"Isa---iah....Baby Isa--iah"

Doting Big Sisters

Mother and Baby Doing Fine

2 Days old

07/05/07

We had to tell them to stop around 5 PM

More Pics...

Here he is!!!! (he isn't sleeping....don't let him fool you!!)




And here is his hair for all you slackers ;p

Once again...a midwife's helper.....

Oh, and he has hair.........

Mr. 'It has to be a girl..."

Pictures

So...it was a wet and rainy day.......

OK.....here are all the 'expectant fathers'

"I told you.....I told you....."

Making sure everyone knows.....

Spreading the news via internet...

Here are the little girls having thier first glance



Caleb got the first 'holding time'


Then Andrea


And Saralyn-

The Man of the Hour!!!!

He's Here!!!!!!

About 3:48 PM......July 5, 2007

Perfect Pasta Salad

I fell that I must go about copying Anna, and post a recipe on my blog.

Living in the rice-alone country that I did, a 'cold salad' was unheard of. It was only when I came to the U.S. that I experienced the interesting tastes of Potato and Pasta salads. I decided that I liked 'cold salads' immensely, and due to a sudden influx of boxes of pasta noodles (there was a sale) I have my chance. I have now made three pasta salads all by myself. *Claps* The first was understandably BAD, and the second was too spiced. I have finally hit upon a very good recipe. I have halved it for all of those out there with less people to feed, but I usually make 2lb. at a time.

1lb. cooked pasta noodles (cooked to desired consistency)
1 1/2 C. minced vegetables. (peppers, carrots, celery, onions, kernel corn...you can pick and choose)
1 1/2 C. MiracleWhip (or Mayo)
1/8 C. herbs (I used basil, Italian seasoning. I still want to use parsely)
1 TB. Pepper
1 1/2 TB. Salt

Mix all but the pasta together completely. Mix in the noodles and chill (overnight is the perferred length).

From the Heart of the Sea

So...we finally got to unpacking our boxes from the Philippines, and one of the recovered treasures was about 10lb. of shells.

I have been washing them and laying them out according to thier size and kind.

Can you guess the size of these beauties?

WRONG!!!! The winner (the red one all the way on the right) was 5/16th's of an inch wide, and 3/16th's long.

Here are all the contestants in decreasing size.

And here are some wet coral peices too...

We've Moved!!

To another house......and I am NOt looking forward to it EVER again if it is anything like this move.

I have wanted to get a pic, but that hasn't happened yet!

So...I'll update when I can!!


TTFN!!

Stem Cells and Life

As I logged out of my Yahoo mail account, I was redirected to the Yahoo home page. All fine so far, no?



Well, the head article was about how embryonic stem cells might just be able to provide a cure for blindness in 5-10 years.



Considering the senate debate that is going on, and the looming threat of taxpayer money going to murdering human beings...this is a shameless gag to turn public opinion.



I decided to go on a rampage, and began searching for articles on the subject. After about 20 minutes, I came across this interesting article, written from the (wrong) side. I shall quote it in part-

President Bush has claimed that adult stem cells are a more promising avenue of research, because they are already being used in the clinical setting. This argument is absurd in light of the fact that the majority of available treatments involving adult stem cells, such as bone marrow transplants, do not involve complicated attempts to differentiate the cells into specific types of body cells. On the other hand, transforming an embryonic stem cell into a heart or nerve cell is an extremely complicated process that will take substantial time and research—and money. For 2007 the National Institutes of Health (NIH) earmarked only $39 million for human embryonic stem cell (ES) research, while adult stem cell research received $200 million. Adult stem cells have more developed medical applications because they are easier to work with and have received more funding, not because they have more potential. More importantly, an extended time frame is no reason to bar a path of medical research. If we invest in ES research now, it may offer useful treatment by the time members of our generation begins to develop Alzheimer’s.

There you have it....to REALLY work with stem cells you need to go through complex procedures, and have LOT'S of potential. But I put that logic to you. You have a good steady, working horse on one side, and a young, untrained, newly-purchased horse on the other. The second horse has LOT'S of potential to be a good riding horse, and you have to do some complex things to get it trained....which would you chose?

Also, these studies will only benefit in 10-20 years, and possibly not at all. Why get cures for people now? Why not spend hundred millions to benefit yourself later?!


It concludes by saying:

Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) said before President Bush’s veto that “regardless of the president’s actions, whether he vetoes this bill or not, we intend to keep pushing this research forward.” Pushing this research forward to override a presidential veto will require 50 more House votes and four more Senate votes. As constituents it is our responsibility to apply the necessary pressure on our representatives to encourage them to vote for embryonic stem cell research. We cannot continue to allow Bush to impose a position that flies in the face of science and common sense. To do so would be to deny hope to the millions of patients who are anxiously waiting for the potential of embryonic stem cells to be realized.

There are other sites which tell you about all the benefits that adult stem-cells are giving to people NOW.

It is necessary to note that the power of adult stem cells is not nebulously
potential, but tangible and real, as it has produced wonderful results in
multiple cases. These have been documented in clinical trials, that is,
treatments with human patients. With adult stem cells, physicians have
successfully treated autoimmune diseases such as lupus, multiple sclerosis,
Crohn's disease, and rheumatoid arthritis. Furthermore, adult stem cells
have helped to avert corneal degeneration and to restore vision in cases of
blindness. They have also restored proper cardiac function to heart attack
sufferers and improved movement in spinal cord injury patients.


Why mess around with the unknown? I'll tell you why....because Satan hates life. From the fall of man he has been against families, against children and against the God who loves them.

This is one more dastardly way to exterminate the race of mankind, created in the image of their all-powerful Creator. Will you let this happen? Or does the 'buck stop with you'?

Children are the only lasting heritage for the future. Teach them, and they will follow what is right. Kill them, and you will die knowing there is no hope in the future. Your beliefs and your ideas will die with you.

How far will our country fall? Numerous sites I browsed over boast on how taking stem cells doesn't harm anything. One lady commented on an article saying "I have this awful disease that stem cells might be able to cure, and my son has just been diagnosed with it. I want a cure, and I don't care what it takes."

I'll tell you what it takes.....it takes LIFE

How sick can we get?

"Selective Reduction"

I got a really bad taste in my mouth....

How sick can we get? This man is a murderer. He knows this, everyone knows this...yet they do NOTHING......and they even pay him for 'helping' them.

Memorial Day Anthem

It seemed to be an every one's lips...and I found an interesting irony in the line

"The flag still stands for Freedom and they can't take that away"

I couldn't resist a re-wording of the famous song: "God bless the U.S.A"


If tomorrow the things were gone
I'd payed tax for all my life,
And I had to start again
With just my children and my wife-
I thank _____* above
To be living here today
'Cause the Federal Government
Will care for me anyway.


And I'm proud to be a citizen
Where the socialists govern me
And I won't forget, to whom I owe
This protection, security
And I'll gladly stand up, next to you
And work for her today.
Cause there ain't no doubt,
I love this life!
_____* bless ______**


From the lakes of fish preservation
To the hills being mined for gold
Across the plains filled with oil,
From polluted sea to the communist fold-
From Detroit down to Houston
From New York to LA
Where there's pride in any citizen's heart
It's time they pay to say....

That I'm proud to be a citizen
Where the socialists govern me
And I won't forget, to whom I owe
This protection, security
And I'll gladly stand up, next to you
And work for her today.
Cause there ain't no doubt, I love this life!
_____* bless ______**


_____* = the politically correct way to express the nothing that orders the universe at whatever time (to say Allah would be more than acceptable as well!)
_____** = the politically correct term for the ruling minority at whatever time

Question:

Does the creation glorify God?

The idea has certainly been exploited by poets, but is it scriptural? I was talking with a man who said that to glorify God, one must have a will, and be able to NOT glorify God. In other words....only man can glorify and praise God completely.

I want to know....do not the lesser things He created, inanimate and dumb as they may be, know that He created them and give Him praise and glory for that?

No More Night

Words & music by Walt Harrah

The timeless theme,
Earth and Heaven will pass away.
It’s not a dream,
God will make all things new that day.
Gone is the curse from which I stumbled and fell.
Evil is banished to eternal hell.


No more night.
No more pain.
No more tears.
Never crying again.
And praises to the great "I AM."
We will live in the light of the risen Lamb.


See all around, now the nations bow down to sing.
The only sound is the praises to Christ, our King.
Slowly the names from the book are read.
I know the King, so there’s no need to dread.


No more night.
No more pain.
No more tears.
Never crying again.
And praises to the great "I AM."
We will live in the light of the risen Lamb.


See over there, there’s a mansion
That’s prepared for me,
Where I will live with my savior eternally.


No more night.
No more pain.
No more tears.
Never crying again.
And praises to the great "I AM."
We will live in the light of the risen Lamb.

Another step by the 'Big Brother'

Abstinance Education...

Or rather....federal spending!

Third Piercing

About noon today, my subconscious decided that I needed a third piercing. The force applied by my right hand doubled, and the knife which it held proceed to attack my left.

After a second of shock...I found that the 1/2 inch gash wouldn't bleed (even after I squeezed it)...so I band-aided it up, and hope it will heal. My mom says that a stitch or two would help it not become a very bad scar....but only time will tell.

Too bad the knife was too dull to cut through...imagine how well it would look decorated with a belly ring, or something!!

We sharpen eachother...

I like the concept...and the song is SO funny!

'Steel on Steel'

They are simply THE BEST

Not Even Solomon....

In all his glory....

China...here we come!

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLtopstories/A000004562.cfm

Now, More Than Ever

When I started my journey in fresh childlike trust
I believed that the Lord’s way was best.
would read in His Word how He mothered the bird
And grieved when it fell from its nest.
How I felt His delight when I chose to do right,
And I prayed I would not make Him sad.
We would meet on the way in the cool of the day,
What a pure sweet communion we had.

CHORUS:
Oh, but now more than ever I cherish the cross.
More than ever I sit at His feet.
All the miles of my journey have proved my Lord true,
And He is so precious to me.

The road I have traveled has sometimes been steep,
Through wild jagged places of life.
Sometimes I’ve stumbled and fallen so hard
That the stones cut my soul like a knife.
But the staff of my Shepherd would reach out for me
And lift me to cool pastures green.
With oil of the spirit anointing my wounds,
There I’d rest by the clear healing stream.

CHORUS

Is Love’s Old Sweet Story too good to be true?
Do you find all this hard to believe?
Has the cruel world we live in so battered your heart
That the hurt child inside you can’t grieve?
I can’t say I blame you.I’ve been where you are.
But all I can say is
It’s true!

You’re wanted,
You’re precious,
You’re the love of His heart,
And the old rugged cross was for you.

CHORUS

I love singing the chorus on this song. It is so powerful! I like how it reflects the correct relationship with Jesus Christ. How ever step is better, how every day is new and good.

This is the song on YouTube

Photogrophy Class

I wanted to answer Sally's comment on my last post for a few days, but I wasn't quite sure how to get an answer small enough to be a comment. I decided that I couldn't and took pictures to elaborate.

Consider this a free course in professional photography ;)

The thing that makes good photographs is often not what fills the frame.....but what you leave out!!

Sally, we live in a 'normal' area...and I got rid of a lot of defects when I positioned my camera

For instance:

This is the church across the street. It's parking lot is prime space to ride motorcycles in.

Pretty picture? Not exactly!!

How about this?

And this?

What makes a good picture? What you leave out!

Another example?

See our lovely Daffodils?

Lol...me neither!!

How about the zoom button!!

I consider it the best invention since the art of Photography!!!!!

God:

Master painter of the sky-
The beauty that astounds my eye,
Amazing! Glory!

Architect of the water-weeds
The wonder brings me to my knees
Hallelujah! Amen!

Musician of the flowing Brook
Too know- I only need look
Astounding! Wondrous!

Sculptor of the hills and plains
Matchless is Your broad domain-
Almighty! Awesome!

Orchestrator of the galaxies
Owner of rain’s treasuries-
Magnificent! Great!




I was out on a bike-ride, and I looked up and saw these amazing cloud formations.

I snatched three pictures and noticed that they looked like brushstrokes. The words came to me suddenly 'Master painter of the sky..." the rest of the way home I got the second verse, and finished the third that night. Amazingly.....about 1 hour after I got back home...it showered enough for me to get that rain picture....just what I had wanted when I thought out those lines! I did the last verse Tuesday....and then edited.

What do y'all think?

Flashbacks:

I’ve been having a lot of ‘flashbacks’ lately. The term is strange, but it really describes what they are. Some are just pictures, some full ‘movies’ if you can call them that. The strange thing is that, although they are memories, I see myself doing things. Also, they come during the weirdest times.

While I was paging through the City of God I suddenly remembered how my oldest brother would creep up to the second floor back door that leads to the water-pump. He used to try so hard to drop all his clothes on the labandera (the laundry lady who we paid to wash and hang our clothes every Mon, Wed, and Fri.) without her noticing. She really disliked him for it, but he didn’t seem to care.

Then, I was….I think I was washing dishes when I remembered how the wind felt when I rode Sugar down the main dyke.

The last one was when I was writing to an All-American girl I lately began to have letter-bible studies with, and I remembered how it felt to be splashing around off the drop-off with Herlyn. Maybe it was more a made-up memory based on real ones than an actual occurrence. We both had tubes, and there were a couple other people around. We were splashing the water at each other and the water stung my eye, which made jump, and I began to cry. I was back in my room and it had all been in my head.

Sometimes I dream flashbacks too! I could actually feel the water, and hear everyone singing, and strumming the guitar. Once I dreamed that I fell off of Mam’ Becca’s sea wall, and I woke up suddenly which made Bethany look at me weird. One night I sent the entire dream at my spot behind the house. I sang to my tree, and watched the cicads go by. I haven’t stopped singing in my head, hoping the dream will come back:

"Christohanong pagpagabana, hatagi ug bili ang imong na-dungog, ug na-kita…..Dili ba, nang-kinahanglan man sila kang Jesus nga manluluwas ta….Sulti na!"

Sometimes I hear things…most often it the Tamsee-bird. I’ll jump up wondering
how they got caught in the house. Once, I heard someone call me, and once
Charry singing really pretty.


Usually they make me cry. If I am in a less emotional mood they just ‘sit on my heart’ and ache. I now understand the verse in Proverbs that I once circled and put a question mark beside…."Hope deffered maketh the heart sick, but when desire comes it is a tree of life"
And it’s companion- "Anxiety in the heart of a man weighs it down, but a
good word makes it glad." (they are right across the page from eachother-
13:12; 12:25 respectively)

So far I have not been able to really feel things. Before I left I tried holding leaves, and touching everything so that I could remember them better. Besides the one dream of swimming I haven’t been able to ‘hold on’ to anything. Sometimes I don’t want to wake up in hopes that the dream will stay and I’ll be able to really grab a passing tree, or roll around on the bermuda once more.

I doubt I am alone in this…but is it just a different phase of homesickness? Also, will it pass? Will it pop up every now and then?

The Dream

Every woman dreams
Of a future life
Of being loved, and cherished,
A happy mother, and wife.

With little mouths to feed,
Innocent minds to teach,
Their hearts so full of love
Imagine what heights they’ll reach.

A little one to gurgle with
Baby arms to hug,
Chubby cheeks to pinch,
Tuck them in safe and snug.

A man who cares for her
Through thick and through thin
Strong arms to protect her,
Her battles to fight and win

A haven to fly to
When troubles abound,
A smile to warm her
'Prince Charming' she's found!

A voice deep and mellow
Sharing laughter and tears-
What girl has not desired
This dream, it’s hopes and fears.

What are we doing?

Gay Indoctrination is nothing I think we should be surprised about. Isn't it our socialist government's job to make sure everyone has the same lifestyle and dies quickly enough to not make wills and thus leave all their money to the feds?

Being 'Politically Correct' is the subject of the year. 'Me must not make people uncomfortable, or judge them in any way'......goodness! Why not just let them tell us what to do, how to live and what to believe as well!!

The awful part is that people are surprised...these parents should have done their research and taken responsibility for what their children are being taught. It is NOT the government's job!!

The next part, is that only some people will raise their eyes. "Church attendees" (See Rev. 4; The Lukewarm Ekklasia) will think 'Oh, how terrible!' and go on with'normal' life. Satan has won already!! 'Normal people' have gooten SO desesitized that they know none of this will ever touch thier strong christian children, and that faith is in someway a shot, like the ones you get at birth. You get injected with faith and you won't catch anything detrimental to your spiritual well-being.

There is a war going on out there. So many of us are content to cower in the basement and pray for all the people dying- acting totally oblivious to the fact that our house is on fire above us and our foundations are made out of staw! The next generation is not attuned even to the minute vestiges of organised religion that so many profess and claim and as a result we will perhaps not even HAVE the minute vestiges in the future!

How long will we let this go on? What are we doing to CHANGE the world? How are 'teaching (people) all things that pertain to life and godliness' (since they claim to already be saved)?

Do people know what you are? Are people daily impacted by your chirstian bearing, reactions, testimony, and attitude? What about me? Where is my focus? What am I putting my affections on? Have I done anything, gotten out there, given my testimony...have I made people question thier lifestyles according to God's word?

WHAT ARE WE DOING!!!

Existentialism 3

I was listening the the radio station my sister likes and I heard this song

Blessed Be - Jason Grey

I listened wondering why he couldn't read/sing about the beatitudes properly....(see unscriptural interpretation of the beatitudes) and the meek inherit the earth, not see the kingdom, and there is not even a 'broken ones' in the entire chapter.

Then he got to the third verse and I realised that it was a neo-Marxist existentialist interpretation!! If you are pretty, or strong, or brave you cannot go to heaven. If you are doing well (in business, perhaps) (thier words- 'got it made') you are outlawed immediately.

I got challenged to explain how this is wrong because Jesus himself said: "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter heaven"

I responded:
Jesus is saying (I believe) that the rich have so much to overcome because money can buy them everything material, and almost anything else that they have trouble not 'working for' heaven. They have to get over this huge hurdle and recognise that they and the most dirty beggar are equally sinful, guilty, and worthy of eternal punishment.

There will be rich people in heaven.....like Solomon, Job, Abraham, and Joseph (who was prime minister of the largest dynasty of his age)...in fact, God even blesses obedient christians who keep his commands!!

However, saying that capitalistic rich people...or "the strong, beautiful the brave" will not (to use the scriptural terms "inherit the Kingdom of heaven" is wrong, and borders on 'changing the gospel'.

So above all....DON'T take the Rich Young Ruler story out of context, and beware of this existentialism! It seems to be rampant!

Quote:

“If there is one thing upon this earth that mankind love and admire better than another, it is a brave man -- it is the man who dares to look the devil in the face and tell him he is a devil.” -- James A. Garfield

My blog is messed up; check back later!!!!

O.K.....details!

I tried to post a link to my new-found friend the BIG RED BUTTON...and it messed up my blog in some way so that any text I entered would disappear when I pushed 'publish'........that sneaky button!!

SO...I finally got things fixed, and for all of you who wondered why my blog looked all crazy, that was the details!

Clouds

Silvery-white, of raindrops made
No one really knows your name
They just call you ‘cloud’.
You shillouettte all so prize
Yet you float unfazed through the skies
All alone or in a billiowing crowd.


Colored deepest blue, or tender pink,
When threat’ning grey of rain you think-
The weather-vanes of the sky.
O, Lord who made every cloud
All sing your praises, the thundrous sound
Deafens and astounds my eye.



Thier praises resound in color
Magnificence unlike any other,
I pull out my camera and stare.
It copies the shades and hues
But reflects only minutely on You,
And the praises that echo there.


J.L.P.