Yeah, yeah.....

Ok.....so I've been busy. I have not posted for an entire month. However, I cannot really feel sorry. It's not that I have nothing to say (those of you who know me can laugh up your sleeve), but that I have not had the time/been able to sit down on the computer and type it out.

NC '08 was simply "a most wonderful thing". I cannot quite call it the "best week of my life", but it beat the TP State Class, and blew a couple other things right out of the water....and that is saying a lot.

While I was there, I not only met a couple hundred people, but I found something more fulfilling than a lot of things I've been into. I applied to staff the PA class in the 2009 season, and I will tell you when I hear anything further about that. I ran for office, on the spur of the moment, had 30 second to talk to everyone in the room and convince them how wonderful I was (to tell the truth, I couldn't see a thing, I was rather shaky in my knees, and (how awful is this!) I have no idea what I said! I asked someone later, and their synopsis (they weren't quite sure either what exactly I had said) was nothing at all that I had intended, and a lot that simply shocked me), I cried my eyes out in a prayer time with about 20 people....which turned into an in-depth sharing time between 6 of us girls, and I actually woke up around 7 am for 6 consecutive days.....*about dies*.

But, most importantly, I do believe that I experienced something I never had before. I believe that God "spoke to me". I put it in quotes, because I do not agree with the mindset or method. I cannot be exactly sure what made me understand, and I do not remember what was being prayed. Anyhow, Sunday night, Mr. Dean Nelson (who guest directed our State class) was giving a talk, and he invited some of us to come up and pray. About 6 guys stood up, and prayed about America and reaching this Generation, and impacting it for the future. A weight settled on my heart and I (dare I say) felt God speaking. There were no words...I just "knew" that it was Him, and I heard with perfect clarity what I could not hear through auditory means. I burst into tears, shocking my girl-friend beside me, and I cried for some time.

I am not sure what kind of weird comments I'll get...but I can understand your reactions. I tested myself, and found it hard to accept. I have as yet not shared this elsewhere, or to anyone. I have almost spoken of it to some special few, but it won't come out. Maybe that is why I am writing it...why I want to tell of it, but cannot vocalize. Maybe this is why I have not posted. Because I wanted to share this but couldn't find the words....

*********see also my follow up post a year and 5 months later

Quote:

"No enactment of man can be considered law unless it conforms to the law of God."

— William Blackstone

May 27th to June 2

On those dates, mangamagbabasa, I will be in Winder, GA, at TeenPact National Convention.

Through the exorbitant grace of God, I was offered an opportunity to get the full cost of the week, registration, etc. covered; namely an essay contest. After much procrastination, I used the wisdom of my grandparents liberally, and sent my essay in on the second to last day.

It took some time, but when I found out that I won, I literally burst into tears. I had not expected to win, because they took longer than expected to get back to me. I was able to work for a neighbor and get some traveling money, and then our other neighbors gave me money in congratulations.

God is so good! The cost to the family (besides me being gone for a week or so) is almost nothing, and even though it was definitely not a 'need', it was one of the 'desires of my heart' that God has given to me. I have really been learning this week as I find out continually how selfish and self-centered I am and how I SO need to stop worrying and fretting within myself. I believe that God did not inform me immediately because I needed to wait and be content with NOT going before I was allowed to go. In fact, I registered to vote absentee for the TeenPact national candidates before I found out that I was going. I have been particularly touched by the words of this old Don Moen song that I 'found' again after some time:

For all You've done

For all You're going to do

We give You thanks

And lift our praise to You

Chorus: We give thanks, we give praise

For we know that all things work together for our good

We give thanks, we give praise

For by faith we know Your grace will see us through

For all those things that we don't understand

We come by faith and place them in Your hands

Even if we stumble, even if we fall

You will not forsake us

You are King and Lord of all

Lord of all

Politically Correct!

I recently went on a Narnia binge, and I have decided to catalogue various exemplary thoughts and observations that Lewis has inserted in the text. Secondarily, I want to temp someone to read them who has expressed distaste for the series as a whole.

Anyhow, this talking horse refused to follow the politically correct mode of addressing the current ruler of the land, the Tisroc (may he live forever). When scolded he replies:

"Why? I'm a free Narnian. And why should I talk slaves' and fool's talk? I don't want him to live forever, and I know that he's not going to live forever whether I want him to or not....No more of this southern jargon between you and me!"

--The Horse and His Boy

FF Quotes:

From our (founding federal) patriarchs

"America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves."

— President Abraham Lincoln

"As we must account for every idle word, so must we account for every idle silence."

— Benjamin Franklin

"Government is not reason; it is not eloquence. It is force. And force, like fire, is a dangerous servant and a fearful master."

— President George Washington

Quote:

“I would like to take you seriously, but to do so would affront your intelligence.”
~William F. Buckley, Jr

Pies and dyes

Our dearly beloved grandparents were coming over for the nationally-so-called "mother's day weekend" and I decided to make a Key Lime Pie for my grandmother. Being a good learner (it has taken me 17 years to get some left-brain, but give me a break) I decided to make a trial first and then a final.

The hardships began with the crust, which had to be pre-baked. I stuck it in the oven (nicely rolled out, perfectly fluted, etc) and checked on it 5 min. later only to find that butter crusts don't enjoy holding their shape in high temperatures. I re-made the crust with a fork, and tried to stick it to the edge of the pie-pan, but when it finally cooked hard....it was still not above the edge. *sigh*

I used bottled "calamansi" juice, and followed the recipe otherwise, but the juice already had sweetness in it...and I used a *bit* too much coloring.....which made my creation a little too reflective of alien slime and not so much of limes.

However, my first-time meringue turned out *perfect* (which is no small accomplishment for ME at least).

In a right-brain flair, I scrawled a big letter on my meringue to represent whom it was for....which I had to then TELL my mother and sister (who did not seem to be able to recognize it...grrr).

Because it was a test, I allowed the mortals who inhabit my house to try a piece....and when it was cut...it was not only alien slime.....but alien juice as well. We quickly placed it in the fridge to see if cooling it would induce it to congeal. Using already-sweet juice also ruined it, because it was WAY to sweet and rather sickening.

Having now ruined my first batch, I made an effort to get REAL key limes to make it not-so-sickly-sweet and more like the real thing. After many dire predictions of failure....I found the rather expensive green balls with great promise.

After another unsuccessful crust episode, I spent 5 minutes slowly dropping mili-teaspoons of coloring into the filling in hopes that it would not be too green again....and the effort payed off.

It tasted rather interesting....and it didn't goo...although it did "drip" water somehow. I managed to make two perfect meringues, two awful crusts, one good filling and one alien-slime filling. I have decided not to venture int Key-Lime territory for a while.

No Greater Promise-

Once on a hillside, people were gathered
Hoping to see Him, as thousands were fed
He touched the blind eyes, healed broken spirits
He moved with compassion, while He raised up the dead

Once on a hillside, people were gathered
Watching as Jesus was crucified
No one showed mercy, to the one who had healed them
Yet, Jesus loved them, as He suffered and died.

Once on a hillside, people were gathered
For Jesus had risen and soon would ascend
Then, as He blessed them, He rose to the heavens
And gave them His promise to come back again

Chorus:
We shall see Jesus, just as they saw Him
There is no greater promise than this
When He returns in power and glory
We shall see Jesus, we shall see Jesus, just as He is!

Quote

"Courage is almost a contradiction in terms. It means a strong desire to live taking the form of a readiness to die."

— G.K. Chesterton, essayist and poet

Quote:

She was heartily ashamed of her ignorance. A misplaced shame. Where people wish to attach, they should always be ignorant. To come with a well-informed mind, is to come with an inability of administering to the vanity of others, which a sensible person would always wish to avoid. A woman especially, if she have the misfortune of knowing any thing, should conceal it as well as she can....

Northanger Abbey Volume I

TeenPact

This past week, I have been attending the charter class of TeenPact Pennsylvania. I had more than a "blast", and definitely plan on repeating the class next year, and possibly attending some alumni events, should God provide.
I did not go expecting much, but not being attuned to this culture (which fact this week has only more securely fixed in my mind...what IS the "hokey-pokey"?) I was not sure what TO expect.


At 12:45, Monday afternoon we walked up the steps to the Pennsylvania State Capitol Building, where (after passing through security) we were greeted by a man in a suit, and directed to our destination.
The rest of the day was spent surveying the ropes, and learning the basics of what would be covered the next two days.
Tuesday morning, we began with singing, a bible study, and a "prayer walk". Then, the leader began a lecture on why he believed in Theistic Evolution. Debate followed, some questions, and a couple students moved into the forefront of the debate. I was confused, because his position contradicted what I had understood of the program, and the position of the founder. The student at the end of my table wrote a note and passed it down, "He doesn't really believe it, he just wants us to debate", which turned out to be the correct analysis. A speech by the Chief of Staff for Judge Marjorie Rendell followed.
We then went out on a field experience, and learned about lobbyists, and walked around the capitol trying to find said specimen of creature, and asking them questions. Lunch next, divided by committees, where we discussed the bills assigned to our committee. (Each student was required to write a bill to present to the legislature)
After lunch was a speech by Representative Sam Rhorer, and then a field experience of examining forms of media, identifying their bias, and analyzing the facts, opinions, and emotions presented in a newspaper article.
Upon re-assembling, we were divided into two political parties, the Party Party, and the Surprise Party, and we formulated party platforms on the issues of Education, the Economy, and whether or not to change the state dog to the Chihuahua, or keep the Great Dane. We then elected two representative candidates, and one gubernatorial candidate.
Following this, was the TeenPact Legislature, where Parlimentary Procedure was strictly followed, and the bills passed by committees were presented to the entire class. Two bills failed, and one passed unanimously. The daily quiz came next, and then we were dismissed.
Wednesday, everyone lobbied the class with cookies, candy, and pamphlets supporting their party, and their candidates, and the daily devil's advocate subject was the "separation of church and state" which evil Johnathan stoutly defended. Field experience consisted of analyzing bills. After lunch, a speech by Mr. Paul Clymer, last field experience (the house and senate) and a slideshow about political campaign disclosures, and gerrymandering, and (of course) the awesome legislature... although the other two committees decided to gang up on our committee, and they passed a resolution making our committee sing and dance the hokey-pokey before the entire class.

Thursday, we had our final quiz immediately after prayer, and the our "Daily DA" (welfare). We then had a game time "Contitutional Power Grab", and then we broke for lunch, finished up all our committie's bills. Legislature was even better than before, in the Majority Caucus rooms (with it's official desk, and gavel), and bills seemed more hilarious than before....but then we had to adjourn singe die. I am sure all the emotional females felt very badly about it, and one girl even put a crying-face on her notes page. Graduation followed, and everyone got a pretty piece of paper stating their achievement and a handshake from all the staff (I got hugs.....from the girls). Then, we all got sharpies, and everyone signed almost everyone else's blue TeenPact logoed shirt. Then, we were all encouraged to come to Alumni events...which I think would be at least as exciting, if not as profitable.

I got to sleep in Friday, and today, we have Grandparent's over!

3 Kids?

I thought the National Average was 1.5, but maybe I am mistaken. This article discusses the interesting comments one recieves from people when you announce your expectation of a third child.

This link shows that the "average 'family' size" to be 3.2.

Rant ala Politico

I am SO glad I can vote!! Are you aware, cher reader, that you are of no use in the world until you turn 18? Your signature cannot be honored, you have no social status, and nothing you do will be paid attention to without someone in charge giving you allowance. (unless you commit a crime, and then you are given a slap on the wrist and told very solemnly to "not do that again" and set free) However, even when you turn 18, you are only worthwhile so much as you vote and smoke.

Life only COUNTS when it turns the grand old age of 21, and then you are allowed to be a responsible citizen, voice your opinions to your elders, and work for any extended period of time.
It highly annoys me that, until July, I have no importance in the world. Even my signature is worthless. It is all the result of a government that wants teens and children to be completely dependent. If you don't have the power of citizenship...they do (or someone does). It will be eventual, that even 20-somethings don't have their citizenship power, and the 60+, and then down from there, and up from 30, until the government (or rather, those who are running it) has all the power and the generations used to meekly submitting to their "minor" fate will continue to submit, and Marx will be looking up at us with joy.

Edit: In response to the comment alleging that this post calls for the government to allow children to vote--
No, I'm calling for a reduction of government restrictions on "teens" aka young adults. I do not think that children should vote.
I think that life should be valued whenever it benefits society, and when it can be responsible and improve its surroundings.
I also think that the "minor" status (although necessary for younger children) should be downplayed, because it encourages immaturity and the phenomenon seen in "teens" and "tweens" know as "wild oats". Responsible citizenship is not exactly possible when one cannot even sign their name, and have it respected.

"A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches" (Proverbs 22:1) does not start at 18, or 21!

I found this

I found this under the title: Very Interesting and Unusual Scientific Facts

A comment:More specifically, men in America speak about 1500 moderately important/necessary words during the day, whereas women in the U.S. utter approximately 15.

Re-what?

Has anyone ever consciously thought recently that the Union of the States of America is a republic? Or was? Or was meant to be? Or what it matters?


Past the typical definitions, and the biased definitions, let us look at the original Constitution (with the first 10 Amendments) and think.

A democracy is a system of government where the people choose who governs them. In a democracy, the majority rules, and what the majority wants is what the government must do.

A republic is a system of government where the people choose who upholds the laws that they have decided to live under. In a republic, the representative of the people (whether he be a president, senator or governor) is elected to follow and keep the laws of the state/commonwealth/country.

In the original Constitution, State/Commonwealth Senators to the government of the United States were appointed by the legislatures of the State/Commonwealth. The problems of majority/minority were non-existent because they didn't matter.

One example is in 1868, when Andrew Johnson was a hair away from being impeached. The House of Representatives impeached him by a landslide, but the Senate was trying to balance on a teeter-totter of the law vs. the people. In the end, only one vote decided it. The senators who dared voted against impeaching the president. Johnson's conduct may have been scandalous and he may have been a bad president, but there was no legal backing for impeaching him.

In my Internet search to verify the names of the dissenters, I came across this comment:

But the duty of the Senators, with whom we indeed differ, will be only the plainer. They must follow their sincere convictions, conscious that in so doing they maintain the only permanent principle of a free government; and their task will be the more difficult because they will maintain it against the cry of the party which is its natural protector.

Well people, I hate to break it to you...but a democracy stinks. Majority rule is only one step away from the tyranny of the majority. Then comes the tyranny of the few...and that is only another name for socialism.

It would probably be folly to try to assign a date to the day we became a democracy, but I think that the day the 17th amendment was ratified is close enough!

Representation:

Do you females out there know that NOW is representing you to Congress and the Federal Government? NOW is an organization bent on bringing you full representation but even so, they have a membership of 0.00166 of the U.S. population. Apparently this irks them!

In 2007, the US of A (and Puerto Rico) had about 302,000,000 people. NOW has a membership of "more than" 500,000. Yet, they are the largest feminist organization.....poor them!

Women on the line

This lady (if she really wants to be called that) is finding out why fighting wars isn't exactly the best thing for a female to be doing.

Why might this be? What inhibits women from being exactly like men? I really don't think anyone wants my answer!

This mother is finding out how far is too far....in methods such as brainwashing and you-are-no-different-from-them-there-is-no-reason-why-you-should-be-treated-differently.

I really enjoy the links I get from LAF!!!

Misc of the Day:

It has been scientifically proven that stroking a cat can lower one's blood pressure.

Wake up call for cat people!

Definition:

Buying a house = Paying for the right to be taxed

Quote:

People are still willing to do an honest day's work. The trouble is that they want a week's pay for it

--Adams