Bumbo & Bumbo II

Adorable!

Wish I could figure out how to embed them for you...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5dPMtuZsCw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRqMzSJMi64

Notes to Self ~ 6/30/07

I studied "Experiencing God" with a small women's group once and it got me the habit, at least for a while, of writing down the things God was speaking to my heart and then re-visiting them after a set amount of time. The messages He was sending were clearer than I thought they would be.

I think this blog will enable me to do the same. It is helpful to learn from our own patterns.

This morning I had coffee with Robert. I love hanging out with Robert - he's so comfy to be around. He's a sweetheart. He seems to brighten up and have a good time around me too. I pray the Lord continues to strengthen him and build him up, one day at a time, toward the goals he has called him to in this life. Robert has survived cancer and lost his mother and lost over 100 lbs in his short life. He has been through much. Now he counsels addicts over the phone. He's a wonderfully caring person, and I am blessed to know him. I am grateful the way the Lord has done so much clarifying work in him in the last year or so to get him where he's at today.

Next I went to Dottie and Linc's and spent some QT chatting with them. How adorable are they? The squirrels constantly eating out of their birdfeeder, the kitty hiding in the closet, their onslaught of medical issues..God bless them. I was thinking how blessed they are to have each other - it will be 60 years soon, by God's grace. Linc's first question to me is always, "How's Dad?" He loves my father very much and I am grateful for their friendship. I'm glad my dad has a few men in his life his father's age that he can have fellowship with. It is truly a blessing, once one's own parents pass away or if one never enjoyed a bond with a parent to have spiritual parents. God is good to provide these things. I have been provided a cloud of witnesses to serve as "relatives in Christ" over the years. What a gift to me!

Speaking of gifts, I gave myself the birthday present of a Tea Tree Pedicure at ONI salon this afternoon. Picture this...aromatherapy...massage chair...silly gossip magazines...fresh cold water...spa for my feet...tea tree massage by this very gentle young Asian guy...ahh...I almost fell asleep! *BIGSIGH* So now my toes are gorgeously shaped and vehemently red and I feel great. Happy Birthday to ME!

I came home, did some dishes and clean up then fed the kitties a treat on the back porch. Funny - Gummi's in here on the living room carpet now. (Fancy that, he prefers my company to a sunny porch! Ah, I am so blessed.) I did some praise singing to the Lord and He directed me to Psalm 93. (1993 - the year I graduated High School, btw.)

I was struck by verse 1b which reads, "The world is firmly established; it can not be moved." I oft wondered what would happen if the earth were suddenly swung out of orbit and drifted off into the cosmos - we would all instantly die - no atmosphere - or what if everything in the universe just suddenly dropped from its hold and spun out of control? Ah, those random, strange fearful thoughts of a child. (I was plagued by "What ifs" when I was a child!) Interestingly enough, the world is spinning - but it is in God's control - at all times. It can not be moved. Some might interpret this verse as "the ways of the world," but I prefer the geological meaning - the physical meaning - in this context. It makes the song true to me, "He's got the whole world in His hands." I am safe in my Heavenly Father's arms always. Perfect love like His casts out all fear - He ever reminds me.

Oh yeah, hehe - forgot to mention that I awoke this morning to my wedding song, "Pachelbel's Canon in D" on the radio. Ally and I had a laugh over it. While I don't believe in coincidence, I'm not sure I want to read too much into the significance of awakening to this beautiful song. It sure started me off on a happy note though.

Babysitting Zane and Oscar tonight and I can't wait. It was sure challenging last time, but I think Oscar's getting out of "fetus" mode and ready to be a baby boy with us shortly. Hope we can play the nose game again tonight. "This is my nose...*pat*...and this is your nose...*pat*!) I love that game.

Well, one day, I pray, I won't have to live vicariously through my friends. :) May it all be to God's glory.

Notes to Self ~ 6/29/07

So, I thought I'd write down some observations from the day...

On the way out of work today, I saw an area of the street where I work sectioned off by police tape. As I moved further up the street toward my bus stop I began to see police lights and police officers. There was a large Coke truck parked by the side of the road with a parking ticket on it and there were police men working in the road on something hidden by a strategically placed police car. There was a large black shield blocking the ground and I saw a gurney.

Someone said someone died. There were several unmarked cars within the surrounded area. I couldn't tell if someone had gotten runover. I thought of the oft drunk homeless man that usually hangs out in the entry way on the side of the street I was walking. I haven't been able to find any information online about it.

As I looked out the bus window on the way home, my co-worker and I saw a policeman start to roll up a black tarp. I think it was used to cover the deceased. Very shocking and very sad. There weren't too many onlookers, but I have to imagine they were there quite a while working on getting things straight. Ever reminds you that when it's your time, it's your time and that's the end of the story.

God bless his or her family, if there are any.

At ESL tonight my pastor conducted a conversation class on why he likes books. He read a lovely children's story called, "Marigold and the Dragon." It was very cute; his favorite from when he was a boy. He then pulled out his bright red, gold-embossed version of The Lord of the Rings and shared that this book was his favorite when he was a young man. He spoke about how he and his wife read the book to his four sons when they were children. They all became very engrossed in the story together, as a family. What a great bonding time for them. So different than just watching a TV show or even a movie together.

Instantly my biological clock went off. What books would I read to my children? Oh yeah, I don't have any. (You're invited to my pity party!) I'd read The Little House on the Prairie series with my girl(s), for sure. Maybe the boys, if they were into it. It reminds me now of reading The Wind in the Willows with my mom when I was younger. We never finished it. We did have favorite movies together though; The Swiss Family Robinson was our family favorite. I'm not sure how many times we rented it; at least enough times so that we would have saved if we had just bought a copy.

Then there was a copy of Top Gun that we "borrowed" (for ten years!) from the Hinds family. My brother and I watched that, (and "Road House") a zillion times.

Which brings me back to the beginning of my day, when I started it off with an early morning phone call to Jene to wish her a very happy birthday this 29th of June. I got to talk to Aidan on the phone; he gave me kisses and said "Hi" and "Byebye" - the clock didn't go off until later today though. I'm sure it was just waiting for another trigger.

Happy 32nd Birthday, Jene Marie K., and Happy 38th Anniversary, Mom and Dad!

Behavior That Builds Up Right Relationship

THE HEART VIRTUES — courage, self-control, justice, prudence (wisdom) — give love its walking legs and feet. We can describe, sometimes even legislate, what their behavior looks like. Without these virtues, love as either emotion or intention probably will prove ineffectual. We rightly expect from each other a pattern of behavior that builds up right relationship rather than trespassing against it.
- Robert Corin Morris, Provocative Grace

From page 34 of Provocative Grace: The Challenge in Jesus’ Words by Robert Corin Morris. Copyright © 2006 by Robert Corin Morris. Published by Upper Room Books. All Rights Reserved.

True New Testament Faith

From: Grudem's "Systematic Theology" - italics his, underline mine

"...we may now appreciate that when a person comes to trust in Christ, all three elements must be present. There must be some basic knowledge or understanding of the facts of the gospel. There must also be approval of, or agreement with, these facts. Such agreement includes a conviction that the facts spoken of the gospel are true, especially the fact that I am a sinner in need of salvation and that Christ alone has paid the penalty for my sin and offers salvation to me. It also includes an awareness that I need to trust in Christ for salvation and that he is the only way to God, and the only means provided for my salvation. This approval of the facts of the gospel will also involve a desire to be saved through Christ. But all this still does not add up to true saving faith. That comes only when I make a decision of my will to depend on, or put my trust in, Christ as my Savior. This personal decision to place my trust in Christ is something done with my heart, the central faculty of my entire being that makes commitments for me as a whole person."

The Star Spangled Banner (All of it.)

In preparing materials for my ESL class, I came across the complete version of our National Anthem, all four verses of it.

Seems as though we've lost something of the passions listed therein. These days it seems a "social crime" to be patriotic and God-fearing, except on 7/4.

Well, happy early 4th of July! Enjoy!

The Star Spangled Banner

Oh, say can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, now conceals, now discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines on the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner! O long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has wiped out their foul footstep's pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven-rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, for our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner forever shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!


Historical Notes on the Birth of our National Anthem

The Star Spangled Banner, the National Anthem of the United States of America, is a poem inspired by the Battle of Baltimore, fought September 12-14, 1814.

During the British campaign against Washington, D.C., an elderly and respected physician, Dr. William Beanes was arrested for unfriendly acts toward British soldiers. Francis Scott Key, a prominent lawyer and friend of Dr. Beanes was sent by President James Madison to obtain his release.

Following negotiations, the British agreed to release Beanes; however, since the British were next going to attack Baltimore, Maryland, they would allow no one ashore. The British made land on September 12th and engaged in a brisk land battle; however, they were not able to capture Baltimore. As part of their two-pronged attack, the British sent their naval fleet to attack and destroy the port city. The main defense of Baltimore Harbor was Fort McHenry. For 25 hours, the British fleet fired rockets and bombs at the fort. The fort's defenders bravely withstood the bombardment and did not surrender. When the British realized they could not take the city without paying for it with heavy casualties, they departed.

During the bombardment, Key, watching down river, was inspired to write a poem telling the story of the battle he witnessed. Thus it was the valiant defense of Fort McHenry by American forces during the British attack on September 13, 1814 that inspired the 35-year old poet-lawyer Francis Scott Key to write the poem which was to become our national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner."

When Key reached Baltimore, he finished the poem, written to match the meter of the English song, "To Anacreon in Heaven." The song slowly grew in popularity and was well-known and used by both the North and South during the Civil war. In later years, it was very popular with the military and was used as an "unofficial" national anthem. During World War I, the song became so widely accepted that a drive resulted in Congress making it the National Anthem in 1931.

~Adapted from http://www.twilightbridge.com/

"10 tips for women with an itch to lead"

This is an article I read the other day in the "Administrative Professional" newsletter handed out by my company, along with some of my personal commentary, in italics. Enjoy! (Or comment back!)

"10 tips for women with an itch to lead"

Having become acclimated to encouraging male leadership in most arenas, as a conservative Christian woman, this article immediately set off my sensors! Please take into account this perspective as you read!

"IF YOU'VE EVER aspired to be in the corner office, here's the lowdown from women leaders who have risen to the top and seen it all:"

Hopefully you aspire to more than an office. I am dubious as to whether these women have really 'seen it all' - I'd like that qualified.

"1. Be competitive. You have to want to win, and you have to act on that desire. No need to be nice."

I don't know about you ladies, but I don't want *anything* enough not to be nice. Besides, I don't think these things are mutually exclusive. Some of the nicest people are our biggest successes. (I always think of the Jordan's Furniture brothers.) Also, I'm not too sure I'd want the regret of knowing I'd stepped on people to 'get where I got' either. Reminds me of a song...'I did it my way!'

"2. Don't sweat friendships. It's not about being liked. It's about being valued and delivering results. Friendship may come, or not."

I don't think this is wise relational economics. It is certainly the wisdom of what Pastor Seth would call 'the sharks of this world.' In the workplace, it's all in who you know. Friendships can be your greatest asset when you're out there networking, too. No one I know would recommend anyone who wasn't nice or wasn't a good friend, although you can't always rely on *just* those assets, of course.

"3. Defend yourself. Protect the interests of your clan. Think of Nancy Pelosi back in a Republican-controlled Congress."

Ok, I admit I had to go to Wikipedia to look up Nancy Pelosi. She's the democratic new Speaker of the House of Representatives. I'm not sure if 'defend' is the word I'd use here - seems like a defense is the result of an assumed offense. I wouldn't assume an offense anywhere. I'd merely say, 'Have a voice and be heard, where appropriate.' Assuming an offense is not helpful.

"4. Trust your gut. Consider what the naysayers are putting out. Then move forward anyway."

Yeah, no. Trust your God and trust those that know you well enough to ask the hard questions and speak the hard truths into your life. Yes, consider the source of all feedback - positive and negative. Don't move forward 'anyway' - move forward with caution! Do take ownership over your actions - they are yours.

"5. Radiate confidence. Present yourself as in control and happy, says Oscar-winning film producer Cathy Schulman."

Ew. Have you ever met someone you knew was fake like that? Real turn off, right? Exactly. I'd rather meet someone real. If you are praying in the Spirit at all times, you'll have every reason to be in control and happy. Radiate the love of the Lord, and you will draw the right people and situations. Don't question God!

"6. Wrap yourself around success. Dismiss fear and anxiety. Make decisions using your best judgments."

I don't know anyone who can do this. I'll leave you with scripture on that. Click on these for the verses that apply. Cast your anxiety on the Lord who cares for you. Only fools trust in themselves. Success is a worthless idol.

"7. Help other women. Otherwise, they won't feel good about you or you won't feel good about yourself. 'Create communities of support,' Schulman says."

Seemed like a glimmer of hope here for this article, but no. Help other women for selfish gain? And there are no instructions given on how to do this either. Just 'helping other women' isn't going to create community. This takes time, effort, give, and take. Community is for community's sake, not for leadership - that's what cults do. I don't think you want a cult of personality or to have a Paris Hilton-esque following. This seems to suggest being selective too about who you interact with. I'd rather let God bring people into my life than try to create my own universe. That's just plain psychotic unreality. God knows best and His purposes are good.

Meanwhile, hope you clicked on the Schulman link. This woman's claim to fame is one Academy Award for one movie I never heard of. So wait, why are we following her career and life instructions?

"8. Hold out for good money. It's not 'filthy lucre.' Men decide on their futures considering the bottom line. You should, too."

Oh my, this one is frought with errors. Few modern women would kill themselves just for money's sake, but would they kill others or kill the plans of God for it? Hold out for what God has for you. Where God is calling you is first - you may not understand why, but you must be obedient to His voice. If you are needed in a particular field, you must go to it! And secularly speaking, while financial concerns are concerning, there are so many other practical concerns to consider. Benefits, location, upward mobility, environment, community, workload, reputation, co-workers, and daily responsibilities/routines should all be considered. Ugh. Since when do you make a decision based on 'what men do'? Are they you? Are they happy? Are they godly? Who are your role models? So yeah! What would Jesus do? You can't serve Him and money anyway.

"9. Make mistakes. Give it your best shot. Take the plunge. Don't obsess."

How about, 'Do your best to avoid mistakes, and if you make one, or someone else makes one, show grace!' The best advice in this column is here - 'Don't obsess.' Agreed. This is not helpful. But, if you do find yourself with nagging feelings, pay attention to them! It could be the Holy Spirit talking to you. You should write down what you've been thinking and talk it over with someone you trust who will give you godly feedback. I find I never know what I truly think until I write it down.

"10. Solve problems. If something on Schulman's desk seems articularly dicey, she goes after that thing first. Big problems, she notes, are your best opportunities."

I think this is more like, 'Be pro-active,' and 'Don't procrastinate.' Break it down into smaller steps and don't be afraid to ask for help. Keep everything in prayer. Avoiding issues is not godly behavior, for sure.

If you are feeling an 'itch to lead,' consider the source. Examine your motivation. Is it because 'everybody's doing it wrong?' How can you help from where you are? Is it because you're feeling undervalued? Maybe you overestimate your worth and are being a little needy - or maybe you're not doing enough. These are real, hard things that may be true. Don't feel like you need to jump in and take over - you may insult existing leadership. Your best chance at promotion is when you jump in alongside at exisiting leadership and help out. You will be more valued and more cherished that way. A husband does not need his wife to 'wear the pants,' anymore than his wife needs her twelve-year-old to assume parenting duties. Keep it in godly perspective and keep your God-given place. You glorify yourself in a godly way when you do that, and you certainly glorify God.

Pleh! After reading this - to get to that pretty little corner office - I have to live and 'lead' such an empty, dry, existance such as that? Forget it!

At the end of the day, consider the very, very bottom line. When it's all said and done sisters, consider wise Solomon's biblical words: Toil is Meaningless.

First Post

At last, my own blogging space!

I've been using Facebook to share some great thoughts (of others) and my own thoughts, but I think this will open things up a bit.

Well, me, enjoy!

(Happy Birthday!)