The Great American Time Machine

Check us out! For Christmas I gave Maceos a "Psychedelic" Dying kit. Since we are not pro hippie, he was a bit hesitant to take on this venture ... lol. I promised him that dying cloth and wearing it did not officiate him into hippie-hood; so thus he was willing to give it a try. It proved to be lots a fun and we were very colorfully successful on our first try. However, it must be stated for the record that next go around both boys intend to dye black "targets" on their shirts as a show of "anti-hippiedom."

For my part, I believe I had a "flashback" in time. Happy Dying!

Merry Cheer

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

It truly is the most wonderful time. A time when we can take a backward look and think about the most wonderful gift that was ever given. A life for our eternal lives. What a gift, to sacrifice the Son to redeem "whosoever will." I think God got the "short end" of the stick on that one. Not many will enter in through the narrow way, many will deny him; yet He was still willing. To redeem you, to redeem me! No greater gift of pure and truthful love can I imagine.
I am not so sure that I would be willing to lay my life down for a brother, only God knows my heart! But my foolish flesh would think it twice, I'm willing to attest.

Our Christmas Eve was spent making new memories and keeping an old tradition. I didn't take pictures of that day; I know why ... I was in pj's the whole day ... lol.

My Beloved is half a world away but this did not keep my son from requesting that old traditions be kept up.

"Mom," he said to me late one evening; "what traditions did you grow up with around the Christmas Holyday?"

"Well," I replied, "it usually entailed all the aunts sitting around the table slapping tamales together while catching up. It was always a memorable time filled with laughter and lots of good Mexican food. All while the kids ran circles around the house. Presents were opened (or should have been) at midnight; but in all honesty we could never wait and by 10:15 the tree was bare!"

So without much thought or hesitation he interjects and states "so let's keep the tradition going!"

Saturday evening finds me driving all around town trying to gather all the needed ingredients for the said "tamales."

I am happy to report that on Christmas eve approximately 10 and a half hours later our first batch of about 6 dozen tamales was successfully completed! And I am glad to report that they were worth all the effort, trials and tribulations I had to go through to make this tradition a reality for my boys.

My oldest son would like this to be a part of our little families traditions. He has also asked me to be ready to teach him yet again next year. He plans to be a "bigger help," than he was this year. He also anticipates getting it down so that he may teach his future wife to follow in a very old "family tradition."

P.s. After about 6 tamales a piece we plop down in the living room to sing Christmas Hymns. We also drove the neighborhood around 10:30 that night admiring all the beautiful lights. We managed to hold out till about 11ish before opening our little gifts ...

My Beloved Writes

moses_742000 (12/22/2007 9:02:49 AM): Our Lord and Savoir has truly Blessed us.I look at all those pics you have posted for everyone to see, I think of just how lucky I am to be Blessed with a true woman as yourself. I hope people see these pics and can know just how Our Savoir has Blessed us. Keep Strong my Love, for it is times like these that their is only one set of foot steps that carry us, Our Lord will watch over us.Thank you for all the trouble you went through to load my notebook with the KJV cds. Please let Pastor know I miss him and the funny times we've had. Also tell Mr. Sugar I say hello. Hope he's recovering fast.

Colorado Living

Photobucket Album

Home Educating and Loving It!

In the fall of 2004 a dear friend whispered in my heart; "80, you can do it!"

Before having children I always thought myself a bit of a "hippie" at heart. I was majorly anti-establishment and had some pretty radical "opinions." I thought to myself often that if I ever had kids I would never give them a s.s.#, never vaccinate, keep them in cloth dipers and homeschool from day one.
Boy was I wacky! No, not really. I had kids but vacinated them and "registered" them with our good'ol government the day they were born. I tried the cloth diper deal and realized quickly it was not for me! And I didn't homeschool. For a long time I set the thought of schooling them myself aside thinking I was not capable.
That is until I got "right" with my Lord and realized he had a better plan for my life. Through many a good influence and a great church with many homeschooling mamas, the thought became a reality that year.

The Lord opened my mind to new possibilities with my heart trusting in his. I wasn't sure how my husband would be lead in that area but praise the Lord!, he agreed.
It was a rough start. I hadn't a clue. But God being merciful sent plenty of help my way.
It has been over 3 years now and we are going strong. The boys love it and not once have they had the desire to do it otherwise.

I pray that my God will allow for us to do it all the way through High School but only time will tell.

Lemonade

When I was a little girl my Dad used to feed us the most "unusual stuff." Or at least I thought it was. We didn't eat like the rest of the neighborhood kids (you know spaghetti and meatballs ... lol). What I mean is that we ate what to me at the time was uncommon food. I actually didn't mind eating half the stuff as long as it didn't taste "bad" to my palate.
We ate things like cow brain and fresh goat milk (like the goat about to be butchered is still kicking in the back yard fresh, did I mention I grew up in the outskirts of downtown L.A.?). Anyhowsers we also ate stuff like cactus (nopales), asparagus, seaweed, aloe, "funky" Chinese veggies, cow tongue, curdled "fried mind you" pig blood (I actually learned this stuff is very popular in Europe) and stuff like that.
This is all mind you, "weird stuff" when you are just a kid trying to be what one would consider normal.

Well, needless to say years have passed (I won't say how many) since I was a child and now I too am a parent trying to find "interesting and nutritious" food for my boys to eat. Little did I realize then that half the stuff my Dad fed us was actually "really, I mean really" good for us. Maybe with the exception of the pig blood and cow tongue ... lol.

So as I thought back on all those interesting treats, I distinctly recall my dad serving us lemonade "dad style" with chia seed in it. It looked pretty funky, the seeds were all slimy and needless to say not palatable to a 12 year old. But I drank the stuff and to my amazement, liked it.
I thought I would try to make said lemonade for my family and see how that would go over. Before doing so I happened to "google it" the chia seed that is. And I came across some very interesting facts about this tiny little bitty seed! I won't press you with the rest, read for yourself the attached link and tell me what you think. It is a supper food! ~~~ did anyone else know this?

http://www.living-foods.com/articles/chia.html

~~Chia Lemonade, Pancho Style~~
(it's actually just plain ol' lemonade with chia seed added)

The ratio of chia seed to gallon of lemonade should be to taste. Too many and you will end up with jelly, too few and you won't get the benefit. the amount should be just enough to cloud the ade somewhat.

I use fresh yellow lemons, and pure unrefined cane sugar. Yumm ;)~

Christian Christmas Cards

GET NICE CHRISTMAS CARDS AND HELP NATIONAL CHRISTIANS

Missionaries in South Asia help national Christian ladies make a living at home by teaching them to make BEAUTIFUL CROSS-STITCH GREETING CARDS.

By using the burlap from their rice bags and local rice paper, they are able to keep the cost of the cards at a minimum, but there is at least a half a day of work in each card. To help with this needy ministry we have shipped a few hundred of these cards to the States and are selling them in packets of five.

PACK OF 5 MIXED CARDS -- $10.00
PACK OF 5 CHRISTMAS CARDS -- $10.00
Postage/Handling $1.25 per pack

All of the profit from the sale of these cards goes to the missionary work in South Asia and the Christian women who make the cards.

Make the check or money order out to Laura Snider and mail it to the following:
502 Carter Drive, Madison, AL 35758

YOU CAN SEE A PHOTO OF SOME OF THE CARDS AT THE FOLLOWING WEB ADDRESS: http://www.maranatha-baptist.com/WOL/Nepali-cards1.jpg

This post is originally off of ~ Way of Life, Newsletter

That They May Teach

This Posting is from our ladies church meeting. I was blessed to be asked to lead the devotion, so now I share with you all:

Titus 2:3-5 "The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed."

Proverbs 11:14 "Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellers there is safety."

Although focusing on what God wanted me to share and getting it all down on paper did not come easy, receiving scripture for it from the Lord, did. God says to us in his word, ask and ye shall receive.

James 1:5 "If any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally... and it shall be given him."

I turned from my unbelief and placed my faith in God, September of 2003. I did not come to the Lord without a fight. I came kicking and screaming so to speak, questioning everything. My foolish heart would just not "let me believe."

I often felt like a "Thomas, unless I see I shall not believe."

I wonder today why God didn't just strike me dead right then and there in my doubt. But I praise Him now because He is not "willing that any should perish."

Once I was saved, God dealt with me on the spot manifesting many of His wonderful truths to me. I was so thirsty, ready to soak it all in. I never realized just how wrong I was in so many areas of my thinking and life. Being "shown" that what I so long believed was not right, was not easy to swallow.
The next two years were spent taking it all in from behind that pulpit. Then came the not so easy part of applying what I was learning. Changing the outside was easy, the internal however often met me with trials, challenged and in many ways defeated me.
I am the kind of person that learns by observing then doing. I need something tangible to see and understand its application. The Bible in this particular matter said that the "aged women" were to be my teachers. Because it is much easier to follow a good pattern and be lead by example and this by the way is how we try to instruct our children, "being the example."
So at this particular moment in my walk I began to look around me for Christ like examples to emulate. I began to look to my sisters in Christ to see what He would have me to learn from them and by them.

The Bible says to look to the "aged." I by no means am a "spring chicken," but I believe that in this instance God is reffering to the "mature" in Christ.

Ladies, please do not take offence for what I share. God quickly brings to mind Psalm 119:165 "Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them."

But do let me say that if any of you are without fault, rest on God's word and take no offence upon thyself.

As I looked around and considered your testimonies; God would often bring scripture verses to mind. This is how I believe He helps me to grow in His grace and how I knew He was "dealing" with me. Through these examples I was able to understand where I was wrong, right and where I fell short.

On one occassion Proverbs 9:13 Came to mind along with Proverbs 11:13, they read: "A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing."

"A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter."

I understand the reason God showed me these verses through testimony was so that I could see a part of myself in it. OUCH! I certainly do no want to be regarded as foolish nor do I want to set forth this kind of an example. But that is exactly what I am when I don't guard my tounge or my thoughts. And when I "gossip" and "share" more that I ought to, especially concerning someone else's business; that is what I am, FOOLISH!
Someone is always watching our testimonies ladies, be it God, the bretheren, or the unsaved.

On another occassion it was Proverbs 12:4 "A virtious woman is a crown to her husband ("I like being a crown"): but she that maketh ashamed is as rotennes in his bones."

Well, I certainly do not want to "rot" my husband or his bones for that matter but that is what we do when we knowingly; talk back, talk down, talk bad about or manipulate our husbands both in and out of their presence.
Ladies, we show more about ourselves and "their worth" to us, with this manner of communication. How sad it is when we find us telling on ourselves. Shame, shame.

On yet another reflective moment Proverbs 12:18a: "There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword ..."

Untimely and unconsidered words can pierce like a "sword!" Not exercising discernment with our tounge can pierce.

Sadly I too have spoken many an untimely word that "knocked" a person down. Or it was spoken to me and became a discouraging "stumbling block" that set me back.

So having shared all that, let me share what I feel and believe the Lord woud have set forth as an example unto the "young:"

The latter part of Proverbs 12:18b states; "but the tounge of the wise is health."

Proverbs 16:24 "Pleasant words are as an honeycomb sweet to the soul and health to the bones."
Our words are to be and example, a light, wisdom, timely and above all edifying to the hearer. Our testimonies should shine forth and show this as well. Are we not told to be the "salt?"
So Sisters, teach me of the wisdom that the Lord hath freely given you. Lead me by your example, I am following your lead.

Proverbs 9:9 says: Give instruction to a wise (wo) man and (s) he will be yet wiser; teach a just (wo) man and (s) he will increase in learning.

I am constantly praying for wisdom!

But above all, teach me to praise!
This is the one thing I find in short supply among my sisters (sadly, bothers too). Praise is of utmost importance to our Lord. It is found 248x's in the King James Bible, most of which reffer to God.

If we are to be effectual, let us look to the Psalmist, David who said in Psalm 34:1 "I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth."
Please note "praise & continually."

Psalm 63:4 "Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name,"
Note, "while I live & thy name."

Praise to God is often only heard during a service or in the church house. I am not saying that we don't do it; but how often do we "publicly" praise and give God the glory?
Not only should our brothers and sisters hear this from us but would it not also serve as a testimony unto the unsaved? A testimony of our faith in Him?

Hebrews 13:15 "By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name."

The fruit of our lips and spirit is also PRAISE! And God loves to hear us praise Him, continually. What Mama doesn't gain joy from hearing her sweet child acknowledge her? Praise her? humm.

So see my sisters? this is what I want to teach as I am taught of you:

Colossians 3:16-17 "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the father by him."

Lastly as it is said in Philemon 1:7 my reward and gain shall be ... "...great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, (sister) brother."

So Sisters, refresh me and above all teach me; I am watching. In the multitude of your examples I find safety and prayerfully wisdom.

"I know that I could have shared the many positive things others have taught me; but just then how would I know to correct the "wrongs" lest I first was willing to see myself through anothers eyes?"

80

The Decline of an American Civilization

The Decline of an American Civilization

~ Anti-Socialism ~

The human idea to turn inward to seek answers.

~ De-Socialize ~

Forget the "Human Touch,"... "you got mail!"
Don't come out to meet me, just call me on my cell or beep me ... anyway my caller i.d. will let me know.
No longer can we "afford" our receptionist, just let the teleprompter get it.
Write me a memo... send me a fax... however you decide to do it, remeber to wait for the beep.
For if you ring my doorbell, I may "not be in."