Math, my way

Fireplace + Hot tea + Walker's shortbread, all shared with hubby = a very nice evening

This Is Freedom

While running lights at church this weekend I watched, at the end of each of the four services, as hundreds of people departed the auditorium drying their eyes and chattering excitedly about what they had just witnessed. What drove them to such levels of excitement and emotion? It was the closing song of the service. Written and performed by our own Justin Unger, though he is more inclined to tell you that God wrote it, this song was completed less than a week before it's debut and is already causing a sensation in our community. According to an e-mail from lead pastor Lee Wiggins, the church has been flooded with inquiries about the song, it is in the hands of a Nashville producer and they are receiving requests for radio play for this Wednesday, Veteran's Day. Justin and Heights Church have graciously provided a link to a live recording of the song from this weekend and encouraged us to share with others. If this song touches you, feel free to share the link with others you feel may be blessed by it. A video was also made, and I will share that as soon as it becomes available. The song was performed with uniformed military men carrying an American flag and then a cross through the auditorium to the stage. It was amazing, and if you like the song, you will want to see the video. The voice you'll hear praying at the end of the song is Pastor Lee.

Without further ado, please enjoy... This Is Freedom

This Is Freedom
Justin Unger

The red is for the blood that flows
in places we've forgotten
The white resembles innocence
in some ways we've been lost in
The blue it stands for vigilance
and holding fast to righteousness
but have we lost our way?
The stars are for remembering
the Glory in the victory
Where proudly we can say
THIS IS FREEDOM!

Where strength and confidence collide
along the straight and narrow
When peace is found in sacrifice
by patriots and heroes
Where faith abounds and evil dies
truth resounds above the lies
It's only found one way
and here we are today
THIS IS FREEDOM!

A home that speaks of liberty
beyond our institutions
If this is a reality
then where are the solutions?
A place where we can stand and sing
the worship of our risen King
without regret or shame
The hope for life eternally
we hold a light for all to see
without a guilt or blame
it's what we claim...
THIS IS FREEDOM!

Even though the fight is long
the enemy may wound us
The stripes are for the rays of hope
that never cease to lead us
Guide us home
THIS IS FREEDOM!!

24 Hours With a Stranger In The House

Tuesday morning, 3 a.m. found me sitting on the sofa in the family room reading. I had been there since about 11:30 p.m. and was FINALLY beginning to get sleepy. I was just considering putting my book down and dragging myself into the bedroom when a movement to my left caught my eye. The dog was asleep by my feet, so I knew it wasn't him. I looked all around the room, moving furniture around, and found nothing. I had just about convinced myself that my sleep deprived brain had imagined the movement and was moving back toward the sofa to pick my book back up and attempt to reclaim the sleepiness that had been snatched from me...when a little field mouse ran right past me and headed into my kitchen. Of course, I did the only logical thing I could think of at the moment...I screamed bloody murder and leaped up onto the sofa. Steve burst out of the bedroom about two seconds later to find me standing on the sofa, hopping from one foot to the other and shouting "There's a mouse in here! It went in the kitchen!"

Now, I'm not, as a rule, afraid of rodents. We have had pet mice and there is, currently, a pet rat in the family. I don't just tolerate these little critters, I really like them. But there's a difference between the fancy mice and rats that we buy at PetSmart and a wild one that was not invited into my home. My guess is the little squatter now hiding somewhere in my kitchen snuck in through the back door to escape the same monsoon that we had left the door open to enjoy Monday evening. But as far as I was concerned, the rain had passed and he had outstayed his welcome the moment he set foot in my house. I wanted him gone, NOW. But we couldn't determine where he had hidden himself and we had no way to trap him. So Steve declared that he would buy a mouse trap and bring it home after work that day...then he went back to bed. I returned to the sofa and picked the book up again, one eye on the page and one toward the kitchen.

About thirty minutes later, the little trouble maker showed himself again, but as soon as he saw me move he bolted...right under my bedroom door. Naturally, I started shouting again. By the time I got into the bedroom, Steve already had the lights on and was searching the room. The kids poured down the stairs and joined the nocturnal excitement, spotting the mouse in our bathroom. It jumped into a little space under the sink and we cornered it there. We spent the next three hours trying to coax it out into an empty peanut butter jar that still had bits of peanut butter in it. It would come out and go into the jar, but the instant we tried to trap it, it would bolt back under the sink. At 4:30, Steve gave up and got ready for work. He left the kids and I to take turns watching the sink from the safety of our bathtub. In the midst of all this, daughter A went out to the garage to get something and came back in saying she heard something out there. Daughter K and I went out to investigate and confirmed there was something alive out there. Were we being overrun by mice? We stepped in and scooted the paper bag from which the noise was coming and out jumped a frog the size of my fist. I about jumped out of my skin. My nerves had had enough by that time. The frog was quickly shown the exit and we returned to our other uninvited guest.

By 6:30 we gave up on the peanut butter jar and duct taped the openings under the sink, but knowing that the mouse could chew through the tape, we continued to take turns watching the sink while the others tried to get a little sleep. We watched that sink ALL DAY Tuesday until Steve came home with a live trap. Daughter K cleverly taped the opening of the trap over the opening to the sink and we finally left the bathroom. Twenty-four hours after it made it's first appearence, I awoke to the sound of the mouse scraping around in the trap.

The whole family headed out toward a nearby field this morning to release our unwelcome visitor, who was incredibly tiny and scared and probably not worth me being quite so dramatic about. Being carried in a plastic box in 90+ degree weather, it got way too hot and was nearly dead before we reached the field. Steve dropped it out of the box and got it into the shade of a bush where we poured cold water on it. Sure, I didn't want it in my house but I didn't really want to hurt it either...especially in front of the kids. I can't imagine what the little thing must have thought about us. We chased it around the house, offered it peanut butter, taped it into it's hiding place, trapped it in a plastic box, nearly baked it to death and then poured water all over it.

After a few moments out of the box and being soaked down with the water, it struggled to it's feet and staggered a couple of feet away from us. We decided it would be okay and left it there. I sit at my computer now in the comfortable conviction that the only rodent in my house is the pleasant, clean little rat that is snuggled up and dozing on my shoulder and I can't help but wonder what sort of stories the little field mouse is telling his mouse friends today.

Rats

In response to Thany's lovely, heartwarming tale of her experience with a dead rat...I have to say, I like this rat a lot better! And yes, I did click on the words "Dead Rat". Blech!!

Enjoying The Dairy Air

I had a realization on our way to Wisconsin recently. Though we've visited America's dairy land many times, we've never taken the kids to tour an operating dairy farm. This is an opportunity that every kid should get to take advantage of. Our whole family are avid milk drinkers. I know our kids understand that milk does not originate at Wal*Mart, but I remember visiting a dairy operation when I was young and I wanted them to have that experience and to see firsthand where the milk they enjoy really comes from.

Steve's folks had recently attended, along with about 3,000 other people, the Rock County Dairy Breakfast, hosted at Funk's Fairview Acres, a dairy farm not far from their home. So when I asked Steve's mom about finding a dairy that would give us a tour, she immediately thought of the Funks and gave them a call.

Julie Funk welcomed us to their farm and took time to show us all around and answer all of our questions, no matter how silly (Steve told Amanda to ask if the brown cows gave chocolate milk). She explained that they are the third generation, operating a farm that's been in the family since 1917. They're a relatively small operation, but the emphasis is on quaility and they supply milk to Oberweis Dairy, which sets a very high standard. They milk about 140 cows a day, a mixture of Holsteins and Brown Swiss. Their kids also show the Brown Swiss at the county fair. Julie's seventeen-year-old daughter, Allison, also came out and helped answer questions. When asked by my eight-year-old if it was hard living on a farm, Allison emphatically stated that she loved everything about it.

It was a hands-on tour and the kids were allowed to not only pet the cows, but assist in the calves' evening feeding. Talk about an experience to remember!

And I'm sure letting the calves suck on their fingers is something they'll remember for a very long time!

When we declared that we had taken enough of Julie's time and proposed that we depart and let her return to her evening, she asked us to stay long enough for her to show the girls something special. She then led us into a building where she pulled out several tiny kittens. She handed one to each of the girls and allowed them to snuggle them for a few minutes under Mother Cat's watchful eye.


We then returned to the front drive to find the Funk kids excercising their show animals. Allison brought out a gentle Brown Swiss named Coconut and gave each of our girls an opportunity to walk her.

As we were leaving, Julie ran inside and returned with two cartons of Oberweis ice cream for us to take home. We thoroughly enjoyed it over the next few days. We also made sure we got to the store to buy a glass jar of Oberweis milk. It's expensive, but we could understand why. It's excellent milk. The high standards they hold their producers to results in an undeniably superior product.

Julie believes it's important for people to understand where the milk they drink comes from. She was happy to explain the operation to us and took a couple of hours out of what must be a very busy schedule to make sure we had a good understanding of how a dairy farm operates. Not only did she not charge us a fee for this grand tour, she sent us home with some tasty ice cream. If I knew of an award to nominate Julie for, I would. Since I don't, I will make up one of my own. I hearby award Julie Funk the Schubox American Spirit Award, for exemplifying the spirit of the hard working Mid-Western Dairy Farmer. Where would we be without people like the Funks?

Thank you, Julie!!

Road Hazard

This one's for you Crayl!

Do They Bite?

Spotted this ominous warning in a Chicago restroom...

One must always be vigilant when stolen purses are about, they can be a real menace!

Jamaica Mission

Having just returned to the Schubox from our incredibly busy but oh-so-fun two week vacation, I'm enjoying the opportunity to catch up on some e-mail and blog reading. Though I have a few things that I would like to write about over the next few days, my priority today is to share an important blog that I've been catching up with. My darling, sixteen-year-old niece, Haley, is currently in Jamaica on a mission trip and is posting updates on her activities there at haleygoestojamaica. I would like to encourage you to take a look at Haley's blog and, more importantly, keep her and the rest of the Jamaica team in your prayers.

Many thanks and blessings!

Schubox Photography

Kids are just too darn tech savvy. Mine have figured out how to take pictures with my cell phone. Unless I keep the phone in my possesion at all times it is prey to their little hands and artistic sensibilities and I later discover the most interesting photos stored away in the phone's memory. Honestly, do they think they won't get caught at this? I'm pretty sure I wasn't the one taking...

this adorable image of the napping baby doll, Bobby.

Ah, what mommy doesn't love one of these shots? They're SO cute when they're asleep!





But then, equal face time has to be given to Panda and Tiger...we wouldn't want them to feel neglected.

But, who the heck is this guy and when did my child take his picture?

Oh, wait...this next picture explains it. That was Scooby Doo's best buddy Shaggy. Right, I was letting the small person watch the movie that day. Ruh-Roh!

So I get the pictures of the beloved dolls, maybe even the Scooby Doo pics...but this one?? I mean, I know it's a bathing suit...but why? Just being artistic, I guess.

Then I arrive at the self protrait. Really, could you scold this kid for playing with your camera phone?

Me neither.

Just change his name to Superman...

Last night I dreamed that someone near and dear to me surprised me with the news that they had just had a new baby. As I gathered this tiny bit of human confection into my arms, stroked the silky blonde fuzz on his head and placed a kiss on his angelic little face, I asked his mother what they had decided to name him. Her response was "Clark"...

Now, I mean no offense to anyone who may know and love a Clark, or even be named Clark themselves. I really don't think there's anything wrong with the name. But, seriously, when was the last time you heard of someone naming their baby Clark? It's not exactly a wildly popular name right now. As a matter of fact, out of curiosity, I did a bit of research. According to the Social Security Administration the name Clark hasn't ranked in the top one hundred boy's names since they started keeping records in 1880. It's popularity seems to have peaked in 1881 at the 176th most popular boy's name in the country. In 2008 it was at #698. Really, it may be due for a comeback, who's with me on that?

Polite to the core, apparently, even in my dream I resisted the urge to ask Clark's mama "You mean, like Clark Kent?". When I enquired about a middle name, I was told they had decided to simply use a single letter as a middle name. Now, we have a friend who chose to go this route. But, somehow "T" as a middle "name" sounds way cooler than the letter chosen to serve as Clark's middle name..."F". So if Clark decides, when he gets older, that he's not keen on his first name...that pretty much tanks the option of going by his middle name instead.

Poor little Clark F. I'm so glad that was just a dream!

Single Handed Solutions

Having recently sprained two of the fingers on my left hand, I find myself having to come up with some creative ways to function with one hand. Since I work in food service, how to wash one hand was a big concern. I can do a lot of things one-handed, but that one hand has to be clean and gloved. And constantly asking a co-worker to help me wash my hand might have been going a bit too far. Fortunately, it didn't take too long to come up with this one...

I grabbed a soft bristled bottle brush and used my left elbow to pin it to the edge of the sink. A little soap in the right hand and then I just scrub the hand around the brush to get squeaky clean. It splatters soap all over, but at least it gets the job done!

I was so well pleased with the procedure, I went to Wal*Mart and bought one to use at home too. Best 2.50 I've spent in a while!

Meme

Okay, here's a first. I have been tagged and must, therefore, respond. The very wonderful Crayl at Beyond Black & White tagged me in what I assume is an attempt to get me to post again, since I have not done so in over a month. So, not wanting to disappoint my reader, here you go, Crayl!

Eight things I am looking forward to:
1.Resetting the lights at church on Saturday (this is my idea of FUN!)
2.Family Pizza and Movie Night at the Schubox tonight
3.Trip to Wisconsin this summer
4.Figuring out what we're going to do with our store
5.Christ's return (these are obviously not listed in order of importance!)
6.Seeing Crayl again
7.Getting my truck fixed
8.Seeing my brother again

Eight things I did yesterday:
1.Went to work
2.Checked the mail (trust me, this does not happen every day!)
3.Picked my kids up at school (also not a daily occurence)
4.Had the dog groomed
5.Picked up kids' new glasses
6.Enjoyed lunch with a friend
7.Texted with my mom (that one is a daily thing)
8.Kissed my husband

Eight things I wish I could do:
1.Play the guitar better
2.Make my store successful
3.Get my house cleaned!
4.Clearly hear and understand God's voice
5.Get my kids to treat each other with respect and compassion
6.Operate a follow spot for a living
7.Take a vacation alone with my husband
8.Repay my parents everything I owe them

Eight shows I enjoy:
1.Star Trek Voyager
2.The Office
3.NCIS
4.ER
5.30 Rock
6.Criminal Minds
7.Lie To Me
8.Hidden Potential

Eight people I tag:

Well, here's the problem. I know two bloggers. One of them tagged me and she also tagged the other one. So I have no one to tag. It stops here, sorry!

Conversations with a 7 year-old

I was recently discussing the California mother of octuplets with my youngest daughter.

Me: She already had six kids, now she has eight more. So how many kids does she have now?
A: (wide eyed) She has fourteen kids now!
Me: Guess how old her oldest is.
A: Ummm...nineteen?
Me: Her oldest is seven, just like you. Can you imagine what it would be like for you to have thirteen little brothers and sisters?
A: (Ponders this for a moment before delivering her verdict) It would be DISASTROUS!

Couldn't have said it better myself.

Ten on Tuesday

Following Crayl's suggestion, once again, I'm doing today's list on "Things that last"

1. God. The lasting-est thing of all! He is from beginning to end and His love never fails.
2. Family. We may have our ups and downs, but we're always there for each other.
3. Marriage. I realize they don't all work out, but I've seen plenty of them that have weathered the storms of life and stood the test of time. And I realize I'm just a few years away from having been married more than half my life! Happy anniversary to D&L Fed.!
4. Friendships. Some may come and some may go, the truly lasting ones really are golden. My longest friendship has stood for 32 years so far and is a treasure to me.
5. Furniture. Well built furniture can last and last with a little love. We have dressers in my kids' rooms that my parents bought second hand when my sister and I were little and a dining room table that belonged to my husband's great grandfather.
6. Books. Some of my favorites were written as much as a hundred years ago and more.
7. The Bible. I realize this falls under the book category, but is worthy of it's own mention. It's been guiding mankind for a very long time and will continue to do so until the end of time.
8. Love. The love you feel for someone can last long after that person is gone.
9. Music. Songs age quickly, a song that was on the charts just last year may be referred to as an "old song", but the good ones still stick around and I enjoy music that was popular when my parents were teens.
10. Life. Our time here on Earth may be fleeting, but we are created to be eternal beings. Thanks to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we can choose where to spend that eternity, and I plan to spend mine with Him!

Ten on Tuesday

Okay, haven't posted a Ten on Tuesday for a while. But Crayl's challenge for today is too much fun...so here goes.

Ten silly things that I am thankful for.

1. My husband. People don't often see that side of him, but he can be a real goof.
2. Daughters, K, E & A. All following the family tradition of silliness.
3. The rest of my silly, silly family.
4. That funny sound that a McDonald's straw makes when you move it up and down in a McDonald's cup lid. Yes, it has to be McDonald's...something about the relative size of lid opening and straw. I've always enjoyed that sound...don't ask.
5. Peanut Butter
6. Lattes
7. Animated movies...specifically, Pixar, Disney and Dreamworks
8. Romantic comedies
9. The smell of hot lights and hair spray. If you've spent any time in the theatre, you'll get that.
10. CRAYL! I've never had to be self concious about being silly around her because she's usually willing to be silly with me. She speaks my language.

Regarding Paul

I always have to admire the way the apostle Paul opened and closed his letters. Of course I appreciate the content of those letters as well, but I think some of us may have a tendency to skim over the opening and closing in favor of the "meat" of the letter, much the same way that we often skim over genealogies, ('So-and-So begat So-and-So...') . In so doing, we miss some truly artistic and inspiring writing.



For example, Paul opens his letter to Philemon with these words, "(1)Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker, (2) to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier and to the church that meets in your home:
(3) Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." Not just "Dear Philemon, Apphia and Archippus..."



Wouldn't you love to receive a letter that opens with "Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ"? Most of Paul's letters open with those words. In Romans 1, that phrase is prefaced with "(7) To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints" How great is that? He starts right off by reminding them that God loves them and has called them for a purpose. Then there's 1 Corinthians 1, which addresses the recipients with the words "(2) To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours", reminding us of our brotherhood in Christ with "all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ", not just the particular church that we happen to attend on Sunday mornings. In his letter to the Galatians, Paul follows the "Grace and Peace" greeting with "(4)who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, (5) to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." Sometimes we all need a little reminder of who we serve and why. These beautiful openings are often followed by expressions of thankfulness for all those to whom the letters are addressed and specific reasons why Paul is thankful for those people. Another great letter writing example to follow!



His closings are every bit as eloquent as his greetings. For example, 2 Corinthians 13:14 "May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all." and Ephesians 6:24 "Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love"

But I think what strikes me the most about Paul's letters is the love expressed throughout every letter. Whether he's scolding, praising, pleading, admonishing or handing out gold stars and smiley faces, Paul's love for the churches he wrote to is clearly evident. From beginning to end, his letters just exude the love and concern that he felt for all of the believers, everywhere. Not bad for a guy who had previously been dedicated to rounding up the faithful and tossing them into prison! Why the change of heart? Two words...Jesus Christ. The love and compassion that Paul felt for the churches he helped to establish were gifts from God. There are many people in this world that we will find "unlovable", but through Jesus we can show them love. If concentration camp survivor Corrie ten Boom could, through Him, find the courage, strength and forgiveness to shake the hand of a former Nazi prison guard, at whose hands she had personally suffered...we, too, can allow Him to show love through us to those we find unlovable.

I didn't set out today to present a sermon and, having no experience at such endeavors, I will not pretend to be capable of doing so! But I have been enjoying reading through Paul's letters lately and wanted to share my thoughts on what impressed me about them...even if no one ever reads this post, I've enjoyed putting my impressions down in type. And to anyone who does read this post, I sincerely hope that you, too ,will find inspiration in Paul's letters!

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Quote For The Day

"God bless America, despite all her faults. She is still the greatest nation of all."
-Unknown