text:
Conservablogger Power Quote

"...But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security..." The Declaration of Independence

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Best Political Ad EVER!

Now here's an ad that contrasts one candidate apart from the establishment-republican-machine-elites.

Not sure if the producer of this is actually the candidate himself, but check out the video. It's quite compelling.

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Which RINO Joins the Liberals in Bashing the Tea Party?

I'm sharing this article that was posted in VISION TO AMERICA.  I suggest you visit the site and sign up for their super e-mail news letter.

"Senator Dick Lugar (R-IN) is mad at the Tea Party. He believes the Tea Party destroyed the chances for Republican majority in the Senate at the last elections. He claims that if the Tea Party wants a Republican majority – which, by the way, has never been a goal of the Tea Party to start with – they will have to vote for the old elitist guard like him who have the experience to do politics as usual.

Let’s see what good Lugar has done. Worked to continue pouring federal money into agriculture. Voted for the DREAM Act. Enthusiastic supporter of sending American troops to die for the interests of the elite. Supported Obama’s judicial nominations to the Supreme Court – both pro-abortion with a vengeance. Voted to include criticism of sodomy in the definition of “hate crime.” Voted to increase his own salary. Voted for TARP. Voted for federal gun control. And these are only the tip of the iceberg.

Who knows how much lobbying money one will find, if Lugar is investigated just as thoroughly as Gingrich.

But he says, “A Republican majority in the Senate is very important.” Uh huh. It very important to have Rs voting than Ds. For the same laws, of course. But Rs is better. In truth, it is only important to Lugar. The Tea Party’s goal has never been to maintain a Republican majority. It was the Tea Party that developed the term RINO. Lugar fits that term perfectly.

Post Continues on"

Conservablogger Commeht:

Tea Party, I think its time for Senator Dick Lugar to goThe idea that they are losing control is driving them nuts.  They are angry that in 2010, we took a huge step toward   putting an end to their reign.  By "they" I mean politicians who stopped representing 'we the people' and started representing themselves and unions.  "They" are the people in office who are breaking their oaths to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic.

The actions of any administration that sidesteps congress- legislating with his pen and imposing his agenda with various czars, is violating the spirit of the constitution as well as its text.

What am I to believe  about a Federal Government that  (not only fails to enforce  its own immigration laws, but stand in the way States trying to get a handle on the problem.

I would think the federal government would  welcome and assist the states with illegal immigration.  since it isn't, my opinion is that the federal government wants to keep our borders porous;  violating the constitution.

Friday, December 23, 2011

Eric Holder Pulls Race Card as Defense for Illegal Gun Running Program? Can you believe it?!

I'm passing along this e-mail from THE TEA PARTY.  Read it, then ask yourself if the color of Eric Holder's skin is the real reason why he should be investigated and fired.  If you're honest, I'm sure you'll agree that reasoning is bull crap.
"Dear Patriot,

Despite his lies and protestations to the contrary, Eric Holder's knowledge of Fast and Furious dates back to early 2010. This is a program that has put thousands of guns in the hands of Mexican drug cartels and has led to the death of US Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry.
After each lie, half-truth, and obfuscation, Eric Holder has come up with another excuse for why he is not culpable in this gunrunning scheme. Now that he's out of excuses, he's finally resorted to liberals' favorite defense: his critics are only focusing on Fast and Furious due to the color of his skin!

This is blatantly false and a cowardly defense for the country's leading law enforcement official. We want Eric Holder investigated for his involvement in the illegal gunrunning scheme and for lying to cover it up!

If you agree that Eric Holder should be held accountable, please take a moment to
sign our petition today.

Thank you,

Todd Cefaratti
Freedom Organizer

P.S. Our strength is in numbers. Please help our efforts by forwarding to a friend."

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Manufactured Fear? Could this 15 minute Video Change the way you view our Government?

**(I'm not simply 'embedding' important videos from Youtube anymore.  Too many videos get clensed.)

This is from a Channel on Youtube.
I am sharing this because  I think the message is valid.

Don't we expect the government to provide solutions to emergencies?  Maybe this isn't in our best interest.  Maybe allowing our government to thumb its nose at our Constitution is a bad idea.

Pleas watch this video and ask yourself if the point is worth considering.

Monday, December 19, 2011

While America was shopping, the Constitution was Shredded

If this Doesn't make you angry, you are a putz!

Conservablogger comment:  At one point in this video, Ron Paul sounds like the kind of person we need as president.  The crap, the assault on our liberty has been levied, not by this president alone.  This has been building for some time.

I suppose anyone resistant to the government's dispensing of the constitution can be considered an enemy combatant.

Will vocal  dissent of this administration be met with imprisonment?  Could it be?  Will people who oppose socialism; people who are die-hard capitalists who oppose socialism to their last breath, unwilling to be re-educated into the new ways of living be rounded up and dealt with?

I'm concerned that the large step taken by the federal government this past week has wiped out all of our inalienable rights.  They can "hold us indefinately, without charge! In a secret facility!  What does that tell you?

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Interesting little tidbit form 2008 - ACORN suppressing Healthcare discussion

This video was taken in Chicago.  Apparently, ACORN was suppressing civil discussions on a public sidewalk, and a policeman wass there facilitating it.

As you may know, and as indicated in the beginning of this video, Obama has had a relationship with ACORN.

Here's the video:

Friday, December 16, 2011

Fox News Republican Spin Costing Credibility

Has anyone else noticed how Fox News heavily favors Romney?

As I watch coverage of the GOP candidates, I can't help but make this observation.

Wasn't this the same behavior practiced by the liberal 'mainstream'  media to get Obama elected?   What we ended up with, is the illusion of  a fairly elected President who, if properly scrutinized by the media, would never have been elected.

As far as I'm concerned, ttis deception (which I didn't fall for) by mainstream media has cost them what little credibility they had.  Because of this behavior, I never turn to mainstream expecting to get truth.  What I do expect from them is progressive propaganda.

Fox News seems to be engaging in this same behavior, except this time, it appears to me,  they are backing Progressive Republicans:  Romney and Gingrich.

Romney passed a statewide healthcare law (similar to Obamacare) in his state of Massachusetts, and Gingrich helped create the Department of Education, and has stated (in the past) he wants a single payer system  for healthcare.  As I stated in an earlier post, Gingrich and Palosi were seen kissing in a tree singing kum-by-ah over climate change!

So today, after last night's Fox News Debate, I turned on Fox to  hear the spin.  As expected, I heard many Romney clips, many Gingrich clips, and much to-do about about their performances.  What I didn't hear was many clips from the other Republican candidates.

They are very careful not to completely ignore anyone, but the obvious bias toward the Progressive right is turning me off to the network.

Yes, Fox News ( or its parent organization) has picked which candidates to support.  These candidates are exactly the kinds of candidates we have to avoid if we want to solve the problems of the nation.  The folks Fox seems to support are part of the Republican machine establishment! They are exactly the kinds of people who helped get us in this fix in the first place.

It's because of this apparent backing by Fox News, that the network is quickly losing credibility with me.

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Limbaugh Slams Obama’s View of America: ‘Thinks of It as Criminal, Guilty

Limbauaugh explains how Obama has succeeded with his plans for America, and reminds us of his (Limbaugh's) 2009 "I hope he fails" comment.

In this video, he does a good job explaining where Obama has been bad for us.

Monday, December 12, 2011

Union militants threaten Wisconsin teacher

From the IN-BOX this morning. Share on ALL social media:
Union militants are threatening and harassing the courageous charter school teacher who is leading the fight to defend Wisconsin's new government-sector Right to Work law.

With free legal aid from National Right to Work Foundation attorneys, Kristi Lacroix and two other civil servants filed an amicus brief and a motion to intervene against union lawyers' spurious lawsuit seeking to overturn Wisconsin's monopoly bargaining reforms.

WISN-TV in Milwaukee reported that "she has been blistered by negative and vicious emails and phone messages at school and on Facebook, including one suggesting she get protection."

Some militants have even launched a "Fire Kristi" campaign.

As you know, Wisconsin union bosses tried every tactic imaginable to protect Big Labor's monopoly bargaining power over Wisconsin government employees.

They shut down schools, bused in out-of-state agitators, and demanded their allies in the state legislature flee to Illinois to delay a vote.

Then the union bosses wasted millions of dollars -- of their own members' forced dues -- on a failed recall campaign to install a pro-forced unionism majority in the Wisconsin Senate.

Now, union hotheads are bombarding the Kenosha, Wisconsin, teacher with threats because she refuses to toe the union-boss line.

The onslaught of harassment and threats picked up after Lacroix exercised her First Amendment rights and appeared in a TV commercial supporting Governor Scott Walker, who signed the reforms into law.

Other disgraceful messages have threatened Lacroix's career. "Your best bet is to start a job search soon," one militant wrote.

Foundation attorneys are prepared to take all appropriate legal actions to defend Lacroix, and if necessary, provide for the security of her and her family.

In 2005, the National Right to Work Foundation hired 24-hour security for a North Carolina worker who received detailed threats after he successfully challenged a sweetheart deal between his employer and the United Autoworkers (UAW) union.

Union goons routinely employ violence and terror tactics against innocent workers who dare to speak their own minds.

It's vital we expose this thuggery and keep up the legal pressure against the abuses of coercive union power -- including ugly union violence and intimidation.

That's why, if you can, please make a generous, tax-deductible contribution of whatever you can afford to help the Foundation continue to provide free legal aid to Lacroix, expose the injustices of union violence and intimidation to the media, and if necessary, provide Lacroix with professional security.

Union tyrants want to force independent-minded workers like Kristi Lacroix into silence and submission.

But we won't sit by and let that happen.

Mark Mix

Van Jones Goals Exposed! Why does he support OWS? Here is a clue... ***VIDEO***

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Mit Romney: Obama isn't a socialist - He's "Government Heavy"

Fact:  In this video, Romney denies that Obama's policies are socialist; saying instead they are "government heavy".  I think we need a president who is willing to identify socialism for what it is.

If he can't identify Obama's policies as socialist, how can we expect he'll steer our Republic away from it?

Please, by all means, feel free to share this post.

Jews Throw their Shoes at Obama

Uploaded by  (to Youtube) on Dec 11, 2011 -
Jews show their anger at Obama by holding a protest in front of the US embassy in Tel Aviv. All the Jews took off their shoes and threw them at a large photo of Obama.

Watch the Complete ABC/YAHOO IOWA Debate Aired on 21/10/11

I think the moderators were unfair with the time, allowing Romney and Gringrich to monopolize more than a fair amount of time.

And I'm not surprised.  This is a 'mainstream' media outlet, after all, and mainstream is progressive (not in a good way), in a liberal left wing 'they know what's better for us than we do' sort of way way and want to point voters toward another of their kind.

Check it out and see if I am mistaken:

Conservabloggerl Opinion:

I  think Gingrich lost some of his earlier luster.  He did look frazzled, and he seemed awash with defensiveness.

Romney was the same old Romney;  nothing new here.  His performance didn't improve my opinion of him at all.

Perry's performance this time was better than his last few performances.  However, he still wasn't believable to me about social issues, and illegal immigration.

Ron Paul, except for one of his foreign policies concerning protecting Israel was fantastic.  He really stood apart from the pack by relentlessly identifying the cause of our nations  financial - fiscal - problems.

Rick Santorum Was very good.  He seemed to grasp the idea of having to fight for our nation.  When he explained how he won a district of Pennsylvania (as a conservative candidate) that is 60 percent Democrat, told me he's a fighter.  He has a great grasp of American exceptional ism, has a great working knowledge of Washington.  He is also a strong advocate for Israel.  Santorum would make a good president, but is he the right person for this time in history?

Michele Bachman was strong, direct, and fearless.   I think she is great, but mainstream has a way of black-balling her.

(They do this with Ron Paul too.)   She won the straw Poll here earlier this year, and the media came out attacking her.  She continues to point out that she is the "clear consistent conservative" on the panel, and I believe her (as I believe Paul's and Santorum's consistency is unquestionable.)  That said,  will the media ever give her a chance?  I don't think so.  And if they don't give her a chance, does she have a chance to with the presidency?

Ron Paul's Complete Responses from the ABC Iowa Debate ***VIDEO*** 12/10/11

I found it interesting how the ABC moderators waited until the limelight drifted away from Romney, Gingrich & Perry before reminding them of their agreed upon time limits.

Here are all of Ron Paul's answers during this debate:

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Arpaio gets death threats over Obama Investigation 'Certifi-gate'

Did you know that a Sheriff in Arizona and volunteers are investigating Obama's eligibility to be president?

If not, I want you to know  the following information:

Maverick Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio says his "Cold Case Posse" investigating Barack Obama's presidential eligibility will release a preliminary report in February of its findings, which he expects to be "controversial."

"This is a serious law enforcement investigation, and our findings are going to be controversial but based in facts," the Maricopa County sheriff told WND. Arpaio said a comprehensive report will be issued shortly after the February preliminary report.
This story continues AT THIS LINK!

The link takes you to  a story.

Glenn Beck Destroys Obama's Kansas Speech "He's a Liar!" - AUDIO -

Glenn Beck on Wednesday  made a valiant effort and successfully  kept his head from exploding while listening to the Presidents Kansas speech.

 Beck sets the record strait in this audioof Wednesday's show.  If you want to go where the truth lives, that's the place.  Republican, Democrat, Martian, or Ewok, Beck doesn't pull any punches.   Why?  Because the TRUTH has no agenda.

This audio picks up with Beck talking about his head spontaneously exploding due to Obama's fairy-tales about history, class warfare and income equality - all adding up to the fundamental transformation of America.

Here's the Audio:

Monday, December 5, 2011

Obama’s top 10 constitutional violations

The following is from  I feel so strongly about  exposing Obama that I took the liberty of posting some of dailycallers content.  Please continue on to their site and read the rest of this.  (I put a link to this story on the bottom of this post).

Then, do as I did:  Share the dailycaller story  to all your friends on twitter/facebook.  We can't trust the media to tell the truth anymore, so we have to do it ourselves.

Here's the story:

"It’s a good thing that Americans are taking their founding document seriously. After all, the Constitution is the font of all federal power. Its carefully crafted structural provisions that we learned about in grade school, such as the separation of powers and checks and balances, are not merely an application of political theory.

“Federalism is more than an exercise in setting the boundary between different institutions of government for their own integrity,” Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote for a unanimous Supreme Court earlier this year. “By denying any one government complete jurisdiction over all the concerns of public life,” Kennedy continued, “federalism protects the liberty of the individual from arbitrary power.” If the federal government acts outside the scope of its delegated and carefully enumerated powers, then it’s no better than an armed mob.

The Obama administration and its allies in Congress have perpetrated more than their share of such mob-like actions. While it’s hard to narrow them down, here’s my stab at the government’s top 10 constitutional violations since President Obama took office.

1. The individual mandate

No list of President Obama’s constitutional violations would be complete without including the requirement that every American purchase health insurance, on penalty of civil fine. The individual mandate is unprecedented and exceeds Congress’s power to regulate interstate commerce. If it is allowed to stand, Congress will be able to impose any kind of economic mandate as part of any kind of national regulatory scheme. Fortunately, the Supreme Court has a chance to strike this down during its current term.

2. Medicaid coercion

The Court will also be taking up Obamacare’s massive intrusion on federal-state relations in the form of a coercive Medicaid expansion. The law compels states to drastically increase their Medicaid expenditures and reorganize their health care bureaucracies, on penalty of losing all (not just additional) Medicaid funds. No state contemplated such a program when it signed onto Medicaid — Arizona was the last to join, in 1982 — and now no state can afford to withdraw. Indeed, even if some withdrawal mechanism existed, withdrawn states’ taxpayers would still be funding complying states’ Medicaid programs. As the Supreme Court held in South Dakota v. Dole, there comes a point when “the financial inducement offered by Congress might be so coercive as to pass the point at which pressure turns into compulsion.”

3. The Independent Payment Advisory Board (a.k.a. “The Death Panel”)

IPAB is the group of 15 presidential appointees who, beginning in 2014, are tasked with reducing Medicare spending. Any decisions IPAB makes automatically become law that can only be overridden by a three-fifths majority vote in the Senate. Unlike other federal agencies, IPAB is subject to no external review — no public notification in advance of proposed rules or opportunity for comment, no administrative guidelines and no judicial review. Medicare comprises about 13 percent of the federal budget, so that’s an awesome amount of power for Congress to delegate to unelected executive-branch bureaucrats. Indeed, it’s so basic a violation of traditional separation of powers that there’s no historical analog. The Goldwater Institute has filed a strong lawsuit challenging this (yet another) unprecedented aspect of Obamacare, which will continue wending its way through the lower courts regardless of how the Supreme Court rules on the individual mandate and Medicaid-coercion issues.

4. The Chrysler bailout

Building on the Bush administration’s illegal use of TARP funds to bail out the auto industry, the Obama administration bullied Chrysler’s secured creditors — who were entitled to “absolute priority” — into accepting 30 cents on the dollar, while junior creditors such as labor unions received much more. This subversion of creditor rights violates not just bankruptcy law but also the Constitution’s Takings and Due Process Clauses. This blatant crony capitalism — government-directed industrial policy to help political insiders — discourages investors and generally undermines confidence in American rule of law.

Obama - The Anti-Israel President

If you're not watching GBTV, you don't know what's going on. Trouble is coming and you have to prepare for really bad times.

This isn't a Democrat/Republican thing.  This is about good versus evil.  That said, which side are you on?

This video aired on GBTV Dec 5, 2011.

New Christmas Carol for Politically Correct Businesses - Lets all Follow this Plan

If they would rather say, "happy holiday, more power to them. I'll choose not to shop there. How about you?

Merry Christmas!

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Republican Primary Candidates - Conservablogger Revised Opinions

Okay,  we've got just a few candidates left in the Republican Primary  that I would be comfortable voting for.

Here are  my opinions of the candidates:

Romney is out because he's a RINO who has no solid convictions.  He seems to tell folks what they want to hear, flip-flopping like a landed trout.  He's also the one we are being force-fed by the traditional Republican machine.

Perry is out because of his lack of conviction on illegal immigration... that illegals (undocumented residents) should not get preferential treatment or  tuition breaks. He's another candidate we were being spoon-fed by the traditional Republican  machine.

Cain is out because he is actually out.

Gingrich is out because he 'sat in a tree with Palosi' singing kumbiyah over bullcrap climate science.  Too bad too.  I actually like his knowledge on subjects important to the person who occupies  the presidency.

Ron Paul is out because he, sadly, has some views of foreign policy regarding Israel, that I can't support.  If not for that, I'd probably support this guy.

Huntsman, I never considered him because he's an Obama appointee who was the Amabssador to China.  That's not to say he has done anything - I know of - to discount him, but Obama wouldn't have selected him if he weren't a yes man.  That means he's a RINO too. (in my sad opinion).

Who does that leave?  Bachman and Santorum.

I think Michele Bachman knows the gravity of the upcoming election the most, and she's the only one stressing its importance.  Additionally, she seems to know better than anyone what it's going to take to save our Republic.  She also has good foreign policy experience being on an important cabinet position as Congresswoman.

Rick Santorum?  So far, he hasn't messed up in a way that's made the news.  To be honest, I don't actually know enought about him to formulat an accurate opinion. I do know he is a true conservative and lots of conservatives appreciate his convictions.

So, up to this point, If I were voting tomorrow I would vote for Bachman.

Then the question arises, could Michele Bachman beat Obama in the November election?  I think once she can devote her resources to exposing Obama's failed policies, she'll do great.

The media who, backed by unions and government, will be doing everything in its vast sphere of influence to re-elect Obama, but if Bachman clearly and passionately explains how her policies  are better for America, she'll still win.

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Obama union stooge: time to "crack the whip"

The following was in my e-mail this evening.  I thought I'd pass it along to you.  By all means, feel free to e-mail and/or share on twitter/facebook.

Dear Daniel,

Obama's top union stooge at the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) revealed this week he will be "cracking the whip" to ram through one more major Big Labor power-grab by the end of the year.

And American workers will bear the brunt of the damage when NLRB Chairman Mark Pearce, a former union lawyer, crams through yet another backdoor payoff to the union bosses.

You see, just a few months ago, the NLRB proposed a radical change to union certification election procedures that would open up workers across the country to harassment and intimidation by aggressive union organizers.

Under the proposed rules, union organizers would ambush workers with quick-snap elections.

The scheme denies employees sufficient time to counter union-boss propaganda, educate themselves and coworkers about the effects of unionization, and organize in opposition to the union.

In addition to your National Right to Work Foundation's formal comments, Right to Work supporters and other concerned citizens sprung into action during the public comment period.

Over 65,000 comments poured in -- the vast majority against the proposed scheme.

In fact, after only 17,000 comments had been filed, one former Board member told the press that he hasn't seen the public turn up the heat on the NLRB like this in almost 40 years.

But despite the strong public outcry, the two former union lawyers on the NLRB are desperate to advance ambush elections by the end of the year.

With the 2012 elections less than a year away, the unelected bureaucrats in the Obama Administration know they are running out of time to pay back the Big Labor bosses who spent over a Billion Dollars in 2008 on politicking.

But there's another reason Mark Pearce is "cracking the whip" right now.

On December 31, the term of NLRB Member Craig Becker expires, leaving the board with only two members -- short of the three the U.S. Supreme Court ruled last year the Board needs to make rules and issue decisions.

As you may know, former SEIU and AFL-CIO union lawyer Becker infamously called secret ballot elections "profoundly undemocratic," and grassroots opposition to his appointment stalled his nomination in the U.S. Senate.

After President Obama installed Becker as a recess appointee, Becker has made a mockery out of the Obama White House's toothless ethics policy by refusing to recuse himself from cases in which he has clear conflicts of interest.

Notably, Becker has participated in cases involving SEIU affiliates and local unions.

But as the Wall Street Journal pointed out, "No one understands better than Mr. Becker the deep organizational and financial ties between the SEIU and its locals, having been the attorney who crafted national legal strategies for use by SEIU locals everywhere."

Now before Becker's term expires, Pearce and Becker are pushing to speed one more job-killing Big Labor payoff through the Board.

National Right to Work Foundation staff attorneys have opposed ambush elections and other power-grabs at the NLRB every step of the way.

continued support allows the Foundation to devote the resources we need to expose these behind-the-scenes maneuvers in the press and challenge them in court.

Thank you for your partnership in these trying times.

Conservablogger Comment:

These people make me sick.  If their actions by the NLRB don't scream, "MARXISM", no actions ever have!  We used to tell our children when they were defiant of our authority that they were, "too big for their britches".  I think this characterization applies to our government.  Don't you?

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Obama’s Executive Order 13575 Rural Council – Agenda 21

This is more intrusive,  socialist, big-government-machine, liberty-robbing-Obama executive orders that violates the constitution.
The legislative branch is supposed to write laws, not the executive branch!  The president is not a king who can unilaterally decree to the kingdom the way things are going to be.

We can't let this president get away with this crap.

Monday, November 28, 2011

S.1867 - Senate Moves To Allow Military To Intern Americans Without Trial

The following is from This information is too important not to re-post:

The Senate is set to vote on a bill today that would define the whole of the United States as a “battlefield” and allow the U.S. Military to arrest American citizens in their own back yard without charge or trial.

“The Senate is going to vote on whether Congress will give this president—and every future president — the power to order the military to pick up and imprison without charge or trial civilians anywhere in the world. The power is so broad that even U.S. citizens could be swept up by the military and the military could be used far from any battlefield, even within the United States itself,” writes Chris Anders of the ACLU Washington Legislative Office.

Under the ‘worldwide indefinite detention without charge or trial’ provision of S.1867, the National Defense Authorization Act bill, which is set to be up for a vote on the Senate floor this week, the legislation will “basically say in law for the first time that the homeland is part of the battlefield,”

Conservablogger's Remarks:

Leave it to Senate Democrats to push a bill that absolutely violates the constitution.  We are protected from illegal searches and seizures... so what they did was legalize all seizures.  This type law would allow the government to 'make examples' out of people who don't conform with the establishment.

That is, anyone who stands for individual liberty, limited government, personal responsibility could be prevented from holding rally's in defiance of the current political whim.

This is blatant overreaching that we must stand against.

Monday, November 21, 2011

The Only Constructive Outlet for Legitimate Frustration - The Tea Party!

Message from the  Today's e-mail:

"Dear Patriot,

As the ‘Occupy’ protests become increasingly violent and unpopular, there is an opportunity to show regular Americans that there is a constructive outlet for their legitimate frustration with government: the Tea Party movement! The liberal left has married ‘Occupy’ as their politicians sing its praises and its pundits cheer on its lawlessness. If presented with the facts, there is no doubt that the good people of America will reject the disgusting behavior of ‘Occupy’ and join our peaceful movement determined to promote limited government, personal responsibility, and free markets!

This week we are putting an important video back in front of a national audience with a five-figure media buy!

Please take a moment to view the video today!

Thank you,

Todd Cefaratti
Freedom Organizer

P.S. Our strength is in numbers. Please help our efforts by forwarding to a friend.

Contribute  Now!"

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Contractors Claim Administration Pressed to ‘Soften’ Job-Loss Estimates From Mining Rule

The following story is from   I recommend checking out this site.

The Obama administration pressured analysts to change an environmental review to reflect fewer job losses from a proposed regulation, the contractors who worked on the review testified Friday.

The dispute revolves around proposed changes to a rule regulating coal mining near streams and other waterways. The experts contracted to analyze the impact of the rule initially found that it would cost 7,000 coal jobs.

But the contractors claim they were subsequently pressured to not only keep the findings under wraps but “revisit” the study in order to show less of an impact on jobs.

Friday, November 18, 2011

Citizen Debt Commission Squelched by Democrats

I don't know about you, but I know horse dung when I smell it.  And, the Democrat horse dung as described below is particularly stinky.  Our Government has run wild and has stopped representing in the best interest of the our Republic.

I'm convinced they want to see America fail, and one way they are perpetuating this idea is by squelching the voices of responsible reason.

Here's the news report as picked up in my e-mail this morning.

"Washington Can't Ignore the Tea Party

Dear Daniel,

As you know, the Senate has failed to pass a budget resolution for three years running. Now they won't even let the American people do the job for them.

This afternoon, 200 FreedomWorks members and representatives from tea party groups across the country met in the Russell Senate Office building to formally present our plan to balance the federal budget and cut $9.7 trillion in spending over the next 10 years. Unfortunately, it seems like the only thing Washington wants to hear is excuses.

The Democrats who run the Senate Rules Committee were so afraid of the tea party plan to balance the federal budget that they ordered committee staff to remove the microphones we had set up for the event while Capitol Police blocked the doors of our hearing room, which had been reserved by Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) specifically for this event more than two weeks ago. At the same time, a "suspicious package" was reported in the room next door and all visitors and staff were barred from the area.

Although Senator Lee courageously stood up for us, he ultimately determined that the hearing should proceed without further interruption or harassment. For that reason we moved to another location off the Capitol grounds where our commission of 12 volunteer tea party activists presented their recommendations to a fired-up crowd.

Senator Lee was also joined there by Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), Reps. Joe Walsh (R-IL), Steve King (R-IA), Mike Pence (R-IN), Mick Mulvaney (R-SC) and Paul Broun (R-GA). Rep. Broun received a standing ovation when he offered to help draft and sponsor legislation that could eventually allow our recommended cuts to become law.

Unfortunately, the unexpected location change disrupted live coverage of our hearing on CSPAN, but please click to watch the video, which provides highlights from this afternoon's events.

For more information about the Tea Party Debt Commission, or to access the full report presented
today, visit HERE....

Monday, November 14, 2011

Congress Must Stand Up To Obama - Sign the Petition

Do you believe our President is abusing His executive power when he bypasses congress with his 'royal decrees'?

If so, read about the petition you can sign telling your representatives in the Senate and Congress to stand against this behavior.

The following was in y in-box this morning:

"Dear Patriot,

What is happening to our great nation? This President has been an abysmal failure and after the American people rose up and changed the makeup of Congress in response in the midterm elections of 2010, he has the audacity to publically brag that he “can’t wait” for Congress. He has decided that he will abuse the executive order process to circumvent the Congress that we FOUGHT SO HARD TO ELECT in 2010. This law by royal decree is exactly the kind of outrage this Country was founded in response to!

Congress MUST STAND UP to this abuse of power, and we know that if they don’t hear from us they will continue to cower to the would-be dictator. Please take a few moments and send your letters to your Congressman and Senators demanding that they stand up to an abusive executive by CLICKING HERE. *You are NOT REQUIRED to make a contribution in order to participate, but your generous contributions allow us to continue to offer this service and many others free-of-charge.

Thank you,

Todd Cefaratti
Freedom Organizer"

P.S. Our strength is in numbers. Please help our efforts by forwarding to a friend.

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Impeach Obama Air-Banner Flies over San Diego

Reported on today,  just a couple hours prior to an Obama appearance yesterday,  an air-ad company flew over San Diego, CA pullinga banner that read something to the effect 'Impeach Obama'.

It is reported on that after receiving calls to the air traffic control tower, the pilot was ordered to exit his location.

Here's a picture of the plane:
To find out who is responsible for this banner, read the Full Story HERE!!!!!!

Friday, November 11, 2011

Ron Paul CNBC Debate Highlights

Ron Paul sounds like an earnest  man who really understands the problems we are facing.  Give Ron Paul  your consideration.  Listen to what he is saying.  He just might be the man for the job.

CNBC Pulls Online Debate Poll - Ron Paul Was Kicking A$$

The first video shows Ron Paul  leading the other candidates in the debate by a large margin.

This  video is Ron Paul Highlights from  the CNBC debate.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Hank Williams Jr. on the 2011 CMA Show, "You Can't Compare the President to Hitler" ***VIDEO***

On a Fox and Friends interview, Hank Williams Jr. said  Obama and Boehner  playing golf together would be like Hitler playing golf  with   Benjamin Netanyahu..   This remark got
Williams fired from ESPN's long running  Monday night football Intro.

Well, after appearing on GBTV, I found out this CMA would be one worth watching.  It didn't disappoint.     Country music & Hank Williams Jr. Responded 'sort of'.

Feel free to laugh out loud... I did.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

RAND PAUL: Sign the National Right to Work Petition

Thumbs up to this petition
In my inbox this evening was this signature request.  I think this is a fine idea and should get a vote in congress.  That's why I have signed this petition.
Dear Concerned American,

They snickered when I said I came to the U.S. Senate to change Congress.

But their laughter stopped when I sponsored the National Right to Work Act to free U.S. workers from forced unionization and break Big Labor's multi-billion dollar political machine forever.

President Barack Obama and Big Labor allies in the Senate are now feverishly scheming to bury the National Right to Work Act without a vote.

So I have a question for you.

Will you be the sledgehammer?

Your signature on the petition to your Congressman and Senators is what is needed to bust through the opposition and force a vote on the National Right to Work Act.

This is an opportunity you and I cannot afford to miss.

As you know, the right to decide freely whether or not to join a union was taken away from American workers by Congress almost 75 years ago.

A result of back-room deals between union bosses and their tax-and-spend Congressional puppets, compulsory unionism provisions in federal law currently empower union officials to:
>>>Force nearly 11 million Americans to pay tribute to a union boss to get or keep a job ...

>>>Brazenly loot union treasuries to fund the election of their hand-picked political puppet candidates like Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid ...

>>>Terrorize workers and communities with violent strikes -- where they get away with beatings, arson -- even murder.

The National Right to Work Act strikes at the foundations of the union bosses' power.

And here's the thing -- the National Right to Work Act is wildly popular with American voters.

In fact, for years polls have shown nearly 80% of Americans think it should be against the law to force workers to pay money to union bosses just to get or keep a job.

All you and I have to do is force an up-or-down roll call vote on the National Right to Work Act ... And the American people will do the rest.

Many Democrats and more than a few Republicans elected with Big Labor's over $1 billion in forced-dues political cash cower in fear of casting a vote against the National Right to Work Act.

What will they do when forced to vote?

It's a win-win situation -- either they pass the National Right to Work Act and free American workers or they pay in 2012.

It will be a marathon battle.

But I will not flinch in the face of opposition and insider attacks.

I believe, with your help, this is a fight we will win.

National Right to Work Act Petition to:
My U.S. Senators and Congressman
Whereas:   Federal law permits Big Labor to confiscate $8 billion from American workers’ paychecks every year just to get or keep a job;
Whereas:   This forced unionism breeds violent strikes and a hate-the-boss mentality which drive good jobs overseas, jack up prices and risk re-igniting inflation:
Whereas:   Union bosses use this forced-dues fortune to corrupt our political system with over a billion dollars every election cycle;
Whereas:   Union-puppet politicians routinely vote for higher taxes, bailouts, job-killing bureaucracy and even more porkbarrel spending keeping our nation locked in recession;
Therefore: I urge you in the strongest possible terms to strike a blow for freedom and American prosperity by co-sponsoring and casting your every vote in favor the National Right to Work Act.

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Voting without photo ID pushed for all 50 states

Thumbs Down to hr 3316 & 3317
A Minnesota congressman has proposed federal legislation that would impose his state’s type of voter registration – which leads the nation in voter fraud cases – on the other 49 states, according to critics who have launched online campaigns to make people aware of the dangers of Rep. Keith Ellison’s H.R. 3316 and its companion H.R. 3317.... MORE...

Conservablogger Comment:

This is pure shenanigans by the Democratic party who knows, yes knows, it can't win the next elections running on their record.

They have to stack the deck in their favor.  Do I think they will resort to vote stealing, and other voter fraud?  Yes, I certainly do.

This administration has already been involved in some very shady deals.  They've been involved in fast and furious  which would, by design, undermine the 2nd amendment.  They've got sylndra (sp?) the failed solar panel company they loaned over  half a billion dollars to.  They've failed to prosecute voter intimidation charges, they've put a moratorium on off shore drilling, then loaned 2 Billion to Brazil to drill off shore.  This administration has failed to  secure the borders, then filed law suits against states trying to protect their citizens.  This administration has also stood in the way of the free market working out the kinks to fixing itself.

For political points, or so the system will fail, this administration is backing the revolutionaries who are engaged in the occupy movements.  Can you tell I don't like this administration?

The radical left in the white house wants to retain power, so they do what ever it takes to that end.  They know we are onto them and their bull crap, and they are scared to death.  They should be.

Call and write your congressman and senators.  Let them know you DO NOT  support the house bill that would remove the photo ID requirement to vote.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Cain: Perry Camp Responsible for Sabotage

Cain remarks during a tele-town hall that the  Perry Campaign is responsible for attempting to sabotage his recent success.

Conservablogger Remark:  I don't doubt that the establishment Republican Party is responsible for this 20 year old dirt being flung all over the politicall landscape.  It has been clear all along that the chosen candidates for the  (R) party are either Perry, or Romney:  2 Rinos if I ever saw one.

You got Perry giving illegal aliens tuition breaks, and you got Romney backing an Obama-esque style healthcare system as governor of MA.

So, someone who is clearly from outside the established Republican party, Herman Cain, comes along and finds favor with the electorate; they have to respond.

My message to Herman Cain is, "hang in there!"  I'm not buying the bull crap they're selling, and most Americans ain't either.

Sunday, October 30, 2011

ALERT: Bill Promises to Censor the Internet

Thumbs down to this Bill
From Webpro News:
The PROTECT-IP bill is making its way through the halls of the United States government, and besides an unfortunate name change, the bill has been altered by the House of Representatives in such a way, it would essentially allow the government and/or various corporations that feel infringed upon the ability to censor the Internet in whatever way they see fit.

Should the United States government be allowed to censor the Internet to fit their own whims and desires? Let us know what you think in the comments.

Perhaps that last part is wrapped in some hyperbole, but then again, after reading portions of the updated bill, as well as some of the reactions to it, it’s pretty clear that, if passed, the American public could soon be using a very different version of the Internet than what we’re used to. The sad thing is, besides a small section of informed reactions to the bill, very few in the American public seem to know and/or care about the implications of PROTECT-IP, which, thanks to input from House of Representatives, now goes by the unfortunately-named E-PARASITE Act.

Read the bill:  Click Here.

Visit The best source of Internet News around - Webpro news and this story.

Rand Paul Pointed Briefing on Federal Regulatory Burdens

He his the nail on the head with this one.  I like this guy!  I think a Paul, Paul ticket would be nice for 2012.

Friday, October 28, 2011

Glenn Beck Explains OWS (Audio) from GBTV

This audio is from a GBTV episode that aired on 10/24/11.

I probably shouldn't be posting this here, but I think his message should be heard by everyone who cares about America and loves freedom.  In this audio, he gets into what's behind Occupy Wall Street and makes the case succinctly with evidence to back up his claims.

I post this for news and educational  purposes.

I suggest you log onto and subscribe so you can see for yourself where truth lives.

If I'm asked to remove this, I will.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Monday, October 24, 2011

Why do Top Democrats Support Occupy?

Look at who is supporting the Occupy crowds, look at what political groups comprise the Occupy crowd, then vote accordingly at the next election.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Video for Black Democrats: Begin Deprogramming

Petition to Prosecute Eric Holder

Consider the idea (it is my belief) that the main objectives of the Fast and Furious gun running operations was to undermine our 2nd ammendment, then decide if you think Holder should be prosecuted if he lied under oath to Congress in terms of his involvement and/or knowledge of the operation.

My opinion is that 'We the People' need to send a loud and clear signal to our government that Holder is not above the law, and that we aren't going to put up with this underhanded bullsquat.

This e-mail was in my inbox this morning discussing this matter and linking to an insta-petition that with a click sends e-mails or faxes to your specific representatives. I invite you to read on...
"Dear Patriot,
Operation Fast and Furious is an inherently idiotic idea that has resulted in the death of a Border Patrol Agent, as well as the deaths of many Mexican nationals. And even after federal officials became aware of these deaths, there were three egregious criminal actions taken. First, federal officials tried to cover up evidence at a murder scene. Second, the federal agent who blew the whistle on Operation Fast and Furious was fired for doing so. Finally, Attorney General Eric Holder lied to Congress under oath about his knowledge of Fast and Furious.

When US B order Patrol Agent Brian Terry was murdered in December 2010, two guns were discovered at the murder scene. As it would turn out, these guns were two of literally thousands of guns that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) allowed to illegally cross the border into Mexico as part of the ill-advised - and likely illegal - Operation Fast and Furious. ATF would end up losing track of over 1,000 of those weapons, many of which have turned up at a dozen violent crime scenes in Mexico. Officials then attempted to cover up the fact that the AK-47s that killed Agent Terry were a part of the operation.

The details of Fast and Furious, also called Project Gunrunner, may have never come to light without Agent Vince Cefalu blowing the whistle. After going public with the details, ATF conducted seven internal affairs investigations into Agent Cefalu and, frustrated that they couldn't charge him with a crime, they settled for firing him after 30 years of service for what they called a "lack of candor" in June.

The most obvious crime, for which there must be justice, happened when Attorney General Eric Holder was called before Congress to explain under oath what happened with Fast and Furious. Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Rep. Darrell Issa, asked Holder a direct question: on what date did he first learn about Fast and Furious? Holder responded, "I'm not sure of the exact date, but I probably heard about Fast and Furious for the first time over the last few weeks." But now internal memos are surfacing showing that Eric Holder had known about the operation for at least 10 months!

It's obvious that this amounts to systemic criminal behavior on the part of Justice Department and ATF agents, and the full extent of this criminal behavior should be investigated. But one crime we know for sure: when Eric Holder perjured himself before Congress, he committed a crime for which he must be held accountable! We've launched our Prosecute Eric Holder petition, and we need every patriot who reads this email to stand with us and tell Congress that we will not allow this criminal behavior on our watch! A special prosecutor must be appointed to investigate and prosecute the criminal that Barack Obama has running the US Department of Justice!

Please, take a moment to use our state-of-the-art petition system to contact your elected officials and leave your comments on the petition as well. It costs nothing to participate, and we need to make our voice heard! *You are not required to make a donation to participate, but your contributions allow us to continue to offer this service free of charge to patriots across the country.

Eric Holder must be held accountable. Please, lend your voice to the Prosecute Eric Holder petition.

Thank you,

Todd Cefaratti
Freedom Organizer

P.S. Our strength is in numbers. Please help our efforts by forwarding to a friend."

Is Obama Admin Fabricating Iranian Assassination Plot To Distract From Fast & Furious?

Food for thought...

Friday, October 14, 2011


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Las Vegas shooter traveled to Islamic Countries

In addition to the Vegas shooters frequent forays into casinos and gun shops, Las Vegas strip killer Stephen Paddock took 20 cruises, many of them the Middle East, investigators have learned. Jordan and the United Arab Emirates, are some of the locations he traveled to according to information provided by a law enforcement source who asked not to be identified because the source was not authorized to share information about the investigation.

Las Vegas authorities now acknowledge mass murderer Stephen Paddock may have been “radicalized” before his bloody rampage Sunday at the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival but they won’t say what species of radicalism the shooter may have embraced.

The deadliest mass shooting in modern American history has been cravenly transformed into anti-American propaganda by the Left, as Democrat commentators race to ghoulishly disparage white men, gun rights and the NRA, Republicans, and President Trump, blaming them for what otherwise looks like a Muslim terrorist atrocity. Islamic State continues to claim responsibility for the massacre. The terrorist group also claims Paddock converted to Islam six months ago and refers to him by a nom de guerre, Abu Abdul Barr al-Amriki

Paddock also was found to have traveled to Jordan and the United Arab Emirates, according to information provided by a law enforcement source who asked not to be identified because the source was not authorized to share information about the investigation.

 In the islamic calendar the day of the shooting was the 11th Muharram. Each year the Muharram (first month in an islamic year) starts on a different date, this year 21 september.

The tenth day of Muharram is a special day to honour a medieval jihadist/martyr in islam. Day of Ashurah (lit. “the tenth”)

There are 3 days of fasting from the 9th to the 11th Muharram (1 october 2017), to honour/mourn for the jihadist(s).

So, the shooting started after sunset on the last fasting day of those special islamic days, and a day after the official day.

Paddock’s digital profile “showed he researched many of the massacres committed by the IS lately in Europe.”

NBC News reports three major updates – a cell phone charger found that does not match Paddock’s phone, and the fact that his room’s key card was used after his car had left the hotel’s garage. There was also a receipt for room service for two guests, as well as a missing rifle that Paddock just purchased.

Muslim terrorists are increasingly targeting concert venues, as Paddock did on the weekend. There was the bombing of the Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England, on May 22 that killed 22. On November 13, 2015, Muslim terrorists attacked the Bataclan concert hall in Paris, France, leaving 89 dead during a performance by Eagles of Death Metal.

Or Sheriff Lombardo may be implying Paddock was supportive of Antifa or the KKK. “In any case, [radicalized is] a strange word to throw out there and leave hanging,” Spencer adds.

It’s possible Paddock was a right-winger, but if so, he had an odd way of showing it. Targeting country music fans, who are largely Republican and conservative, seems like a strange way to advance a right-of-center cause.

Besides, in the United States, political violence is almost the exclusive province of the Left and Islamists.

ON top of all of this, former Massachusetts Trump campaign official James Brower posted a series of tweets last night claiming he was leaked information about Paddock being inspired by ISIS to carry out the mass shooting.

“There is a video, this video will prove the motive. He had a secret digital profile that was uncovered over the last 24 hrs,” claims Brower.

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ConsultationsToggle button

Consultations Calendar

On this page you can find a list of all current and upcoming meetings of consultations at the World Bank Group. Click on a meeting to see more meeting details or refine your search by using the left filter options.

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Sunday, August 7, 2011

Cold Summertime Borscht

Beet Soup 2 (1 of 1)

In the heat of summer, there is nothing better in this world than a cold soup. I'll stand by that blanket statement, too. I have a friend, perfectly reasonable in all other ways, who, as soon as it's chilled, strips the label 'soup' from any kind of puréed vegetable. Leaving us with, well, I guess just puréed vegetables. Baby food, really. And to me, baby food has never been particularly appetizing, so we'll go with soup.

Beet Soup 1 (1 of 1)

This soup was divisive in other ways, too. I loved it. As in really, really loved it. Probably could have just drunk it straight from a glass like the vegetable smoothie my friend would probably insist it is. R? Not so much. He took a few bites and generously gifted me the rest of his bowl. I should have know, though. And I did know I was pushing my luck with this one. I think the bright pink color had him fooled for the first few spoonfuls, but then the vinegar, mustard, and beets (none of which he actually likes) started to sink in.

Beet Soup (1 of 1)

To me, these piquant ingredients are instantly refreshing, and they brighten up the earthy beets. Borscht seems so Old World, since it is, having its origins in Ukrainian and Russian cooking. The warm version usually consists of beets and cabbage in a meat broth, but the cold version is much lighter and perfect for summer. This one, the version from Christopher Hirsheimer & Melissa Hamilton's Canal House Cooking series, is traditional in that it calls for a base of sour cream. But I mixed part sour cream with part thick Greek yogurt. Feel free to use one or the other, although I'd go with sour cream for the garnish in either case.

Cold Borscht
Adapted from Christopher Hirsheimer & Melissa Hamilton's Canal House Cooking Volume 1

3 large beets, trimmed (remember to save those beet greens for another use!)
1 cucumber, peeled, seeded and diced
Half a small yellow onion, chopped
1 cup fresh bread crumbs
1 cup sour cream plus extra for serving
2 cups Greek yogurt (nonfat is fine)
3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons half-and-half
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar
Salt to taste
Fresh chives for garnish

Preheat the oven to 400F and wrap each of the beets in tin foil individually. Roast for about 1 hour, until tender when pierced with the tip of a knife.

When cool, slip the skins off the beats and chop them. In a large bowl, combine the beets, cucumber, onion, bread crumbs, sour cream, yogurt, mustard, half-and-half, vinegar and sugar and give it all a good stir with a wooden spoon. Purée these ingredients in a blender, working in batches. Add salt to taste and refrigerate, preferably overnight so the flavors have a chance to develop.

To serve, top the chilled soup with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkling of chives.

Lenna said...

That looks really delicious! I love borscht and yours has such an amazing colour!

Jennifurla said...

Wowzer, that is so pretty - awesome color

Renata said...

It's amazing how beets make food so beautiful. Looks delicious!

Tres Delicious said...

With the summer heat around, this would be the best way to cool me down. Nice photo. Looks really delicious.

Eleanor Rigby said...

it seems like a weird version of Lithuanian cold beetroot soup. we use kefir (similar to sour milk) and beetroots, of course, cucumber, spring onions, boiled eggs, a bit sour cream, dill. and we eat it with hot boiled potatoes. best summer dish ever! And it is usually even brighter pink than in your picture- some people are put off by the colour :)))

zip codes said...

must be tasty too, just like you told in your post. :) nice like it


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Sunday, April 14, 2013

Sunrise Walk at Cuddalore Silver Beach

Anbudan Saravanan, Raja Subramanian Sir and yours truly went to Cuddalore Silver Beach today morning for a sunrise walk at the sea shore - Silver Beach, Cuddalore.

Strolled to the south end of the beach, sat on the dunes and had lighter moments for a couple of hours and came back.

Most of the people of our town are connected online thru facebook / email groups. I have many online friends from my town, over the past nearly a decade, but we never had a moment to interact offline. A thought came over a discussion last week when I was conversing over the phone with Anbudan Sharavanan. We felt that we are missing something and its direly needed that we meet offline.

So, we met today, with Raja Subramanian Sir joining us to share his golden experiences.

Why a morning and that too on a Sunday?

Firstly, today a second sunday morning was a magic when most of the folks would be home bound to their native town - Cuddalore (second saturday);
Secondly, morning being synonymous of the beach being less of crowd was so awesome to enjoy;
Thirdly, the dawning sun gave some mesmerizing moments which is a rarity and unexplainable - you need to go and experience to realize.

Couple of friends missed this walk since they were pre-occupied.

If you too are missing on this meeting, and living around Cuddalore, join us during the next Second Sunday 12th May'13.

ராஜசுப்ரமணியன் S said...

It was memorable event on the Tamil New Year day. Thanks for conceiving the idea and initiating the steps. I hope it will grow like a banyan tree with more and more friends of Cuddalore and nearby places joining their hands for some good cause.


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Monday, September 23, 2013

Dear Familia,

Sorry to hear about the game.... well to be honest not really, the Lord's work moves forward if we win or not so I'm a happy camper.

However, I'm sad to hear that Bronson got a concussion....

This last week has been a very interesting week. It was the korean thanksgiving so we had a mission conference on Thursday. It was great! We had a mission wide fast on Wednesday and broke the fast as a mission. The meeting was so spiritual, and to fast as a mission was something that I'll never forget. President's talk was exactly what I, and the mission needed to hear. I know he is called of God. I also had the opportunity to share my testimony during the conference and as usual I got up, introduced myself in korean as 행복한 카푸시  장로 (happy elder Kaufusi) and bore testimony of the power that comes through sanctification and purification.

On the way to the conference I flipped my scriptures open randomly and it fell to Mark 10:21. As I read, pondered, and prayed in my heart I knew this was something I needed to share. This fast as a mission was to help us re-dedicate ourselves to the work here in Korea and in doing so we as a mission need to give more of our hearts. I also shared Ezekiel 36:26-27 which speaks on gaining a new heart. It was a gratifying opportunity to stand before the mission and bear testimony of the work and our Savior.

Anyways, no investigators could meet this last week because of the Holiday, we had a cleaning day and they changed our P-day to last saturday. So Saturday we had a zone activity. We met with 동대문 (dongdaemun zone)  at 신당 (sindang) ward and played basketball, and then watched The Best Two Years! It was amazing! super fun. That movie was to so much more fun watching it as a missionary.

Then on sunday, President came to our ward and our investigator got the gift of the holy ghost/confirmed. It was great.

Got the package! thanks soooooo much! I am in heaven! To be honest, the shoes couldn't have come at a better time haha I have had to get my other shoes fixed probably 3-4 times haha. In fact I used it as a proselyting technique last month! My sole was just flopping when i walked and so i'd start conversations with people by asking "where can I fix my shoe?" One lady even stopped on the spot and had crazy adhesive glue in her purse and glued it on the spot! However, it made it so i had to walk around for 20 minutes shoeless, which also is a great conversation starter haha.

Anyways I love you and I love this work. I love our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I know that through him we might feel and partake of the everlasting love of our Heavenly Father.

LEx! happy Birthday! I wrote in big lettering in my planner that it was your birthday! I have the family calendar hanging up in our room and since it has all your pictures up this month, when president came to our house for a cleaning check, i think he got a kick out of it.  If there's anything you need, let me know!

I Pray for you and the family always.

Love Elder Kaufusi

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Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Companionship: The Missing Piece of the Puzzle for Special Needs Parents

I tend to run in different "circles of friends" than most people that I know in my own town.  I don't attend playgroups, don't go to the homeschooling co-ops, don't participate in the Women's Bible Studies, and don't hang out with the PTA at the elementary school.  I could give reasons about why I don't take part in each of those, but really it would all boil back down to one thing: We have a unique family make-up and our chosen path because of that uniqueness means that these things are not options for us right now.

I could make a much longer list of the things that we don't do because of the path of life we're on.  In fact, I could regularly add something to it that we "used to do" that we will no longer do because of one reason or another.  I don't believe there is a magic button that turns us from social creatures in to isolated people and makes our desires for interaction with people outside of our children and spouse to suddenly turn off.

Instead, I think that the more isolated our lives bring us, the more we need to reach out for connections with people that can understand our journey.

When it feels like we're "doing life alone" is when we most need a shoulder to lean on, an ear to listen, and a friend to help pick us back up on our feet.  I often struggle with that balance and find that during the most difficult seasons, I not only am walking through fire, but I find myself afraid to reach out to others.  I fear several things.
  1. Burdening them with the weight of my trouble.
  2. Rejection, and having them turn me away, worsening the feeling of my troubles.
  3. Feeling that I've given them a view of our situation that is all negative, which is not my intention.
When things look pretty bleak, when we feel like we're alone, when we're mourning the things we "can't" do as a family or as an individual, we can't just internalize and move on.  No, we need to do some things to keep OURSELVES healthy.

The first thing I often look is for a compassionate friend that can get it.  Find someone that can share your burdens, understand your struggles, and relate to you because they have been in your shoes.  Ok, I hear you "easier said than done!"  "No one really can understand what I'm going through."  "I don't know anyone like that."  That's when I say look harder.

I am amazed at the people that God has brought in to my life through online relationships. Most of us with unique family situations don't have connections with people in our own communities that can relate to what we're going through with our family.  I don't know any other families in our town that have a house full of children ages 10 and under that have significant disabilities and some with past trauma.  The blessing is-- I don't have to.

Don't get me wrong, I would love to have someone local that could really relate to us!  Right now, that's not how God has provided that companionship for us, though.

In fact, most of the families that I am involved with who have multiple adopted children with special needs feel some degree of isolation from other families in their communities.

It is amazing what today's technology can provide to families with unique situations.  Whether a family has 1 or 25 children, whether some or all or none of them are adopted, and no matter how many of them have any amount or variant of special needs, the community of adoptive parents and special needs parents online is a resource like none other.  I have been involved with families experiencing all of the following through FaceBook parent connections:

  • Families find companionship through similar unique family make-ups
  • Parents experience life with other families at conferences, during vacations or spending holidays together
  • Moms locate other moms whose children have the same unique diagnosis as their child
  • People share profiles of waiting children with hundreds of families that may be open to raising the child- and kids find families
  • Parents relate with others when they feel their troubles are overwhelming and finding they aren't alone
  • Moms and dads realize there are people who will reach out to their family in a time of crisis to provide a listening ear, assistance through shared experiences, and even respite for the family in need
  • I have seen children whose adoptions need to be disrupted (child goes to a second adoptive family) and the "first family" connects with the new adoptive family and plays a special role in the child's life even as they are unable to meet the child's physical and emotional/social needs
  • Foster parents who have a special bond with a child that are able to keep in contact and receive updates on the child and their new family
I am a part of many groups on FaceBook, and each serves a different 'role'.
  • Christian Mom's Groups
  • Diagnosis specific groups (feeding tubes, Down syndrome, CP)
  • General special needs parenting groups
  • Special needs adoption groups
  • Multiple adopted special needs kids groups
I want to encourage you... that if you are not already connected with other people that can share your burdens, understand your struggles, and relate to you because they have been in your shoes, then keep looking.

Dig a little more. I don't believe there is a magic button that turns us from social creatures in to isolated people and makes our desires for interaction with people outside of our family to suddenly turn off.  Instead, I think that the more isolated our lives bring us, the more we need to reach out for connections with people that can understand our journey.

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

WOAH, no one likes to hear that word!  If you say "entitled" then maybe it's ok.  But entitleMENT seems to put a bit of a spin on it that suggests that somehow it is wrong.  It is a state of mind/descriptor/etc that people shouldn't have.  But somehow to say to someone "you are entitled to it" is still ok.

So, why would I throw out such a word to start off this post?  Because I had a little battle with myself about entitlement today.  Yep, with myself.  Let me tell you about my day today.

At 5:45 my alarm went off and I crawled out of bed after about 5 hours of sleep, wishing I could lay back down.  The day before we spent about 10 hours in the car driving home from a weekend get-away and I had started feeling poorly the last half of that trip home.  By the time we were home, I had to get the kids in bed, three little boys showered in preparation for today's adventures, everyone's medications done, and Michael unpacked the car and cleaned it out as well.  Then we got everything ready for today- clothes out for everyone, medications and feeding pumps and diapers and formulas packed again.

Today at 6:30 we pulled out of our house in two cars with our three younger boys and drove an hour to Orlando to the hospital.  Traffic and road construction had us cutting it close to the wire for arriving on time.  Then we drove in circles for 30 minutes trying to find the entrance that we'd been told to valet park in front of through all of the construction, finally giving up and finding a garage that we were told by a kind man on the side of the road would connect us where we could at least walk to the correct building.  Once inside, we walked the entire length of the hospital then turned and walked the entire width of the hospital.  We got to a desk where we had been escorted to by an RN that was headed a similar direction and was in the parking garage with us, only to be told to retrace our steps for surgeries and go back practically where we had come from but following a different set of hallways once we got halfway.

We walked in to a long room with a door at the end and recliners lining the walls and went up to an empty window at the end sporting the photo of a man whose name was the same as the lady at the first desk had said it would be.  Three staff people went in and out the doors, and we stood there still... 30 minutes late to our appointment.  Finally they said "oh these are the brothers!" and brought us back to be weighed then in to a room prepared for them with three hospital beds.  Then they came in to tell us that things were "running behind" because of some complications that were unexpected with some of the first patients of the day.  Eventually, the first two boys went back to back for procedures and Michael met each one in the PACU to sit with them while they woke up, then Micah was sent back to me in the recovery area just as Wesley was taken back for his procedure, then James and Michael came back out a little while later.  Things were going like clockwork.

Michael and I dressed the boys, gave them clear liquids, and some young girls showed up with wheelchairs ready to escort Michael, James, and Micah to the car to go home.  Wesley's surgery was scheduled to take a little longer.  I was called to sit with him in PACU just as Michael and the little boys were ready to wheel out, so we said our goodbyes and went separate ways.  Another 4 hours later, after things that shouldn't have really been very much different than the first two boys just didn't happen in the same way once we were sent to a different (mixed adults and children due to the later time of day) recovery room... Wesley and I finally got our jailbreak.

I should mention here that I woke up that morning with a sore and swollen throat and took Tylenol which helped tremendously the first half of the day, but quickly wore off as the day wore on.  I was tired, achy, icky feeling, and *I* wanted to go home... and Wesley had been a great patient, but his patience had worn off and he was DONE by the time we convinced the nurse to let us leave.

This brings me to 5:30pm when I walked down the hallway, got on an elevator to the 3rd floor, then walked another two sets of hallways to come to where there was another set of elevators to go to the 6th floor... and saw a restroom.  It sounded like a good stop to make, so Wesley and I turned in to the ladies' bathroom before hitting the elevator.  11 hours since we left home, we were exhausted, and I was, without a doubt, ready to be home.  Not just that, but to get some Tylenol for the aches and fever and to curl up under a blanket and go to SLEEP.  RIGHT. THEN.

That's when the entitlement factor kicked in.  It drove me from "God is good, and by His grace we do what we do" which I had to have said to 10 staff members that asked how in the WORLD we could have 3 little boys with special needs that day.  Up until right when we were leaving, I kept a smile on my face and a kind posture to my words.  Standing in that bathroom, however, I didn't want to think nice thoughts or say nice things.  I was downright frustrated.  I stood and waited.  And waited.  And waited.  The toilet flushed (Wesley screamed).  The sink ran.  The paper towel machine made noise.  All of that happened in the handicap stall.  I looked at the sink next to me, empty.  And the three stalls.  Also empty.  None of which would help me because I needed to use a restroom where Wesley and his wheelchair would fit inside with me.  We waited some more.

Finally, a single woman with her purse thrown over her shoulder came walking out with a bounce in her step.  No, wait.  She didn't even come out.  She opened the door, and asked if she could hold it for me, while standing in the way of me getting the wheelchair in that stall, which would have resulted in her being stuck in the stall WITH us while I used the restroom.  She had no idea.

She had no idea that we had been there, waiting after we left our house 11 1/2 hours prior and with my son that had been through a pretty painful surgery.  Waiting, so we could go get gas, food, and get on the road after feeling like we were held captive for the last 2 1/2 hours of our time after his surgery.  Waiting, knowing that this was the first opportunity in many hours that I had to use the restroom, and likely would be the last opportunity before we came home.

Something in me wanted to say something ugly.  Something to say to her that she could have washed and dried her hands out in the main bathroom instead of taking up the handicap stall longer.  Something to say that there really was no reason for her to be in there in the first place, because she had no disabilities and had no one with her that would require the extra space.  Something that pointed out that there are people that are actually disabled and people escorting them who are being made to wait (in pain) because she wanted to take her leisurely time in the only place that they could go.

Then, God smacked me over the head.  At least, that's the way it felt.  The thoughts that began running through my mind went something like this...

Nothing in your life makes you any better than her.  Nothing she did was wrong.  She may have been inconsiderate, in taking the handicap stall, but there was no reason for her not to enjoy the space and the cleaner restroom (which is often the case) instead of one of the others.  She didn't jump ahead of you and take the only place you could go, she was already in there when you came in.  Your son doesn't need to use the restroom and isn't even upset about waiting (except the toilet flush which has nothing to do with where she chose to use the restroom).  Just because you have a better excuse-- or even a need-- for something special for your child or for yourself because of your child doesn't make you ENTITLED TO IT.

DING DING DING.  I had this creeping sense of entitlement sneak in.  It's the same one that occasionally pops up when people who have handicap tags make snarky comments about all of the elderly people in Florida having handicap placards and how that's why there's never any handicap parking when you need it.  It's the one that sneaks up when there have been accommodations made specifically for people with special needs that, for whatever reason, a person isn't able to utilize when they qualify for it, but it's unavailable because of some other reason-- be it the busyness of a situation, it being used by someone else, or even if the person doesn't qualify in all the categories but still feels they should be... entitled... to it.  I hear it regularly about people who cannot receive medicaid when they could really use it-- but their income isn't quite within the boundaries.  Or SSI for their disabled children, but their family asset base is too high.  I hear it about school services and public park facilities and parking lots, and yes, even restrooms.

What we, as parents of children with special needs, need to do is take a step back from what appears to have been created "for our children" and we feel we have a right to access, and recognize that despite it being made "for them," it does not meant that we are entitled to it.  The perks are great, and sometimes are absolutely necessary for us to be able to access things (such as restrooms for our children), but when something that is "helpful and great and we are thankful for someone providing it" becomes something that "we are supposed to have access to and we get ourselves all messed up over not having it how and when we want it," then... we have taken things too far.  We have entered in to entitlement.  We have begun to sink the ship of gratefulness and begun to build a wall of pride to fall off of.

Do I mean that the idea of accessibility is just a 'nice notion' and not everyone should be welcoming to people that need handicap accessible areas and other such 'conveniences' that make life DOABLE?  No way!  Do I mean that benefits that are available to people with special needs shouldn't be available to them? Not necessarily (if one qualifies within the boundaries of the law).  What I DO mean, is that when others are living life innocently and choose to use the nicer bathroom or the person that doesn't APPEAR to be handicap uses their tag to park closer to the grocery store, or anything else happens which makes it so that what we feel is there FOR US and OUR KIDS is not available to us, then we need to take a few breaths.  Breathe a few prayers.  Refocus on God and on life and on the thankfulness we SHOULD have in everything we do.  Despite our circumstances, despite our lack of sleep, despite our long days of caring for our children and despite our 'natural' tendency to want to react when we have had a day of testing.

Then, we wait that extra 2 minutes for the toilet to flush, the water to turn off, the paper towel dispenser to make noise, and we SMILE and THANK the girl offering to hold open the bathroom stall door for us.  And when she gets trapped inside, well, I suppose that's when she might want to rethink her offer to hold the door next time :)

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Our Story

So... I'm awake. It's 1:20am and my mind is spinning. God speaks to me in the darkness and in the quiet, and He uses what He's shown me throughout the day to do that. This weekend Michael and I recognized and celebrated 12 years of marriage and the unique life path that we're on. We spoke of role models throughout the years and mistakes and twists we couldn't have foreseen. We talked of the past and of the future, and how so much is changing... once again. I woke with this all on my mind and sat down with a blank page. This is what came out:

To tell you our story I could start at the end or the beginning, but no matter where I begin, the intricacies of God are so entangled in it that the beginning and the end mesh somewhere in the middle, and the origins of time escape from the picture. God knew where we would be today from when I was born and as time holds no relevance to God, He pieced it together in his all-knowing power. Tomorrow is no surprise either, so when the happenings of three years ago coincide with the dealings of tomorrow it should be of no surprise to us since God is the one that orchestrates it all together. Unlike the orchestral symphony which requires perfect timing, God’s timing expands beyond our limited knowledge of the continuum and rolls instead into the silence that is tomorrow and was yesterday. We can trust just the same that tomorrow we will be in the folds of God’s grace as we did today and yesterday because God holds it all in eternity. So I will tell you our story, but the web that it spins won’t be one of chronology. Instead it will work backward and forward into the silent symphony that God created in us without concern for time.

One day at a time, we are telling that story. From yesterday to three years ago, to tomorrow, the story continues, and sometimes the future makes the past make sense. :)

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

10 Simple Ways to Modify Children's Church Activities for Children with Special Needs

Bible Story time: While your 'typical' third grader can listen quietly to a story for 10 minutes and answer questions about what they just heard about, a child with a short attention span, developmental disabilities, or sensory processing difficulties may not be able to listen nor sit still that long.  Here are some ways to teach the Bible lesson to that child without stressing out the child or the volunteers!

1. Make cutouts of the characters glued on to cardboard that the child can hold and manipulate during the story time.  You could also accomplish this with stuffed animals or puppets if they are available for the child to hold.  You might find that a lot of your students would enjoy this!

2. Give the child a 'medium for creativity'.  Ask them to create a character or scene from the story with colored pencil drawings or play dough in an area nearby the other children.

3. Provide an alternate storytelling experience in an area where the child is not expected to be still or quiet.  Tell the story to him while he jumps on the trampoline or rolls the ball with you.

4. Create the scene for all of the children using a more dramatic skit, or video allowing interaction from the 'audience' and allowing those who need to 'keep moving' to do so during the skit (in a safe way with supervision, they can walk throughout the room, for example).

5. Give the child a purpose in the storytelling, such as being a character, saying a special phrase whenever it comes up, or holding on to props while not in use.

Songs and Worship: Most children love this higher energy, fun, move around, raise your voices time!  Those very things which are a great draw for many children can be overwhelming for a child with sensory processing difficulties.

6. Anticipate this activity and provide a fun alternative where children who need to can have a lower-sensory experience.  Stepping out to the hall outside the main room may be a perfect place to hear the music and voices, but not be right in the middle of it all. Encourage hand motions, dancing, and singing, or just listening if that's what the child needs.

Crafts: Every child needs a token to bring home to remember their church lesson by, right?  Those fun creative projects sometimes require more motor planning than the child can do, or are not safe for their developmental level.

7. Prepare-ahead and provide projects that are partially or totally completed and require only the parts that the child can successfully do on their own.  Then have an activity ready for the children that have finished their craft project.

8. Provide an alternate craft or project that is more developmentally appropriate or safer for the child that correlates with the topic at hand.  Remember: kids like to be the same! Providing a similar but different craft may mean you should consider making this an option to the rest of the kids to choose instead as well!

Games: It's time to follow verbal directions and run to the appropriate part of the room-- last one there is out!  Last one in the game WINS!  So what do we do with the boy in a wheelchair, the child that's deaf, and the little girl that can't understand the game rules?

9. Buddies can be a great way to incorporate kids without them having to fully understand or be able to participate on their own.  So can a little head-start.  "Suzie and Ben, GO!" as Suzie pushes Ben's wheelchair away from the crowd before they all get to run.  Ask a child to volunteer to buddy with a friend and hold hands to run together for those that don't understand the directions or cannot hear them.  Give a little grace so they can enjoy the game too.

10. Find a special role for your special members.  Needing a very important helper to be the score keeper, to announce "GO!" and to help you decide who was 'out' each time may be a great job for a child that cannot participate fully otherwise.

Sunday, July 07, 2013

There is nothing greater in life but to love and be loved

In the past month we have experienced something special.  Something that we knew existed but had yet to experience for ourselves.  Something which puts so much HOPE in us for the future, and so much JOY in the present.  We have experienced a new kind of ministry.  One that has opened their arms to our family and gone out of their way to make things work, and work WELL, for us.

This church is First Baptist Church of Orlando, and this ministry is their Special Friends ministry, run by Michael Woods.

Let me share a little more about this situation...  We first approached Michael Woods as we realized we were going to be looking for a new church about 8 weeks or so ago.  When we first spoke, it didn't start with "we want to join your church," or "we are looking for a new permanent place to go to church."  No, it started with "we haven't been to church as a family in several weeks, we are looking for somewhere that is already established that we can 'rest' at, we don't know where we are going or what is happening next, but we need somewhere that our family can worship together soon."

Mike and I set up for the whole family to go over to meet Michael Woods one afternoon and see the church campus, the special needs room, and for Michael to get an idea of the temperaments of the kids and ask questions, etc while we spent about 20 minutes or so together.  Even knowing that we weren't sure (and still are not) whether this would be a long term solution for our family or not, Michael went out of his way and has made it abundantly clear to us on a regular basis that he has a JOY in serving our family and our children.  There is not a burden that comes with having a large special needs family there.  It's not because this is a huge church or because there are people there with nothing better to do than spend time in special needs ministry.  This is a successful ministry because there is a passionate person running it who truly cares for the children involved, trains the volunteers well so they are not overwhelmed with the classroom, and who takes the time to know the children and families individually.

We are impressed not only with the way that the church special needs ministry has welcomed our family in, but in the support, encouragement, and prayer that they have offered as well.  Even though we are not members.  Even though we are in such a transitionary place in life that we don't know where we may land tomorrow.  Even though we didn't come in offering what we can do for the church.  Even though this church isn't in our neighborhood, not even in our city.  It's an hour drive to get there, but not for a moment will we complain about the time or gas that it takes to get there, because what we have experienced has been something so refreshing that time and money cannot compare.

It is said that the greatest things in life are to love and be loved.  We are experiencing that, and are grateful for that peace and the ability to have a moment to 'rest' each week as Michael and I listen to God's Word, experience musical Worship, and our children are taught the good news of Jesus Christ at the same time.
This, my friends, is something special.  And I hope and pray that this special something will be a spark that turns to a flame in The Church.  We pray this is something that we can bring in to whatever ministry God is preparing us for in the future as well, and we are so very thankful to Michael Woods and the volunteers that run the Special Friends ministry at FBC Orlando.

Saturday, July 06, 2013

The cycle of thoughts… life, ministry, onward with jobs, and where we are at now!

As many of you know our family has had quite a few changes recently!  After changing jobs at the end of May, the second job turned out to be a bad fit for Michael and for our family.  Trusting that God has a great plan, Michael resigned after 2 weeks in that position, which was one month ago.  Where God has brought us from there has been nothing short of amazing.

Though there are moments that each of us struggle with the idea that we feel like we’re floundering, not ‘settled’ because of being unemployed, and not knowing whether we will be staying here or whether we are being uprooted and moved to somewhere new, we are not disheartened or otherwise depressed in our current situation.

Quite honestly, either way we are open to whatever God has, and both have their positives and negatives.  We love our home and more than just being a good space and that we recently added on to in order for it to be more accessible for all our kids (handicap bathroom), this house has HISTORY.  My parents built it when I was 7 years old and we purchased it from them about 6 years ago.  In addition to that, we have family here and an established history in this town ourselves.  Then again, sometimes change is good.  Here we have experienced the school system for our children with special needs and pulled out from it, we don’t have a local church, and oh, that’s right, no job.  :) Who knows what opportunities there may be for us in another area, or what opportunities we could have for the Lord there?

For several years God has been prompting Michael’s heart and mine to be more involved in personal ministry.  Yes, Michael has worked in the church, but for the last 8 years (or thereabouts) he has worked more in support and administration than in person to person ministry within the church.  During the five years before that, Michael worked in youth ministry in different ways, was licensed and ordained in the Baptist church, and even once he moved in to administration, I continued to work as a children’s minister for about 2 years after that.  When Michael worked in student ministry, I served alongside him as much as possible.  He moved out of that both because of needs within the church that he could fulfill and because of our family’s need to ‘figure out parenting’, which can sometimes be a little difficult when you have junior high and high schoolers at your house all the time! :).  Michael pursued a master’s degree in an area that interested him and where he is very strong- Leadership- and now has an even better understanding of a subject that many church leaders struggle with.

When I was a children’s minister, Michael served with me and my students (and children’s ministry was a much more scheduled time-frame!).  Each of us has always been a large part of the other’s personal ministry and we have always enjoyed working together.  It has been 6 years since I was in children’s ministry, and Michael continued to serve with annual retreats, summer camp, and occasional weekly events here and there up until just recently.  In fact, this is the first year in many that he hasn’t taught classes during summer camp (because it was one of the two weeks he was working for the other company).

A few years ago we felt prompted to begin working with students again in some capacity, and God brought that opportunity to us through personal mentoring.  We absolutely LOVE having some young people that we get to ‘hang out’ with, share our family with, hear about their lives, and have just a little input in to them, however small that may be.  We consider them GREAT FRIENDS and are thankful to God and them for that opportunity.

It’s really no big surprise, then, that we feel strongly that God is calling Michael back in to personal ministry!  We don’t yet know what that will look like, or where it will be, but the desire to work with children or students on a regular basis, teaching, serving, setting up regular events, investing in their lives, inviting them in to ours, introducing them to our wonderful LOVING God, and walking beside them and their families as they walk out this Faith in everyday life.  In addition to that, God has given us this overwhelming passion for special needs, and in the capacity of a children/family/student pastoral role, it would be a wonderful opportunity for us as a family to reach out to others in whatever community we may be a part of in order to incorporate those families with children and people with special needs to bring them in to the Body of Christ!

Between the passion that both Michael and I have for children and youth, the background I have with an elementary degree and working in children’s ministry, our experiences starting 2 new ministries within our previous church, and Michael’s business and organizational training, along with the unique family God has given us and the current ages of our children, we look forward with anticipation and hope that we will find that ‘good fit’ in a church working with children, students, and families.

We are grateful for this ‘renewed vision’ and direction, and as we have been praying over jobs this last month, this feels like the “right place to land.”  Will we definitely seek only this employment? No.  Maybe God has something different first.  Many times in the past God has blessed us with a vision and a ‘wait’ at the same time.  We are thankful for God’s timing and will wait patiently on Him… as we pursue that which we feel He has called us to at the same time :)!


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Wednesday, March 07, 2007

Bad things happen to other people

Zlata Filipovic became a recognized author when her diary covering her experiences during the war in Sarajevo (1991-1993) was published. She wrote a line in another book that caught my eye: “…its human nature to always believe that “bad” things happen to other people, not us.”

I think that thought is what is really going on when we say that kids think “they are invincible”. I don’t think teens (and other folks, for that matter) really think that they are invincible. I think that they know that they can get hurt, or worse, when they do certain things, but they simply think that that “hurt” can only happen to someone else. It won’t happen to me. That pattern seems to fit most incidents and accidents that I see.

That changes the focus of the “intervention” as I see it. While it needs to be a part of the “education” that this stuff and/or action can harm or kill you, the main focus ought to be that it can harm or kill YOU. I think that the thought that bad things always happen to the other guy is why we can’t scare kids straight or into “good” behavior.

We need to figure out a way to overcome that human natural belief and somehow convince teens (and other folks) that the “bad” stuff can happen to them. I think seeing, knowing, talking to, and hearing about kids that these “bad” things have happened to makes an impact. I think presenting in a reasoned and reasonable fashion that believing “it won’t happen to me” doesn’t make it so, can have an impact. I think educating them that the basis for some of their behavior is the belief that “bad” stuff only happens to someone else, can, when repeated over time, have an impact. But I think attempting to scare them into the “knowledge” that they are not invincible, gets you nowhere. Telling them that “this” happens to teens instead of this can happen to YOU misses the mark. It may seem a small difference, but it has got to be personal to get them personally.

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Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Mycobacterium vaccae is your friend

Talk about natural health treatments, Earth one of the ancient "elements". I came across an article about the health benefits of dirt and Mycobacterium vaccae.

It seems that exposure to M vaccae, i.e. getting it “under your skin”, boosts your immune system and improves your brain chemistry. So now there is a scientific “reason” for feeling good after you’ve worked in your garden or out in the yard, beyond the fresh air and sunshine. These bacteria get into your system and one result of the immune cascade is that serotonin production in your brain increases. More serotonin elevates your mood and has a few other positive mental effects that I recall studying some years ago.

So if you are feeling a bit down, grieving, or otherwise in a "funk”, get down and dirty. Get your hands in some dirt (soil for those that don’t like to play in the dirt). Breathe in that great aroma of fresh, moist soil. Welcome Mycobacterium vaccae into your system, into your body’s milieu. Germs can be your friends (and often are).

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