Suffice it to say, it's been busy. There is a lot going on and don't you wish I would blog about it? Me, too. Sorry to say, there is so little time.
I'm doing laundry, running errands, answering support tickets, emails, phone calls and we just had Princess' birthday party yesterday. whew.
I will try to blog over the holidays from my in-law's house.
And when I get home? Yes, thankyouverymuch. I'm decorating for Christmas! We always decorate as soon as we get home from our Thanksgiving trip. Can't wait!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Dear Jesus, Please Come Quickly!
Extremist Hindu groups offered money, food and alcohol to mobs to kill Christians and destroy their homes, according to Christian aid workers in the eastern state of Orissa.
The allegations follow the British Government’s refusal to prevent members of two radical groups linked to the worst antiChristian violence in India since Partition entering Britain.
The US-based head of a Christian organisation that runs several orphanages in Orissa – one of India’s poorest regions – claims that Christian leaders are being targeted by Hindu militants and carry a price on their heads. “The going price to kill a pastor is $250 (£170),” Faiz Rahman, the chairman of Good News India, said.
A spokesman for the All-India Christian Council said: “People are being offered rewards to kill, and to destroy churches and Christian properties. They are being offered foreign liquor, chicken, mutton and weapons. They are given petrol and kerosene.”
Ram Madhav, a spokesman for the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the largest hardline Hindu group, denied the claims. “The accusation is absolutely false,” he said.
Orissa has suffered a series of murders and arson attacks in recent months, with at least 67 Christians killed, according to the Roman Catholic Church. Several thousand homes have been razed and hundreds of places of worship destroyed, and crops are now wasting in the fields.
In recent weeks the violence has subsided but at least 11,000 Christian refugees remain in camps in Kandhamal, the district worst affected. “They are too scared to go home. They know that if they return to their villages they will be forced to convert to Hinduism,” Father Manoj, who is based at the Archbishop’s office in Bhubaneshwar, the state capital, said.
The violence was triggered in August by the murder of Swami Lakshmanananda Saraswati, a senior figure in the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), a hardline Hindu group, who had campaigned against the alleged forced conversions of poor Hindus by foreign-backed Christian missionaries.
Maoist militants claimed responsibility for the killing, but the VHP blamed Christians and called for revenge. This week extremists said that if Mr Lakshmanananda’s killers were not caught by December 15 they would begin a day of violence on December 25.
A group of Catholic bishops from Orissa believe that the attacks have a sinister objective.
In a letter to the state’s chief minister they wrote: “This conflict is a calculated and preplanned masterplan to wipe out Christianity from Kandhamal in order to realise the hidden agenda . . . of establishing a Hindu nation.”
This month Lord Malloch-Brown, Minister of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, turned down a plea for members of the RSS and the Bajrang Dal, the youth wing of the VHP, to be barred from entering Britain.
“Neither organisation is proscribed in the United Kingdom or in India, nor do the Indian Government classify either as a terrorist organisation,” Lord Malloch-Brown said, in reply to a question from Lord Patten of Barnes. There have been calls from members of India’s ruling government coalition for the RSS and Bajrang Dal to be banned but analysts say the Government is unlikely to act for fear of alienating Hindu voters in the run-up to general elections in the spring.
The RSS has been outlawed temporarily three times; the first in 1948, after a former member assassinated Mahatma Gandhi.
The allegations follow the British Government’s refusal to prevent members of two radical groups linked to the worst antiChristian violence in India since Partition entering Britain.
The US-based head of a Christian organisation that runs several orphanages in Orissa – one of India’s poorest regions – claims that Christian leaders are being targeted by Hindu militants and carry a price on their heads. “The going price to kill a pastor is $250 (£170),” Faiz Rahman, the chairman of Good News India, said.
A spokesman for the All-India Christian Council said: “People are being offered rewards to kill, and to destroy churches and Christian properties. They are being offered foreign liquor, chicken, mutton and weapons. They are given petrol and kerosene.”
Ram Madhav, a spokesman for the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the largest hardline Hindu group, denied the claims. “The accusation is absolutely false,” he said.
Orissa has suffered a series of murders and arson attacks in recent months, with at least 67 Christians killed, according to the Roman Catholic Church. Several thousand homes have been razed and hundreds of places of worship destroyed, and crops are now wasting in the fields.
In recent weeks the violence has subsided but at least 11,000 Christian refugees remain in camps in Kandhamal, the district worst affected. “They are too scared to go home. They know that if they return to their villages they will be forced to convert to Hinduism,” Father Manoj, who is based at the Archbishop’s office in Bhubaneshwar, the state capital, said.
The violence was triggered in August by the murder of Swami Lakshmanananda Saraswati, a senior figure in the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), a hardline Hindu group, who had campaigned against the alleged forced conversions of poor Hindus by foreign-backed Christian missionaries.
Maoist militants claimed responsibility for the killing, but the VHP blamed Christians and called for revenge. This week extremists said that if Mr Lakshmanananda’s killers were not caught by December 15 they would begin a day of violence on December 25.
A group of Catholic bishops from Orissa believe that the attacks have a sinister objective.
In a letter to the state’s chief minister they wrote: “This conflict is a calculated and preplanned masterplan to wipe out Christianity from Kandhamal in order to realise the hidden agenda . . . of establishing a Hindu nation.”
This month Lord Malloch-Brown, Minister of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, turned down a plea for members of the RSS and the Bajrang Dal, the youth wing of the VHP, to be barred from entering Britain.
“Neither organisation is proscribed in the United Kingdom or in India, nor do the Indian Government classify either as a terrorist organisation,” Lord Malloch-Brown said, in reply to a question from Lord Patten of Barnes. There have been calls from members of India’s ruling government coalition for the RSS and Bajrang Dal to be banned but analysts say the Government is unlikely to act for fear of alienating Hindu voters in the run-up to general elections in the spring.
The RSS has been outlawed temporarily three times; the first in 1948, after a former member assassinated Mahatma Gandhi.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Horse Crazy
For the horse crazy Princess ... riding lessons. The only better present than riding lessons would be the horse itself.
Enjoy, sweet Princess.
Pray for my Friend
My sweet friend, Aimster, could use your prayers today. The Lord knows all about it, so just lay her at His feet today.
Thinking of and praying for you, Aimster.
Thinking of and praying for you, Aimster.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
Take and Retake
Princess,
This blog is to chronicle our lives. I am not a scribe, but this blog was started simply to chronicle what happens in life. I wanted a way to show pictures and write about what happens, so that if I go to heaven ahead of you and Daddy that you can sit down and re-read this blog to remember our life together.
Many times I write of the mundane. Often I write of my deep thoughts. Sometimes I can't write my thoughts at all. Those are some of the ones you most need to know, but this public forum doesn't lend itself to total vulnerability and honestly. With the way our life flies by, I'm thankful to have even this public forum to write about life.
Today is picture retake day. We are retaking your picture because the first pictures were taken while in an episode. Bless your heart, the picture shows a pretty girl with a pale face and dark circles under her eyes ... eyes that are droopy with exhaustion.
So, we set those pictures aside.
Today you have class pictures made and at the same time can have individual pictures retaken. Joy! We did all we could to help your body avoid episodes. You were supposed to go to the nurse's office at 9:15 to take your slow release potassium. It's 11:10 and you just called me. Exhausted. In an episode. Having just taken your picture retakes.
Sigh.
The pictures will look similar to the first, I expect. I console myself with the knowledge that 4th grade pictures will be accurately documented. It's been a tough time of Periodic Paralysis for you. The tough knowledge is that the hard times haven't even begun for you, yet. It will be another few years before Periodic Paralysis will fully unleash itself on your sweet body.
Please know that Daddy and I love you and are proud of you. Picture retakes are so insignificant. You are full of laughter and wittiness. Your sense of humor is so fun. And! I am so excited for your birthday celebration soon! You are going to flip out over your present. It's almost the very best thing you could wish for. Almost. The very best thing is related to what you are getting.
Just know that we love you. Jesus goes before you, behind you and guards you on each side.
This blog is to chronicle our lives. I am not a scribe, but this blog was started simply to chronicle what happens in life. I wanted a way to show pictures and write about what happens, so that if I go to heaven ahead of you and Daddy that you can sit down and re-read this blog to remember our life together.
Many times I write of the mundane. Often I write of my deep thoughts. Sometimes I can't write my thoughts at all. Those are some of the ones you most need to know, but this public forum doesn't lend itself to total vulnerability and honestly. With the way our life flies by, I'm thankful to have even this public forum to write about life.
Today is picture retake day. We are retaking your picture because the first pictures were taken while in an episode. Bless your heart, the picture shows a pretty girl with a pale face and dark circles under her eyes ... eyes that are droopy with exhaustion.
So, we set those pictures aside.
Today you have class pictures made and at the same time can have individual pictures retaken. Joy! We did all we could to help your body avoid episodes. You were supposed to go to the nurse's office at 9:15 to take your slow release potassium. It's 11:10 and you just called me. Exhausted. In an episode. Having just taken your picture retakes.
Sigh.
The pictures will look similar to the first, I expect. I console myself with the knowledge that 4th grade pictures will be accurately documented. It's been a tough time of Periodic Paralysis for you. The tough knowledge is that the hard times haven't even begun for you, yet. It will be another few years before Periodic Paralysis will fully unleash itself on your sweet body.
Please know that Daddy and I love you and are proud of you. Picture retakes are so insignificant. You are full of laughter and wittiness. Your sense of humor is so fun. And! I am so excited for your birthday celebration soon! You are going to flip out over your present. It's almost the very best thing you could wish for. Almost. The very best thing is related to what you are getting.
Just know that we love you. Jesus goes before you, behind you and guards you on each side.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Persevering Ants
Princess,
Thank you for sharing with me this amazing demonstration of perseverance! Watching these ants with their seemingly serious job of leaf-piece transportation was a marvel. You were so excited when you came into my office. You waited patiently while I returned a couple of business calls and then we set out to observe as you said, "A tremendous example of perseverance". You were right! Remember the north wind that was blowing? You said, "the leaf pieces are acting like sails" as our little ant fell down with his leaf. Undeterred, he picked up the gargantuan leaf and kept walking down his path. Oh, the determination and busy-ness!
On and on the ants marched in their line. Sometimes an ant got disoriented, but quickly he got back on track. I love the relational aspect of these ants. Remember above, how they followed the leader and stayed together?
Remember that they started at the top of this picture by the fenced in garden and continued their path along the rock path you are standing on? They continued all across the grassy area in this picture and went past me, over the wall to the creek where we lost sight of them. Where in the world were they going? I was astounded at the distance they traveled and the weight of their burden.
They were so persistent that they wore the grass away and a little "ant highway" was revealed.
I loved this example of two ants helping each other with this leaf piece. Oh, how I would love to have eavesdropped on their conversation!
Thank you for sharing with me this amazing demonstration of perseverance! Watching these ants with their seemingly serious job of leaf-piece transportation was a marvel. You were so excited when you came into my office. You waited patiently while I returned a couple of business calls and then we set out to observe as you said, "A tremendous example of perseverance". You were right! Remember the north wind that was blowing? You said, "the leaf pieces are acting like sails" as our little ant fell down with his leaf. Undeterred, he picked up the gargantuan leaf and kept walking down his path. Oh, the determination and busy-ness!
On and on the ants marched in their line. Sometimes an ant got disoriented, but quickly he got back on track. I love the relational aspect of these ants. Remember above, how they followed the leader and stayed together?
Remember that they started at the top of this picture by the fenced in garden and continued their path along the rock path you are standing on? They continued all across the grassy area in this picture and went past me, over the wall to the creek where we lost sight of them. Where in the world were they going? I was astounded at the distance they traveled and the weight of their burden.
They were so persistent that they wore the grass away and a little "ant highway" was revealed.I loved this example of two ants helping each other with this leaf piece. Oh, how I would love to have eavesdropped on their conversation!Tuesday, November 11, 2008
No episodes again
Although Mommy got slammed with paralysis today, Princess made it through another day with no paralysis episodes. Woo-hoo!
Monday, November 10, 2008
3 days
Princess has made it three days at school with no episodes. (and a cheer went up from the crowd)
She is taking a maintenance dose of potassium mid morning, just before her potassium typically drops. In doing this, we are preventing an episode. This is so exciting because she was missing 2 hours of school per day previously.
She is taking a maintenance dose of potassium mid morning, just before her potassium typically drops. In doing this, we are preventing an episode. This is so exciting because she was missing 2 hours of school per day previously.
Same Kind of Different As Me
This is the read aloud book that I have been reading to Princess. Well, it's such a good book that King joined the read aloud club. I had such a good time reading the book to them. We finished it yesterday and have had such sweet conversations about the lessons in Denver and Ron's lives.
Love unconditionally.
Believe the unbelievable.
Character matters.
Love never fails.
Every ending is another new beginning.
Mr. Ballantine characters are everywhere. Loving them is a verb, an action.
Be loyal.
Friendship is forever.
Don't catch and release.
Persevere.
Riches are counted on a heavenly scale.
Glorifying God is the ultimate purpose.
Grief stinks.
Pray for God's Perfect Will.
Fighting the good fight means taking a licking now and again.
Running the race means you'll get a stitch in your side and maybe throw up from the intensity of the race.
Perseverance is pain with payout.
Love unconditionally.
Believe the unbelievable.
Character matters.
Love never fails.
Every ending is another new beginning.
Mr. Ballantine characters are everywhere. Loving them is a verb, an action.
Be loyal.
Friendship is forever.
Don't catch and release.
Persevere.
Riches are counted on a heavenly scale.
Glorifying God is the ultimate purpose.
Grief stinks.
Pray for God's Perfect Will.
Fighting the good fight means taking a licking now and again.
Running the race means you'll get a stitch in your side and maybe throw up from the intensity of the race.
Perseverance is pain with payout.
Sunday, November 09, 2008
Thursday, November 06, 2008
She did it!
Princess made it an entire day at school with no episodes. This is like a first since early September.
"How?", you ask. Slow release potassium, my friend. She takes 2 slow release in the morning. Every day around 10:00, she has an episode. So, this morning I went up to school and gave her 2 slow release potassium tablets. It helped her make it through the day, plus 4-H after school.
Woo-hoo!!
"How?", you ask. Slow release potassium, my friend. She takes 2 slow release in the morning. Every day around 10:00, she has an episode. So, this morning I went up to school and gave her 2 slow release potassium tablets. It helped her make it through the day, plus 4-H after school.
Woo-hoo!!
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Choice
Sometimes life defies description.
I think lonliness is one of the worst human emotions.
I also think it's one of the most productive emotions because it thrusts us one of two directions: into the arms of God or away from Him.
I miss the days of childhood when the greatest decisions were whether to ride my bike or not. Whether to swing on the swings or slide on the slide.
As an adult, I still swing on the swing of life and slide down difficult circumstances. I find that my response to the swing and slide are choices: I can cry with fear or squeal with delight. Delight takes an effort, but the Psalmist says, "I will give thanks to the Lord for His righteousness and I will sing praise to the Lord Most High." I am not giving thanks to the Lord for my circumstances, but for Who He is and because He is worthy.
I think lonliness is one of the worst human emotions.
I also think it's one of the most productive emotions because it thrusts us one of two directions: into the arms of God or away from Him.
I miss the days of childhood when the greatest decisions were whether to ride my bike or not. Whether to swing on the swings or slide on the slide.
As an adult, I still swing on the swing of life and slide down difficult circumstances. I find that my response to the swing and slide are choices: I can cry with fear or squeal with delight. Delight takes an effort, but the Psalmist says, "I will give thanks to the Lord for His righteousness and I will sing praise to the Lord Most High." I am not giving thanks to the Lord for my circumstances, but for Who He is and because He is worthy.
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Texas Tech vs Texas
Mack Brown's face defines how our UT friends felt on Saturday...
We were a little more excited!
Monday, November 03, 2008
Happy Birthday to me
I am spending time with family and friends and will be back in a couple of days.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
