Becky has always been a bit spoiled, well, ok, really spoiled. Surprisingly, it hasn't made her arrogant or snobbish. She has a sweet, flirtacious manner about her. She often is described as "giddy." Becky met a great guy and fell in love. Her father threw a lavish wedding for her, $50,000! It was a great party. There was a string quartet, dancing, lots of fine wine and toasting. The bride was beautiful. She danced with her father first and you could see the joy in her face as she looked up at him. She stopped the quartet halfway through teh song to tell everyone how much she loved her dad and thanked him for this fabulous day. She was nearly jumping out of her skin with pleasure and happiness. George had to have a kidney transplant last year. He was close to death several times. The medications weren't working and he started to reject the donor kidney. Agonizing is the only word to describe his life. The medical bills piled up and he lost his job. The stress of being unable to provide for his family put him in depression. Last week he received a notice that he is losing his house. Shelly, his wife, couldn't take any more and left him 2 days ago. George hated what he had to do, but he had no choice. He went to his father last night and asked for some help. His dad gladly gave him everything he had in his life savings, $50,000. George wept and wept at the enormity of what his father was willing to give for him. Practical Sally, that's what we call her. Don't buy the expensive shampoo, Suave works just as well. Why stay at the Hampton when Motel 6 is right beside it? Sally has had good and bad experiences through her life. She had a nice childhood, some would say the American dream. She went to college, met a nice guy, has a family now. Some things have happened along the way, but Practical Sally always gets through it. Today there was a surprise in the mailbox. Her father had sold his home and made a little profit. He wanted to share it with his children, so here is $50,000. Sally called her dad right away and thanked him properly. She was shocked by the gift, but certainly pleased. After she hung up the phone, she also sat down to write her dad a note. It was the right thing to do. Eric is known as a druggie. He was rebellious as a teen, did what he wanted, wouldn't listen to anyone, left home at 17. He hated what his father stood for and the hatred grew in him for years. He hasn't spoken to his father in a really long time, though he does think of him now and then. Eric has never held a job, everyone was always against him. He tried to get what he deserved by gambling, but somehow the big bucks were always just out of reach. He had borrowed a lot of money from the wrong people, and now he was afraid and hopeless. He is constantly running. His father heard through a friend that Eric was in big trouble. He sent $50,000 to Eric's bookie. Eric was stunned that his father would do such a thing. He didn't think his dad was that kind of guy. He quietly went to his father and asked forgiveness. He spent time in rehab for a while, but the biggest change has come from shadowing his father. Eric is changing; he is gentle, softer. He works hard and earnestly wants to please his dad. Each person was given the same gift by the same person. An exorbitant gift from a father to his child. Each child responded differently based on his personality, situation, and understanding. Each child showed gratitude; the father was thanked and appreciated. The same is true of all of us. We have all been given the same gift by our father. We all come to thank him, but because our personalities, situations, and understandings are all different our thankfulness is expressed differently. Some of us are giddy with celebration, some weep with gratitude, others are practical and proper in their thanksgiving, and still others are earnest and hardworking. Only the Father knows if the worship is from the heart. Go today and worship Him who is deserving of your praise, however that praise may manifest itself.

A thin yellow blanket covers our cars this time of year. The long-leaf Eastern Pine is, I suppose, the equivalent of the West Coast Redwood. It is a tall, stately tree with very long needles and huge pine cones. They are great to look at and provide the area with all of the "pine straw" any landscaper coould desire. BUT every spring the pollen fills the air. Many suffer from allergies to the pollen. Thankfully our family doesn't suffer too badly, burning eyes and some wheezing. The real question is who is going to wash the car?! Hubby decided to dig yesterday while I was in Spanish class. He took out 18 wheelbarrows full of dirt. The pond is getting lower and the garden is getting higher, just what we need to happen. The dirt from the pond is being put on the garden because of a flooding problem that has cost me my harvest every year. Hopefully, this year will yield more for our labor.

I watched Man of the Year with my husband last night. It was a little raunchier than I prefer, but the premise was good. Really there are 2 stories going on at once: A woman has detected an error in voting tabulations and tried to report it. Now the company is coming after her because that kind of info will make them lose a lot of money. The other is that a political comedian is elected President and the repercussions of that. It has some interesting thoughts; how much can we rely on the voting process to be correct, and when will politicians stop their rhetoric and paybacks and just help our country? All of the talk about this current election being more people driven because of the internet and devices like youtube, makes the movie a little more believable. ___________ Still working on the garden and pond. I sure hope the backyard wildlife appreciates it.

Today is another co-op day. Before co-op there is a fire safety program, then lunch, then co-op; a very full day, I would say. I recently offered to homeschool the children that I care for, thinking it would be easier all the way around, for the parents and myself. They thought about it for a few days but came to the conclusion that they really want their kids to be with their peers. I am fine with that, I had started to wonder about schooling all of them and how tired would I be, but the funny thing is that the kids are in Montessori. That means they are with kids of various ages, just like homeschool. This week the kids went to art class at the university, attended a county council meeting for 4-H, had their 4-H, and now today's program and co-op. My children are not lacking being with their peers! One mother I was talking with recently put it this way, "When we started homeschooling last year, people asked me about socialization. My kids get more socialization now than they did when they were in school. They always had too much homework to socialize before." Homework. Even the first grader that I care for is having homework and the parents are having trouble keeping up. I really don't remember having homework until high school. I never gave homework as a professional teacher. I guess the corporate world has leaked into school: work all day and then take some home to work all night. Where is the rest and joy of life?

I just read a sad story on msn. It seems that Americans over-react to marital affairs. They should be expected. Just get over it and move on; the change will make your marriage more exciting. The author cited examples from other countries where the "fall-out" from affairs is not as bad as in America. At least he did quote a therapist as saying women have little rights in the other countries and they deal with it by using suicide. Affairs may happen, God can forgive; but expecting an affair is just plain wrong. _________ When I was a child we played cowboys and indians. On Sunday afternoons, my dad and I would lie on the couch and watch westerns together. My kids lived with their grandparents for a year when they were young, so they also had the experience of watching westerns and playing cowboys and indians. But it seems the new generation has a new frontier. My children's friends, and my children, are enamoured with Star Wars. They watch the movies, talk about Star Wars at every chance meeting, and they play Star Wars battles. The boys went out with their dad the other night and #1 had to buy ANOTHER light saber...because they don't have a red one! It doesn't matter that there are already 6 light sabers out in the yard and only 2 children living here; you have to have a red one. May the force be with you. __________ Ok, husband's weird humor: Last night a commercial was on for a vacuum cleaner. They were talking about how all of the other vacuums need bags and filters. But this one doesn't. It has a strong wind tunnel and can suck up anything. Buy a Dyson. My husband quietly says, "So I guess Dyson really sucks." Maybe they weren't thinking it through when they wrote the commercial.

The kids attend an after school art class on Mondays at the local university. This week they were to listen to music and draw the way the music made them feel. One of the songs was "I fought the Law". #2 thought it was a great song, but he misunderstood it to say, "I fought the dog and the dog won." I imagine that could be a good song too. _______________ I went to see Amazing Grace yesterday. It is a very good movie about the politics behind the abolition of slavery in Britain. It is like unto a documentary, so not something you want to go to on the only date you get every year, but a good, thought provoking movie if you get out more often. I will say again, my study of slavery amazes me. The faith in God that the slaves had, a faith given by their masters, is unreal. I do not think I would serve a God that says the evil I am experiencing is ok. Which brings me to women in the Middle East. I would have a hard time serving the God of the Koran. I love the Lord of the Bible who says all people are equal and special. None are to be treated poorly because they are weaker, but are to be treated better for their weakness. May the Lord bring peace and justice to the world soon.

I watched the sun come up this morning. What a thrill to see its red sphere seemingly float between the clouds, waving like a banner that a new day is here. It was a warm morning, and I stood on the deck and stretched while the birds sang. I love a good spring morning! The weather is saying 70 and 80 degree weather is upon us and I still don't have the garden out. I just don't seem to have the time to get the cool weather vegetables planted. Always I say, "Next year." I wonder if it will ever really happen? The strawberries are in full bloom. That is one of the best parts of living in Eastern Carolina-- fresh strawberries. _______ So yesterday I gave you my conclusions, but didn't tell you what I was questioning. I want to know why people don't see a need for a close relationship with God. Why is it ok to have a "good enough" relationship? This is from Meister Eckhart: "Three things caused Mary to sit at our Lord's feet. The first was that God's goodness had embraced her soul. The second was a great, unspeakable longing: she yearned without knowing what it was she yearned after, and she desired without knowing what she desired! The third was the sweet consolation and bliss that she derived from the eternal words that came from Christ's mouth." It would seem from this that we need to let peole know what it is that they desire, because based on what I said yesterday, they are mistaken about their own yearnings.

I've been doing some thinking lately and have come to a few conclusions. Right or wrong, here is what I have decided (for now at least). When I was young people wanted to get ahead in life. But that didn't mean being the richest person around. It meant providing well for your family; no hunger or pain, a few pleasures, maybe a vacation every year or so. Being with family and friends was important because they helped make your life complete; they made you who you were. There was time for what was important, God. The difference now is that it isn't good enough to provide well. You need to provide very well, and your level of comparison is not just people in the town where you live, but people from all over the world. Providing well has little to do with hunger and pain, but more to do with electronics and private schools. The few pleasures fill the house and overflow into storage sheds, and vacations are world travels. This leaves very little time for what used to be considered important. There is little time for family, less for friends (when is the last time you played cards with friends?), and though God may get a cursory glimpse on Sundays, He really isn't given much importance. Your wealth is what makes you who you are now, not family, not friends, and not God. Those are my conclusions. I don't have solutions yet.

I am making Irish Soda Bread Scones for breakfast. Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone. We plan to go to the park this afternoon for a cookout with church friends. We got some new kites and will be trying those out. The weather changed yesterday, so no 75 degree balmy weather, but it is March, you know. We started the taxes last night. This is how poor hubby gets to spend his spring break. At least it doesn't look like we have to pay any extra. That could really ruin his break!

I was thinking yesterday about how rich I am. I have a wonderful husband who makes comments like, "I can't afford the wife I have." (He told me this means that I am worth a lot more than he can afford. I'm still not sure that was the intent, but it was his explanation.) I have great kids that I get to homeschool and be with a lot. I get to have more kids several times a week and I get payed for it. I have good friends who come to help me. I have a great home and place to live. I am able to spend time outside....on and on it went. I am RICH!!! _________ We have been working on digging a pond for our backyard habitat. It is supposed to be 2-3 feet deep so that amphibians can hibernate in the winter. Yesterday we hit the water table. A lot of learning went into that--where did the water come from, where will it go? But I suppose the most learning was the mud wrestling. 4 of the boys were out there, knee high in mud, declaring dragon nests, jumping in puddles, etc. I was digging and enjoying their play, when I heard #4 yelling at something under the van to get out. I thought it was the dog or cat and I went on with my digging. A short while later, he yelled for #3 to come and see. #3 came running back to me to say #4 had caught a mouse. Indeed he had. He was holding a live, wild mouse by the tail. Thankfully it didn't bite him, and I sent him to wash right away. We fed the mouse to the dog and had a little biology lesson. That was what made me start thinking about how rich I am. It was a fun afternoon that will be a memory to keep forever. I have riches you can not steal.

Yesterday several of the 4H families came over to help us with our Backyard Habitat. It was an old-fashioned work party. We dug on the pond, moved dirt to flowerbeds and the garden, planted seeds, and transplanted flowers. We talked, visited, played, and had a great time. I made lunch for the workers, and that was about it. So many of them thanked me for all I had done. Thank you for inviting us. Thank you, this was fun. Thank you, when can we do it again? It is certainly true that many hands make light work, but I think it is also true that many hands make light hearts. ___________ It is surprising how much a chair can change a room. My husband's new chair has transformed his room into a little haven. I am afraid he doesn't get to enjoy it enough--the rest of us keep taking over. Perhaps this weekend he will enjoy it; the college is on spring break.

My reading this week is one I have enjoyed by Hadewijch of Antwerp. She says, "Be on your guard, therefore, and let nothing disturb your peace. Do good under all circumstances, but with no care for any profit, or any blessedness, or any damnation, or any salvation, or any martyrdom; but all you do or omit should be for the honor of Love (God). If you behave like this, you will soon rise up again. And let people take you for a fool; there is much truth in that. ...You are still young, and you must grow a good deal, and it is much better for you, if you wish to walk the way of Love, that you seek difficulty and that you suffer for the honor of Love, rather than wish to feel love." I don't think this world is ready to hear do all for another because of the other. It is hard to serve God only for God's sake. I want something out of it. But I like the way Hadewijch puts it better than Brother Lawrence. I struggled with his teachings last fall. This seems to make more sense to me, even though it is saying the same thing. Serve God because he is God.

I went to Wal-Mart yesterday evening for a couple of hours. I go there about every 6-8 weeks; whenever we run out of things that will cost too much elsewhere. I had a great time looking at seeds. I think I am addicted. I like the idea of planting something and watching it grow. I suppose it is the bit of God that sits inside of my soul that makes me want to create. I found some seeds for the vegetable garden, but mostly I was looking for the backyard habitat. We are supposed to attract birds and butterflies. I hope they all grow, the pictures looked so pretty. Anyway, while I was there, I heard good-humored swearing on the aisle over from mine. I know people talk like that, but it made me wonder when did that start happening? No one talked like that in public when I was a child. Now I can't protect my children's ears. It is on the radio, commercials, movies that are for children, and in the grocery store. I don't know why it has happened or how, but 30 years (less if I think it was not this way when I was in high school) is not much time for a culture to change.

We got through the weekend. Now #1 has a bad cough, but is up running around like nothing ever happened. Gotta love those mystery fevers. The in-laws only stayed a day, and we were sad. They just had too much to do back home. We love spending time with our family. __________ I have been discussing things with my husband and some other friends. We are perplexed as to why people don't study the Bible. If a class is offered to study the Bible, and your friends are going to be there, then why would you not go? I think it comes down to people not being readers and not seeing the relevance of the Bible to their lives. Very sad. Your father is talking to you, and you hang up the phone.

The retreat went well, I think. I had a good time visiting with the ladies and so, I guess, did everyone else. I was able to take the boys with me for about 40 minutes last night and leave them in the van to watch a movie until their dad could be there to get them. Then today they stayed with a friend for the morning and just watched tv. #1 is tired, but seems to be doing better. The in-laws will be here in a couple of hours. I am always surprised by people's reactions to our families visiting. I think it is a WV "thing" that families and friends stay together and have a good time. We all work together, play together, and just have a great time together. I remember the governor making a comment once during a flood that the aid centers were not full. He said West Virginians usually take care of their own family and neighbors. I have to say that is the experience I have had.

I went out with a friend last night to see a movie. The projector broke, and so we had plenty of time to visit. It was nice to just sit still and catch up with each other. The projector never did get fixed. #1 started feeling poorly yesterday morning and by afternoon had a fever of 102.5. Last night he woke at midnight with the same. This morning I went in check on him and he said, "I feel great!" This is the response you expect from a kid who wants to go to co-op. We all look forward to it. Tonight and tomorrow is a women's retreat and I have to figure out what to do with the sickie now. This is something I so seldom have to work around that it is making me think of those mothers who work outside the home. What a rough life children of single parent homes must have.

Yesterday a friend was telling me of her son seeing a topless woman on the beach. He of course stopped and took it all in. I was wondering, other than the obvious pride in being worth looking at, what did the girl get out of that? She became an object, no longer a person. I am so much hoping my sons don't fall into the American trap of choosing a girl for her body. Now, I know that my husband was lured by more than my intelligence and quick wit, but at least there was something more to be offered than a body. I was listening to a piece on NPR the other day about American actors vs. British actors. It seems that the Brits outdo Americans by a long-shot when it comes to acting ability. The comment was made though, that American actors are a lot better to look at. What does that say about Americans, except that they are shallow and accept anything wrapped in a pretty package.

I went shopping last evening. I know some of you just fell out of your seats!! I was looking for a chest of drawers for the boys and possibly some end tables. I came away with a chest of drawers, 2 end tables, a cocktail table/chest, and a chair and ottoman. Hubby is going to put a limit to my nights off, I do believe! The chair is for his room and is an early birthday present. I wasn't sure I could find a good deal later, so he gets it early. Today is 4H, one of our favorite days. #1 is showing everyone his baby rabbits and #2 is showing a Power Point presentation he made about space. School is fast approaching its end for us, and I think we are all glad. Next year may bring some changes for us. We are looking more and more at unschooling. We aren't to the point of letting it all ride with the children, but it is getting more that way. The boys already do so much more in their play than we do in school, for instance, #2 made this presentation of his own initiative and in his own time. #1 is quick witted and makes me laugh. The other day I heard this conversation: #1 said something and #2 copied. #1 "Copy cat!" #2 "I'm not a copy cat. I'm a vampire!" #1 "Ok, Copy Bat!!"

I tried to have a "real Sabbath" yesterday. I'm not sure how well it went. We worked hard on Saturday to get things done, so I wouldn't feel pressured on Sunday to clean things up or work outside. I put meat in the crock pot so I wouldn't have to cook for the luncheon at church. So the day included: go to Bible class, worship, lunch at church, then home to make bread for the evening's communion fellowship, back to church for Spanish class, back home for a nap, look through papers for the retreat next weekend, and then off to church again for communion. We got out of that so late that we did eat out for dinner, come home and check on the animals, and then read to the boys.Now looking at that I would say I didn't too well, except if I hadn't tried to finish things on Saturday, I guess I would have felt like I couldn't take a nap yesterday. I will try again next week.

The novel that I just finished has had me thinking about Texas. There is so much involved in my memories of Texas, that it is hard to say if it was good or bad. I know for a fact that God sent us there, and had a purpose for our being there, but it was not an enjoyable reason. It was hard work against Satan and we were tired when we left. It has been such a blessing to be in NC. The congregation here is filled with good, Christian people, and so far our fights with Satan have not been overwhelming. I enjoy going to church and have no fears on Sunday of what might happen. My husband is not in constant defense of his job. We have good friends, good jobs, a great place to live, and are closer to family. Truly God has rewarded us. So while I was thinking about this last night, I wasted some time on the computer and looked up people from Texas to see how they are doing. One thing led to another and I found myself looking up information on my brother-in-law. I found out all of his former addresses, close relatives, and even whom one of his roommates was. There is little you can't find out on the internet. It was amazing, exciting, curious, and scary all at once.

If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. ... The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. James 1 and 3 I struggle with the sin of lying. I don't tell big ones, just ones to get me out of spots. I have taken control of it as I have gotten older, but yesterday I fell off of the wagon. I had a phone call from a telemarketer, and I didn't want to take it. So I said my usual, "No there is no one by the name of STEED here." (Wrong pronunciation.) But this guy kept going, "Is this 555-5555?" "Yes." And then he asked spellings and continued to question facts. I finally gave the phone to my husband and asked him to get me out of this. The amazing thing is that a few hours later, on another phone call, I lied again. It had been so long since I had struggled with this, that I was shocked by how quickly I turned back. There was a woman who had emailed me and I didn't want to deal with her- she is the type of person who is needy and I wasn't wanting to get involved- and so I didn't respond. When she called on the phone she asked if I had received the email and I lied and said, "No." As simple and quick as that. So this morning I headed back to James to get myself back on the straight and narrow. The tongue certainly is a world of evil.