessary, no rehashing of whether he was more presidential than George Bush, no critiquing which of the two candidates was better or who won the last debate or who will be  more successful this Friday---just take a look at Kerry On Iraq . com.  I wonder if John Edward wishes he'd never said: "A long resume does not equal good judgment."   If that be the case, during the rest of the campaign, he'll have to refrain from talking about John Kerry's political experience and tenure in the United States Senate.  

October 6, 2004

  Timothy *did* arrive safely home last night and what a blessing to have him back with the family again.    Since  friends were here waiting for his return and as all the children/grandchildren were here, I imagine it was a bit overwhelming as he walked in the door!  He seemed to just want to hold his baby sister... "baby" is becoming a relative term as she is getting a bit heavy to hold and no longer possesses baby-like attributes.  I guess, though, she'll always be my baby---as will he. :0)   I'm sure it'll all be a bit of  overload for him as he integrates back into the mix and the carrying out of all the dailies here.
 

As we were preparing to leave for the airport to pick up Timothy, we looked out our door & saw a beautiful double rainbow.  This pic was taken a couple of minutes later.  It's times like these that I see the Hand of the LORD and His work in our lives.  He continually demonstrates His love... and this way is just one example.  He's used rainbows to confirm His love many times. A few pics... they're not real close and you can't see him all that well... But he's home!!

 

 

 

My mom left for Boston early this morning and following the short stay there, she and Aunt Martha (who Timothy had been staying with/worked for in California) will board the Holland America, ms Maasdam cruise liner for the New England, Bar Harbour to Montreal cruise.  and other travel destinations.  I talked to my mom late last night and I think she's just beside herself with the thrill of the upcoming plans!  This, for her, is one of those "once in a life-time" type trips as they're gong to see and stay at some really wonderful historic locations.

Be sure to look at the Seams Like Yesterday site... Laura's put up some beautiful pictures and has more things for expectant mothers and for babies.  The clothing she makes from original patterns is so carefully and well made.  It's a blessing to know her and to recommend her work.

In the News...  Of course it has to be said that the outcome of the debate last night between Dick Cheney and John Edwards puts a "freeze on the race till Friday" (another debate meeting between Bush and Kerry).  It's one of those situations, in my estimation, where the outcome was probably written yesterday afternoon... no need to watch what's really going on.  Just listen and try to sift through the spin---the newscasters are not reporting actual news most of the time anyway.
 
Seems the mountain has calmed down a bit... now it's sort of a wait and see deal as scientists downgraded the safety warning and lowered the expectation of the potential for a major eruption.  It can still be "monitored" at the  US Forest Service site.

 

October 5, 2004  This week's beginning to stack up pretty full!  In addition to all the dailies, the biggest event for our family is that Timothy's homecoming tonight! His plane is due to arrive at SeaTac at 7pm and we're sure hoping and praying he won't have too much trouble or delay if the mountain blows!  We're keeping our eye on Mount St. Helens and we occasionally check the "volcano cam" at the Johnston Ridge Observatory at the US Forest Service site (refreshes regularly) and find the info about the mountain pretty interesting.  I guess what's amazing to me is how quickly the twenty four years have passed by since the 1980 eruption

Then, in addition to regular schoolwork and family chores, I'm making a wedding cake for a Saturday morning wedding.  The cake will be three tiers of a couple of flavours---white and chocolate with chocolate mousse filling covered with a fondant icing and ivy trim.  It's such a privilege to be making this cake for her as I think of the little girl, now a bride!   The LORD has allowed much in this young woman's life and has worked in so many ways demonstrating His love and care for her.  It hasn't been all that long since her would-have-been-fiancée passed away and then to have the LORD provide her with this man to be her husband is a tremendous blessing to her and she is to him as well.   By the way... A couple of my favourite sites for cake prep and baking are baking911 and the wedding cake section at Pastrywiz.com

Later this week also, we'll go to the mother-daughter retreat out at Camp Gilead where we'll have a workshop---I need to get going on more planning for this.  I'm praying it will be a blessing to all the mothers and daughters attending.  It's always interesting to me the work the LORD does in people's lives at retreat---it's something about being away with time to think, time to pray and then to reflect on what the LORD is doing and make decisions how to proceed with His work. 

My mom leaves in the morning to fly back to Boston and then after a short stay there, to board Holland America, ms Maasdam cruise liner for the New England, Bar Harbour to Montreal cruise.  She's just ecstatic to share the cruise with Aunt Martha and then to do a bit of sightseeing by train to Niagara Falls and then will fly home to the Northwest.

October 4, 2004  Today is our daughter in law, Tara's, birthday.  After a visit to our grandparents yesterday afternoon, we mad a quick stop to pick up a cake and ice cream at Costco, and then on to Alfy's pizza, here in town to pick up some pizza for the very impromptu party.  We then celebrated with most all the family last night at their home. 

In the News...

It's always fascinating to me what's being said in the press and on the radio---slide the the tuner to the left or to the right just a smidge and the entire picture changes.  Read a liberal mag or a conservative internet site and the same thing occurs.  That's not new, and that's not all that scary---but what would be very scary would be to hear, see or read what's *really* going on, or perhaps scarier would be to have heard, seen, or read what really went on in events or conversations that are referenced today by candidates and world leaders.  My oldest boys were talking together last night and pondering the question: did the whole moon landing ever really happen??  Hmmm.  I sat there listening and wondered what other old conspiracies will they happen upon in the years ahead---what conversations we've had in recent years will be repeated in a decade and what conspiracies will be borne of today's events in our culture and world. 

Just a few of the interesting headlines for today... the polls show they're poles apart---and it's sure going to get thick in the few remaining weeks till the election!  Then, how about this one: Homeschool or Die---a real wowzer headline to share the potential for deadly terrorist attacks on public schools.  Or, how about this one... did Saddam have WMD or no... you've gotta really be bound and  determined to think happy thoughts concerning Saddam and the claims he had no wmd and that's just too far a stretch for me.  A friend sent a cnsnews.com link regarding what's likely the case concerning Saddam and wmd.    I think some might argue that the source is old and therefore perhaps less credible---but I'd tend to think that the situation regarding wmd's and whatever else Saddam was developing was not getting better or more friendly---I don't think for a moment that he was improving---improving destructive methods perhaps, but cleaning up his act or diminishing his resources---no.

Mount St. Helens is still releasing some steam and ash... thousands of people are gathered to see the spectacular... the spectacular... the spectacular... 

This, for my boys... So, the Mariners and fans of Edgar Martinez are saying so long to this great player.  His retirement has proven to be a momentous occasion here in the Northwest and throughout baseball.  Present and former teammates along with many other distinguished individuals lauded the player for his many contributions to the sport as well as many humanitarian efforts on his part.  In other Mariners' news, the [long awaited] decision to let go of Bob Melvin as has been made.  Mr. Melvin and his coaching staff are free to "pursue other opportunities."

October 2, 2004  An unforeseen aspect of hosting this website is the interaction I've/we've had with readers over the years.  In addition to the blessings, and the inspiration received, it's been a humbling privilege to hear the stories, be a part of lives and share some bits of encouragement.  You see, it's sort of been an opportunity to testify of the Goodness and Glory of the LORD; for we know that a witness tells of what God's done, what the Word says and seeks to share that encouragement with others.  More on later.

 

In the scheme of things, it probably matters very little what we do or don't do now, regarding the upcoming election.  It is interesting, however, that there is such a frenzy over the whole deal.  I'm pretty amazed at how much stock is put into the recent appearances by the candidates---it's as if their political decisions, their character, their ideology don't matter.   But those things *do* matter and people are likely going to see just how much they matter with the outcome of this election.

We are
counting the days until our
 Timothy  comes
home!!!


It's interesting to me that decisions are being made or votes will be cast based on how the candidate *looked* during the debate or how smooth the delivery of statements regardless how contradictory or contrived the message is.   If one were to *only* hear or listen to what's said on commercials or quotes in papers it would be easy to gravitate toward one side or the other.  But if one were to pay attention to all that's said, all that's done and what's *actually* taken place, the facts would clearly speak for themselves.  I always think one of the greatest national threats is NOT from without, it's from within and that great national threat is: *ignorance!*    I was considering this when listening to the presidential debate and hearing John Kerry declare the need for global test---this is so absurd its scary!  Imagine, our national security being subject to international approval or our national security decisions to first undergo the process of application or affirmation before proceeding with defense strategies.   Imagine the would-be angst of the framers of our Constitution were they to have heard the rhetoric of John Kerry.  The preamble to our Constitution begins: "We the people of the United States..."  It doesn't begin: We the people of the World.  It's preposterous to even imagine government---any government fully and completely subjecting themselves to authorities outside their borders.  There are already simple checks and balances, international treaties or resolutions under which countries of the world have declared compliance.   This is far different than gaining "permission" from countries to protect our own interests in matters of national security. 

 
In Thursday's vote on the measure to defend and define marriage, by a constitutional amendment, the Marriage Protection Amendment; marriage between one man and one woman, was defeated 227 (in favour) to186 (against).  You can see the political spin in the well known description: ban on gay marriage.  It's interesting to note that 20 reps did not vote---leaving one to wonder how they'd have voted and what the outcome would've been.  Additionally, it's noteworthy that the vote was bipartisan.  It's a bit disturbing that George Nethercutt was not present for the vote---as he is our "alternative" to Patty Murray in this state's Senate race.  Speaking of Patty Murray... it's interesting that this state voted for her many years ago as the "mom in tennis shoes" candidate and hailed her as one that represented the real people and yet now mock George Bush who acts/talks/looks like the "real people" of America. 

It's foolishness to not see through the rhetoric---marriage protection is not a ban on "gay marriage."   But an unfair ban on the recognition of some relationships or inequality to some citizens is what an amazingly small total percentage of Americans would have people to believe.

Marriage protection is an affirmation that marriage is worth preserving, worth defining, worth affirming and worth protecting.    It is further, a protection that future relationships outside that definition will not be recognized as equal to marriage nor protected as such.  This protection is becoming more necessary as our society plummets into the abyss of immorality.  This amendment would protect from legal protection that might now be given to people who want to be married to one or many people, same sex or not, animals, relatives, businesses, or whatever combination of any or all of these one might personally define as their "life-long mate(s)."  And playing to the emotions of people and calling the denying of such rights as meanspirited is just one tactic being employed by those who would seek to 'redefine' marriage.   It will not be surprising to watch the vulgar agenda advance its insatiable demands to accept the exploitation of children and ultimately prnography.   Marriage is worth fighting for---Marriage is worth defending and the future of our society and the strength of our nation is only as strong as the families that shape it. 

While the weather cools down, the days get shorter, and the leaves fall, we see a huge change in the scenery and local landscape.  One thing that's for certain... the weeds do take a break from the vigorous growth and success at completely engulfing our garden.

October  1, 2004  Just think of it... Ninety-Two days, and this year will be added to "years and times gone by" in our journals; the 2004 calendars and pages with the torn holes for hanging, will be replaced with 2005 calendars. In a month, we'll elect the President of the United States.  Four more weeks of black and orange, ugly things, and other satanic displays.  This is the first of October---a month I attempt to avoid all stores if possible---well, except Costco.

On the political front, things are really heating up here in Washington in the race for US Senate!  Seems Patty Murray's own words are coming back to haunt her and I'll bet she'd give anything about now to have eliminated from every source, her words of *seeming* praise for Osama bin Laden.

I wonder how many law-makers will regret the day they voted to *not* support the marriage amendment and they rejected the ban on so called "gay-marriage" in the US.  The measure was defeated 227-186, falling short of the 2/3 majority needed to pass.    At Bartleby.com, The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition 2002, defines pornography as, "Books, photographs, magazines, art, or music designed to excite sexual impulses and considered by public authorities or public opinion as in violation of accepted standards of sexual morality.  American courts have not yet settled on a satisfactory definition of what constitutes pornographic material."  So then, homosexuality would  be the extreme of pornography; and the homosexual agenda pushes full steam ahead.  Part of the agenda, it appears, is the desensitizing of morals, behaviours and the "accepted standards" mentioned above.  When this desensitization flourishes and accomplishes its goal, our once great nation will go the way of all other fallen nations.  Depravity and moral corruption can be seen at the heart of the decay.   How I pray the families of this nation will turn their hearts to the LORD and worship Him in Spirit and in Truth.  O God, we pray---save this nation, that Your Name be Magnified in all the earth.

The first of the presidential debates is over and predictably, both sides are claiming victory!  It's interesting that there is such a focus on who *won* the debate... or who was the "better" of the two.  What matters is not necessarily what went down last night, although that was a measure, what matters is who is *doing* what, and who is *saying* what and what is their *track-record* over the long haul. 

Everyone had fun around the computer... chatting with Timothy
on IM.  We all continue to miss Timothy---waiting for him to
come home in a week.  We missed Michael on his birthday. 

  Our daughter-in-law, Tara, has just five more weeks until her third baby is due to be born!  We're all very very anxiousespecially, Tara.
 

 

Prayer requests? please write us, we'll gladly post them in Prayers & Praise.
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  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; they are my legacy. 

a special movie

In memory  Kathryn Lindström ~ please support the Susan G Komen foundation

These are a few of the Current Places we regularly visit on the Net!
The Drudge Report... ♥Judicial Forum  ♥ seank's Blog  eBay
 
Rebekah Wilson, The Hope Chest: A Legacy of Love) ---much for which to thank her!
Azure Standard Bulk & Natural Foods   Ray Comfort's Monthly Column
 Roger Bennett of Legacy-5: An incredible journey to health.
 
Here you go, if you want to add some pizazz to your Instant Messenger---it's FUN!

 
 

 

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