New Year, New Me

Okay, it is finally 2012. I don't really make resolutions, mainly because I make lofty ones that are difficult to attain.
This year is different. My only goal is to simplify my life and tell people "no" more. I am going to have more time for the important things.

See, I think I am Wonder Woman...that I can do it all, and do it well. (Insert laugh here) Well, surprise, I am not WW. So, I am choosing the most important things to me (sign classes, sign choir, my kids and hubby) and doing them. I now have more time for ministry opportunities and family things as they come up. My daughter wants to take gymnastics, so now I will have time to take her.
So, if you hear me say no, I can't....then know I am sticking to my resolution this year.

I do have many cool things to share, but let's take it one day at a time. Now, go back and look at your list of resolutions this year, and take off the ones you won't do..........and see how you can simplify too. Go think about that.............

Why Do We Have Christmas

I love Christmas for many reasons, not all of which are religious. I love giving gifts, I love baking, I love decorating the house with lights and many trees. But, I also love how people are more generous this time of year. People are nicer in general.

I make sure to remind my children that if Jesus had not been willing to die for us, He never would have been born. God loved enough that he sacrificed His only Son. I have a son. Honestly, I don't know that I could let him die to save others. Of course, Jesus rose and is alive in Heaven. Maybe that would make it a smidge easier. But to have to watch your son die and beg for you, and you turn your back. Wow. That is enough to make any parent say "turn the channel".

I am grateful for Mary and Joseph who were obedient. If they were not, would God have had to find another way?

As you sing songs like Silent Night and Away In a Manger, think about the words and what they truly mean.................and Merry Christmas.

What America Learned by 9/11

Everyone in the United States remembers what they were doing when the terrorists attacked those 4 planes. Everyone remembers seeing the towers fall, and hearing about the brave passengers who went down in that Pennsylvania field to save others. All of us get chills when we really think about it. It makes us sad when our children ask us why we are in a war and we have to tell them.

America learned so much from that day. First, we learned just how brave we as Americans truly are. It started with the passengers who knew they were going to die anyway, so they went down fighting. Then, with the emergency personnel who rushed into those towers and the pentagon to try to get people out. Lastly, seeing how brave the people inside the buildings were trying to help the disabled get out, and dying in the process. American loyalty is strong. We Americans can do what needs to be done, in any situation. We are the land of the free and home of the brave.

America learned that our world is not the same as it was when we were children in the 1970’s. People now have the technology to do lots of damage from very far away. They can use satellites to keep tabs on us from the other side of the globe. They have missiles that can be programmed for a target that will NOT miss. Most importantly, there is hate like there has never been before.

America learned that we have never truly appreciated our military like we have since 9/11. We have become true patriots. When I see anyone in uniform, I always say thank you to them. I want them to know how much their job means to us. We sleep peacefully at night because they help protect our world. That has nothing to do with whether you agree with the war or not. You should support their efforts anyway. They have to be there away from their spouses and kids. They need our love and support. Shame on you if you think otherwise.

The last thing we have learned is that as Americans, we are the most hated and the most admired county in the world. Everyone wants something from us when they are in trouble. But, when they are fine, they hate us for our freedoms and our prosperity. People are afraid of what they don’t understand.

9/11 will go down as one of the darkest days in history, right along side with Pearl Harbor. The good thing is, we are stronger and more united than our states have ever been.

Why Jesus Was a Conservative

Jesus was one tough dude. He did not accept any excuses for failure. He did not put up with any junk from his buddies or anyone else, and he would always call them out on it.

This is how I know Jesus was a conservative. He did not give out handouts everyday and then not expect people to take responsibility for themselves. As a matter of fact, the “learn to do it yourself” theme was everywhere in Jesus’ teachings. This is definitely NOT a Democrat way of thinking. Democrats prefer the people to be dependant, and helpless. Jesus gave power to the people.

First, Jesus knew He would not be on the earth long. He told His disciples to learn to do what He could do. That way, Jesus knew when He was gone; His disciples could carry on the ministry. Jesus was not a dictator wanting all the power for Himself. He knew that teaching others His abilities was the only way. Democrats usually want the people to be ignorant, to depend on them for money and benefits, and don’t want them to learn to think for themselves.

Jesus expected the people to learn from their mistakes and not make them again. When Jesus healed people, he always told them He forgave them, but before they left, He told them to go and sin no more. THAT is a change. Not more of the same behavior. He let them know they are responsible for their own actions. Liberals do not take responsibility for any of their actions. They like to blame the results of their own bad decisions on the conservatives. ( Look at the $700 billion bailout, for example. Thanks President Carter and President Clinton). Democrats are also telling the people that it is not their fault they cannot get a good paying job. The Democrats say “so what” you dropped out of high school, “so what” you can’t read well enough to fill out a job application, “so what” you wear flip flops and a halter top to a job interview. It is the rich business owner’s fault for your plight. Give me a break!!  The Bible says in 2 Thessalonians, if a man does not work, he does not eat. Jesus did NOT believe in the welfare program. Also, there is the old adage: Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, feed him for a lifetime. Now, which one reminds you of liberals?

Suffice it to say, Jesus would stand for the side of truth no matter what party affiliate was attached to it. However, we all know which party wants people to NOT be responsible for themselves and which party wants people to know they can create their own destiny. I said all this to say again, in my humble opinion, Jesus was a conservative.

My family just got back from a vacation at.......(drum roll, please) Colonial Williamsburg. I love, love, love history. This was truly a dream vacation for me....and I just let my family come along. The kids had fun, and the hubster had fun too.

We stayed at a hotel that is owned by Colonial Williamsburg (CW) so there is a shuttle bus that runs to the hotel. We were 5 minutes from the place. The hotel had free breakfast buffet and a free 18-hole putt-putt golf course (that was lit also, if you wanted to play after dark).

At the end of CW, there is a market place that consists of modern shops and restaurants...including a college bookstore. Beyond that, is William and Mary College...which is gorgeous. Lots of brick sidewalks, brick buildings, and trees. It has the oldest college building in the USA on campus.

IF you have never been, you must go. Feel free to email me for details on prices and where we stayed. We were across the parking lot from the CW Visitors Center, so it was very convenient.

We stopped at the Visitor's Center across the VA state line. The people working told us about some ferry ride we could take to Historic Jamestown..which is 15 minutes from CW. The ferry was out of Surry, VA....so we did that. The kids loved the ferry. On the way home, we came back that way. We spent 9 miles on I-295 before we got off at Hopewell, Va. From there, we went thru beautiful countryside to Surry.
This is a terrific vacation, if you can forget all the fast paced junk of Myrtle Beach. Vacations should be away from all the technology, and TV..it should be family time. Now, go think about that.....

My Friend's New Book

One of my besties has written a book, and it has been published. Her book release date is November 4, 2011. (It is called Twinkle, Twinkle Christmas Star by Deanna Polito-Laughinghouse) I am so excited. She and I have been working on her press releases to promote it, plus brainstorming other out of the box ideas. We have come up with some real good ones, I think.

She humbled me by saying no one has ever helped her like this before. My response was that 1-I love her, and that is what friends do, and 2-the book is like my God child, I have been there helping her from the beginning.

True friendship is wanting the other person to succeed and do well, and being joyful with them....honestly. There is no jealousy in true friendship. Go think about that......

Remembering my friend....

A dear lady passed away last Wednesday night. She is now with Jesus. I don't think we could talk her into coming back now even if we wanted to.
I have been reflecting on how she touched my life and the life of my children. She will be missed truly.

It just reminds me how short a time we have on this earth....so what are you doing with yours? Go think about  that.....