My Politics in a Nut shell

Party affiliation/identification

Indepedent
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Personal liberties

We should have freedom to the point that it interfears with someone elses freedom. But we should never have the right to stand in the way of anothers freedoms to protect our own.
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Social / Educational / Health issues

Our school systems need a major overall. Our health system does as well. But the change should come at the will of the people not the will of the govt. More social programs at a private level then through the govt.
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Government finance / Spending / Taxes

Better spending by the govt and less spending of tax dollars on very partisian issues. (abortions, etc..) Better accountability to the people on how our tax dollars are spent. More money put into protecting our nation.
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Religious / Cultural / Family / Abortion issues

The rights of Christians should never be taken away. It was a nation founded by Christians. We need a more moral society brought about by people being more moral. Not by governing morality. Our leaders need to be the first to lead by example however. Pro-life. Pro-Family. Anti-Gay Marriage.
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Economic and Labor issues / Welfare / Social Security

There has to be a balance between worker and management. I can see it from both sides. Union family, my husband now is management. Welfare should only be programs that educate people...not long term support that does not help you evolve. Social security needs to become private as well.
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Constitutional / Government issues

Constitution is the bases of our nation. It is the most important piece of legislation.
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Crime / Legal issues Anti-death pentalty.

I do not believe in taking a life in any form of murder. We do need tougher punishements and quicker judgements though. Criminals should have to "pay" the debt of thier incarsination through work within prisons.
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Energy / Transportation / Environmental issues

The enviroment is not an issue. No one says, "Let's go kill some trees for fun today." But at the same time. to chose between a bird going extinct that affects no one but that bird and 2,000 people out of a job...well, the bird can go. (Local Mine issue side rant)
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Foreign policy / Trade / Immigration

If nations want our aid and protection, they should be expected to accept decisions we make for ourselves as a nation. We made a big mistake allowing countries to export more then they import.
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National Security / Military issues

National security has to be the number 1 issue. I am pro war in Iraq, Pro war in Afganastan, And I believe we need to go to them, not allow them to come to us. I believe we also need better packages for our retiring vets along with better health facilities. Soldiers are the reason we are free.
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Personal Beliefs

People need to stop expecting the govt to make the changes and change themselves and help by asking others to change as well on a personal level. Take personal responsibility for thier actions and expect others to do the same.

Birthdays, Anniversarys and Valentines Day

In two days, Brian and I will have been together for 6 years. 6 years. EEK! I can honestly say It is amazing to me. I still love him so much. Sometimes I worry I love him a little too much. But then I see that he may love me just a little too much too.

We are not like other couples. We do not take vacations minus our children. Our children all have colds and well, Last night our king bed slept 5. Well, until our almost 4 year old threw up from all the snot running down her throat (she has a sensitive stomach) and I took her and "the baby" (Our almost 23.5 month old) to the other queen size bed to sleep. Today of course I have had to do a lot of laundry. But that is what we are. Not just a couple, a family. Brian completes me in a way I can not explain. His love makes me grow and change and encourages me to be the best person I can be. We have had our hard times, but that deep love is there and I know always will be. We do not go out with other people, and we spend all our free time together. We enjoy each others company.

As you can imagine, valentines day is pretty special to us. I need to find him another gift. I have given him all the ones I bought him already. lol. And all the cards too. Bad Me. We went out of town for a weekend getaway 2 weekends ago, so I am not sure we can get a babysitter for even to go out for dinner this weekend. Will have to see.

Next week I will be 32 years old. Not a big milestone I guess. But, I do not feel 32. I do not feel 30!! I still feel like a young 20something. I keep wondering how I kept ageing and life kept going and I feel like I stopped a long time ago.

As I age I become a lot more conservative. Issues that before I would be opposed to I felt I didnt have a right to say anything else about....now, I am a mother. Every issue is a matter personal to me. We are talking about my children's future. How can I not speak up on them?

The week after my birthday my baby girl turns 2. She has words, she just does not use them. And boy has she already started to act two. I may not survive. She is going to be the worst by far. That little cross my arms and tell you "humph." Lord, Grant me patiance please.

Life just is going so fast. I just want it to slow down so I can spend this day loving my family. I do not want this day to slip away....Not before I can tell them how much they mean to me.

I am a little sentimental today. I read a post on one of my hangouts from a mom whose own mother died 18 years ago. She and I post together on a conservative message board. August will be 10 years since my own mom died. There is this anger you carry with you. That she missed so much of your life. And a little jealousy that others got to have thier moms at their weddings or when they had thier first child. There is a saddness and a feeling of being alone in the world. Moms are special. My mom was the best. But that is a post for another day......

A fun Link

This Game is invisable people. There are pictures with the peoples faces missing. You have to guess which movie it is a scene from. Just the people are removed. Here are the ones I have come up with. As you can see....I am missing a few. Can anyone fill in my "missing" guesses.

Try it first for yourself! Its fun. A little creepy. But fun none the less.

D
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Until you are ready to answer


1. Dead Poets Society
2. Unforgiven
3:
4. Almost Famous
5. My Girl
6:
7:
8. Sleepless in Seattle
9. Full Metal Jacket
10. Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back
11. Lawrence of Arabia
12. Gremlins
13:
14:
15. Saturday Night Fever
16. Field of dreams
17:
18. Pulp Fiction
19:
20. I am Sam
21. Ransom
22:
23. Lost in America
24. The Fugitive
25. Mr Deeds
26:
27. A Knights Tale
28. The Blair Witch Project
29. Eyes Wide Shut
30. Hellraiser
31. A Christmas Story
32. Good Will Hunting
33. Forrest Gump
34. Office Space
35. Caddyshack
36:
37. The Fisher King
38. Shrek
39. Four Weddings and a Funeral
40:
41:
42. The Cable Guy
43. Porky's
44:
45:
46. Trading Places
47. The Matrix
48:
49:
50:
51. Grease
52:
53. Naked Gun
54:
55. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
56:
57. Boogie Nights
58:
59. The Fast and the Furious
60:
61. Schindler's List
62. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
63. Jerry Macguire
64:
65. Deliverance
66. The Waterboy
67. The Full Monty
68. The Breakfast Club
69:
70. White Men Can't Jump
71. Sleepy Hollow
72. Godzilla

Faith Growing

Acts 5: 12-And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought
among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.
13
And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified
them.
14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of
men and women.)
15 Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the
streets, and laid [them] on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of
Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.
16 There came also a
multitude [out] of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks,
and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.
17 Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is
the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,
18 And laid
their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.
19 But the
angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and
said,
20 Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of
this life.
21 And when they heard [that], they entered into the temple early
in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with
him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of
Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.
22 But when the
officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told,
23
Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing
without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.
24
Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests
heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.
25 Then
came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are
standing in the temple, and teaching the people.
26 Then went the captain
with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the
people, lest they should have been stoned.
27 And when they had brought
them, they set [them] before the council: and the high priest asked them,
28
Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name?
and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring
this man's blood upon us.
29 Then Peter and the [other] apostles answered
and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
30 The God of our fathers
raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.
31 Him hath God exalted
with his right hand [to be] a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to
Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
32 And we are his witnesses of these
things; and [so is] also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey
him.
33 When they heard [that], they were cut [to the heart], and took
counsel to slay them.
34 Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee,
named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and
commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;
35 And said unto them,
Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these
men.
36 For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be
somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who
was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to
nought.
37 After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the
taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, [even]
as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.
38 And now I say unto you, Refrain
from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men,
it will come to nought:
39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest
haply ye be found even to fight against God.
40 And to him they agreed: and
when they had called the apostles, and beaten [them], they commanded that they
should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
41 And they departed
from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to
suffer shame for his name.
42 And daily in the temple, and in every house,
they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

I attended a workshop a few weekends ago. It was hosted by the Methodist Church. The series of workshops was called Equipping Disciples Education. The morning workshop I attended was called Church Outside the walls.

We talked about faith raising. So many churches in today's day and age are trying to grow thier churches. Baby boomers and younger do not give as much as what members of the "great generation" did. So, Many churches are now facing the challenge of growing thier church.

When you look at the numbers, they are beyond sad. Membership is down, attendance is down, baptism is down. What many care about though is the fact that giving is down.

I think the thing is though...we are so worried about raising profit...we forget our main purpose. Our purpose as a church is not to grow profit, but instead to Raise the faith. We are God's disciples. It is our job to go into the world and make disciples of all those we come across. We are so busy looking at the dollar and cents, we are forgetting about the souls we are suppose to be saving.

Going to church for the first time..or the first time in ages is scary. It is scary that you will not know where to go, how to get there, what to do at the approriate moments, etc. But yet, you want to feel welcomed but not embarrassed. Churches today are walking a very fine line in making people comfortable while bringing them to God.

Evangelism has become a dirty word. But if we, as a church universal, want to grow...we need to start doing things differently. We need to take our message out instead of circling the wagons. We need to go into our communties and show them who we are. We need to all be willing to open our doors so that people may feel free to come in and join us. We can not depend on people to come to church because it is what thier parents did. We need to take the faith to where the people are.

Churches need to take pride and use thier own resources. It is ok for your church to build on what it has to offer. Do not feel bad because you are lacking here or lacking there. IT is about building on the resources that God has already given you. Use them in creative ways. What churches are doing now is not working. We have to change or die out. It is that simple. And it is not a matter of our own existance, but what happens to God's message when we are not there to share it?

God commands us and calls us to go out and do His work. Do not make assumptions though. Too many times churches pit themselves against each other instead of working together. We all have the same goal. To share God's message.

People are scared to come into a new church for the first time. Most of them are seeking something. When they do come it is for things like funerals or weddings. But today, most people want to remain part of the wallpaper but want acknowledged and to be made felt welcome. So to grow the faith, how do spread the good news without making those we are taking the message to uncomfortable?

The preacher who taught this workshops solution was to raise visability in the community. It is important that the church itself takes pride in what it has to offer. Accept your strong points and build on them. You need signs in your church with clear directions, resources available to guide people through getting to know your church, maybe expanding what your church has to offer to fit the needs of those coming in. A contemporary service with a more traditional one seperate. Or taking small study groups into the communty so that they can find out what you are about.

A few weeks ago in choir we were talking about what it means to be Methodist. One choir member (C) said "you mean we are going to sing ash wednesday, maundy thursday, good friday and easter sunday after doing our cantata on palm sunday?" and our pastor said "If the preacher preaches, the choir sings." another member of the choir (L) said, "And we pass the offering plate." While funny, it is a sad statement about what church has become. Yet, it is reassuring that you always know what to expect.

The Month of visability is simple. You pick one month. He chose Oct. I will get to why in a few mins. But Every group in your church in that month goes into the community...with a sign or banner...and reaches out and holds thier meeting in the community. That is board members may meet in resturants, Bible studys in a local library, sunday school groups in mcdonalds play room, a covered dish dinner in a local central location like a city park, etc. Go to places that people hang out in your community. Everywhere you go, your little sign is vital. In that month, people will see your group repeatidly. They will start asking questions of you. You can then invite them in. They will know someone before they ever walk in the door! But the key is to go where the people are. Do not hold your meetings in out of the way places. But in very public places where lots of people are. Be in parades, Do a big open service in a public place, try things like tshirts-caps-bumper stickers for your church members, have your choir sing in a public event, give each member of your congregation 10$ to go and do God's work in the community. Have them share with the people they help about this "Community missionwork" drive.

Bring creative people from your church onto a team to "grow your church" by faith sharing. If you make faith sharing your goal, the other issues will take care of themselves.

Vacations, New Computers and Messed up Formats

For some reason I am not seeing this blog as it should look. It could be I got a new Computer while I was gone. Ok. So My dear sweet husband bought a new computer for me to use at home for all the desktop publishing stuff I do...while I was away on vacation. Hence the name of this entry.

I will try to figure what is up with it today later if I have time. Right now, I still have to finishing unpacking and doing laundry. Get the kids settled back into life at home.

We had a wonderful time on our trip. First my husband and I's little get away. It was so amazing. We went out dancing. Ah. Been a while since I texas two stepped. hehe. It was so fun though. We stayed in an awsome hotel with an incredible suite. And then the kidlets and I took off with my motherinlaw for a few days to visit Brian's grandma. We had to put her in a nursing home last nov. It was heartbreaking. But it was nice to see her. The kids and me miss her so much. She is the sweetest women. It was so nice to have the time for the kids to hug her and kiss her. And we played progressive rummy at MIL's sisters houses. Awsome. I came in last one night and first the next.

I love card games. Progressive rummy is great. But my favorite is spades. I am a vicious spades player. ;) Hearts is pretty fun and so is High-Lo. We play a lot of yahtzee too (dice game). I like games. What can I say.

Well, That laundry pile is calling me. As well as the kids pulling on me for thier mid morning snack. My 5 year old is going to starve next year in kindergarden without a mid morning snack. lol. Goofy kid.

Btw. woohooo!!!! He made it to the top of the slide! Not a big deal I guess to many. But with my son...that is a huge accomplishment. Its hard when your world exist in extremes and you are extremly afraid of everything and sensitive to sounds, heights, touch, etc. My oldest has SI dysfunction-hypersenstive. This is a huge accomplishment. I am still celebrating!!! woohooo!