Picking Up the Pieces of Broken Lives

It's now been almost two months since we've been fostering and what a ride it has been!  Our first placement was not our chosen "criteria" (fostering babies under 8 months of age is our selection - since that is where the need is in our area) but our first child was in an emergency situation and we felt led by the Lord to say "yes".  It was a wonderful experience for us.  Of course, again, I can't get into details, but we learned a lot.  We learned about the fostering system, about children in care, about families with children in care and about a segment of society that we know exists, we see everyday but we really don't know what exactly makes them tick. (Or not tick.)

I don't pretend to know what really makes them tick except I've learned that a lot of us "fortunate folks" have NO IDEA.  We say silly things like "the poor will always be with us" or "they just don't get it do they?"  Now I'm not going to take sides in this debate - I also have been perplexed at the complexity of this segment of society that can't seem to "get it together".  And I don't say that judgmentally - I'm talking about myself here too - I have thought these things prior to this journey we have embarked on.  I say it with the realization that society is complex and each person's situation is filled with unique circumstances that, for some people, seem to snowball and snowball and affect subsequent generations.  My motto is "except by the Grace of God I would be there too".  So many of us have been blessed with relatively healthy family situations - and some have amazing family situations - and we can be guilty of taking it for granted.

Over the past 2 months I have met and hugged a recovering drug abuser, talked with parents whose children have been taken away for one reason or another, learned some things that I'd rather not know about, and seen some of the children who are stuck in between the chaos.

Here are the things that annoy me most:
- people who say "doesn't mom want her child?"  Often mom is unable to care for her child for one reason or another - perhaps not actually mature enough to do the job, maybe she's homeless or has unstable housing, maybe she's an addict or a recovering addict, an alcoholic or recovering alcoholic -- all sorts of reasons why children are in care.  Many of these people come from splintered families and they don't have any support around them.  Some have broken family ties and have no alternatives.  But reasons don't always mean she doesn't want her child!  It can seem so simple to those of us who don't fight addictions: "just give up your addiction and be the mom you should be!" we say.  It's not always that simple.  Unfortunately a child's development doesn't wait until mom (or dad) has their act together.
- people who say "now how could a mom give up her child! (with a tsk, tsk) Some of these children have been rescued from mom!  While foster care isn't the ideal, it's often waaaay better than where these children have come from.  Don't give these moms any more guilt - they don't need it and it isn't effective anyway. Love the child despite the circumstance.
- people who act disgusted that mom isn't responsible It's true sometimes that parents are not responsible, however, a child is now in the equation and tsk tsking doesn't help.  We need to reach out and help however we can. 
- People who don't pay attention to these children - Sometimes these children are ignored when they're in groups, as if  people don't want to face the reality of foster care. These children are human beings too - and probably more needy of your encouragement than the "fortunate children" around us.  Love is easy to give and shouldn't be dependent on who you're related to. If you don't know how to relate, ask. 
- people who want to know all the details of "the situation".  While I understand curiousity, these are little lives that we're dealing with and we can't share confidential information. Sometimes I want to tell you everything - because it's hard to fathom it all sometimes in my head.  But I can't.  Sorry.
- people who say "but he/she is sooooooooooo cute!"  For some reason people think that foster children cannot be cute.  I don't get this one at all.  There are cute kids everywhere and not-so-cute ones too.  But they are all the same: human beings needing love and care. And even cute children are born to complex family situations. 
- people who think foster parents are amazing because they're doing this job This one is just awkward.  I am so thankful that God brought us to this "job", however, I fought the call for a very long time.  I thought I couldn't do it - and I was right.  I can only do it through God's strength.  My heart breaks many times - when I hear things that I wanted to keep out of my mind, when I tread through difficult situations and when I'm not sure if I'm doing a good job. 

But all of these are quieted when I see a little face looking back at me, smiling, secure and safe in my arms. 

But the biggest thing that bothers me? 

Christians who don't see these children for the opportunity that they are. 

Christians who don't realize that society's answer to unwanted children

is abortion - and although these moms are confused,

they CHOSE LIFE.  

Christians, especially, who don't see that we are so blessed,

we have more than enough to give to those "orphans" in need. 

People who don't realize that it costs nothing to extend a hand,

to give a smile, to reach out. 

If ever there was an evangelism opportunity, this is it! 

Love doesn't cost a thing - but it goes a long way. 

And, as Christians, we are called to do it.   

 

The time is now - while a child is young.  There is so much we can do just by simple actions. Did you know that children's brain circuitry is shaped when the child is stimulated by another human being?  Not left alone in front of a TV - but via the back and forth chatting that should go on naturally between parents and their children!  The babbling and smiles and talking to children, yes even and especially babies!  Such a simple thing does so much! Watch this video:

"When a foster child comes into your home and your heart, they can stay for a month, a year or a lifetime. You are never sure how long it will be. But one thing you do know: no one can take away what you are able to share with them – security, a sense of family and love for God." (read more here: Waiting to Belong)

Christmas Wish for My Children

My Christmas wish for MY children! A favourite!

My Prayper Route

Kind of a strange photo here, but I was trying to get a pic of my hair after coming back from my paper route last week. It was -27C outside when I left home at 7:30am - brrrr, and my hair ended up frosted. It looked like solidly gray hair!

Anyway, as you know, I have a paper route. In fact, I've had my route for over 9 years now. Most of the people in my neighbourhood know that it's my route, but once in a while I still get a comment like "doing your kids route?"

What started out as a way to exercise AND make a little bit of money (originally it was my scrapbooking money) has turned into exercise and making a bit of money as well as contact with neighbours. I know most of them and have seen many of them through good and bad times in their lives - and they also have shared my burdens. I shared a while back about Joanne, and I have good news to share again with you.

Joanne is doing quite well, although she hasn't heard back from her doctor's about her prognosis and health plan. She'd like to leave the cancer as is and go without treatment, especially if it's a slow-growing cancer -- but she doesn't know for sure if it is a slow cancer. I hope to hear more soon. But even if it's a faster cancer, she may end up opting out of treatment - since, as she says, "I could die of something else before cancer takes me!"

Joanne moved to a senior's residence not too far away and my husband and I went to visit her last week. She was so excited to see us! She looks good (she's 90 years old), never takes the elevators (stairs only!) and finds that the "old people with walkers" are quite slow! haha She seems to have a much happier attitude now - and is enjoying having her meals made for her and access to all sorts of activities and entertainment at her fingertips!

~~~
But back to my paper route - as I was walking the other day, I realized how I pray for those who I know are living with difficulties. I don't know their names many times - but I do know some of their "woes". At one home in lives a couple about our ages with kids around the ages of our kids. I know they're a Christian family because I had some contact with the husband years ago but he wouldn't remember me (he used to chair an organization that I was a part of). When I saw him and his wife at the store a couple of months ago, it was obvious that his wife is going through chemotherapy. I have no idea what type of cancer she has, but I pray for her and their family every week as I pass their home.

At another home - a man just lost his wife suddenly just before Christmas 2010. I pray for him.

A neighbour family is very strange - I don't know why or what's going on, but instead of trying to figure them out, I pray for them instead now.

There are two people on my route whose spouses have left them. They are each hurting and alone.

I just heard from Joanne that another family - one living across from her old home, is going through a cancer diagnosis. The wife has some sort of brain tumour. They have three young boys.

An older man on my route is busy as caregiver to his sick wife.

We live in a beautiful world - filled with great things - and filled with lots of sad things like sorrow and sickness. And God has given me a huge compassion gene - which I don't like many times, but I know that He has a reason for how He made me. For now, I'll just reach out to those who surround me, help when I can, and I will certainly pray for them!

Prayer might not seem like much - but I know that God works in amazing ways. He may not choose to heal those who are going through these times, but I know that He will comfort them and be there for them. Maybe even through me. Use me, Lord.

From now on I'm going to call my route my prayper route!

Winter Art

There's another gorgeous design on our window today - as Ontario is in the midst of a blizzard. Thought I'd post a pic, referring to this post in 2008! Can't beat God's artwork!

"How could I say there is no God,

when all around creation calls?!"

(Brian Doerksen)

No Impact for Me Too

No Impact Man: The Adventures of a Guilty Liberal Who Attempts to Save the Planet and the Discoveries He Makes About Himself and Our Way of Life in the Process, by Colin Beavan.

I just completed reading this book and I have to share some quotes with you. These quotes are just some points that struck me - there's a TON of info in this book. Hopefully they will encourage you to read the book ... and think about what YOU can do to help preserve the world around us!

I'm not a tree-hugger. I don't think that we can actually "save" the planet because God says that it will eventually be burned up. But that doesn't relieve me of any responsibility. As a Christian, I believe that it is my responsibility to be a good steward of the world around me - and the resources that I choose (or don't choose) for myself and my family.

I do what I can because of my responsibility to God. Simple as that.

This is not a Christian book - and it contains some swearing as well as some meditation-zen stuff. It also contains a lot of questions and biblical questions. It made me see my world in a different light.

I recommend this book. The following quotes are from the many pages that I dog-eared...lots and lots to ponder and glean from this experiment. It has made me look even closer at what purchases I'm making and how I can improve my "footprint" in this world. (Note: the quote titles are mine.)

PS Read the book first. I haven't watched the DVD yet, but I do have it and hope to watch it soon. I'll keep you posted.

Life:
"The happiest people, the shrinks discovered, did not live their lives on this perpetual loop. Rather, these folks had raised their baseline mood in ways that did not require repeated doses of new stuff. The people most satisfied with life, it turned out, had strong social connections, found meaning in their work, got to exercise what they considered to be their highest talents, and had a sense of some higher purpose." (pg. 26)

Garbage:
"According to the Environmental Protection Agency, food packaging makes up 20 percent of our solid waste nationwide [US]. The archaeologist studying our nation's trash, it seems, would see that it's not just the city folks who don't have time to cook. A lot of suburbanites aren't exactly finding the time to peel a carrot, either. It's just that instead of getting their throwaway packaging from takeout, they're getting it from the frozen-food section." (pg. 39)

"Think of the grocery store. If you're lucky, in the aisles around the edges you'll find some fresh produce -- some food you can actually cook. But every other aisle -- the aisles in the store's heart -- has shelves crammed with cereal in boxes and vegetables in cans and frozen food in plastic trays. That's the stuff that's destined to become, after a couple of minutes in a microwave and a couple more on a table, or a lap, a full 20 percent of our nation's trash.

However much my grandparents' ghosts might cluck their tongues at my way of life, it is not that my family alone had turned into some sort of monstrous, garbage-making machine. It's not that I'm a marred human being who took a wrong turn, or that I've turned bad in the twenty-five years since my grandparents wielded their influence over me. It's not that I'm the lazy ingrate I thought I was. But it may be that, as a member of the crew of the huge steamship that is our culture, I had acquiesced to some decisions that caused the whole boat to take a wrong turn, and possibly sink." (pgs. 39-40)

"Sure, it was just one piece of tissue, but the problem is, as Heather Rogers points out in Gone Tomorrow: The Hidden Life of Garbage, some 80 percent of our products are made to be used only once. As trivial as that paper towel might seem, it points up a multitude of individual and cultural choices we make every day, choices that mean we are sucking resources out of the planet and sending them to the landfill or incinerator, having barely used them.
As long as we're talking about waste, it's worth noting that, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, 4.8 million tons - nearly 10 billion pounds - of disposable paper napkins, towels, cups, and plates is what the United States sends to landfills every year. I don't know why it never occurred to me before, but what we're talking about when we talk about 10 billion pounds of trashed paper products is 10 billion pounds of dead trees." (pgs. 47, 48)

Plastic Bags:
"Every year, we junk some 4 to 5 trillion plastic bags worldwide, according to the Worldwatch Institute. Around the globe, plastic bags, used for a matter of minutes and then thrown away, leave stores and markets in quantities hundreds of times greater than any other piece of merchandise. They are the world's most ubiquitous consumer items and, not coincidentally, its most pervasive throwaway product.
We recycle plastic bags at a rate of less than 1 percent, and thrown-away bags formed some 4 million tons of municipal waste in the United States in 2006. They poison the air when burned in incinerators, or leach nasty chemicals in our landfills for hundreds of years. And thanks to their lightweight aerodynamics, the wind carries an estimated 1 percent of plastic bags out of trash depositories. These renegade bags end up billowing from trees, hanging from fences, or, worst of all, floating in the ocean.
In 1988, across a span of just two weeks, fifteen leatherback turtles, an endangered species, washed up dead on the beaches of Long Island. Alarmed by the deaths, marine biologists performed autopsies. They discovered that eleven of the fifteen dead turtles had ingested plastic bags that blocked their stomach openings. Leatherback turtles, you see, have the unfortunate twin qualities of a taste for jellyfish and bad eyesight. To these nearly blind turtles, it seems a submerged plastic bag looks simply delicious." (pgs. 53, 54)

Stuff:
"Everybody says I want this and I want that. If our assumptions about happiness and the fulfillment of desire are true, well, then, so be it: the economy is rightfully predicted on the fulfillment of desires and it will burn along until there's nothing left to burn. But if that is so, why did Jesus say that a camel can fit through the eye of a needle more easily than a rich man can get into the Kingdom of heaven?" (pg. 115)

Chemicals:
"Corn belt fertilizer washing off the land into the Mississippi River, meanwhile, ends up in the Gulf of Mexico. It turns out what when you fertilize the ocean you get a massive bloom of oxygen-hogging algae. The results if a 7,900-square-mile dead zone in the Gulf that is so depleted of oxygen that it suffocates fish, shrimp, crabs, and all manner of marine life. The EPA estimates that 210 million pounds of fertilizer end up in the Gulf every year." (pg. 122-123)

Light:
"...I read that people without artificial lighting often experience a phenomenon known as "second sleep." They go to sleep when it gets dark, wake up halfway through the night, light a candle, get up for an hour, and then go back to bed. They supposedly end up more rested than people who go to bed later and sleep through the night." (pg. 166)

Water:
"In the United States, for example, the average single-family household uses some seventy gallons of water every day. A full quarter of that we use to flush our toilets. In other words, while 1 billion people in the world don't have access to clean drinking water, Americans are flushing 2.5 trillion gallons a year down the toilet." (pg. 193, 194)

Children:
"More children have died from diarrhea than people have been killed in war and conflict since World War II. A child dies every eight seconds from drinking dirty water." (pg. 194)

Simple Steps:
"To keep toxins out of the wastewater, around the house we use nothing toxic. Pretty simple. We learn to make our household and personal cleaning products from a combination of borax, white vinegar, baking soda, and Dr. Bronner's vegetable-oil-based liquid soap. Baking soda, it turns out, makes the world's best underarm deodorant. A vegetable-oil-and beeswax moisturizer made by a local person is better for our skin than anything we've ever used before." (pg. 197)

Thoughts:
"When I take my last breath, will there be a wish that I had more stuff? ... This life is so short and it will soon be over. What will we use it for?" (pg. 210)

"I'm just suggesting that we should at least wake up long enough to make it an active decision. And yes, it's our decision. It's a decision that belongs to us. Not to the government. Not to big business. It belongs to us." (pg. 215)

"I'd hear criticisms like this constantly throughout the No Impact project. What difference can one person make? Well, absolutely none if that one person doesn't try to influence a difference. But who among us knows how much we will influence the people around us? Which one of us knows which of us, by applying their talents and efforts to what they believe in, may not become a Martin Luther King, Jr. or a Bobby Kennedy or a Betty Friedan or a Nelson Mandela?" (pg. 219)

"I'm not going to make myself a martyr. But I am going to keep trying to live my life deliberately. For most of my forty-five years I didn't try hard enough. I got too paralyzed by this question of whether I was the type of person who could make a difference. Finally, during the year of the project, I realized that's the wrong question. The real question is whether I'm the type of person who wants to try." (pg. 224)

~~~
Colin's blog link: http://noimpactman.typepad.com/

Being Perfect

27 Sep 2010
Rachel Olsen

"His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence." 1 Peter 1:3 (ESV)

There's a moment I dread when going to the doctor for a check-up. It's not putting on that tissue paper rectangle they mistakenly call a "gown." It's not having my finger pricked for blood tests - though I'm really squeamish about that. It's the moment right after the nurse finishes her questions, grabs her clip board, and announces the doctor will be in to see me shortly. Pulling the door closed behind her, she leaves me alone with it.

I already know what it's going to say about me; I've read it before. It's going to say that I don't measure up. That I'm not reaching my potential. That I don't equal my ideal. It's the height/weight chart that declares the perfect weight for my height – and I'm several pounds away.

It extends no mercy. It offers no grace. It makes no allowances for how old I am, how many babies I've birthed, or the fact that my husband can eat three plates of food every night without gaining an ounce. It demands perfection.

A few years ago I heard a verse that seemed to be the scriptural equivalent of the height/weight chart. A single verse to measure my worth against, and feed my expectations for perfection: "But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect." (Matthew 5:48, NIV)

I figured this verse justified dressing my family in matching sweaters, in the middle of July, to take the Christmas card photo because I'd just gotten the perfect haircut. I figured it warranted pricey tooth whitening treatments because I drink coffee and tea, and it shows. And I figured it would be my defense when I drove my family nuts about deep-cleaning the entire house because my new friend said she might stop by.

While the verse came in handy when I needed to justify my quest for perfect teeth, perfect photos or a perfectly clean house, it added to my disappointment, guilt and occasional loathing when my life, body or family didn't match the ideal notions in my head. Rather than fostering perfection, it fueled my self-criticism. Surely this is not what Jesus intended!

In the years since hearing that verse, I've embraced a core conviction that goes like this: If God created life, He alone gets to define it . This conviction drove me to find out what exactly Jesus meant by "be perfect."

Matthew wrote this verse. And the word he used in the ancient Greek language means something a little different than Mr. Webster's English definition. The Greek word here is teleos and it means "complete, full grown, developing."

The first two pieces of that definition indicate something already accomplished, while the third indicates an ongoing process. So this perfection Jesus prescribes for us is already complete and yet still developing. Complete in Him; still at work in us. We're allowed to be a work-in-progress!
All parts of this definition, however, refer to maturity of character, rather than a flawless figure, immaculate home, or the faultless execution of a task. Jesus just doesn't care so much if there's dust on our mantle, a stain on our teeth, or a scratch on our car. He isn't interested in how well our bedspread matches our curtains; He's interested in our spiritual maturity. Jesus teaches I will not find my worth in my ability to reach my perfect weight or accomplish my to-do list flawlessly, but in the fact that I am learning to reflect His character. To graciously give and receive love.

That's good news for a recovering perfectionist. Plus, as John writes in 1 John 3:18-19 of The Message: "My dear children, let's not just talk about love; let's practice real love. This is the only way we'll know we're living truly, living in God's reality. It's also the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism, even when there is something to it."

Dear Lord, thank You for grace! Thank You for mercy! Thank You for empowering me to be like You as I submit to Your Word. And thank You for not caring about dust bunnies or stained shirts. Help me to care less about those things as well and focus my heart more on You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Application Steps:
Spend time reading through the gospels, noticing what concerned Jesus and what did not.

Reflections:
What surface-level thing(s) have you been worrying over lately?

If it's not about your character, let it go as imperfect and rest in God's grace today.

Power Verses:
Philippians 3:8-9, "More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith," (NASB)

Help to Get & Stay Organized

Secrets of the Organized
by Jill Cooper

Could these 9 tools change your life?

1. Never stop picking up. Try picking up during TV commercials or while you are waiting for something to boil on the stove. You will be amazed how much you can get done in five minutes. Have the entire family spend five minutes picking up the family room or living room before they go to bed. Set a timer for young kids, so they don't get overwhelmed. If your family members go to bed at different times, then have each member pick up his or her items before bedtime. Once this becomes a habit, you will be amazed how much easier picking up becomes.

2. Stop making messes. Keep a trash can in every room. No one likes carrying one small piece of trash from the family room to the kitchen, so it usually ends up on the floor. Keep small trash cans everywhere. In our office, we have two trash cans, one next to the desk for throwing away regular office trash and one next to the shipping table for throwing away envelope tabs, extra invoices and other shipping trash. If you need two trash cans in a room, put them in there. Make it easy to keep things clean. Throw that sticky food wrapper straight into the trash. Don't lay it on the counter to make another mess that needs to be wiped up later. Don't lay that dirty spoon on the counter. Rinse it and put it in the sink or dishwasher. As you're undressing, don't throw your dirty clothes on the floor or on the furniture. While they are still in your hand, put them in the hamper, or if they're still clean, hang them up. Keep the hamper close to where you undress at night. If it is convenient, you will be more likely to use it. Before you leave the bathroom, hang your wet towel on the rod. Don't drop it on the floor or leave it in a pile.

3. Think ahead. What are you having for dinner? Are the kid's papers signed and ready for school? What clothes are you wearing tomorrow?

4. Never, Never Procrastinate. Keep straightening things all the time. For example, when you put away groceries and you see that the cans of soup have fallen over, take two seconds to re-stack them. When you put linens or clothes in their drawers, make sure everything in those drawers is neatly stacked. Pick up as you go. Each time you walk through a room, pick up something.

5. Stop thinking about it! Just do it. Train family members to rinse their own dishes and stack them in the sink (or better yet to put them directly into the dishwasher). It may take a while to develop this habit. For kids, you may want to do something like charge each member a dime for every dish not rinsed or make them responsible for doing all the dishes for a week. Remember Thomas Edison? What if he had given up after his first 5, 10, or 100 light bulbs? Where would we be now if he had thrown up his hands and quit at his first failures? The same is true with getting and staying organized. Keep practicing and you will create a productive new habit.

6. Attitude, Attitude, Attitude. Stop dreading taking care of your home and start taking pride and pleasure in it. Think of an organized home as a special gift of peace and pleasure that you are giving your family. A disorganized one causes turmoil and frustration. Besides, you probably spend more time worrying about it than it would take to clean it.

7. Use rooms for their intended purposes. Don't let kids get undressed in the family room. That's why they have bedrooms. Eat food at the kitchen table or bar, not in bed. This alone can save a huge number of messes. Fold laundry in the laundry room immediately after taking it out of the dryer and put it away immediately.

8. Be a wise steward of your time. If you see something that needs to be clean, clean it as soon as possible. If something doesn't need to be cleaned, don't waste your time. If there is no dust, don't just dust because you dust every Saturday. Don't overbook yourself volunteering at schools, churches or charities. Learn to say "no." Notice that I didn't say don't do these things at all, just control how much you do so they don't take over your life. Don't overbook your children with their activities, either. Get rid of fruitless activities. Many of us spend way too much time talking on the phone, watching TV, shopping unnecessarily or killing time on the computer. These are all time robbers when you devote a lot of time to them.

9. Keep on top of things. If you do small cleanings every day, you'd be surprised how much you can accomplish. In ten-minute increments, you can do each of the following: wash the dishes, vacuum, file a pile of papers or clean your purse. It shouldn't take more than ten minutes for each child to pick up his room before bed and to lay out his clothes for the morning. Don't let the laundry, dishes, toys and paperwork get out of control.

www.livingonadime.com/

www.stretcher.com/index.cfm

40 bags in 40 days

I am not Catholic, however this challenge intrigued me. AND interested me!

I've been trying to get some decluttering done but life keeps taking over.

Years ago I used to follow The FlyLady and her "27 Fling Boogies" helped me to declutter (everyday you try to get rid of 27 things - either in the garbage or donated to charity).

The 40 days challenge is a Lent thing --

and Lent is from Ash Wednesday

until Easter Sunday.

All of which are over for this year.

So, I will try this starting next week -

Monday, April 12 and go for 40 days (for me, May 21).

Wanna join me?

40 bags in 40 days challenge

How it works:

1. Pick what size of trash bag you want to use. (I will use the tall kitchen bags.)

2. Each week for eight weeks, fill one bag (or equivalent). It can be a bag of stuff, toys, clothes, papers - anything, a box of books, an old TV. Anything that you can count as clutter is fair game.

3. Update on your blog how it goes.

4 Have fun!

Made in China Boycott

I received this email a while back and I thought I'd share it here for those who might be interested but haven't seen it.

I'm one who regularly reads labels and makes choices based on what I read...and I especially love to buy Canadian if I can and avoid items made in China. Mainly because I feel that if we don't support our jobs here at home, eventually there won't be jobs here at home! Also because of quality. My rules are these: I will buy Canadian wherever possible. If I can't buy Canadian, I will buy US made items next. After that, I will reconsider if I really need the item and possibly skip buying it. I only shop at dollar stores (I call them "landfill stores") as a last resort and I apply the "Buy Canadian" rules there (Canadian-made greeting cards are often available at dollar stores).


I had to buy myself some new running shoes lately and I know from experience that 99.9% of athletic shoes are "Made in China". Imagine my surprise when I chose a pair and read that they were "Made in the USA!!" Yah!! The price was good AND they were made in the US!!! Win, win!!


Last week I had raisins on my list to buy -- the last package made it past me before I realized that they were from Thailand. Grrrr. So I read the labels and found that SunMaid raisins are from the US. About 75cents more per package but worth it. Those raisins are AWESOME anyway!


Here's to supporting our workers here at home in North America!


I WAS BUYING FOOD THE OTHER DAY AT THE COUNTRY MARKET. ON THE LABEL OF SOME PRODUCTS IT SAID FROM CHINA. FOR EXAMPLE THE "OUR FAMILY" BRAND OF THE MANDARIN ORANGES SAYS RIGHT ON THE CAN FROM CHINA I WAS SHOCKED!! SO FOR A FEW MORE CENTS I BOUGHT THE LIBERTY GOLD BRAND OR THE DOLE IS FROM CAL . TAKES FOREVER JUST TO BUY FOOD AND DO LABEL READING ! !
Are we Canadians as dumb as we appear --- or --- is it that we just do not think? While the Chinese, knowingly and intentionally, export inferior and even toxic products and dangerous toys and goods to be sold in Canadian markets, Yet 70% of North Americans believe that the trading privileges afforded to the Chinese should be suspended. Well, duh..why do you need the government to suspend trading privileges? SIMPLY DO IT YOURSELF!! Simply look on the bottom of every product you buy, and if it says 'Made in China ' or 'PRC' (and that now includes Hong Kong ), simply choose another product, or none at all. You will be amazed at how dependent you are on Chinese products, and you will be equally amazed at what you can do without. Who needs plastic eggs to celebrate Easter? If you must have eggs, use real ones and benefit some Canadian farmer. Easter is just an example, the point is do not wait for the government to act. Just go ahead and assume control on your own. THINK ABOUT THIS If 200 million North Americans refuse to buy just $20 each of Chinese goods, that's a billion dollar trade imbalance resolved in our favor...fast!! The downside? Some businesses will feel a temporary pinch from having foreign stockpiles of inventory. Wahhhhhhhhhhhh The solution? Let's give them fair warning and send our own message. Most of the people who have been reading about this matter are planning on implementing this on June 4, and continue it until July 4. That is only one month of trading losses, but it will hit the Chinese for 1/12th of the total, or 8%, of their North American exports. Then they will at least have to ask themselves if the benefits of their arrogance and lawlessness were worth it. ! Remember, June 4 to July 4. EVEN BETTER. . . START NOW. If we can't live without cheap Chinese goods for one month out of our lives, WE DESERVE WHAT WE GET!

Perspective

I can get upset that my window gets condensation on it, that I have to wipe it every morning, and that the condensation blocks my view...

Or I can thank the Lord that I have a window,

And that He paints a beautiful picture for me

every day!

Spiritual Vacuuming

This is a devotion from a few years ago that I had saved in my bible. I pulled it out recently when we had to deal with some books that had come into our home and did not fit the Phil. 4:8 guideline that we try to go by. I love the vacuum cleaner analogy! I have asked for Susanne's permission to post the devotion here and I am thankful that she has allowed me to do so. ~ D

Dawn,
Yes, you have my permission to use the devotion House of Holiness. Please note the following with the devotion: © 2005 by Susanne Scheppmann. All rights reserved.
Blessings, Susanne Scheppmann

September 29, 2005

"House of Holiness"

Susanne Scheppmann

Co-Editor of Online Devotions,

Proverbs 31 Speaker Team Member

Key Verse: Psalm 93:5,

"Your statutes stand firm; holiness adorns your house for endless days, O Lord." (NIV)

Devotion: My husband, Mark, likes a clean house. Fortunately, for me, he also enjoys vacuuming. We joke that our vacuum covers more miles per week than a NASCAR racer. The noise of suction vibrates throughout our home on a daily basis, picking up small particles of food, dirt, dog hair and who knows what else.

Now here is the weird part, most of the time I do not notice or can't see what the vacuum collects off my floor, until I empty the vacuum bag. Shock washes over me each time I replace the dusty bag of dirt. I realize all that appalling stuff snuck into my carpet uninvited.

While my home stays clean from sundry floor dirt, keeping my home in a state of godly holiness requires daily diligence also. Psalm 93:5 describes God's house as, "holiness adorns your house for endless days." I believe our own homes should reflect holiness also, because God commands us, ". . . be holy, because I am holy. . . (Leviticus 11:44, NIV)." In addition, in the Old Testament the priests in God's house were told, "You must distinguish between the holy and the common, between the unclean and the clean. . . (Leviticus 10:10, NIV)."

Although, these verses apply within the Old Testament laws, we are called to be holy priests today. Twice in 1 Peter we are told we are a "holy priesthood." So, I must ask myself, What is common or unholy in my home? What has snuck into my life that God considers appalling in His sight?

The way I determine if something needs to be removed from my home-life is by asking the following type of questions:

Would my favorite outfit be modest enough to wear to the door to invite Him into my home?

† If Jesus were sitting with me, would I read this book?

† Could I invite Jesus to watch my favorite afternoon television show and watch it guilt free?

† Would I want to share my popcorn with Him as I watched the latest video released?

Even though our answers might differ to what we believe is appropriate for our own homes, we must be diligent to seek God's heart on what spiritual housekeeping He desires in our lives. For myself, a good guideline is found in Philippians 4:8: "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things (NASB)." These words from the Apostle Paul help me to determine what needs to stay and what needs to go in my home.

An example of this type of decision applied recently in my own life. I had watched a movie on TV that I enjoyed, so much I decided to purchase it. However, when I began to watch the movie, the vulgarity of the language shocked me. I realized the network television had edited the profanity from the movie. It was not honorable, right, pure, or of good repute. I discarded the movie into the trash. Unknowingly, I had brought "spiritual dirt" into my home.

Just as I clean my grimy floors frequently, I battle to keep my home godly. Now if you will excuse me, I hear my husband running the vacuum. I believe I will go run a spiritual vacuum throughout the house, because I often bring home bits and pieces of things that God would not find pleasing to His eyes. How about you? Do you need to run a "spiritual vacuum" throughout your home?

My Prayer for Today:

Lord God, reveal to me anything in my home that would not be pleasing to You. Help me to discard books, movies, or any other type of entertainment that I would not be proud to share with You.

In Jesus' Name, Amen.

1930s Wife -- Take the Test!

97 As a 1930s wife, I am Very Superior Take the test!

This was hilarious! I thought I'd fail because of putting my cold feet on Andrew's, but alas, I did okay!!! HA!

Signs of Spring

take a trip through our "signs of spring" with me!
the view from my kitchen window has become greener and the thermometer has been showing higher temps

my begonia is growing away -- it will be put outside to grow all summer

once the threat of frost is gone

my raspberry plants are growing

my herbs are sprouting yet again!

we're taking more "rubber boot" walks

(these are my friend, Susanne's, three boys

-- I "borrow" them once in a while!)the deer are coming closer again

"mr. & mrs. mallard" are visiting for another year!

(and eggs are hatching -- maybe a baby duck?)

our chickens are enjoying roaming around our yard again

my vinca is blooming!

my rhubarb is growing and we've been enjoying rhubarb cobbler and muffins...
(okay, my family has been enjoying them -- they're not gluten-free so I haven't had any...but I do enjoy making them!)

everything is blooming!

including the weeds...

and the best of all?

clean laundry drying outside on the clothesline!
THANK YOU, LORD, FOR SPRING!

For Moms!

If you haven't heard this song, you HAVE to hear it!

Click for more on Anita
Anita Renfroe: Mom's William Tell Overture...what a mother says in a 24 hour period!
All the details on Anita & her career in one place!
Anita's Website
Read about Anita on her own website.
*VIDEO CLIP~~Good Morning America Oct 3 INTERVIEW
The anchors at Good Morning America have fun when Anita Renfroe appears on the show to tell how her Mom Video has affected her life and her career

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxT5NwQUtVM

Here are the lyrics:

Get up now

Get up now

Get up out of bed

Wash your face

Brush your teeth

Comb your sleepy head

Here's your clothes

And your shoes

Hear the words I said

Get up now

Get up and make your bed

Are you hot?

Are you cold?

Are you wearing that?

Where's your books and your lunch and your homework at?

Grab your coat and your gloves and your scarf and hat

Don't forget you got to feed the cat

Eat your breakfast

The experts tell us it's the most important meal of all

Take your vitamins so you will grow up one day to be big and tall

Please remember the orthodontist will be seeing you at three today?

Don't forget your piano lesson is this afternoon
So you must play

Don't shovel

Chew slowly

But hurry

The bus is here

Be careful

Come back here

Did you wash behind your ears?

Play outside

Don't play rough

Would you just play fair?

Be polite

Make a friend

Don't forget to share

Work it out

Wait your turn

Never take a dare

Get along

Don't make me come down there

Clean your room

Fold your clothes

Put your stuff away

Make your bed

Do it now

Do we have all day?

Were you born in a barn?

Would you like some hay

Can you even hear a word I say?

Answer the phone

Get Off the phone

Don't sit so close

Turn it down

No texting at the table

No more computer time tonight

Your iPod's my iPod if you don't listen up

Where you going and with whom and what time do you think you're coming home?

Saying thank you, please, excuse me

Makes you welcome everywhere you roam

You'll appreciate my wisdom

Someday when you're older and you're grown

Can't wait 'til you have a couple little children of your own

You'll thank me for the counsel I gave you so willingly

But right now

I thank you NOT to roll your eyes at me

Close your mouth when you chew

Would appreciate

Take a bite

Maybe two

Of the stuff you hate

Use your fork

Do not you burp

Or I'll set you straight

Eat the food I put upon your plate

Get an egg A, Get the door

Don't get smart with me

Get a Grip

Get in here I'll count to 3

Get a job

Get a life

Get a PhD

Get a dose of reality

I don't care who started it

You're grounded until your 36

Get your story straight

And tell the truth for once for heaven's sake

And if all your friends jumped off a cliff

Would you jump too?

If I've said it once, I've said at least a thousand times before that

You're too old to act this way

It must be your father's DNA

Look at me when I am talking

Stand up straight when you walk

A place for everything

And everything must be in place

Stop crying or I'll give you something real to cry about

Oh!

Brush your teeth

Wash your face

Get your PJs on

Get in bed

Get a hug

Say a prayer with Mom

Don't forget

I love you**KISS**

And tomorrow we will do this all again because a mom's work never ends

You don't need the reason why

Because

Because

Because

Because

I said so

I said so

I said so

I said so

I'm the Mom

The mom

The mom

The mom

The mom

Ta-da

.

Keeper of the Home

I used to have this poem hanging in my kitchen and, when I did some spring (summer!) cleaning a few weeks ago, I found it stored in a box. It's a good reminder of the important job of being a 'keeper of the home'. Enjoy! ~ D

Beautitudes for Homemakers

Blessed is she whose daily tasks are a labour of love;

for her willing hands and happy heart transform duty

into joyous service

to all her family and to God.

Blessed is she who opens the door

to welcome both stranger

and well-loved friend;

for gracious hospitality is a test of brotherly love.

Blessed is she who mends stockings

and toys and broken hearts;

for her understanding is a balm

to her husband and children.

Blessed is she who scours and scrubs;

for well she knows that cleanliness

is one expression of godliness.

Blessed is she whom children love;

for the love of a child is of greater value

than fortune or fame.

Blessed is she who sings at her work;

for music lightens the heaviest load

and brightens the dullest chore.

Blessed is she who dusts away doubt and fear

and sweeps out the cobwebs of confusion;

for her faith will triumph over all adversity.

Blessed is she who serves laughter and smiles with every meal;

for her cheerfulness is an aid

to mental and physical digestion.

Blessed is she who introduces Jesus Christ to her children;

for godly sons and daughters shall be her reward.

Blessed is she who preserves the sacredness of the Christian home;

for hers is a divine trust that crowns her with dignity.