Fear - Not

With Halloween everywhere, it has been necessary to address, GHOSTS.

(See Suzzanne @ Blessed Among Men on a for a link to a healthy commentary on Halloween) On a regular basis, I shoo ghosts from the upstairs, and stomp to clear the room. I do not perpetuate this nonsense, or at least I don't start it, but it's a part of our world. But last week I put an end to it, at least took it head on. There are so many fun frivolous things in our world that sometimes I feel I'm the grinch of all socially acceptable imaginary things. But I have a very literal child. (He's raised by geriatrics, what can I say?) But he has addressed many topics that I thought would come much later, but there they are. Well, he doesn't do 'scary' ... at all. And the other night, he asked if I was afraid of ghosts and did I really believe in them. And this was my answer:

'I have never been afraid of ghosts. I think if a ghost is present, he is like all other spirits in this world, [subject] to God. God is in control of all things, and if God will allow anything unseen to be here, it will be something good. God loves you and me, and we serve Him. We love Him, and He loves us. He will protect us if in fact there are any spirits present. " I think I pretty much sealed the deal with the first line. But that's the facts. I'm afraid of crazy people, folks that seem threatening when I'm unprepared or dealing with 2 small children & have my hands full in the parking lot. I'm afraid when my husband runs late. But I figure if there are any spirits hanging about, God is in control of the situation. My faith is in Him. He won that Victory a long time ago, when Christ conquered death & took His rightful place in the heavenly realms.

A short time back we visited a fort at Ship Island in Biloxi, MS. This is a huge fort, but is no longer in use. We climbed & hiked all over it. At one point we came to a door that seemed to be a dungeon like enclosure. I told Jack to go in, be brave. But I didn't want to go in either. I went, & after my eyes adjusted we realized it was an amunitions hold. And was no bigger than the doorway. There was nothing to be afraid of but the unknown. This event in our lives came to mind when I visited Holy Experience~Never Fear Shadows. This post is beautiful, as are so many of her other thoughts & photos. She also hosts a beautiful challenge to consider the blessings of our lives. It is called a Gratitude Community and is hosted on Multitude Monday. I think I'm going to try it. I need to keep counting my blessings to maintain the confidence that I have in this God who will protect me and my family, when I'm concerned over shadows, darkness or unwelcome spirits.

Halloween Pumpkin Soup from Simply Recipes

I didn't plan for Halloween dinner! Oops! but here it is, I'm adapting a recipe to use what I have-- we'll see how it goes! I am going to use this on-line recipe from Simply Recipes. Isn't her photo beautiful!

Easy Halloween Costume

I'm not a Halloween enthusiast, by any stretch, but dressing up... I'm all over that. The boy's are into superheros, Jack was a knight at fall fest, and H was Batman (the pre-made version), but I dressed as the Hungry Caterpillar.(the easy costume I mentioned above)

I sewed straps on the shoulders & took the smily face ends (that come with the crawl tube toy) & sewed them together to make the head. Took about 5 minutes. Really. The boys wouldn't let me cut holes for arms so I had to make it a little shorter. But little kids enjoyed, and big people got a laugh. :) I'm sure if I'd spent a little more time, I could have come up with a better 'head'. Maybe you can come up with an easy idea for improvement! I'd love to hear it.

Tonights our Trick or Treat in neighborhood, so I'm deciding whether to stay at house or make the rounds, decisions, decisions. Either way, we'll light the pumpkins(that we carved & Henry promptly rolled off porch & cracked), and be prepared with candy!

Happy Halloween!

The Bible on the Square - Christianity Today

The Bible on the Square Today's Christian
by Tracy Crump A unique museum in Tennessee showcasing the truth of God's Word.

Christianity Today 2008

For many years now, 15 give or take, my parents have been working with a group of individuals to offer some of the most unique opportunities to the public at large, but more specifically children. Growing up, I like most preacher's kids, took for granted opportunites to look at slides of Israel & the Sea of Galilee, if their father was so blessed to have the opportunity to see and take pictures of some of the most inspiring sites in the world. I'm no exception. I took it for granted.

I realize of course now that the replica of the The Cyrus Cylinder (pictured above) or the Moabite Stone that stands in Collierville, TN is one of the most interesting offerings to folks who wish to believe & have confidence in the Scripture, with archaeological points of reference to guide the way.
The article referenced above captures well, how the Biblical Museum found its place, and what it has to offer to you.

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Stand and Deliver

In searching other bloggers sites, I was reminded of a movie I never saw... but should have. I appreciate movies about teachers and portray situations in eeducation. Especially the good ones. Semicolon has a list of 107 movies and she includes this movie-- 'Stand and Deliver' with Lou Diamond Phillips (which I have not seen) as well as another 'The Winslow Boy' (which I did see).

My Dad mentioned this movie to me recently, when I told him Jack had not been required to demonstrate his effort to memorize the Cub Scout Promise to receive his patch. ('stand and deliver') Even Boy Scouts has lowered the bar, lest we put someone on the spot and suggest that they actually do the work to receive the reward.

Schoolroom Decorating

We opted to consolidate the kids beds into one room to create a schoolroom. This was a hard decision, with trade-offs, but I'm optimistic. I won't go into the plus/minus aspect right now- its just too new to make that list. However, one plus is the Decorating factor for me. (big smile). I have been waiting to find just the right combination of equipment before making any purchases. But let's just say, the table is on the way. The UPS man is earning his keep this week. He is also getting a workout running from Millie.(she's getting older and a bit more territorial... I hope he doesn't leave our packages on the curb today..)

Pictures to follow, but for now, I will share an amazing alphabet that looks like a whole heap of fun to make. Girl with Fabric is/was decorating for a nursery, but my wheels are turning trying to figure out how I can justify the time commitment. Con's - not an accurate example for handwriting... Pro's -- big fun for me & the kids & super cute eye-candy for the days ahead. We'll see whether practical Laura can stick to the goal of creating a school room and not get carried away.

Craft Hope: Calling all Quilters!

If you've never clicked over to Craft Hope, it's time you take a trip to a very unique site. One filled with hope for those who need it most.

The most recent project is all about quilts. Don't miss the sock-monkeys from a previous project.

Stand by Your Man

I posted this previously but thought it was worth sharing again today with those at A Holy Experience.

A common theme among wives & mother's is a dangerous one. Trash talking your man. Don't go there. Don't talk him down. Don't air the dirty laundry, when it would be more helpful to throw it in the washer with bleach. Talking good about your man does other's good too, because they start thinking of something their husband did well, a kindness he bestowed on them, or an activity he did with their children. Talk well of your man. Be proud of him.

We watched 'The Sound of Music' recently(known by Henry as 'the lady that sings') and I remember it was said, during the first showing in theatre, the real Maria Von Trapp stood during the entire movie, singing along. Perhaps she liked to sing, but something makes me think she was proud of her life & her family. But she also stood by her man, as they, to my best memory, had, in unusual circumstances, little to nothing when they left their beloved Austria. (If my sources are right, she & her husband did not share a romantic love at first, like hollywood would have us believe, but developed it, as she began to appreciate marriage. )Don't hestiate to speak well of your man, not in a braggardly fashion, but never in a poor light. He needs your undivided devotion.(respect) He needs to know it in his heart, that he is the object of your affection.

Does my man know it, or does everyone else know the 'list of done me wrongs'? Be there for him, in a way that is uncommon. Never, never, never 'trash talk'. Being there for a sister often turns into an unfruitful session of excuses: don't make excuses, find the good and dwell on that.

post script: If you don't say the positives he needs to hear, he'll find it somewhere else. Sad commentary, but there are way too many sources for that outside of our home, that often start off benign, and end up.. less that benign. Safe guard your home, find the good in your man, let your kids hear that you respect him(and speak well of him in their presence, even if he's not around to hear it.) This is the greatest thing you can do to help your kids: help your marriage succeed. Give them the greatest sense of security by doing the hard things- speaking well of him, even when it's difficult.

A book I found helpful regarding submission(another one of those 'charged' words) is by Richard J. Foster, Celebration of Discipline. He divides spiritual disciplines into 3 categories- inward, outward & corporate. Submission is beautifully & well explored in the discussion of outward disciplines. I highly recommend it if you are like me, tired of the 50/50 unscriptural description of marital submission.

An excellent article shared with me by my oh so wise sister in law, was that regarding 'dying to self' in marriage. Go here for an interesting discussion of the book 'What Did You Expect?'

Catch me if You Can... BATMAN

I sometimes wish I could sit & make girly costumes & have a child that wishes to be a princess, but to be making one just now...I'm grateful for pre-made just now. I like the recent themes of Halloween, 'merry not scary.' I realize there are many who do not embrace the Halloween activities, & I applaud you. Really. But marriage & family is made of compromise. And this is one of ours. My husband is a nut. He has been known to dress as a scarecrow & sit idly on the porch until kids that really are too old to be trick-or-treating come by and will scare the be-jeebers out of them. He teases me about my lame pretty decorations & wishes for the elaborate spider-web covered houses, and that I wouldn't dress as Dorothy but as the Wicked Witch of the West. I just won't do that to my kids... But we are getting quite a few miles, literally, out of our costumes this year. H is sure that these wings should have 'wukked'. He said ' I can't fwy.' Where was he testing this???? on the roof??? Still haven't decided if I'll dress for the occasion. I know it won't be the same as last year, nor will I find anything as benign & happy as Dorothy, but I won't be scary. I'm more the merry type. Excuse me, I must go catch Batman.

Clover Lane: On Spanking

Clover Lane: On Spanking has precipitated an excellent conversation on spanking. I suggest you travel there, read & comment. Sarah appreciates comments. She's an upright gal, with excllent thoughts on Vintage Parenting. She puts it out there, when other's don't. Although I have issue with some of the comments made today, I hope you'll travel there, & comment. She appreciates your thoughts. Not harassment, thoughts & opinions.
I have thought about this most of the day & am sure any parent who lives in our modern society has pondered the issue at least a million times.
May God help us all to teach our children to be Godly citizens of this world in need- Laura
ps. I would never re-direct someone to another's site for an ambush. I hope you'll consider this a compliment to Sarah. I admire her for her for many things, not the least of which is her parenting & appreciate her blog as it is one of the most beautiful blogs out there.

Thoughts produce action,

Action produces habits,

Habits produce character,

Character determines destiny.

Simple Prosperity - Finding Real Wealth in a Sustainable Lifestyle: Part 1 'To Wii or Not to Wii'

Ironically, I found this book at the thrift store, while looking for some 'new' jeans for the boys. BTW, there are no boy's jeans in the book aisle, but really, who can resist cheap books?

I made a connection of consequence after reading Anita's discussion over at Busy Hands about the Wii Game. (Anita I stole a portion of your title..somehow I don't think you'll mind.)

I have talked about the concerns that are real regarding video games, especially for boys, but Wii brings up new discussion. What if it does really promote a group activity & it's physical? What can be wrong with that?
Let me first say, I've played Wii once & enjoyed it. I watched grown men sweat while 'boxing', & realized that none of these men would probably otherwise have the opportunity to participate in a real opportunity to box. The group was extremely entertained & had an occasion to cheer others on in a sporting occasion where we did more than sit on a sofa & discuss the last movie we rented at the 'Redbox'.
There was personal affirmation for each person involved, we're talking grown adults that receive few kudo's from their kids during a regular day, but for a while each of us felt like a 'Pro', in the spotlight, with skills.
Those who had skill in a certain sport had a chance to do it, when we might normally not. I for one, loved the tennis. I don't do tennis right now, it's just not convenient or within the daily plan of my life right now.
So do I see a downside? Well, even with all those things, I still believe that writers like David Wann, the co-author of Affluenza, have a point. His most recent book (2007) Simple Prosperity - Finding Real Wealth in a Sustainable Lifestyle is an interesting read. It has the usual 'green' ideas but with logic & suggestions. I do not agree with some particular ideas, however have been motivated & challenged in many areas, I believe, for the better. For instance, in a chapter titled 'Precious Work & Play', he describes exquisitely the shortcomings of watching & not participating. I do not think Wii falls always into this category, but it promoted thought to think more concertedly about being 'involved' as opposed to a mere watcher.
'Psychologists tell us it comes down to involvement....the more expensive and energy consuming our leisure time euqipment, the more detached we are from the activity itself. Despite the technology of tv, it doesn't take any closer to reality. In fact, many times, we are only half-present as we watch, suspended in an ether of virtual reality, with distant voices calling us back to reality-- where we could be feeling alive. Hobbies like playing music with friends; playing amateur sports such as softball, bowling, and skill -intensive fly-fishing; reading a great book; or conversing at a dinner table make us happier, becuase we participate in them. ( The root meaning of the word "amateur" is "I love," not "I'm not very good".) These activities require less expensive euipment and consume less energy, but demand a lot of psychic energy and focus.' (the preceding was an exerpt from the afore mentioned book).

So no matter how good the virtual game is, unless it is with a group of persons, or it is simply impossible to participate in any other 'actual'/'real' activity, virtual will always fall short. It won't bring us to the peak, it won't challenge us to the max, creating the best in us.
Really, what do you think- ?

Works for Me Wednesday - Laundry & Lysol

I don't consider myself a germa-phobe, but I don't like putting clean laundry in a dirty laundry basket. Enter, spray lysol. It's not the healthy vinegar water sanitizer a purist might use, but when I empty a basket of dirty clothes, I give the basket a spray of lysol and let it dry before I put in a clean load of fresh clothes. Simple isn't it, but it's one of those things like a purse-- we don't picture that it ever get's dirty, yet it touches everysource possible to pick up those pesky germs.

I mention the 'healthy vinegar spray' option, you know, the least foreign chemical cleaner. It works, but I'm like the die hard on somethings. I'm all for the nedi pot for preventative medicine, but when it comes to cleaning, think... the dad in 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding', with the Windex bottle.

Charlie Brown - The Great Pumpkin - October's flying by...

This day is almost over, but realized the month is going to zip by, & I have soooo much in my head I want to blog about. So here are just a few things.

• Yes, I'm a Charlie Brown junkie, with the 'whole set'. Jack will 'let' me pick a movie, but will often say, 'anything but Charlie Brown.'


• I have a new Math book with super activities for early hands on math. We're doing Measurement in October. Really fun stuff.


• Gymnastics rocks. Both boys love it, & I have a full hour of down time. I'm managing no kids for a solid hour. I sit in solitude, willing to watch whatever for whoever while they walk the LSU track, but I'll be reading or planning for an hour. :)


• I have been enjoying the library's copy of 'Character Matters'. More on this in a full length blog, but for now, suffice it to say, I just purchased my own copy. Good stuff.


• The library can be a real resource. Be sure to look into all the free things that are available. I actually checked out a full size beautiful piece of art, with a remarkable beach scene, just like a book. The librarian told me one day, 'anything you see on the walls, you can check out.' I used to decorate/design interiors. It's a far cry from some of the art I used to haul around from Miami Circle, but it's still inspiring. Really. Jack suggested we put it above the fireplace(above our tv, which is in our never used fireplace, ha, lol), which is the only place it really could go. It's beautiful. A temporary exhibit, if you will. Can't wait to see what comes home next.


• I am watching oranges ripen, instead of leaves changing. I am beginning to slowly adjust to pretend fall, here in Louisiana. You have to know, I LOVE snow, & cold weather. I mean LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, it. But I felt a sense of.. mmm.. connection, this week when I picked a ripe orange/satsuma from our own tree & ate it in my yard. In October.


• I still need to do the dishes.
• I consumed another book I picked up at the library. 'Boy's Themselves', about University School, an all boy's school in Cleveland, Ohio. More on that book later too. But consumed is an understated. I couldn't put it down.
• Did I mention it's football season? We look like real LSU fans, don't we? We are in the 'nosebleeds', which is a riot, since I am terrified of heights. I wonder if it's as steep as UT (tennessee's) stadium. I've heard that's a doozie. Eric went to the Michigan game the next week, with all the men-folk. I visited the women folk in GA.
• Jack's question repertoire, includes 'but who made God?' I said, 'we'll ask Grandpa'. (I did give my answer/didn't chicken out-for what is there to fear?), but in our family, Grandpa knows everything, or at least he gives the coolest explanations.)
• Still quite sure that God is good, great, awesome and in control, no matter what rediculous things go on in our government or tragedy occurs in the world. Just as Daniel spoke in his prayer, He makes kings and can take their kingdom's away.... He sees all and is in all. Let my confidence be in HIM.