FYI...

Read below, before clicking on links.

http://www.daveramsey.com/tdrs/index.cfm/2008/9/18/Patriotism-Biden-style#comments

http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry/communism

The comment Dave made about communism is not an insult, it is just a fact. The definition of communism from dictionary.com: "A system of government in which the state plans and controls the economy and a single, often authoritarian party holds power, claiming to make progress toward a higher social order in which all goods are equally shared by the people."
# Posted by Carolyn 9/19/08 4:29 PM

I found this extremely interesting while visiting Dave Ramsey's website. As most of you know, Financial Peace University literally changed the course of our lives. We are now debt free, having sold our home in Abilene, and are actively saving for our girls' education and to hopefully pay for a home in cash one day. Thanks to the Baby Steps Dave recommends.
With all the talk of bailout and the recent decision to NOT pass the current proposed plan to the tune of $700 billion dollars, I was interested to hear what Dave had to say. I have a huge amount of respect for him, and wondered how he felt about the plan our government was proposing. Mind you, he often tells people to make the hard decisions such as (LIVE like no one else, so you can LIVE like no one else) Essentially, make the sacrifices TODAY to stay out of debt so that one day you will have the money to purchase the things you desire and have worked hard for.

You can listen to his broadcast on specifics for the bailout plan via his website. However, in one of Dave's radio broadcast he calls Joe Biden a communist...which you can read by the comments upset a lot of people...Dave of course referencing Biden's comment to tax the wealthy to give to the poor. Dave was surprised that Obama/Biden just plainly put it out there...the wealthy should be taxed more or as Biden said be "more patriotic." Interestingly, if you read the definition for communism, it does seem as if our government (or those hoping to be elected) is wanting to completely control the economy...and put everyone on an equal playing field...take from the rich and give to the poor as to make things more balanced.
In the past I have always voted for less government control. I find the government to be already involved with more things then it should. So to hear the term "communist" concerned me, especially in connection with a candidate that is seeking to be elected. So I did some research on communism and studied their ideology...a desire to have a "classless society" and do away with capitalism. Interesting...
Then below they (Wikipedia Encyclopedia) had an article that read, "Christian communism"...so of course I was interested, and it referenced the verse where it talks about the early church, "...all the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need." Acts 2:44-45
So my heart wonders...Should we all be equal? Does the person described as "lazy" be given a free ride, and the rich person punished for his success? Should the government even be involved? Yes, people struggle...but should the government be the ones writing the checks. Or shall we as a body of believers seek out those in need and help them personally? Would we, if given the opportunity? Do we need to be taxed in order to be benevolent? It would appear, we need regulation to stop us from buying homes way out of our price range.
I'm not pushing any particular political candidate. The jury is still out...However, I wish I knew what the best course of action is for our country. I wish God would give us a clear path to follow...or has he already and we don't like His answer? I feel like I am American to my very core. In fact, my relatives can be traced back to the American Revolution on both sides. But is it getting to the point where "American" and "Christian" are further and further apart?
Just a side note: When Obama mentioned his father being from Kenya during the first debate, I thought of the many mission trips ACU has done in Kenya. I wondered if perhaps a missionary came across Obama's father's path and gave him the hope of coming to America. I think of the many Madgascar students that attend ACU and are going to church at Southern Hills. We never know whose future we might influence.

Homecoming!!!!

Give me your opinion...

My 10 year college reunion is happening Oct 24th-26th at Abilene Christian University. I'm considering buy tickets to fly down to Abilene to be there and bringing Ellie with me.

Here are the pros and cons...

PROs:
1. I would get to attend my class reunion and other Homecoming events such as the parade, the football game, Gata breakfast, etc.
2. I would have Ellie with me so Travis wouldn't be so overwhelmed.
3. I would get to see many precious friends I have missed since moving from Abilene, Texas to O'Fallon, Illinois (college friends, MOPS girlfriends, MOPS Mentors, church friends, etc.)
4. I would get to attend church there at Southern Hills.
5. I could show Ellie off to my friends.
6. It would be like a mini vacation since we didn't take one this summer...due to the move, pregnancy, etc.
7. Travis will be extremely busy before and after the trip with work...putting most of the burden of taking care of the children and our home on me. Taking a break and going to Abilene would be something to look forward to.

CONs:
1. The ticket to Abilene costs as of right now, $250, and I wouldn't have transportation once in Abilene. Would I do better to save that money and use it for other things?
2. I'm still exhausted because Ellie continues to wake up two times during the night. Would I be refreshed after the trip or even more exhausted.
3. It would mean leaving Travis, Carlie, and Mollie at home...way too expensive for us all to go.
4. Just the hassle of getting me to the airport, layovers, timing everything right...is something to consider.

Fun Times...

I just wanted to post some really cute pictures from our visit to Chicago. My mother had already planned to fly out and drive with me this weekend to visit Marcella, my sister...before Hurricane Ike. So I was thankful Houston/Hobby Airport was up and running Friday night.

It was actually not too bad of a drive...from here, we drove 4 1/2 hours north to Hindsdale, Ill. (a suburb of Chicago). Carlie and Mollie loved seeing their cousins again, and of course Baby Ellie was the star attraction.

My sister has a beautiful home and is so talented. She really is amazing! Her and her husband, Jeff, have incredible taste...and did most of the contracting/designing themselves. The weather was absolutely perfect and the kids enjoyed playing together so much. My favorite part was eating outside in the evenings and just relaxing as we watched the children play. My prayer is that Marcella and I will become closer now that we live in O'Fallon, Illinois. It has always seemed so hard to get our families together before...the cost of plane tickets, crazy schedules, etc. We always did the family trip to Galveston, but our family missed it this year because of the move and having Ellie.

Carlie was fast and furious on Emma's scooter. Then I captured this cute shot of Mollie throwing me the ball. Below is a picture of Mammy with Ellie.

Ellie continues to be such a joy. She now coos more than ever and I love to see her smile.

She actually knows the sound the letter "A" makes. She is GIFTED. LOL Just ask her and she will say "Ahhh." Carlie and I taught her that trick.

Inspiration from the book "Captivating"

I've started a new book study with some girlfriends from church and here are some quotes that inspired me from chapter 1. The book is called Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul by John and Stasi Eldredge.




"Then the time came when the risk it took...To remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom."-- Anais Nia





Depending upon your state of mind, this quote could mean a lot of different things to you. For me, in this particular season of my life, I feel like it is encouraging me to be REAL with others, vulnerable...willing to show who I really am...being willing to take a risk and truly blossom.


pg. 12 "...In our heart of hearts, that place where we are most ourselves, we don't want to run away for very long."


Again, you could think of many things this quote could relate to, but for me...HOME is where I long to be. Of course, there are times when I can't wait to get away from the laundry and housework...but if I'm gone too long from my home and precious husband and children...my heart is eager to hurry and get back.


pg. 18 "Women don't fear a man's strength if he is a good man. In fact, passivity might make a man "safe", but it has done untold damage to women in the long run...example: Adam and Eve. His strength allows her feminine heart to flourish. His pursuit draws out her beauty. And a man in the presence of a real woman loves being a man. Her beauty arouses him to play the man. It draws out his strength. She inspires him to be a hero."


This is special to me because I think of my three precious girls. They are always wanting to "marry" Travis or calling him their prince. And rightly so...For in their eyes and mine, HE is our HERO. He is the one we look toward to keep us safe. He is the one who provides for us...the necessities and the comforts...our knight in shiny armor.


I learned an important lesson from watching my girls. As they would talk to him this way, it was almost as if, Travis rose to the occasion. He became what they dreamed of in a father.

You can make a difference!

Update on my parents' home. Thankfully, the upstairs (living quarters) is fine. The windows withstood the strong winds. Most of the homes in Galveston are built up on stilts to pass codes for flooding. So the bottom level (what we would consider a garage/basement)...where the lawn stuff is kept, the golf cart, extra fridge, etc. was damaged. Dad said they had to hire a crew to come in and remove about 4 ft. of sewage, dirt, trash, etc. from their yard. But as you can imagine...they are so relieved that there wasn't more damage...still no electricity though.
As you know from the news, they strongly encouraged residents to NOT come back yet, but give organizations like the Red Cross time to restore, repair, etc. I wondered where they got these wonderful volunteers, until I received this email from a precious friend, Heather Langless, that attended my MOPS group in Abilene...now living in Wisconsin.

"I just wanted to email to let you all know that my mom and dad will be leaving for about 3 weeks to work with the Red Cross in Texas, they will be helping the victims of Hurricane IKE. Were all very proud of them and hope they grow from there experience, its hard to see them leave because we will miss them and the kids feel a little sad not see there grandparents for awhile, but we cant be selfish, others need them more at this time. Lester and I wish we could go but our children our too young and need us, someday we will be able to do those kinda things. We will take them to the airport on Saturday, please pray for there safety and health while gone and while working in conditions that our not real great. They have been busy getting ready to go, they only found out on Thursday about leaving, this is my moms first time working with the Red Cross on a mission, my dad has been apart of them for long time. She had lots of paper work to fill out to get ready to go. PRAYERS PLEASE!! thanks Heather and family

Again, Heather...it is people like you and your parents that make all the difference. Please, tell them how much we appreciate their efforts. YOU ARE AMAZING!!!

Fired Up!

WOW...



"On Tuesday, McCain struck a populist chord against Wall Street greed. He called for a commission to probe the root causes of the country's financial mess — such as the high-level panel that investigated the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. And he reiterated that no more taxpayer money should be used to rescue private institutions such as the large insurer AIG."



---The Associated Press, written my Terence Hunt...Sept 16



When did Americans began thinking banks and insurance companies should be their "Sugar Daddies"? Oh, I really want to live in this 200K home (though, I can't afford it on my own), but I only want to pay $1,000/mth for it...so "Sweet Bankie, can you loan me the money? I may or may not be able to pay you back." (30 yr fixed loan or possible foreclosure) Then when Bankie can't makes his payments, he goes to his "Sugar Daddy" a.k.a the Government, and requests help. It is CRAZY!!! Let us consider this revoluntary idea: PAY FOR THINGS WITH CASH! I venture, we strive to get away from this "Sugar Daddy" concept of always thinking other people's money should help me live in the home I want, wear the clothes I "deserve", etc.

Did the government's decision to "loan" (Sugar Daddy concept) AIG 80+ billion dollars yesterday...so that they didn't have to go under....REALLY help the situation? Do you see them downsizing...now or ever? The beautiful building they are housed in...Was that a neccessary expense? It makes me sick that we continue to go to the government to bail us out when we find ourselves in a financial crisis. And who is this Government? Do they have the money or assets to back such a large loan to AIG? Yes, only if the hard working American continues to pay his/her taxes...which for our family is about 15% of our take home pay...MORE than the 10% the church is given as a tithe. Don't get me started there...

When did "welfare" began to go to the top CEO's in the country? Forget all this about "Bush only gave tax cuts to the top 1% of Americans." I'm wondering why greedy companies aren't paying for their own debt, and I'm getting taxed for it. I've already been nickeled and dimed by my bank. I believe there is greed and corruption happening in Wall Street and it needs to stop. In fact, perhaps the real problem is at home...our own greed, our own selfish desires...and the officials we elected are truly representing our interests.

It saddens me that I've haven't heard anything about making families stronger this election...especially not applying godly principles to the way we do business and treat one another. It isn't policitical correct to do so. The situation we are in is very complicated, and I'm sorry...it didn't get this way in just the 8 years Bush was in office. I don't claim to know a lot about politics or how Wall Street is ran, but using Bush as a scape goat...I'm not buying it.

My neighbor for example can't sell her home. She is part of this housing market crisis. She is trying to maintain a 2800 sq/ft. home for herself and her son...on a teacher's salary...and has been doing it for a year since her divorce. How long can that continue? She may go into foreclosure. But here is the thing, there is so much more to this picture than just having a hard time selling her home. The reality is that the bank owns her home until she has paid every payment. Her husband is gone...no child support. What is she to do?

Then my parents for example had a lot destroyed by Hurricane Ike. While they were without electricity they did not hear the recent activity on Wall Street...the crisis with AIG, an insurance company. She mentions, "I'm not too worried about the boat, it was insured." REALLY...If we can't trust the companies to truly have the assets available to help when we need them...then why make any payments to them.

One politician said, "It is the war that has done this. Invest that money here in America." I can understand that. It makes sense. Here is the thing, though. Investing more money here doesn't necessarily make top CEOs want to provide more jobs for hard working Americans. These companies that have the capablity of providing jobs locally have long sent their "work" to third world countries. The labor is cheaper there...and they will continue to do so because of greed. Hence, why when I looked at the label on my daughter's pants from Children's Place it said "Made in Kenya." So what incentive could we give to these top companies such as Walmart to go back to "Made in the USA?" Haven't heard anything about that either.

This is all coming from a stay at home mom...who usually chooses to watch Dora the Explorer vs. the news. As of late though, I've made an exception. I will tell you what I'm working on...a strong marriage, children who love the Lord, and paying for things in cash...learning to be content with what I have. Crazy concept, isn't it. Who represents me?

Here is the picture of the water damage. Weird looking, isn't it?