Amazing grace! (how sweet the sound)
That sav’d a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears reliev’d;
How precious did that grace appear,
The hour I first believ’d!
Thro’ many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promis’d good to me,
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.
Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease;
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who call’d me here below,
Will be forever mine.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
LAUS DEO
I was curious about The Black Robe Regiment that Glenn Beck mentioned. These men and women were hesitant to join Glen Beck, a known Mormon. They assembled, and heard Glen say that Glen believes Jesus Christ is his Savior, and the atonement of Jesus. They admitted that the Lord came to each of them to do this---but, James Robinson said, the Lord had to use a Mormon. One backed out because he was afraid he'd lose half his congregation.
These are taking a stand against the perversion of the gospel. They are taking a stand against the social gospel.
Sad to hear that the Marines turned Beck down. He wanted them to present the colors. Sad to hear that the park service rescended their security, so Beck had to pay for it himself. But, God provided the funds. And via small donations.
Glen Beck says his rally is about turning back to God. Not about him.
The stories of how the conservatives, patriotic folks assembled and cared for each other, and helped each other, and picked up after each other... by their fruit...
We watched the rally via facebook on Saturday, and then again via c-span on Sunday afternoon. Good stuff. So wonderful to hear Jesus proclaimed, and His Resurrection talked about, and the emphasis on spiritual revivial. Restoring Honor. Honoring the troops. Getting the stories out there, of Marcus Lutrell, and true heros. The importance of teaching our children.
FAITH HOPE CHARITY
LOVE
That the leaders, speakers, black and white, needed security.
The fact that God is moving. God can even use a Mormon.
Your Will Be Done.
It was so encouraging, uplifting, and positive.
These are taking a stand against the perversion of the gospel. They are taking a stand against the social gospel.
Sad to hear that the Marines turned Beck down. He wanted them to present the colors. Sad to hear that the park service rescended their security, so Beck had to pay for it himself. But, God provided the funds. And via small donations.
Glen Beck says his rally is about turning back to God. Not about him.
The stories of how the conservatives, patriotic folks assembled and cared for each other, and helped each other, and picked up after each other... by their fruit...
We watched the rally via facebook on Saturday, and then again via c-span on Sunday afternoon. Good stuff. So wonderful to hear Jesus proclaimed, and His Resurrection talked about, and the emphasis on spiritual revivial. Restoring Honor. Honoring the troops. Getting the stories out there, of Marcus Lutrell, and true heros. The importance of teaching our children.
FAITH HOPE CHARITY
LOVE
That the leaders, speakers, black and white, needed security.
The fact that God is moving. God can even use a Mormon.
Your Will Be Done.
It was so encouraging, uplifting, and positive.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Pondering
Taking your child to college and dropping them off is a momentous exercise. With our firstborn, it involved helping him pack up his little Toyota pick up truck. And with each semester sometimes there was the van full of stuff. I remember he got very good at roping town the tarp, and packing his stuff.
With middle son, going to college in town meant dropping him off a few times for ROTC activities so that he did not have to leave his truck unattended on the college parking lot. And waiting for the Sunday afternoon phone call to pick him up. And packing and hauling to his post college camps and schools.
Our youngest moved out over three years ago. But, decided that now is the best time to go back to college and take a year long electricians course south of us, exactly 92 miles away. The brochures promised a dresser, bed and desk, so he packed mostly clothing, and the rest of the stuff into our back yard little house for storage, but after the first trip we realized he did indeed need a desk, and dresser and so he hauled some stuff out of storage, and packed the minivan and we drove back down on the same day. It is a beautiful drive. Just an hour and a half or so. I enjoyed the nice, clear horizon, and these flocks of white birds---doves? Flying in Vs---but too small to be ducks. There are spots on I-35 where the speed limit is 65 and most is 70 mph. A few crazy drivers, and lots of semi trucks as this is the route to Mexico. Corn was being harvested. And a small plane was dusting a cotton field. I always mistake a cotton field for soy beans until the white bowls of cotton appear. Same plant height and rows.
The dorm type apartments are remodelled gutted between classes, I suspect, as huge disposal containers sit in the parking lots. Ben's quad apartment had new carpet, and as I stepped near the door, my sandals snagged a piece of broken glass. I thought I'd stepped on a roofing nail. But, Ben pulled out the glass and cleaned my foot, and put on the bandaid from my bandaid stash in my purse. So, will that be my memory of dropping him off at college? Hauling stuff, and stepping on a piece of glass, and him cleaning my foot? After the second trip, we went to Walmart and stocked his frig. Not sure if the chow hall is open on the weekends. And I met his one roommate so far, David from Luling, Texas. We went to Cracker Barrel, as Ben likes their Friday catfish special. Guys are not very talkative---I always envy moms of girls at this point. But, from experience, I know that sons marry beautiful ladies who do talk... So, there are no tears goodbye. Instead, I will see him next Friday when he comes to our city to go to the doctor. Being a full time student means we can put him back on our insurance and get some surgeries taken care of. I have been itching to call him all day. Wondering of the other two roommates showed. Wondering if he got all organized. Wondering if he found where his classes are. What fun tools and books? The college sits on an old Air Force Base. We drove out the back on our way to Walmart and saw that half the old houses are boarded up. Enough places to remodel to keep a remodelling class busy. I wonder if his electricians class will do the actual wiring.
Our last "baby" in college. A very grown up young man used to being on his own. Someday, we pray he finds a good Christin woman and has a family like his brothers with cute little babies, and then sends them to college. Especially since college is needed to support a family with a good job with a good insurance program.
We watched Glenn Beck's rally in DC on the Mall via facebook today. C-span covered it too. It gave me such hope because it was highlighting a spiritual revivial--only by turning our eyes to God, and repenting, and following Christ will this country turn around and undo, and get out of debt that we have saddled our grandchildren with. Only God can heal our nation. Only God. It made me cry to hear Jesus talked about on the Mall in DC. wow. It was refreshing. And right. And there was no anger nor signs nor ignoring the millions gathered. The press will try to slant it and denigrate it, but we learned again about the wonderful, truthful words our forefathers spoke, and wrote and engraved on the monuments. Glory to God. Our Creator, Saviour, Redeemer, and Ruler of the nations. God rules the nations. God designed a plan of nations. Nations that respect, love, help, and reflect Biblical principles.
I want to remember, too, how my son led the prayer over our food at Cracker Barrel. Usually, Bob does it, but since it was Ben and his new roommate and I, Ben initiated it. Made this old mom's heart swell with gratitude.
With middle son, going to college in town meant dropping him off a few times for ROTC activities so that he did not have to leave his truck unattended on the college parking lot. And waiting for the Sunday afternoon phone call to pick him up. And packing and hauling to his post college camps and schools.
Our youngest moved out over three years ago. But, decided that now is the best time to go back to college and take a year long electricians course south of us, exactly 92 miles away. The brochures promised a dresser, bed and desk, so he packed mostly clothing, and the rest of the stuff into our back yard little house for storage, but after the first trip we realized he did indeed need a desk, and dresser and so he hauled some stuff out of storage, and packed the minivan and we drove back down on the same day. It is a beautiful drive. Just an hour and a half or so. I enjoyed the nice, clear horizon, and these flocks of white birds---doves? Flying in Vs---but too small to be ducks. There are spots on I-35 where the speed limit is 65 and most is 70 mph. A few crazy drivers, and lots of semi trucks as this is the route to Mexico. Corn was being harvested. And a small plane was dusting a cotton field. I always mistake a cotton field for soy beans until the white bowls of cotton appear. Same plant height and rows.
The dorm type apartments are remodelled gutted between classes, I suspect, as huge disposal containers sit in the parking lots. Ben's quad apartment had new carpet, and as I stepped near the door, my sandals snagged a piece of broken glass. I thought I'd stepped on a roofing nail. But, Ben pulled out the glass and cleaned my foot, and put on the bandaid from my bandaid stash in my purse. So, will that be my memory of dropping him off at college? Hauling stuff, and stepping on a piece of glass, and him cleaning my foot? After the second trip, we went to Walmart and stocked his frig. Not sure if the chow hall is open on the weekends. And I met his one roommate so far, David from Luling, Texas. We went to Cracker Barrel, as Ben likes their Friday catfish special. Guys are not very talkative---I always envy moms of girls at this point. But, from experience, I know that sons marry beautiful ladies who do talk... So, there are no tears goodbye. Instead, I will see him next Friday when he comes to our city to go to the doctor. Being a full time student means we can put him back on our insurance and get some surgeries taken care of. I have been itching to call him all day. Wondering of the other two roommates showed. Wondering if he got all organized. Wondering if he found where his classes are. What fun tools and books? The college sits on an old Air Force Base. We drove out the back on our way to Walmart and saw that half the old houses are boarded up. Enough places to remodel to keep a remodelling class busy. I wonder if his electricians class will do the actual wiring.
Our last "baby" in college. A very grown up young man used to being on his own. Someday, we pray he finds a good Christin woman and has a family like his brothers with cute little babies, and then sends them to college. Especially since college is needed to support a family with a good job with a good insurance program.
We watched Glenn Beck's rally in DC on the Mall via facebook today. C-span covered it too. It gave me such hope because it was highlighting a spiritual revivial--only by turning our eyes to God, and repenting, and following Christ will this country turn around and undo, and get out of debt that we have saddled our grandchildren with. Only God can heal our nation. Only God. It made me cry to hear Jesus talked about on the Mall in DC. wow. It was refreshing. And right. And there was no anger nor signs nor ignoring the millions gathered. The press will try to slant it and denigrate it, but we learned again about the wonderful, truthful words our forefathers spoke, and wrote and engraved on the monuments. Glory to God. Our Creator, Saviour, Redeemer, and Ruler of the nations. God rules the nations. God designed a plan of nations. Nations that respect, love, help, and reflect Biblical principles.
I want to remember, too, how my son led the prayer over our food at Cracker Barrel. Usually, Bob does it, but since it was Ben and his new roommate and I, Ben initiated it. Made this old mom's heart swell with gratitude.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
The Year of the Grandsons
Soon. Very soon, our granddaughter will be getting a brother...
And last night, we got to go with Amber to a 3D and 4D peek...at our middle son's firstborn! What fun!
The cousins will be four or five months apart...just like our middle son and my sister's son, both named James! (Whenever we are with the other James, my nephew, we revert to extending on to middle names.) Both James are in the Army, too!
So fun to see the new little guy kicking and moving, and putting his hands up to his head and eyes. Little fingers and little limbs, yet very active. When he get bigger and kicks his momma's bladder like that...oh, dear.
He even gave a little left handed salute.
What can he hear?
What can he feel?
What does he think?
Is he sleeping? dreaming?
And just as we finished and were getting ready to walk out the door: the DAD called. The new Dad. Perfect timing.
And GrandDad downloaded the movie off the dvd, and emailed it to the new DAD (deployed) and he got it just fine! YAY ! What wonderful new technology!
And last night, we got to go with Amber to a 3D and 4D peek...at our middle son's firstborn! What fun!
The cousins will be four or five months apart...just like our middle son and my sister's son, both named James! (Whenever we are with the other James, my nephew, we revert to extending on to middle names.) Both James are in the Army, too!
So fun to see the new little guy kicking and moving, and putting his hands up to his head and eyes. Little fingers and little limbs, yet very active. When he get bigger and kicks his momma's bladder like that...oh, dear.
He even gave a little left handed salute.
What can he hear?
What can he feel?
What does he think?
Is he sleeping? dreaming?
And just as we finished and were getting ready to walk out the door: the DAD called. The new Dad. Perfect timing.
And GrandDad downloaded the movie off the dvd, and emailed it to the new DAD (deployed) and he got it just fine! YAY ! What wonderful new technology!
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Found this on the internets:
I recently submitted a building permit application for a new house.
It was going to be 100 ft. tall and 400 ft. wide with 9 gun turrets at various heights and windows all over the place and a loud outside entertainment sound system. It would have had parking for 200 cars and I was going to paint it snot green with pink trim.
The City Council told me to forget about it.
So, I sent the application in again, but this time I called it a Mosque.
Work starts on Monday.
It was going to be 100 ft. tall and 400 ft. wide with 9 gun turrets at various heights and windows all over the place and a loud outside entertainment sound system. It would have had parking for 200 cars and I was going to paint it snot green with pink trim.
The City Council told me to forget about it.
So, I sent the application in again, but this time I called it a Mosque.
Work starts on Monday.
Monday, August 23, 2010
One of the soldiers shot at Fort Hood
Because this soldier wasn't injured in Iraq, and because he was shot on a US Army base by another soldier, the Army doesn't recognize his injuries as combat related, so the army/government doesn't offer the support or help for them that a soldier injured in Iraq or Afghanistan would have received.
He was shot that day because of his decision to put on that uniform and fight for his country, a decision he made without doubt or regret. This soldier will never be the same, his life:
He will have at least one more surgery to reconstruct his skull and will probably be hospitalized for an additional 2-3 months after that and then have several months or years of outpatient therapy.
This soldier was at Fort Hood, TX Army Base Soldier Readiness Center checking in after returning from a second tour in Iraq. He was 5 days away from going to Officer Candidate School and pursuing a long time dream of becoming an Officer in the army. That all changed that day when one man that this soldier had never met, came in and started shooting. The gunman's goal was to kill as many Americans as he could and then take his own life.
This soldier saw the laser pointed at his head and was shot 4 times.
When is our country going to wake up and face the fact that any soldier injured or killed by a radical muslem in our country deserves the same benefits, help, and support as any soldier in Iraq or Afghanistan???
He was shot that day because of his decision to put on that uniform and fight for his country, a decision he made without doubt or regret. This soldier will never be the same, his life:
He will have at least one more surgery to reconstruct his skull and will probably be hospitalized for an additional 2-3 months after that and then have several months or years of outpatient therapy.
This soldier was at Fort Hood, TX Army Base Soldier Readiness Center checking in after returning from a second tour in Iraq. He was 5 days away from going to Officer Candidate School and pursuing a long time dream of becoming an Officer in the army. That all changed that day when one man that this soldier had never met, came in and started shooting. The gunman's goal was to kill as many Americans as he could and then take his own life.
This soldier saw the laser pointed at his head and was shot 4 times.
When is our country going to wake up and face the fact that any soldier injured or killed by a radical muslem in our country deserves the same benefits, help, and support as any soldier in Iraq or Afghanistan???
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Using the oven on the hotest day of the year
Hey. I have been hungry for some cookies. What can I say?
AC going at full blast. Temps climbing from 80 degrees to 100 every day now for 20 days straight. Some folks got showers yesterday. not us.
And I have been thinking about the cream biscuits recipe, and how to adapt it for cookies.
You see, I think we have been lied to all these years. Who said we had to cream butter and sugar together to make cookies? Cream already has butter in it, all mixed up too, nicely, I might add. Why not just use cream instead of the butter and milk or liquid?
I shall call them:
Cream Cookies
2 eggs, thoroughly mixed with mixer in a big bowl
14 ounce cream. whole cream. heavy. Promised Land from Whole Foods.
2 cups brown sugar
2 teas. baking powder
2 cups flour
2 teas salt
2 cups oats (ground fine in a coffee grinder) (disguising the healthy)
mix the eggs, cream, sugar and baking powder and salt together, and in small batches, grind the oats and add, along with the 2 cups flour.
I formed them into balls. And cream based cookie dough is nice to work with. It did not stick to my hands. I added a dollop of vanilla. and rolled the balls in a sugar/spices mixture to coat them and I cooked them in a muffin pan. I tried flattening a batch, but they still rise up like little muffin tops. I iced one batch because I like powdered sugar icing---with the leftover cream and a dollop of milk in the cream container to get all the cream out of it.
Very kid friendly dough, as it forms into balls nicely. No need for butter or oil except to grease your cookie sheet or muffin tins. fun to ice and decorate.
Mine made four dozen. cooked at 325 for twenty minutes. (I like my cookies a little dry. so I cooked them until the top sprang back when touched.) I bet these would work well if you put a chocolate piece on top, like a Hershey's kiss. or if you wanted to add M&Ms. recipes are just the jumping off place for your imagination.
AC going at full blast. Temps climbing from 80 degrees to 100 every day now for 20 days straight. Some folks got showers yesterday. not us.
And I have been thinking about the cream biscuits recipe, and how to adapt it for cookies.
You see, I think we have been lied to all these years. Who said we had to cream butter and sugar together to make cookies? Cream already has butter in it, all mixed up too, nicely, I might add. Why not just use cream instead of the butter and milk or liquid?
I shall call them:
Cream Cookies
2 eggs, thoroughly mixed with mixer in a big bowl
14 ounce cream. whole cream. heavy. Promised Land from Whole Foods.
2 cups brown sugar
2 teas. baking powder
2 cups flour
2 teas salt
2 cups oats (ground fine in a coffee grinder) (disguising the healthy)
mix the eggs, cream, sugar and baking powder and salt together, and in small batches, grind the oats and add, along with the 2 cups flour.
I formed them into balls. And cream based cookie dough is nice to work with. It did not stick to my hands. I added a dollop of vanilla. and rolled the balls in a sugar/spices mixture to coat them and I cooked them in a muffin pan. I tried flattening a batch, but they still rise up like little muffin tops. I iced one batch because I like powdered sugar icing---with the leftover cream and a dollop of milk in the cream container to get all the cream out of it.
Very kid friendly dough, as it forms into balls nicely. No need for butter or oil except to grease your cookie sheet or muffin tins. fun to ice and decorate.
Mine made four dozen. cooked at 325 for twenty minutes. (I like my cookies a little dry. so I cooked them until the top sprang back when touched.) I bet these would work well if you put a chocolate piece on top, like a Hershey's kiss. or if you wanted to add M&Ms. recipes are just the jumping off place for your imagination.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Update on Rifqa
http://bigpeace.com/stzu/2010/08/11/rifqa-barys-attorney-ungagged-part-1/
amazing interview. what a brave attorney. Rifqa is touching so many people. I can't wait until she is able to speak on her own. And she has a heart for her own family to come to know Christ.
Keep praying. Cancer is a test. She is free right now, but without insurance.
amazing interview. what a brave attorney. Rifqa is touching so many people. I can't wait until she is able to speak on her own. And she has a heart for her own family to come to know Christ.
Keep praying. Cancer is a test. She is free right now, but without insurance.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Happy Birthday Rifqa
http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/08/happy-birthday-rifqa.html
update has good and bad in it. But, Rifqa is free. We need to pray she be given good Christian people around her.... Christians who are not afraid of offending Muslims.
update has good and bad in it. But, Rifqa is free. We need to pray she be given good Christian people around her.... Christians who are not afraid of offending Muslims.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Ranting
Two sailors were murdered when they strayed off the beaten path, were ambushed by the taliban, and it is still a mystery why they went where they did from Kabul.
Contractors headed to the Kabul airport were attacked after a traffic accident, and their SUVs burned to the ground.
Ten eye doctors, dentists, and aide workers were murdered after an ambush on their way to Kabul by the taliban who claimed they were witnessing for Christ.
So, when a lady in Sunday School overheard me talk about our son deployed, she remarked: at least he is not on the front lines. Wake up people.
I am starting to collect a list of stupid things people have said to me about my sons in the military. Our son, Ben, said he has heard the "at least he is not on the front lines" crack, too.
I don't know how to repond to the ignorant comments about officers versus enlisted. One lady thinks more enlisted die that officers...as if that makes it better how? and has anyone done the math?
Gotta laugh. Don't get me started on folks that think Iraq and Afghanistan are the same. I don't think many passed geography, let alone know how to google.
Contractors headed to the Kabul airport were attacked after a traffic accident, and their SUVs burned to the ground.
Ten eye doctors, dentists, and aide workers were murdered after an ambush on their way to Kabul by the taliban who claimed they were witnessing for Christ.
So, when a lady in Sunday School overheard me talk about our son deployed, she remarked: at least he is not on the front lines. Wake up people.
I am starting to collect a list of stupid things people have said to me about my sons in the military. Our son, Ben, said he has heard the "at least he is not on the front lines" crack, too.
I don't know how to repond to the ignorant comments about officers versus enlisted. One lady thinks more enlisted die that officers...as if that makes it better how? and has anyone done the math?
Gotta laugh. Don't get me started on folks that think Iraq and Afghanistan are the same. I don't think many passed geography, let alone know how to google.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Skype is the best!
Skype is the best new technology! It just makes all the difference to see as well as hear. It is like being in the same room, in my opinion. What a fantastic way to stay in touch with loved ones half a world away. I am so thankful our sons skype with us. I wish I had captured Bob's face when he got to skype with James this morning for the first time since James has deployed. Bob lit up like a Christmas tree. So good to see them both laugh. I am so thankful James gets to skype with his beautiful bride. What will they think of next in the technology department??!!
Our son is not where his mail and packages are. Not yet. He has a job to finish at another location. It is frustrating, as we'd love to mail him things he needs until he gets his big crate in September (that he packed and sent on ahead with everyone else a month ahead of time). But, he seems to be doing just fine. Sometimes he has all twelve bunk beds to himself.
I wonder if James knows that because of the flooding in Pakistan, relief efforts by air may slow down his completing his job. I don't want to say too much. People have been fired from their jobs from whatall they posted on facebook. Therefore, my blogging must be vague at times.
Our son is not where his mail and packages are. Not yet. He has a job to finish at another location. It is frustrating, as we'd love to mail him things he needs until he gets his big crate in September (that he packed and sent on ahead with everyone else a month ahead of time). But, he seems to be doing just fine. Sometimes he has all twelve bunk beds to himself.
I wonder if James knows that because of the flooding in Pakistan, relief efforts by air may slow down his completing his job. I don't want to say too much. People have been fired from their jobs from whatall they posted on facebook. Therefore, my blogging must be vague at times.
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