Dear Santa,

This Christmas I would like:

1. You to drop bags of cash on everyone's doorstep...(except the Big 3's Executives, of course). No singles, fives, tens or twentys please. Just the big boys. They spend better.

2. The magic diet pill of all diet pills. Have your elves come up with one that would make you instantly 30 or so pounds lighter. While they are at it, they might as well come up with a magic yucky taste pill too. That way all food would taste yucky. Yeah. That is what I need. Only eat for survival. Not enjoyment. Enjoyment bad.

3. A maid. She would cook, clean and do laundry. An "Alice" type.

Thanks Santa, you're the best.

Where In The World Is...

I joined Facebook a few months ago. Actually, I've had it for over a year, but didn't really do anything with it. I was busy spying on my kids on MySpace.

None of my kids are on Facebook. This is Mommy's time.

Man, do I spend the time on there. Know what I'm doing? Besides saying hello, letting people know my every move and commenting on my friends' adorable children, I'm searching for people.

Long lost people. I love it. Believe it or not, not everyone I've ever known has a Facebook. Huh. What's wrong with these people? Don't they know I'm searching for them.

Old neighbors. From every address. Kids I baby sat for a long time ago. Old classmates. Friends of the family. Friends of friends of the family (kidding). A lot of people.

My name is Shari, I'm a Facebook people stalker.

Rachel will look over my shoulder and see a new face on my "friends list".

"Who is that?"

I'll tell her who they are and how I knew/know them.

She can't believe I find people from 10,000 years ago.

She's thirteen. She is ONLY living in the now.

I used to live in the now. Now I live in the "remember when".

It happens to the best of us.

Plus, I want to see what these people look like! 10,000 years is a long time.

My Grown Boy

Josh told me a few weeks ago that he and Kevin had made plans to go up north deer hunting. My heart immediately sank. I know, he is nineteen years, two months and two days old.

This is a strange time in a parent's life. Letting go. Realizing that your once baby boy is growing up. Doing his own thing.

What I realized is that he didn't "ask" if he could go. He "told" me that he was going.

There really hasn't been any asking about things in awhile now.

He used to say, "Mom, can I go ________?" "Can I do ________?"

Within reason of course, he now tells me. Don't get me wrong, the things he tells me that he is doing is things I would most likely agree to. He knows his limits for the most part.

But still.

Its so darn hard! Not on him, ME!

Hunting was something he did in the comfort (for me) of being with Dad, PaPa and brothers. Safe. Dad drove, set up camp and watched over him.

This weekend: Josh drove, set up camp and has no one watching over him.

Thank God for all the experiences that he has shared with his Dad when it comes to hunting. I would like to believe that John has taught his boys well in that area.

Its the driving and other hunters out there that worries me so much.

I texted him before I went to bed last night, because he and Kevin were sleeping out in a tent at a campground. "Are you cold?"

I didn't get a response until first things this morning. He said that they didn't get cold because of the extremely warm sleeping bags that they took and that it didn't rain.

I'm thankful for cell phones and I'll be glad when he pulls into the driveway tomorrow.

***

All you mothers out there with young children, your day is coming. It happens so fast.

Cardboard Testimonies

Lukewarm - Not So Good

"I will move ahead, bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience

While I’m waiting
I will serve You
While I’m waiting
I will worship
While I’m waiting
I will not faint
I’ll be running the race
Even while I wait"
~from John Waller's "While I'm Waiting"

(If you are like me, you will search YouTube for the video and listen. Its wonderful)

I wrote this post for myself. God was speaking to me. In obedience, I wrote it. Its for all of us.

***
I love a good cup of coffee. You know, with all the cream and sugar. But I also enjoy my coffee hot. As soon as it begins to get lukewarm, I either have to zap it in the microwave or just dump it out and get a fresh, hot cup. There is nothing tasty about lukewarm beverages that are supposed to be served hot.

My husband likes a hot shower. I'm talking hot. Too hot for me, but just right for him. If I get in after he has taken a shower, I have to immediately move the dial to something a little more comfortable for me. In between hot and warm, otherwise I'm saying aloud, "Ouch! Too hot!"

Something comfortable for me.

Otherwise I'm saying, "Ouch! Too hot!"

Something comfortable for me.

Otherwise I'm saying, "Ouch! Too hot!"

I have not made a mistake in repeating these sentences. I am emphasizing these statements.

Read them as many times as you like. Maybe they will speak to you. They are speaking to me.

***

How close is too close?

Depends.

If someone is speaking to me, I have my own "comfort zone", my own "personal space". Most all of us do. Once someone invades that space, we become a little uncomfortable. Whether its their breath *smile* or just that uneasy feeling that you get, its too close. For comfort.

I love to be comfortable. When the weather is hot, I like to be cool. Sitting in my air conditioned house or swimming in my pool out back, both are very nice on hot summer days. Cool.

When its cold outside, I like to be warm. Cozy. Put on some comfy clothes. Sit by the fire. Warm.

Comfortable.

We do the same with God.

You know. Do the comfortable routine. What makes us feel good. Not too hot.

Lukewarm.

Not too close, for we might "smell" His breath *smile*.

But wait, don't we sing that song, "Jesus! Light of the world, breathe on us, breathe on us...."

Then He breathes on us.

What happens when He does that?

Do we get shivers up our spine? Fall back in love with Him. For that moment. We may experience that "hot" moment. Saying, "Oh God! I am yours! Do your work through me! For your Kingdom!"

And then we get tangled. Pulled.

Its no surprise to Him. He has dealt with it since the beginning of time.

But then beckons us, "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land..." 2 Chronicles 7:14

Isn't that what we need? His face. Forgiveness. Healing. His love. Its so abounding!

In the thesaurus, you'll find words that are synonyms for the word "lukewarm".

Such as: indifferent, cool, halfhearted, apathetic, unenthusiastic, tepid, perfunctory, noncommital, lackadaisical, laid-back, unenthused, couldn't-care-less.

But God also has some very strong words in Revelation 3:15-22 about being lukewarm. This is a place that we, as Christians, His people, do not want to find ourselves.

15I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!

16So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

17You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.

18I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

19Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.

20Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.

21To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.

22He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."

Now is not the time to be comfortable. Don't look to the world. It has nothing to offer. Seek Him. Because in Him, you will find rest. You will find strength.

It might not be comfortable. That's another post.

But He wants to do something through His people.

Now is the time.

We Are Family

Put Them On

I know I've posted quite a few videos lately. I ran across this and found it incredibly eye opening. See what a difference it makes in your thinking next time you go out of your house.

President Heffernan

Doug Heffernan for President 2012.

Would'nt that be great!

Instead of the "share the wealth" jacked-up philosphy, he would encourage "share the laughter".

Wouldn't that be fun?

He would tell our enemies "Shuttie!"

Love it.

And Carrie as the First Lady...perfect.

You could hear her telling the people, "Freakin' get off your lazy butts and get a job!"

And Arthur. Let's see....well here, let's see what Wikipedia says about him:


Sarcastic, brash, and always scheming, Arthur lives in the basement of Doug and Carrie's house. Quick to take offense, he shouts frequently and often unnecessarily, and often comes up with absolutely absurd, irregular or illogical money-making scams.

Arthur frequently makes bizarre claims (for example, that he invented the moist towelette, and claiming that Charles M. Schulz based Charlie Brown on Arthur's life). He also steals change from Doug's nightstand.

Arthur is a steadfast socialist, and supporter of the communist nations around the world. In the episode "Steve Moscow" he claims that the Soviet Union was a "workers' paradise," and in the episode "Strike Out", he says that he was once enrolled at a socialist summer camp. In one episode, Arthur and Spence hatch a plan to invent and market a revolutionary new backpack. When Spence suggests that they outsource the labor to save money, Arthur reacts angrily, stating that "Unipack will be made in America, by good labor union workers!" When Doug goes on strike, Arthur almost kisses him out of pride, and when Doug takes a scab job at a school as a substitute teacher, Arthur grows disgusted with Doug, saying "Whatever helps you sleep at night you (rhymes with bouche)."

Along with the banning of Halloween, Arthur also attempts to ban a long list of other things from the Heffernans' house, including red pens, soft cheese, non-American VCRs (but not DVD players), mentioning Franklin D. Roosevelt's paralytic illness, and miniature Kit Kats.

Just thought I'd throw that in for some good chuckles. It always makes me feel better.

Wonderful!

This is such a wonderful new song. I was so touched by it.

Praising My Savior

In what seems like the such perilous times, HE gives me comfort. Thank you Jesus.

Blessed Assurance

Way Back When

As we were admiring his little brother on my blog, Mason exclaimed, "When I was a little boy, I was on the P-quter."

When HE was a little boy, says this four year old.

And I LOVE how kids say computer. Rachel and Alec always called it a "puter".

There Mason, you are now on my P-quter, spaghetti stain around the mouth and all.

Greenfield Village

Alec and I went to Greenfield Village on Halloween with his school. Not only was the weather nice, but him and I "broke away" from our group, so it was just him and I. Let me tell ya, I thoroughly enjoyed that. Alec and I haven't spent that much quality time together in a long time.



Inside the "J.R. Jones General Store"




This store was originally on Dixie Hwy in Waterford.




Quaint little english style home.



Covered bridge and pond made for a great photo shot.



Edison's workshop.



View of the street in the village.



He got a mini harmonica in the gift shop.



We loved watching the glass blowing.