Friday after Thanksgiving traditions

Before I begin, let me apologize for being so far behind in my blogging. I feel like a traitor since any spare time I have, I tend to be "nosey" and check up on everyone on Facebook. I'll try to catch this blog up during the next couple of weeks.

On the Friday after Thanksgiving, we always put our Christmas tree up. That night we have cheese ball with crackers, special sausage from Hickory Farms, some chocolate covered "whatever" that we've made and homemade punch. While eating, we put on the ornaments, eat some more, decorate, eat some more, decorate, eat some more...think you get the picture!

These are some of our favorite ornaments because a special lady at our church, Emily Bolt, made these for us. Each year, we anticipate her creative, personalized ornaments. She certainly has a gift that I would love to have!! Maybe one day, she will teach me and the girls how to do these.

Thanksgiving Day

Paula was kind enough to spend most of her afternoon shooting family pictures for us. You'll soon see on our Christmas card what a great job she did!

The Bat Burger

A few random bites of a burger resulted in the "Bat Signal" roaming through our home. I'm sure you can guess who was eating it...you guessed it...LUKE! (of course, Katie was the one to think of actually taking a picture of it--those two are always up to something!).

Like the World

I emailed a friend back this morning in response to the election last night and decided that I would share my struggles with any of you that care to read them today. I am sure there are many struggling today--but our hope is in OUR King--the King of Kings!!

No, we didn't stay up. We watched until about 9:45 and I thought my time would better be used sleeping so that I would be able to get up and have a quiet time. Little did I know how easy it is to get up and have a quiet time when you desperately NEED the Lord!! I am sure that my priorities will be much clearer for the next four years.

I flipped the TV on just to make sure that he became president because I kept dreaming that the networks kept coming back on saying,"we were wrong again, another state has been taken from Obama and awarded to McCain". it seemed so real, but I knew in my heart when I awoke that would not be the truth. Anyway, I saw where he and his wife and kids walked out on that enormous stage (not sure where Biden was). I turned the TV off and just began to sob. Sob not because he won, but because of how many Christians had to have voted for him in order for him to win--they HAD to!! It breaks my heart that people can not see how vile he is in his stand on abortion!! How on earth does God put up with us!?!? Anyway, as I sat there Micah 6:8 came to mind about what God requires: to act justly, love mercy and walk HUMBLY with Him. So I turned there and began reading Micah 6 and 7--wow! God's judgment on the nation of Israel for turning to pagan gods and idol worship!! He said that His judgment has come and they will be destroyed, BUT the remnant will remain and He will bless them and they will come through. We talked about it at breakfast this morning how Christians are watching the same movies as the world, listening to the same music, dressing immodestly like the world, having sex outside of marriage-like the world, divorcing-like the world,cussing-like the world, taking His name in vain on a daily basis-like the world, doing things THEIR way- like the world and not the Lord's--how COULD He leave us going down this road?? Where is the holiness of His people? Because He loves us--He HAS to discipline us, not as a nation, but as believers that call Him Lord, supposedly. May He grant us strength to endure these difficult days ahead that we may be found faithful, bold, and not lose faith!! Be found stronger because we know that our faith will be tested.

Well enough rambling for today. Go to someone else's blog--I'm sure it will have the same topic today. I need to remember Jesus said we are to be IN the world, but not OF the world.

Always learnin' somethin'

I had a Continuing Ed class all day yesterday and learned a new saying that might challenge you as much as it did me:

Change the way you look at things and the things you look at will change!

Not that brilliant, I know. But challenging...it is.

One more plea

Ok, if you read my last entry, I said I would stop preaching today. But...I was sitting in the car waiting for Luke to get out of co-op and heard Focus on the Family broadcast for today. Amazing facts were being disclosed about Barack Obama's political history and support of abortion and beyond. I know that there are many young people planning to vote for this man, but my question is "Aren't you glad your mother did not believe in abortion?"

Here is the link if you would like to read the article yourself. It is quite lengthy, but such good information:

http://www.citizenlink.org/dailybroadcast/A000008504.cfm

Unfortunately, you'll have to copy and paste this if you care to read it. Blogger won't let me add it as a link--that's the kind of Monday I'm havin' I guess.

Another Civil War?

We watched Sarah Palin on TV. Wish we could have seen her in person. My sister got to be there, so I can't wait to see her pictures soon. She said that she could tell that she was surrounded by people that believe in life and support Christian values. I believe Christian values are playing a VERY big role in this election--so much so--that I believe that is is not so much about republicans vs. democrats as it is those who love the Lord and those who despise Him. Quite a spiritual "civil war" going on--wonder how it will divide the country next Tuesday???By the way, sanctity of life is not just about the unborn and handicapped--it is also about the elderly and valuing them until their last day and considering their wisdom a gift, not considering them a burden on society. Gene and I met with a gentleman last night about some long-term health care insurance--nursing home and assisted living, etc. We're not planning to buy it, but it made me think about all those folks in those places desiring to be loved, cared for and valued! How sad to think that you spent your whole life loving and nurturing other people just so that in the end they can be left like that. I am sick of people saying that this is a racial issue for this election. It isn't a racial issue--it's a LIFE or death issue. There are many black men that I would vote for if they were running for president--J.C. Watts, Alan Keyes, etc--but unfortunately, McCain and Obama are our choices and I choose life!! Sorry for the preaching today, I just plead with you all to get out and vote next Tuesday. Choose life that you may live.

One more thing, then I'll be quite for the day:
Don't believe the polls or the media!!
Psalm 20:7 says: "Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the Lord our God!"
Plead with God to show mercy (undeserved favor) to our nation. And trust Him with the results. I know that He is the Sovereign One and will still be The One in control regardless of whom He allows in the White House.