FIREPROOF - The Movie

Last night we went to see Fireproof with two other couples. It was an extremely good movie that we all enjoyed. There is a wonderful love story (or two) for the ladies and lots of fire rescue action for the men. It is a movie with a message about love that every couple in America needs to hear. I would strongly encourage anyone who has the opportunity to go see it.

You can see a trailer and find ticket information by going here.

You can get the book/journal referenced in the movie by going here.

Finally, if your marriage is in trouble you can get connected to the help you need by going here.

Sermon in a Sentence

"If there is anything in my thoughts or style to commend, the credit is due to my parents for instilling in me an early love of the Scriptures. If we abide by the principles taught in the Bible, our country will go on prospering and to prosper; but if we and our posterity neglect its instructions and authority, no man can tell how sudden a catastrophe may overwhelm us and bury all our glory in profound obscurity." Daniel Webster

Photo Hunt - View

Sky Watch Friday - Reflecting

Go here to join in!

Thursday Thirteen - Here's to the Kids!

Today's thirteen (plus a few) is a tribute to the children who have or who continue to make a positive impact in my life. They have inspired me in one or more ways to be a better person and I hope I have done the same for them. While most are now adults now, they were not when they came into my life. They are listed in the order that I first met them.

1. Ty - my nephew whose life impresses me more with each passing year. His strength and character are an inspiration.



2. Christy - my daughter who I rely heavily on for many things (beginning when she was just a young teen and I became a single parent) but especially for giving me an honest opinion and for making me think and question when I get too set in my ways.



3. Justin - my son who helps keep me calm and keep things in perspective and who set an awesome example in high school of how to handle great disappointment with a right attitude and strength.



4. Beth - a friend of my daughter when she was a teen who taught me how much I enjoyed having other kids in my home and having the opportunity to get to know them.



5. Jeremy - Christy's then boyfriend, now husband who I have watched grow into a good man and awesome dad and who's somewhat quiet nature provided a sense of calm and stability when life seemed anything but those and who I could (and can) depend on if I needed help with something.



6. Mariah - the infant daughter of a man I was engaged to (long, complicated story) who taught me that I could love someone else's child as much as I did my own. Little did I know that God was using this precious little one to prepare me for blessings ahead.



7. Shantelle' - my husband's (and now my) daughter who makes me laugh and who through her struggles reminds me that we, like she, are all stronger than we think and who's love and respect I treasure.



8. Bradley - my husband's (and now my) son who from the beginning at a young age ask me the tough questions and the philosophical and spiritual ones that made me think and often caused me to do some of my own searching to be able to answer his queries.



9. Talgat, Kairat, Gulbanu, Juldes and many more - meeting and working with these children at an orphanage in Khazakstan made a permanent and lasting impression on my life and my sense of what matters. I will never forget them.



10. Amira - Justin's then girlfriend, now wife who is the most genuinely kind person I have ever known. She, by example, challenges me to be a little nicer, a little softer, and a little less cynical. Her kindness, caring and hospitality (especially after the wreck) have blessed me beyond measure. I could not have chosen a better wife for my son if I had picked her myself.



11. The Disciple Now kids (especially Lauren D., Lauren C., and Rachel)- a youth ministry at our church that for several years brought a group of middle schoolers into our home for a weekend of spiritual growth that caused us to grow too and allowed us to connect with many wonderful kids. We were often amazed and blessed at how much further these kids were in their walk with God than we were at their age. A few left such an impression that we have made an effort to keep in contact with them and continue to pray for them and they, in return, have continued to be a blessing.



12. Karlee - Bradley's girlfriend who has more determination than most people and more inner strength than she knows.



13. The grandbabies, Jaiyda & Isaac - who bring joy just by existing and who can put any problem in perspective with a hug or a smile.

There are others we've come to know along the way - friends of our kids and kids of our friends - who we enjoy, appreciate and love. Some we still see and some we don't, but we are grateful that our paths have crossed with each of them.

WW- From My Back Porch - North

For the past few weeks (starting 8/27/08) I've offer the view from my front or back porch looking various directions. I hope you have enjoyed seeing my little corner of the world.

Today's view is the final one. This is the view looking north off my back deck on a really blessed morning.

Pet Peeve Tuesday - Salesperson Blues

I have the salesperson blues today! A customer complained to the company owner that I was rude to them and so I got reprimanded. First, I may have been? Second, I may not have been? Either way, my peeve is this:

As a salesperson you must always be "on". You may never have a bad day regardless of what else may be going on in your life or on the job. If you are feeling a little under the weather, it doesn't matter. If someone you know just got a terrible diagnosis from their doctor, it doesn't matter. If someone (who is not an immediate family member giving you a right to leave) just died, it doesn't matter. You are to be cheerful, encouraging, positive and accommodating all the time, regardless of anything.

Further, you must always not only know the answer to a customers question but always understand what it is they are wanting or the question they are asking even when they don't know themselves. You must never tell them that what they want is not available. You must always treat them the way they think they deserve to be treated regardless of how they treat you. You must give them your opinion on their choices and know whether they are the type of person who wants an honest opinion and direction (because you do this every day) or the kind who already know everything and just want you to agree with whatever they say - being careful of course not to seem patronizing while doing so. And clearly you do nothing else all day except wait for them to show up, late or early for my appointment, so you can give them your immediate and undivided attention. (Of course, once they are gone and you are trying to write their order they don't want you to be distracted by some other customer and possibly make a mistake!)

I will admit that I sometimes have a hard time with certain personalities and that some customers do not bring out the best in me. I believe this is true of most salespeople though. Just like in any other job there are people with whom you can work easily and with others it is like snuggling with a porcupine. The flip side is that in the same week that this customer complained I've had three customers tell me how helpful I was, how much they appreciated my input, how patient I was with their indecisiveness, etc. Of course, they told me - not the owner. Understand that I am absolutely not finding fault with them. I do think that an owner or sales manager should always be aware that they are only likely to hear from the squeaky wheel.

The moral of this peeve...

If you have a salesperson (waitress, receptionist, etc.) who you feel has been rude take time to get some perspective about what all they may have been dealing with before you came along and about how you approached them (ie. "May I ask you a question when you have a minute?" will get you much farther than "EXCUSE ME, is there someone here that can help me?") Then if you still feel you need to report them, do so.

If, on the other hand, you have someone who had done a good job for you or who has maybe even gone the extra mile to be helpful either directly or indirectly by providing distraction for your child or giving you some time to discuss with your spouse/friend/etc. without hovering, let them know you appreciate them, and maybe even let their boss know.

Sorry, this peeve became more of a rant...

Sermon in a Sentence

Hating people because of their color is wrong. And it doesn't matter which color does the hating. It's just plain wrong. -Muhammad Ali

Photo Hunters - Road

Why did the bird cross the road?





To get to the light
pole on the other side.

Sky Watch Friday - Glory

I love the sunbeams streaming down.



Join in at http://skyley.blogspot.com/

Friday Fill-ins #1

1. There is no need to have chocolate every day - or at least that's what I'm trying to convince myself of.

2. Where in the heck did the Kenny Chesney can cozy that I use every day go?

3. Filling in these blanks with pretty lame, albeit true, answers is all I managed to do.

4. Prospects for life settling down anytime soon are slim..

5. John 3:16 is the message.

6. Simplicity and tranquility are really what I am craving in my life right now.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to going to the Farmer's Market, tomorrow my plans include sleeping in and going to my nephew and great-nephew's football game and Sunday, I want to go to a festival or state park after church!

Thursday Thirteen - Autumn

Here are 13 things I like about Fall:


It is time to till up the garden. (no more weeding)

The sound of crunching leaves under my feet.

The road to my house gets very colorful.




Corn mazes.

All the corn is harvested. (creating a clear view for traffic, etc.)

Mums.

Sitting outside in the evening around the fire pit.

Toasting marshmallows.

and S'mores.

Carving pumpkins.

Roasting pumpkin seeds.

Apple cider.

It will look like this before we know it...


>

WW - From My Porch - East

For the next few weeks (starting 8/27/08) I'll offer the view from my front or back porch looking various directions.

Today's view is looking straight east off my back deck.

Pet Peeve Tuesday - Think People!

Let me say first that I believe it is every person's right and responsibility to vote. That does mean, however, that you should make some effort to know the stand of the candidates on issues (which may or may not line up exactly with their party) and what your educated opinion is on the same. It also requires prioritizing these issues based on both their importance to you and any real potential for changing them if they need changed or keeping them status quo if that is your desire.

My Pet Peeve, therefore, is about stupid/silly/unbelievable reasons I've heard people say they are casting their vote in a particular way for various offices - starting at the top:

For or against because "he's black".
For or against because there is "a woman on the ticket".
He was born in ______________. (FYI FACTS: Obama was born in Hawaii, McCain on a U.S. base in the Panama Canal Zone)
He/she's a republican.
He/she's a democrat.
He "looks" more presidential.
He wants to make changes. (Um, that's why they are running for office.)
He's made too many changes. (And that would be why he ran for office.)
I don't like the way he or she looks/gestures/stands/talks/smiles/etc.

REALLY PEOPLE!

This is an important election on both the national and state levels. Look into the candidates, their records, their personalities before the campaigning started, where they came from and where they want to take us. Do their current words and their previous actions match up? Are they sincerely looking to do things to help the American people and the American economy or looking to serve their own desire for personal power and/or wealth? Are they proactive about problems/issues or reactive?

So read, listen critically, and learn all you can about the candidates and the issues so you can make an informed decision. Then vote!

Sermon in a Sentence

Blind faith in your leaders, or in anything, will get you killed. -Bruce Springsteen

Faith that has never been questioned or tested is not faith at all. -unknown

Sky Watch Friday - Serene Sunrise

Join in by going to http://skyley.blogspot.com

13 Things Debbie Needs

I decided to join in on this Google of "________ needs". Believe me, some of the things that came up I definitely do not need nor would I repeat here!! I am posting, however, the ones I found funny or appropriate.

Debbie needs...

1. a saddle. Nope, not really, I'm pretty sure my days of "horsing" around are over.
2. Facebook Hardly - First, I think I'm too old and second, I don't need anything more to keep up with.
3. to look behind her. Eeeek! That'll make a girl paranoid.
4. a built-in bench for her kitchen. Now that would be nice. Hmmmm...
5. prayer. Always, daily, sometimes hourly or continuously.
6. sleep. How did Google know that? I can't seem to get enough sleep these days.
7. a man. No, no, and no! The one I have is plenty, thanks!
8. a wig. On bad hair days that would be nice - or maybe one that is black or red for days when I'd really rather be someone else.
9. your vote. For the candidate of my your choice on election day.
10. 24-hour care. My husband would say that's true, especially if you interpret care as attention.
11. attention. Yep! See above.
12. a photo to post. Hilarious! I've had a terrible time coming up with a photo to use on my blog so I've just stuck with the picture of the rose.
13. to be careful not to over plan or over prepare. Ouch - and I have to say that at this point Google is kind of freaking me out! This one should be printed on a business card I carry around with me and have to look at several times a day.

WW-From My Porch - South

For the next few weeks (starting 8/27/08) I'll offer the view from my front or back porch looking various directions.

Today's view is looking south down my front porch.

Pet Peeve Tuesday

One word -

MENOPAUSE!
Pronunciation: \'me-nə-poz\
Function - noun, verb, adverb, adjective

Definition - that point in a woman's life when certain parts of her body declare mutiny against the rest of her body and wreak havoc all over the place.

Synonyms - "mental"pause, hormonalpalooza, changomania.

Sermon in a Sentence

To live a disciplined life, and to accept the result of that discipline as the will of God—that is the mark of a man. —Tom Landry (football coach)

Here Comes the Sun

Sunrise as the weather changes from misty and overcast to clear and beautiful.







Join in by going to http://skyley.blogspot.com

13 Sayings/Phrases I'm Tired of Hearing

I am to the point of rolling my eyes each
time I hear someone (or myself) use one
of these overused or misused
comments/sayings/phrases/excuses.

1. It is what it is. Well, yes, what else would it be?



2. I can't help it. Really? You can't or you won't/don't want to?



3. Whassup? Is it really that hard to pronounce those two words or does it take that long that we have to try to squish it into one "word".



4. Sorry/I'm sorry. This is great if it is a genuine apology for an actual offense or even when used to indicate compassion (as in, " I'm sorry you had to go through that.") but not in place of excuse me or other phrases when you didn't hear what someone said. Also, not when you've done nothing wrong. If you say I'm sorry and I have to ask for what you probably don't need to be saying it. (There are some exceptions of course if you've done something awful that I just don't know about yet.)



5. OMG/LOL. While this may be fine while texting, emailing, etc. saying it out loud in a conversation just sounds stupid.



6. Are we there yet? Clearly not if we are still driving/flying /walking.



7. Is it Friday yet? Guilty! So I understand the sentiment but it is very overused.



8. TGIF/Thank God it's Friday. Closely related to the above except I don't say it!



9. I am what I am. As a statement of fact, it is obvious and redundant. As an excuse refer to #2.



10. For a limited time only. If actually true, it's annoying and, as is more often the case, if it means for a limited time till the next limited time it is doubly annoying.



11. I was just kidding/joking/teasing. Usually stated as an excuse after saying something mean, insensitive, or offensive.



12. Flustrated. You can be flustered or you can be frustrated. You can even be flustered and frustrated. You cannot, however, be flustrated - it is not a word!



13. Family values. One of the most overused/deceptive phrases in politics. Whose values? My family's, your family's? If you are touting them as a reason for me to vote for you and you mean Christian values, than have the guts to say that and be sure it encompasses all Christian values not just one key issue. Further, be careful that you are attempting to live those values and are making your personal choices based on all of them, not just giving lip-service to them.

WW - From My Front Porch West

For the next few weeks (starting 8/27/08) I'll offer the view from my front or back porch looking various directions.

Today's view is looking straight west from my front porch.

Pet Peeveless Tuesday

I'm not really feeling very peeved about anything today, just exhausted from a busy weekend that, even being three days long, was not long enough for some real R&R.

Maybe I'm peeved about that - but not really, just exhausted.

Today is a Tuesday "Monday" at work with all the frustration that Monday normally brings added to scheduling being off since its really Tuesday and additional errors to fix since there was the typical lack of concentration before the holiday weekend on Friday.

Maybe I'm peeved about that - but not really, just a familiar frustration, "the nature of the beast" so to speak.

There is politics and the presidential race...

Maybe I'm peeved about a variety of things on that topic - but not really, that is way past peeved to ranting on my soapbox which I'm choosing not to do in this blog.

So, I guess I'm just peeveless for today. Odds are though that by next week when I'm a little less frustrated and exhausted I'll be able to think of something I'm really peeved about.