Morgan's love for her brother ~ a learned response

This picture of Morgan and Isaiah de-solves me to tears.  Knowing that there is wisdom to be found in "Following the Tears," I conclude this:  Morgan loves her brother because she has been loved.

The thing about Elissa and Gabriel is that they have made the Intentional Decision to devote - thoroughly devote - their attention, time, resources and teaching skills to their children.  Morgan and Isaiah rule but not in the spoiled way.  In the way of children who are cherished.

Spoiled children are shushhhhed and appeased with toys rather than Time.  E and G spend time!  At the SpearFish park, the swim park, Chuck E Cheese, in E's home with crafts and baked goods created by Morgan and often given to her Dad or other loved ones.  The children are never ignored.  No one throws a toy to them to keep them quiet like an annoying pet.  NO!  Morgan Jo and Isaiah Robert are prioritzed with the goal of excellent Character Formation.  Always shaped and taught.  THE RESULT = Morgan cherishes her brother.  She has become the kind of person who loves. 

To say I am impressed, is an understatement.  I did not do as good a job with this.  It is too late to start over with my own children but, never mind, the GrandBabies are here.  Place them Front and Center!

Equal time

The best Big Sister in America ~ and maybe the world

Four generations of Elissa's beautiful family

Gabriel's Father's Day

And since I forgot Noy's third anniversary, here's a pic of them.  Just cuz they're so dat-gum CUTE

Hap happ Happy Anniversary Kids

DAaron's second year of Wedded Bliss is commemorated with a tasty trip to a LeesBurg Thai restaurant.  Nice choice since their honeymoon was spent in ThaiLand.

When I called them for a photoOp, Danielley said that she was having a bad hair day.  Never mind, the waiter cut off the doo;  just their darling faces bespeak the fun.

Happy Anniversary Aaron and Danielle!

Little man Isaiah Robert

Our Laddie is 2 months old and the happiest Baby on 2 wheels.  

Great Grandma Marge had the magic touch.  She talked about "That Baby" the whole way home from SpearFish.  

Four Generations

Quote of the day

"God's gifts put men's best dreams to shame."  Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Word of a lifetime

THARSEO ~ Jesus said this.  When declaring that His rule extended over all circumstances ~ the Good, the bad and the ugly, Jesus said to His trembling ones, "Tharse0!"  "Be of good cheer.  Courageous and stout-hearted.  I have won."

My far away Friend taught me this.  Glorious revelation on her First Birthday of the New Birth.  26 June 2010, Year of Grace.  Thank you, Cheri, for teaching me.

"Be of good cheer" references:  Mt 9:22, 14:27, Jn 16:33, Acts 23:11

no new sin under the sun

As an elementary school teacher, I've been around school yard bullies most of my life.  Schoolyard bullying is as old as the First Garden.  Lucifer's taunt that God was a kill-joy was bait enough for the first female.

Taunting ridicule is still the bait of choice for bullies whether in the halls of governance, television pundits or the guy who wants his way with the pretty cheerleader. "If you loved me, you'd...Are you some kind of prude?"  

Kyle-Anne Shiver's excellent article outlines The Strategy that averts bullies.  Don't take the ridicule bait.  Reason trumps ridicule.  Everytime

Here is a copy/paste webpage for Shiver's reasonable thoughts.  The picture above is the icon on her website.

http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/05/defeating_political_ridicule.html 

Summer challenge

Am I convinced that the Scriptural text - the Biblical account of God working among His people - is the authority for living the Good Life?  For living well both now and into Eternity?  Am I convinced?  My practices will reveal whether I am or not.

This summer I have challenged myself to participate in a journey with Eugene H. Peterson's, "Eat This Book."  It is a book highlighting "a conversation in the art of spiritual reading."  

Crucial question:  What are my practices and habits that assure growth in love of God?  What am I doing to progress in His Kingdom ways?  

The Scottish Way

There is a fascination with Scottish culture.  Why?  My prejedice aside - MacCare MacMurchy - why do the images of warriors in kilts playing bagpipes evoke such powerful emotion?  Now I could be overstating the case but nevertheless stay with me.

Here's the theory:  Cohesive symbolic and concrete images, ritual and tradition are important in a country's national fabric.  The Scots have this.

The Scotmen cherish their respresentative images within the culture that evoke pride and patriotic duty.  There is nothing mamby-pamby about Brave Heart imagery.  Try and find a man who doesn't count Mel Gibson's portrayal of William Wallace as one of his favorites.  Gabriel was considering William as their firstborn's name, a remarkable coincidence since Brave Heart is his most beloved cinema.

We in America, however, have downplayed our unique traditions in an effort to be "all things to all men," rendering us nearly nothing to anyone.  As a nation, we are reluctant to wave the flag excessively or speak glowingly and gratefully of the goodness of America's accomplishments in bygone years and presently.  In an enimic effort to include everyone - which, of course, we've always done as the world's largest and most successful Melting Pot - we dilute the images which make us proud and thankful to be Americans.

Can we imagine the Scots forbidding the playing of the traditional pipes because they offend someone's auditory senses?  Now I'm taking the argument to an absurd place - reductio ad absurdum - to make a point.  Our cultural insistence on arbitrary political correctness so as not to step on anyone's toes, renders America diluted and ashamed; 'tis both dangerous and a pity.

Oil and snake oil

Thomas Sowell cuts to the chase.  His incisive analysis of the state of the union clears the mind of the murk of straw man arguments and empty verbiage.

Here's his latest:  http://www.jewishworldreview.com/cols/sowell061510.php3?printer_friendly

This is the Scottish band in downtown FarGo during the May Marathon.  A couple of the Lads were a wee bit dubious.  The gentleman in the middle, however, was full of goodwill and mirth.  I liked him.

Our responsive expressive baby boy

Why do we love it when babies smile?  Why?

Sometimes all I can say is, "Look at this, Robert!"  and "Mother, you have a great grandson.  His name is Isaiah Robert."

Now I'm crying.  Some things are so sacred, so hard-drive deep - in the soul - that it is inexplicable.  I love this family.  That is what I know.

She won!

Kristi Noem, South Dakota's homegrown farmer, rancher, small businesswoman, handily won yesterday's 3-way primary race for U.S. House of Representatives.  Starting in February, well after the others were up and running, put Kristi behind-the-8-ball.  But never mind, she crisscrossed the state hitting many of the politically marginal burgs.  Folks who formerly did not know the four-year state representative were impressed.

As a long-time family friend, here is what I know about Kristi Arnold Noem:  No one works harder, she knows where her strength lies - faith, family, friends - and is unwavering in her core principles.  

What are those principles, you ask?  Washington power addicts getting out of the way for business to creatively thrive, focus on a balanced budget to forestall the inevitable insolvency of the dollar, and strong national security.  Basically the role of government is national security against all enemies foreign and domestic and allowing families to keep what they earn.  No duplicity, deceit, exploitive back-room-deals to ram-rod an agenda that undercuts hard working Americans.  An even playing field without the failed micro-managing of outcomes.

To my delight, Kristi's mother Corinne, asked me to join 100 of their closest friends and family for a meal at Kristi's home last night.  We then hopped aboard a giant grayhound headed for Sioux Falls - aka, Soo Foo - with the election results seeping in as we drove.  By the time we arrived at the Marriott, Kristi's contender was conceding.

Kristi's interviews and victory speech are available on the Argus Leader website: http://www.argusleader.com/article/20100609/NEWS/6090318/1001/news

Danielle, the family reporter, had this to say:  I saw Kristi's interview on Argus Leader's site. Great interview!

Solid answers, no hesitation. The reporter, on the other hand, struggled a bit. He stumbled over his questions a bit. Maybe he's a newspaper reporter that was just thrown in front of a camera.

Anyway, wish I were there to cover all this. Though, it'd be tough to stay balanced with a Noem in the running.

And about that bus trip ~ four generations of the indomitable Arnold family were aboard.  Grandma Aryls - 88 years strong - led the parade with 11 of 14 great grandchildren in tow. God bless American families one and all. 

Free to choose

"Of the 6 billion people on earth, perhaps 1 billion have something close to our standard of living. Why did America prosper when most of the people of the world are still poor?"  Engaging question posed by libertarian and media wonk John Stossel.

I found Stossel's latest article not just informative but important in the back and forth debate over big-government vs free market capitalism.

http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.printable&pageId=164333

Are we smiling, Mr. Isaiah

Magic in the air

The patter-tap of falling rain is accompanied by light jazz, classic symphonies or "Amazing Grace" by Hayley West.  My eyes spring tears to match the rain.
Nothing better on God's green globe.  As air fills a balloon, gratitude fills my soul.  

Did I mention Pandora Opera?  Glorious 

The rain ran me into the house from the deck where I was potting fragile fragrant flamboyant flowers of every tongue and creed.

Now all the windows are open with the music streaming, the rain falling and the heart praising.  I am my own Best Company.  Watching, waiting, savoring, breathing deeply the rich Goodness.

I love you Lord beyond words.

Robert would remind me that there is a rainbow.  Because now the sun is letting its voice be heard.  

Seriously!

Synchronized swimming sans water? Beats me?
Oh wait, she's mirroring that wing-ding statue above her.

This is why we call her "JoyFul."

A true teacher

Coach John Wooden, arguably the best basketball coach that ever drew breath, died Friday four months shy of 100 years old.  I knew of UCLA's Coach Wooden - the Wizard of Westwood - growing up in southern California, hob-nobbing with college chums in Westwood.  

Why do I consider Coach Wooden the Best Coach ever?  His ten state championships?  Eighty-eight game winning streak?  Those accomplishments were the branches on the tree.  The root was love of God.   He was a life coach, teaching how to live the Good Life.  All who crossed John Wooden's path were blessed.

"Well done, good and faithful."  Enjoy the rest

Gleeful

I just wrote my name in a beautiful classic volume called, "Sir Knight of the Splendid Way," an allegory Elisabeth Elliot cut her teeth on as a child.  It is the first book I've received from the Lamplighter book club.

My father started the flame.  Every Christmas my brother and I found a classic under the tree.  Books that change character, one story at a time.  Unwrapping "Hans Brinker Anderson" or "Little Women" remain my fondest Christmas memories.  The flame for classic reading was lit.  The timeless legacy that my Dad began over 50 years ago will continue in the hearts of my grandchildren and Crawford Houser's great  grandchildren.   

The publisher's dedication of "Sir Knight" distills the message:

To LAURIE
"A Keeper of the Well" 
Your passion for this book was compelling,
But your love for the King
Beckoned me
To travel the path of the Splendid Way.


In the King's name,
Mark Hamby

May my love for the King compel others to follow; for He is the Splendid Way.

Arab-Israeli relations

Does the never-ceasing aggression between the Palestinian Arabs and Jews flummox you?  Me too.

The visceral hatred between the races dates back to Abraham and his covenant with God.  Both claim to be descendants of Abraham.  The Arab Palestinians lay claim to the Abrahamic covenant through Ishmael and the source of the Jewish claim is Abraham's son, Isaac.

The Abrahamic covenant was given to his son Isaac's descendants and not his son Ishmael's.  That is clear in Genesis 17:19-22.  God did, however, provide a blessing for Ishmael.  The covenant God made with Abraham included "I will make of you a great nation and all the people of the earth will be blessed through you."  That promised blessing began with Isaac and eventuated with Jesus, the Light of the world.

Star Parker's astute article sheds more light:
http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.printable&pageId=162465

This is what God said to Ishmael's mother, Hagar:

(Your son) will be a wild donkey of a man; his hand will be against everyone and everyone's hand against him, and he will live in hostility toward all his brothers.  Genesis 16:12

We witness that inexorable blood path every day on the news.  There will be no peace until Jesus comes and reigns in the hearts and minds of all.

Maranatha ~ Our Lord come.