MY TAKE ON ALL THE ECONOMIC CRAZINESS

"The earth is the Lord's and all it contains; the world and those who dwell in it." Psalm 24:1

Just think, there are millions of people in the world who have never heard of Henry Paulson, Barack Obama, John McCain, Fannie Mae, AIG, etc., etc. and they are doing fine. They may be farmers in rural China or nomads in Mongolia and they are probably dirt poor, but if you've ever gone on a mission trip to these places or talked to someone who has, these people have a grateful spirit and live far less stressed lives than we do.

If you know the Lord, He has promised to never forsake you, even if the economy tanks and Barack Obama is elected.

Seek Him, praise Him for His provision and faithfulness. God is always at work doing thousands, if not millions of things, that we cannot see.

JUST WONDERING

Some days I feel so energized, on top of things, and just generally able that I think, "Wow! Thanks God!" But then I remember that I've just had two cups of coffee. So is it the Holy Spirit, caffeine or both?

A MOTHER IS A CONSTANT GARDENER

We've just finished reading Little Men by Louisa May Alcott. Her way with words is so playfully eloquent. I think her descriptive talents are just amazing. For example, Jo comments on an usually quiet lull in the home -

"It is too good to last," said Mrs. Jo; for years of boy-culture had taught her that such lulls were usually followed by outbreaks of some sort, and when less wise women would have thought that the boys had become confirmed saints, she prepared herself for a sudden eruption of the domestic volcano.

Don't you just love that! Throughout the book there is a runnning metaphor of a garden. Her boys and girls plant a literal garden in the spring and everyone enjoys their harvest in the last chapter called Thanksgiving. Jo's small son's enormous pumpkin plays a prominent role in the children's humorous adaptation of Cinderella. In the final pages Jo reflects on her children, both biological and "borrowed", and rejoices over their growth and expresses her hope for their future. Here's a poem from the final page of the book that the children recite around Mrs. Jo and the Professor (her husband) -

"Summer days are over,

Summer work is done;

Harvests have been gathered

Gayly one by one.

Now the feast is eaten,

Finished is the play;

But one rite remains for

Our Thanksgiving-day.

"Best of all the harvest

In the dear God's sight,

Are the happy children

In the home to-night;

And we come to offer

Thanks where thank are due,

With grateful hearts and voices,

Father, mother, unto you."

Eloquent and full of truth and wisdom. How is your garden growing? Sometimes there are weeds to be pulled for sure. But if we are faithful and persevere, we will reap a good harvest in due time. Let us keep our eyes on Him who is our helper.

STILL RUNNING

Two weeks ago I ran my first 10K race. For those unfamiliar with the distance, that's 6.2 miles. When I started running in January I never thought I could do a 10K. This one was the Doug Kessler Lightning 10K in Sandy Springs, GA. The course was fairly easy with no big hills and my husband was sure I'd break an hour. I thought I could break an hour since my most recent 5K race was just over 28 minutes. I ran a great race and paced myself well. I don't think I could've gone any faster. Unfortunately, I forgot my watch and there wasn't anybody calling mile split times so I had no idea what my time was until I heard the guy at the finish with the bullhorn yelling finsh times. The first time I heard him I was probably about .2 -.3 miles from the finish. My heart sank when I heard him yell "59....." I kicked it hard to the end and finished with a time of 61:36. I was proud of myself and knew I'd given it my all when my quads started seizing up soon after I picked up my free bagel and race T-shirt. All in all I was very proud of myself. My average time per mile was just under 10 minutes. I don't know if the 10K will be a favorite race for me, and I don't think a half -marathon is in my near future, but who knows.

My next race is October 18th - the Fall 5-miler. My husband will be racing with me. He'll dust me pretty good, but maybe I can stay close.

Blessings.

BECAUSE I'M A HOMESCHOOLER...



*There are library books all over the house.

*My dining room isn't really a dining room.

*My garage has a small garden growing in it for science class.

*I've learned to talk to three people at once!

*Every critter sighting in the yard is cause for excitement.

Homeschooling is hard, but God is good and it's all worth it.