A Rose by any Other Name...

Pictures of some beautiful orange roses, from my rose bush given to me by my friend, Debbie, over at www.beulahland.com

Their fragrance is just the sweetest of sweet... so lovely.

He's Got His Made

Don Samuelson

1934 - 2009

My wonderful father-in-law passed away last night, after 12 days in MICU, following a sudden onset of pneumonia and many subsequent problems that attached themselves to the pneumonia.

I am so thankful that he found his way back, and lived a joyful life in Christ, for the last 2 1/2 years of his life. My husband had the privilege of being his pastor for that timeframe.

Dad was one of the most giving persons I have ever met. He lived on a fixed income, as so many seniors do, and was unable to give financially to the Lord, to the measure he wanted. Instead of saying that he wished he could, but he just didn't have any money, he actively looked for ways to get money that he could give to God. He loved antiques, and in years past, bought, refinished and sold antiques and collectibles. He decided, at 74 years of age, to once again open a shop so he could give the proceeds of that into the Kingdom. Then he decided to forge into technology and advertise on E-bay and Craigs List. He was such a beautiful inspiration of a giving heart.

We will miss him so much, but of course, we know, he is in a much better place. He gets to worship Jesus, face to face, now. He no longer sees through a glass, darkly.... all is clear and brilliant in the light of Jesus Christ. He gets to sing and make music that is more beautiful than he ever imagined. He gets to see loved ones, like Mom, who are already there... what a joyous reunion! He is totally at peace and rest in the amazing presence of his Heavenly Father.

And one day, because of the hope we have in Jesus, and in His resurrection, we know that we shall see him again, when we join him in Heaven.

Thing 2's 13th birthday pics

Did she snap the picture mid-blink or is

the birthday boy bored with the singing?

Seems to be very animated at blowing out the candles

Wonder who he gets that from??

Gloria


Marshall - Mr. Entertainer of the Year



Hannah


Gift time

Scrunched up limo ride

Patrick is afraid I will 'steal his soul'

if I take his picture

... yeah ...

Playstation 3 in here, Wii Guitar Hero in other room

When Emotion Leads By the Nose

Man decides far more problems by hate, love, lust, rage, sorrow, joy, hope, fear, illusion or some other inward emotion, than by reality, authority, any legal standard, judicial precedent, or statute.

~Cicero~

Wow! Although this was written between 106 B.C and 43 B.C. , this sentiment certainly fits the way so many, including Congress and the President, reacted to the AIG bonus fiasco.

For My Country

Recently, I was awakened to patriotic action.

For a lot of years, I have been content to sit silently, feeling a disconnect from my country's government. Even my voting was more reactionary - more to keep someone else from being elected than for really standing solidly behind a candidate and helping elect him to office.

I figured it just really didn't matter, anyway. Government was the way it was and I, certainly, wasn't going to be able to change it. Already, many issues in the current administration bothered me more than in any prior administration, but what could I do?

Then, I began watching Glen Beck's show, which my husband would tape, during the day. The common sense and commitment to values and principles that he espoused really resonated with me. While politics, per se, had never really interested me, promoting America's return to the same principles and values to which our founding fathers were committed did grab my attention.

I'm excited about joining the 9-12 project and promoting values and principles in America. About taking action to hold my elected officials and representatives accountable, for not just the voice of their constituents, but the Constitution itself. Part of that action is to become involved with local TEA parties, to send a loud shout to Washington that we want our representatives to rightly represent us!

In the coming days, I'll post information about my foray into keeping politics honest.

...Perhaps my newfound active patriotism has made me too optimistic? LOL!

What Happens When Compassion and Hope are Extended

Today, our newspaper ran a wonderful story about compassion and hope, titled The Best Gifts Come From the Heart. Since the columnist did not have time to check the validity of the story before running it, and I was so entranced by the story, I ran to my trusty computer to see what I could find out about it.

It is a true and inspiring story that just happens to be local to us in North Texas.

Since my local newspaper only puts some things online, and didn't choose to add this story, I am including links to other articles that do relate the details. I wish our local paper had posted her story, because she saves a very important part of the information for the very last, and the link I'm directing you to, tells it pretty much up front, which loses some of the WOW factor ... but let me assure you, not much!

Warning: For the initial story, you may want to have a tissue handy.
http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/story/1112890.html

For the follow up story (and you will not want to miss this) you WILL NEED tissues!
http://www.refstripes.com/forum/index.php?topic=5082.0

Read, enjoy, cry and be inspired!

Is St. Patrick's Day Blue, Green or Orange?

Here's a little bit of interesting history regarding St. Patrick, and his special day.

Blue - not green - was the color associated with St. Patrick. In fact, there is a blue that is called St. Patrick's blue, which can be seen on the flag of the President of Ireland and the Coat of arms of Ireland, as well as other places.

Green became associated with St. Patrick's Day due to the phrase "wearing of the green" which referred to wearing a green shamrock on your clothing. St. Patrick used the three -leaved shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity to non-Christian Irish, so wearing a shamrock was a sign of Irish nationalism and loyalty to the Roman Catholic Faith.

The change to green, rather than blue, began in the 1750s.

So, where does orange make its appearance?

In 1690, William of Orange (King of England, Ireland and Scotland) defeated King James II, a Roman Catholic, causing Protestant military dominance. Although the 'Orange' in William's name actually referred to a province in France, Protestants began wearing the color orange on St. Patrick's day, in the late 1700s, as a sign of defiance.

Orange now appears on the Irish flag to symbolize the Protestant minority in Ireland.