Time does fly...

I'm sitting in a Starbucks coffee house on the air force base as I type this.  Why?  :)  I'm waiting on my youngest, my "baby," to finish her college assessment tests.  Where oh where did the time go?  I mean really...my oldest is out of the house, in the Air Force, married, and already on a trip to Korea.  That makes me feel a bit old.  :)  My youngest is on her last leg in the house...in her senior year, taking college classes along with her HS school classes...and the HS is paying for them!!  Anyway...it seems like they should still be in grade school driving me all kinds of nuts.   But nope...now they're driving me nuts in a different way.  :D   I was emailing an acquaintance of mind earlier, trying to pass the time since this netbook doesn't have Microsoft Office and therefore I cannot do my schoolwork, and realized how long it had been since we "caught up" with each other.  She was asking how the kids were doing...lol. I was like...uh, I don't really have kids anymore...they're pretty much adult children now.  What a transition.  Now I have to wait for them to come to me for advice...I can't just impart my vast experience and knowledge on them on a whim anymore.  Well, I suppose I could, but I'm sure it wouldn't be appreciated.  :)   I did talk to my oldest a bit the other day and was talking financial things.  As I was telling him how to keep from getting into debt and other financial woes, I stopped.  I inwardly started a monologue...I've given him this info before, probably many times over his teen years.  So, I just stopped the conversation and said..."but I'm sure I've told you all this before...." and left it there.  He agreed, quite politely I might add, which is new.  LOL.   I am getting better at this.  I don't initiate many of the conversations anymore with my oldest...I let him come to me (or my husband).  He seems to really like it that way.  I think it makes him feel more in control of his life.  Sure, it was a harder transition than I anticipated, going from protector to a person who is there for advice...when requested.  But, I am doing it, and settling in to the role...slowly.  :)  I still have one in the house for whom I still am in the protector mode...and her leaving will have a huge impact on me, I can already tell.  My husband best be around for that day or I am not sure I'll be OK...lol.  She has grown into such a beautiful person.  I just cherish her.  I always thought my son would have my heart this way, but my daughter has taken over...maybe because it's just been her and I for the last several years (with my husband always gone for his job).  I'm not sure, but my son has always had my heart...until he got married...maybe that's it.  Who knows...what I do know is that I am going to be a mess when she leaves the house. 

I suppose I'll stop the sappy stuff...Besides, my daughter's done with her assessments...and passed them all!!  Can I get a Oh yeah!  :D  lol.

Til we chat again..

Hugs!

Happy 4th of July

As you BBQ and hang with family and friends this 4th of July, I ask that you remember a few things.  First, I ask that you remember what principles this nation was founded upon (notice that I didn't put "great nation" in there?).  If you read statements written/spoken by our nation's forefathers, you can quickly glean from them that the principles were founded upon Christianity.  Let's take a look at a few.

The general principles upon which the Fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity...I will avow that I believed and now believe that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God.  [July 4th] ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.  John Adams

Without morals a republic cannot subsist any length of time; they therefore who are decrying the Christian religion, whose morality is so sublime and pure...are undermining the solid foundation of morals, the best security for the duration of free governments.  Charles Correll (signer of Dec of Ind)

God governs the affairs of man.  And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?  We have been assured in the Sacred Writings that except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it.  I firmly believe this.  I also believe that, without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel.   Ben Franklin

An appeal to arms and the God of hosts is all that is left us.  But we shall not fight our battle alone.  There is a just God that presides over the destinies of nations.  The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone.  Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery?  Forbid it, Almighty God.  I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death.  Patrick Henry

"It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great Nation was founded not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For that reason alone, people of other faiths have been afforded freedom of worship here."  Patrick Henry 

We have staked the whole future of American civilization, not upon the power of government, far from it.  We've staked the future of all our political institutions upon our capacity...to sustain ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God.  James Madison

We are walking away from God as a nation, and that means we should take the word "great" out of our vocabulary when we talk about the USA.  We can be great only as long as God remains at the head of our nation.  Once we lose sight of God, our nation will fall.  

Another thing I'd like you to think about is that while we most certainly think about all those who serve, have served, and have paid that ultimate price for this nation, we must first acknowledge and profusely thank the One Who paid the ultimate price for ALL:  Jesus Christ.  He wrote a check with His Life, and we can cheer because that Check cleared!  Thanking Him seems belittling for this selfless act of love.  Thank Him with your life...praise Him, live right for Him...that's a much better way of showing your gratitude.  And, He did it for everyone...you included!  How will you repay His selfless act of love for you???

Lastly, I ask that on this Independence Day, we do stop and pay respects to those who have given their lives for this nation, that we say a prayer for their families who are left to grapple with life void of their loved one.  I ask that you keep those currently serving in your prayers as well, for protection from harm, danger, and evil.   If you have a chance to thank one, do so.  It goes a very long way. 

Now, let me be a bit clear on something...Christianity does not encompass all religions who claim that title.  Catholicism is NOT Christianity.  You cannot use/read/abide in anything other than the Bible as your source of God's Word; and you cannot elevate anything or anyone to the same status as God/Jesus and be considered a Christian religion.  Sorry.  More on that if you'd like, but that'll suffice for now.  

I hope you all had a great Independence Day, and have a super, God-filled, Christ-centered week.  Til we meet again...

Hugs