My computer is off and I like it.

I love turning my computer off.
Well, honestly it's a little hard at first.  You know, shutting down my lifeline to the world...but once I've done it, it feels right and I have more time for real life.  Real moments.  Real conversations.  Real, tangible PEOPLE.  Not that you reading this are not tangible, but while I write, in that moment the only tangible thing is a digital, gray box with lots of buttons, no color, no personality...except the occasional insubordination in the form of lethargy, deletion of everything I just wrote, and other ways computers tend to act up and misbehave.

I guess I have a love/hate relationship with my computer, the internet, and even my cell phone at times.  I often cringe when my cell phone rings.  Who is it?  Will they require work?  Will they ask a question I don't know the answer to? I notice this bad attitude in myself more during parade crunch time (like now).  Stress time.

At my original writing of this post, I write in my journal.  Remember those?  You know...paper. pen.  The old-fashioned way.  One thing I do love about my computer is I can type much faster than I can write, so the thoughts have more of a chance to be recorded than with a pen.  Although, I actually enjoy very much hand writing.  Anyway, I mention my time on pen and paper because there is a reason I did it this way originally.

FEAR.

I'm afraid to turn my computer on.

How many more emails are in my inbox?  I was sitting at well over 200 when I shut down yesterday.  Who has criticized my latest facebook post?

Bottom line: What will I have to deal with when I turn my computer on?  What unknowns await me that will keep me in virtual-land longer than I intend?  (Mostly because I am drawn in and have zero self-control.)

I like the time when my computer is O-F-F.

Maybe I should just invest in a typewriter.

CWA Training

a bumper sticker: 

"Please don't tell Obama what comes after a trillion."

Yesterday, I attended a Concerned Women for America (CWA) training.  

Secularism can't control without first destroying Judeo-Christian worldview or removing every perception of it in the public square. 

Liberals demand the government take care of the problems resulting from irresponsible behavior.  ~Dr. Janice Shaw Crouse

The latter of the above quotes smacked me across the face when I heard it.  Government-funded abortion because people are sexually promiscuous.  And let's not even talk about all the ways the government takes care of illegals, sluggards, criminals, etc.  Bailouts.  Really.  We REWARD irresponsibility.  No wonder we are going to hell in a hand-basket.

another bumper sticker:  

"Politicians & diapers - 2 things that need constant changing"

Preach the Word!  Be ready in season and out of season.  Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.  But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. ~2 Timothy 4:2-5

We must call our nation and its leaders to accountability.  People live according to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 Jn. 2:16).  It is sick and it is wrong.  They want to be validated in their immorality and sin.  They want the churches and the government to approve of them so they don't have to feel bad about their godless behavior.  The government is certainly accommodating...and many churches are as well.  Churches that claim to be Christian...but are not in truth.  Call me judgmental.  Call me a bigot.  Whatever.  Whoever will lead one of these little ones astray, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he was hurled into the depths of the sea (Mt. 18:6).  Jesus said that.  If people aren't speaking the truth from the pulpit, then they are leading people astray.  False teachers.  And the Bible isn't tolerant of it (2 Peter 2).

Getting a pic with CEO, Penny Nance (in silver blouse).
The beautiful lady on my left is Ruth Smith, my director.

2 Timothy also says we must endure afflictions.  Well, we are certainly going through afflictions now in this country.  And it seems we are to expect them.  Affliction is what strengthens us and causes us to lean harder on Jesus.  Can't be all bad.  As Penny Nance said, "We aren't called to win, but we are called to fight."  And as my beloved Sally Clarkson said, "When you take a stand, you become a target."  So, let's not be discouraged.  If you are comfortably serving in your ministry, the you are probably not doing all you need to do.  EXPECT AFFLICTION.  I will not offer to my God that which costs me nothing (2 Sam. 24:24).  (Mario Diaz was powerful with this message yesterday.)  

The Christian on his knees sees more than the philosopher on tiptoe. ~D.L. Moody

Peace and prosperity do not come from elections.  

Peace and prosperity come from God.  He is in control. 

~Mike Mears (CWA)

P.S. I won an Uncle Sam Big Brother Obama "I Want Your Money" bobble head!  I never win anything.  I'm soooo excited.  It's in my patriotic guest room and is my pride and joy.  LOL!

P.P.S. I was able to crash with my prayer partner, Kari.  She made me the most beautiful breakfast.  I had to take a picture of it.  Yummy!

Pray for the USA, week of September 19

The Defense Authorization Bill could go to a cloture vote this week.  Within this bill is the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell as well as an abortion provision. (via Citizen Link)

Repealing DADT:  1. introduces more sexual tension in the barracks of our troops – who must rely upon each other – thus threatening their safety and morale.  2. Endangers the religious-liberty rights of chaplains and servicemen and women to share their beliefs about God’s design for human sexuality. 3. There is also a provision to this appropriations bill to allow abortions to be performed on military bases, at home and abroad. (This expands the funding and availability of abortion greatly when coupled with the recently passed healthcare bill.  Which naturally leads to more preborn lives lost.)

• Call your U.S. Senators and urge them to vote agains the Defense Authorization Bill unless the DADT and abortion provisions are removed.
• In California, Barbara Boxer (202) 224-3553, fax: (202) 228-3865 & Dianne Feinstein (202) 224-3841, fax: (202) 228-3954
• Or, go here to access the CitizenLink Action Center for more information and to send a message directly to your senators on this issue.

Proposition 23 would suspend AB32, "The Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006" which is a California "Cap & Trade" bill. (via North County Conservatives & Yes on 23)

Cap & Trade redistributes wealth and will be devastating to businesses, personal property rights, private energy usage, etc.  It is another way that big government is barging it's way into your personal life and your home.  High regulation and high energy fees.

• Vote yes on 23. 

WOW.

untitled ~ 9/11

Our deeply memorialized September 11th has come and gone.  How I wish I would have paid it more attention.

I am currently reading "Patriotic Grace" by Peggy Noonan.  Her references to that grievous day and the direction our country has gone since...both in politics and in civil unity...or lack thereof.  What a sad state of affairs we are in where a shocking disaster such as 9/11 knit us together so solidly as Americans for a time and yet we look about us today and see nastiness, criticism, and intolerance of those who don't agree with us.

Yes, I am guilty of this too.  Mostly because I feel like my children are in danger.  It is hard to be tolerant of those who are destroying my children's future.  And we can't assume that everyone has the good of everyone else in mind.  That would be naive and foolish to assume.  So, we wonder about the motives of our leaders, and test them as best we can from so far away.

Lord, please protect my children from a government that may seek total control over them, their education, their parents, their occupations, their money, their property, their food, their ammunition, their sexual orientation, their innocence, their religion.

"Act as though it's all up to me; Pray as though it's all up to Him." 

-my new favorite quote.

May we hold tight to the indignation, the patriotism, the unity, the drive for justice that we felt so strongly 9 years ago.  May those directly affected be deeply comforted in their great loss.

Bless you,

SLOOOOW DOOOWWNN

Oh, I've missed you.

I sit here for a moment next to the door to our back yard where the squeals of two little boys delight my heart.  Daddy can make them laugh like no one else.

"Marco."
"Polo."
"Fish out of water?"
"No!"
...SPLASH!!

I LOVE THESE BOYS.  

Huntington Beach.  They were "retreating" from the British (waves)...
yeah, I guess we spend a lot of time on Revolutionary War history.
We saw 3 dolphins, too.  Thank You, God!

Life can get to such a breakneck pace sometimes that we hardly have time to think, let alone write a thought.  I love this outlet and have found such peace in writing my thoughts here and am so thankful for those of you who check in periodically to inquire what my latest rogue post is.  :)

Si's photo shoot with Petunia during a recent outing. 

a couple of those friends I hugged.  Glen & Geryl.
Met them when I danced in the Lion King Parade.

September 2010 is only 14 days old and I have co-hosted a Mom's Tea, made 3 trips to Orange County, choreographed, taught 5 dance classes (that's just in the last 5 days), seen many treasured friends and hugged them all, and there is still half the month to go.  Of course in the midst of all this, I attend to my husband (I hope he feels the same way. heehee!), snuggle with my children, school them, feed them, try to read a book or two, attempt to stay on top of emails and facebook messages.... Whew!
I am a personality that likes a lot of action.  But, I think I am more a personality that likes to breathe, take in my surroundings, and not miss out on precious opportunities that may never pass my way again.

"Bloom where you're planted."  

"Wherever you are, be all there."  

Yes.

Or as my Grandma used to always say to me when I talked too fast for her, "Kori, honey, sloooooow dooooowwwwn."  It sure would be nice to have her here to tell me that now.

A major thing I have done recently is expose my deep, dark secret for all the world to see.  And the response has been incredible.  Thank you so much.  How I treasure you all.  God has given me new friends who have connected to my very heart and dear friends who have become dearer.  Thank you for reading my very long story and letting it become a part of you.  I can't express what that means to me.  Nothing is in vain when it is done in the Lord.

With our dear Geryl, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful people I know.

Love you so,

Register to vote online

If you're not registered to vote, do it now.  It is very easy and it is your responsibility.

http://www.cwfa.org/vote.asp

And be well-informed on the candidates and issues.  I will be updating my previous post on voter issues as the midterm election draws nearer.



One word of advice:  Barbara Boxer has to go!  Yeah, I feel pretty strongly about that one.  She is against parents (pushing hard for the UNCRC), she's against children (pro-abortion advocate for decades), and she's all for herself ("Don't call me, ma'am!").  Vote her OUT!


And that's what I think about that.