I am Thankful For...

Life freely lived, and for my Father in Heaven who gave it to me. For my husband Sean, my daughter Margaret Grace, our silly puppies, and the home that we have made. For our amazing church community, our extended family, and the memories of those that have already departed from us. For our good jobs, reliable transportation, and wonderful caregivers. I am thankful that we have enough food that we can always make room for one or two more, and enough time that we can give to someone else. For the art, music & words that inspire us, the freedoms that abound in this great nation, and the love that we are called to share with the world. Amen.

Pats on the Back!

Wow. I'm beside myself! I just got paid some of the nicest compliments about my little library I maintain at work!

Consultants from a company that works with schools are are seeking accreditation from higher education boards (like ACCSCT & ACICS) has been here conducting an mock accreditation process this week. We just closed with a meeting of all the managers where we discussed where we need improvements, fine-tuning, etc. And in it, both of the consultants paid me and my library such praise! :: BIG GRINS :: And after the meeting, the two Corporate ladies, seconded the emotion - saying how inviting and engaging it is!

It's not often I get to toot my own horn, or even that someone does it for me - because I have a thankless job. People EXPECT me to be helpful and give them information, computer assistance, and keep this place up to date, organized and clean. So to hear both from the consultants and the folks from corporate - WOW! I'm tickled pink! :)

Faith

I'm a person with great faith in the world and everything in it. I've never feared the economy, wars, or extreme weather. Even in the worst situations, I know that everything will work out somehow - even if we don't' understand how it's even possible in the here and now. I guess that's why I've never worried much either.

A wise, former pastor of mine once preached a sermon on Faith. And in it, he asked us what is the opposite of Faith? Disbelief? Distrust? No. The opposite of FAITH is FEAR.

It really caught me off guard. Through the many dangers, toils, & snares of my short life, I have never had true fear. 9/11? Severe storms? High gas prices? Troubled economy? All I do is pray and trust. Trust and pray.

The world says we should worry. The world says if we're too trusting, we'll be labeled as gullible or naive and end up being hurt by someone or something (which can be very true).

But if we are to be God's children and trust Him for all our decisions - knowing that His will and His plan are in place, then we ultimately are okay - right?

Don't know why I've got such deep thoughts on the brain tonight....

I finally found a picture to descibe my mood today....

Befuddled and Disheartened

So I had to break the news to Maggie Grace this morning that Sarah Palin had "lost the race." I not sure how much of all this she comprehends- other than there was a contest or race between two guys (and a girl she likes).

When I told her Obama had won, and that we wouldn't be seeing a lot of John McCain & Sarah Palin on TV any more, she got mad and asked, "Why?"

"Because just like Mommy and Daddy- every other adult got to go vote yesterday. And more people liked Obama than McCain."

"Oh...... Well, BOOO OBAMA!" she said.

"No Maggie, we can't say that. This man is going to be our next President, whether we voted for him or not."

"Well, Daddy says Boo Obama."

"I know sweetie, I didn't vote for him either, but we have to be nice about this and pray for him anyway."

"Well, I still say Booo 'Bama."


::sigh:: The little gears in her head are turning, through her simple logic & following her Daddy's "guidance." Me, I'm praying for our nation now more than ever with unceasing urgency that God has put hand on this and other elections - that unity may come about, and the underlying spirit of fear that surrounds Obama's socialist views may be fought with the sword of truth. Amen.

10 months later / Election Day

If 10 months have passed- and I haven't posted a single thing, does that means that nothing has happened? Far be THAT from the truth.

• In March, I quit my job of 6+ years and took a new librarian position.
• In April, we swapped pre-schools for Maggie Grace, and it's been WONDERFUL ever since.
• In May, I retired my car of 9 years and got a new little red Chevy Aveo LT on my birthday. Thirty-two years. Weird. That seems so old.
• In June, I didn't do summer reading for the first time in 7 years.
• In July, ditto to that.
• In August, I became widow to the building of an arbor at church - that kept my husband busy (or exhausted) more often than not.
• In September, ditto to the arbor - and MG started Catechises!
• In October, MG turned 4, camped out for the first time as a family in 38 degree weather on our 5 year anniversary, and MG had her first REAL trick-or-treating experience (blisters and all)!

And now it's November - and I wish I'd been blogging all this time to record those little weird things that Maggie Grace says or does.

* * * * * * * * *

So here's two little election related stories about Maggie:

MG's very observant about the news or when we're talking with other adults about Politics. As early as 3 months ago, she would see a picture of either Senator McCain or Senator Obama on TV or one of their campaign signs in a yard and scream "It's John McCain," or "That house likes Obama." But for the longest time, she kept saying "OH-mama" instead of Obama. Too cute! And when she sees a really BIG sign for either candidate, she says, "They REALLY like McCain at that house."

And when Sarah Palin came on the scene as a vice-presidential candidate, Maggie really took to her - saying how pretty she was, and how she liked her glasses. Even as clips were show during prime-time NBC TV of Tina Fey impersonating her, MG would scream, "It's Sarah Palin!" So you can imagine her joy when the other morning we got a phone call - it played out something like this:

(Ring Ring) - "Maggie, can you get the phone for Mommy?"

(MG answers phone) "Hello?" A lady on the other end (apparently from a polling place) was talking about voting for Sen John McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin.

As I'm walking over the the phone, realizing that it's not her Daddy or another family member on the line, she screams, "Mommy! It's Sarah Palin on the phone! It's Sarah Palin!"

I took the phone from her. The voice on the other end explains that she was from so-and-so group and wanted to encourage us to vote for McCain/Palin in the upcoming election. I told her that we had both already Early Voted, but thanked her for calling, and said goodbye.

Tears start pouring down my sweet one's face, "MOMMY! You didn't let me talk to Sarah Palin!" I dried her tears and tried to explain.... but she was still convinced that Sarah Palin called to talk to her! :)

Musings on a Rainy Afternoon

Right now it's raining cats & dogs - thunder - lightening - the WORKS! It's been doing this for over an hour. So much that I'm fearful of the little cats, dogs, and other woodland creatures that are without shelter. With the hard cold ground, some may be swept away by a flash flood!

I really do have random thoughts like this just run through my head. And besides, I'm really bored, just sitting here on the desk with everyone avoiding the rain. I think I deserve a little daydreaming now and then. The same people that were trying to leave more than 1/2 an hour ago are pacing now, willing the rain to stop. I think they're bored too. Possibly frustrated that they forgot their umbrella, or are afraid to drive in this mess due to their vision, have poor traction on their tires, or some other malady.

Honestly, I will enjoy 3:30 when it comes and I can eat my sandwich, listen to the rain, and perhaps take a nap.