Fallen World

My workplace is full of examples of the fallen world. Parents who still have to come to terms with genetic or congenital disorders in their children, young lives affected by accidents or other tragedies, and seemingly worst of all child abuse.

We have seen more child abuse in the last few weeks than usual, and some that seems more cruel or severe. Staff have wondered how much a factor the additional stresses of the bad economy is.

Today was a day to open the psalms. So much hope, and affirmation of the trustworthiness of the Lord in all circumstances. How do families get through these crises without faith? What can and should Christians do, other than reaching out to, and supporting neighbors wherever we encounter them.

Behold the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him,

On those that hope for His lovingkindness

Psalm 33:18

This entire psalm is my verse of hope for today.

History

• I've still been thinking about historical events in our life time
  I remember:
  
  Kennedy's assassination
  The invasion of Czechoslovakia by USSR
  Armstrong's moon walk
• The fall of Vietnam
  Nixon's resignation
  The swearing in of President Ford
• Bicentennial celebrations
  The Challenger Explosion
  The Fall of The Berlin Wall
  and of course September 11, 2001
  
  As I think of these events, for many of them the events surrounding them in my own world stand out as much as the actual event. Everything from my irritation at Kennedy's funeral preempting Saturday cartoons, to my disgust at my coworkers playing euchre during Ford's swearing in. When the first shock of 9-11 passed one of my thoughts was how my children , especially my youngest, were finding out about the tragedy. I remembered quite clearly my mother's frustration over how the news was handled in our elementary school when Kennedy was assassinated.

Hoping the next historical event he have to remember is a positive one

Shalom

Carol

Recollections

Denise got me thinking a while ago about memories of historical events. I grew up in a family of news, political, and current event junkies. When our TV broke it might not get replaced--until something like a space launch or political event was about to occur. We didn't watch the evening TV news much, but listened to a radio station with a lot of news coverage.

As a teen I even remember having the portable TV moved to the living room next to the big TV so we could watch certain events on two networks the goal usually to watch the actual event on one if the commentators were talking on the other network. National conventions of either party were an occasion for this type of viewing. Back then candidates were decided at the conventions, not by primaries ahead of time.

When I saw the movie Apollo 13 as an adult I was very surprised that I had little or no memory of that event, which occurred when I was a teen. Mark also remembered little about it. We concluded that the news coverage was very different than it would be now. Far less drama, so far less memorable.

Wishing you pleasant events!

Shalom

Carol

Tech Toys

Many things in our lives happening lately have revolved around technology.
We renewed our cell phone contract last week, and the kids got new cell phones. Plus Julie got a real phone (not prepaid), and we added text msg., cause we were paying a lot for those. Julie especially is enjoying here new toy. Mark has no interest in cell phones, but will inherit the prepaid on for emergency use.
Our malfunctioning computer recently returned from repair. We were using Linda's old all summer before taking the other one in. Now we need to download some of the things we have put on Linda's computer, before setting up the other one.
My new toy is a new digital camera I received as a service award from Spectrum. I got my first digital camera as a service award also, was it five or ten years ago? This one is bigger and better with many more features, so I am looking foreword to working with it. But you wont see any pictures from it real soon till we get the computers switched over. I will wait to install the software on our computer.
This picture is from Linda's folder of "pretty pictures" Which are also her screen saver. I have always liked this one and it seem to fit late summer blending into fall.
Enjoy Your Day!

Shalom

Carol

What's for Dinner?

Every mother has to deal with this question almost everyday. What do I make for dinner? How much time and energy do I have for cooking? Who is going to be home,and when? Do I feel creative? What ingredients do I have on hand? Should I make a trip to the store? It's not to hot to turn on the oven tonight, is it? Is tonight a takeout night? So many questions.

I have been blessed with a husband who is a good and creative cook. For me meal planning takes some real time and thought, Mark is generally able to look in the fridge and put together a meal rather quickly. But we are in a rut! Now we have all three kids home for supper most nights, so real meals are called for. Then there are everyone's individual preferences and tastes to consider. So I try make dinner when I can. Looking through cookbooks is occasionally helpful, but sometimes just overwhelming.

After a little thought, and a look in the freezer, tonight is baked chicken, but what to have with it?

How is your dinner planing?

Tidying Up

I have worked some portion of six out of the past eight nights. Some of these have been four or eight hour shifts. This means I haven't done much around the house. Mark keeps the kitchen neat, but the clutter in the living room, dining room and entry had gotten out out of control. Since I got off work early last night, I have been able to get the laundry underway, and pick up, and vacuum. So now I at least would not be embarrassed if someone came to my door. I could make some spiritual analogy to this kind of superficial "tidying up" but I don't have the mental energy right now.

Tomorrow I have a daytime training, so will be up with everyone for the off to school rush. So far I haven't been part of this. Then the rest of the week will be my own!

Shalom

Carol