Whoa, 2008! ! !

I am doing my best to keep this month from going by too fast. If I could stop the clock every few hours it would make me feel better. Already it seems the calendar is filling up with extra curricular activities. Go to bed, get up, get going, miss lunch, hurry home for dinner, go to bed again...and that is how it goes. Every year I try to make a tryst with myself to enjoy each day and make memories at as much as I can, and with those that are so important to me. So now that I'm a week almost past the starting line of this holiday season, I'm sensing that it's going to have to be a conscious effort on my part to make this happen. I don't want to find that I've "squeezed" in so much that I don't remember it all. It's true you know, the older we get the faster time goes by. Here I am the mother of 25 yr & 22 yr old daughters, and a soon to be 19 yr old son. How did that happen? I watch all the "babies" whose births were eagerly anticipated these past few years and they have grown so fast. Maybe if we just wouldn't get older as they grow, all of this would be more palatable.
So have you been through a Costco or Sam's Club yet? Or maybe a Home Goods Store? __???__ is closer than we want to think. Would you remind me to not get bogged down in all the goings and comings, but rather enjoying the moments? I love the change in the weather, the rainy days, the clear, crisp blue sky days that bring out the sweaters and make your nose run. The snow on the mountains, and pomogranets on my tree...They are so pretty. Well, till next time remember that I'm thankful for each one of you.

On with life.

I'm going to spare you and instead share with you something my sis-in-law wrote yesterday. I can't possibly improve on what she said, but will leave a verse with you that fits me well.

Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.” Deut. 31:8
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It has been said that "fear is nurtured by ignorance."
When we do not know the true God, we assume He is like ourselves and that alone is a terrifying thought. When we do not know the true God, we reduce Him to a mere mortal. And so our minds make our fears bigger than they really are and, sadly, bigger than He is.

The election is now over and the results are in. I am certainly disappointed in the outcome, but life will go on. This is not the first time that God has given to His people what they "wanted" in spite of the harm He knew it would bring them. Call it heavenly "tough love". It may not be easy (is anything these days?) , but God has a plan and His will regarding the world and the lives of those who inhabit it will prevail. If Elijah could serve God during the reign of Ahab, and Paul could serve Christ during the time of Nero, then we can still serve God no matter who is in the White House. Life in the U.S.A. may be more challenging for christians during the days ahead. But challenge puts things in perspective. It provides an environment that reveals what we really believe. And that is not a bad thing.

Don't let this opportunity pass you by...

Here we are just a few short hours away from playing a part in our country's continued journey for freedom. To exercise that freedom with responsibility according to the truth of God's Word is something that many people have given both life and limb for. I have been taken back by quite a few individuals who, even though they have this right, are refusing the responsibility they have to vote their conscience. They use the excuse that they don't like either candidate, and that they are confused about the propositions presented. My answer to each one is that #1. Not voting is giving away your vote #2. There has been enough time and information to research for ourselves to find which leaders to follow #3. In my opinion I have come to the conclusion that there are only two leading issues that have been "socially" clouded, but must be protected according to my faith and God's Word. They are Protecting the Unborn and Protecting the Sacrament of Marriage between a man and a woman. I am a simple woman with a simple mind, and have heard every possible argument for both of these issues from those that don't feel the need to protect what God has authored from creation. I will state my case with this comment. To protect a woman's right to her own body that she has already surrendered by making the choice to have sex, takes away her option to make another choice for another life. I know many will say that rape or incest should be a factor, however, the old adage that "two wrongs don't make a right," still holds. There are other options, i.e. adoption. Secondly, if two same-gendered individuals want to live together, that is completely up to them. I don't have to agree with it, but I don't believe that they should have more rights than a man and a woman in a traditional marriage. To teach our children anything without parental permission takes away and waters down the family unit as it was intended. Do I use the scripture as my basis for these beliefs. Absolutely! There are few things left in life that are deemed "Sacred." One is LIFE and the other is MARRIAGE. Forgetting these two basic and foundational truths underminds all our country and it's founding fathers were inspired by at its' inception. The inerrant Word of God clearly shows that veering from this foundational system only brings us closer to the destruction of our country as we know it, our families and the health therein, and our strength as individuals. We have wasted away to be all about ourselves and have become so watered down in every aspect of our lives that we don't even stand out as a people anymore. We have all turned inward due to our lack of character, integrity, work ethic, and tolerance. Probably the one thing that made up my mind about Mr. Obama was when he refused to wear a lapel pin of the American flag and said that, "he didn't want others to think that by wearing the flag, he was taking sides." We've lost our edge, our strength, our values my friends. We have become weak and think that in the name of tolerance, others will respect us. I encourage each of you to pray for this country and it's leaders. Then also, we must pray for ourselves to have the wisdom to see what is the Truth. "If my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray, and turn from their wicked ways. Then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sins and heal their land."

A few "Idiot"-syncrosies and other things!

I am a huge proponent to having my "things" work! That would be cars, appliances, lights, my playlist...and I can't stand things that squeak or rattle, oh, and the endless dribble of talk radio. It bugs me that there are people that literally make a good living at nothing more than debating every issue known to man. There you go, now you know something you didn't about me, and were probably better off without.
OK, so let's be normal now, Bonnie.
We had a fantastically successful Trunk or Treat extavaganza lastnight in our office parking lot. Families came from all over, many returning from prior years. We made sure there was plenty to do for ages 2-4, and I don't even know how many little girls fingernails I painted in our Girlie Booth. Five on each hand times ???. I loved it! Super slides, bounce houses, mini-car races, mazes, etc. Can't even begin to guess how many were there, but it was a boatload. The previous years we were able to guesstimate the numbers by counting the food bought and sold. This year we asked the little drive thru mexican resturant next door, to make a special menu, which they did, and the only food we had was cupcakes (for the walk,) and popcorn. So much easier, less messy, and gave more hands to man all the game booths and rides, as well as added revenue for the resturant. It sprinkled the day of and the night before, but lastnight it was perfect. Not too cold, people were very relaxed and fun was had by all. Being able to do things for our community is very gratifying and good for our businesses as well.
Hope you had some fun with your family(s). Now we have to hold on to our hats as we race towards Thanksgiving and Christmas. I look forward to hearing about all of your holiday plans. If you have any special ideas, or recipes, please share the wealth....and remember how much God loves YOU.

p.s. Music is back up...yeah!