Pray if you want to!!!!

Andy Rooney's commentary on prayer...... You say it, Andy!!! It's time we Americans stood up for what we believe in and stop being so "politically correct" and worrying about hurting or offending others while giving up our OWN rights!!!! Andy Rooney says:
I don't believe in Santa Claus, but I'm not going to sue somebody for singing a Ho-Ho-Ho song in December. I don't agree with Darwin, but I didn't go out and hire a lawyer when my high school teacher taught his Theory of Evolution.Life, liberty or your pursuit of happiness will not be endangered because someone says a 30-second prayer before a football game. So what's the big deal? It's not like somebody is up there reading the entire Book of Acts. They're just talking to a God they believe in and asking him to grant safety to the players on the field and the fans going home from the game.

But it's a Christian prayer, some will argue.

Yes, and this is the United States of America and Canada, countries founded on Christian principles. According to our very own phone book, Christian churches outnumber all others better than 200-to-1. So what would you expect -- somebody chanting Hare Krishna? If I went to a football game in Jerusalem, I would expect to hear a Jewish prayer.

If I went to a soccer game in Baghdad, I would expect to hear a Muslim prayer.

If I went to a ping pong match in China, I would expect to hear someone pray to Buddha.

And I wouldn't be offended. it wouldn't bother me not one little bit.

When in Rome......

But what about the atheists? ... Is another argument.

What about them? Nobody is asking them to be baptized. We're not going to pass the collection plate. Just humor us for 30 seconds. If that's asking too much, bring a Walkman or a pair of ear plugs. Go to the bathroom. Visit the concession stand. Call your lawyer!!

Unfortunately, one or two will make that call. One or two will tell thousands what they can and cannot do. I don't think a short prayer at a football game is going to shake the world's foundations.

Christians are just sick and tired of turning the other cheek while our courts strip us of all our rights. Our parents and grandparents taught us to pray before eating & to pray before we go to sleep. Our Bible tells us to pray without ceasing. Now a handfuul of people and their lawyers are telling us to cease praying.

God, help us. And if that last sentence offends you, well, just sue me. The silent majority has been silent too long. It's time we tell that one or two who scream loud enough to be heard that the vast majority doesn't care what they want. It is time that the majority rules! It's time we tell themn, "You don't have to pray; you don't have to say the Pledge of Allegiance; you don't have to believe in God or attend services that honor Him. That is your right, and we will honor your right; but by golly, you are no longer going to take our rights away. We are fighting back, and we WILL WIN!"

Got bless us one and all....Especially those who denounce Him, God bless America and Canada, despite all our faults, We are still the greatest nations of all. God bless our service men who are fighting to protect our right to pray and worship God.

Let's make 2010 the year the silent majority is heard and we put God back as the foundation of our families and institutions. And our military forces come home from all the wars.

Keep looking up.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

I wanted to take this time to wish all of my FB friends a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays & Seasons Greetings and a very Happy & SAFE New Year! I hope your holidays are everything you wish them to be. I wish you health and blessings and want to remind you of the true meaning of Christmas. Without Jesus there wouldn't be a Christmas. Please take time to remember those less fortunate than yourselves and try and lend a helping hand in any way you can during this Christmas season. Start up a tradition of helping at a food kitchen or helping out a family that doesn't have the means to have a nice Christmas. The giving part is SO much better than the receiving part. It's amazing how much better you feel when you give of yourself or time to someone else that needs it more than you do. God Bless all of you and Merry Christmas!

Bless the teachers and children

A friend reminded me last night of how unaware I (as well as most people) are of how others live around us. She is a teacher and sees a lot during her day (good and bad). I think that those of us that are fortunate enough to have a house and food on the table and a warm place to sleep, tend to forget that there are so many other children out there (some right down the street from us) that don't have that luxury. There are children in our neighborhoods that come to school hungry or dirty. Some haven't had a bath all week. Some don't know where their next meal is coming from.

Unfortunately, the children can not control their environment when they are little. They have to trush their parents to take care of them, feed them, cloth them, and give them the best opportunities they can so they can grow up and be descent human beings. THAT, as parents, is our greatest responsibility. We have to put aside our selfish ways and think of our children first.

When my friend talked about some of the things she sees at school and how some children live day after day, it absolutely broke my heart. I cried all the way home. I felt so helpless. At that moment, I wanted to take all the children that were hurting and scared and just hug them and love them and tell them that everything would be alright. I wanted to do something!! Now, realistically, I know that isn't possible. The best I can do (or any of us can do) for other people's children is to pray for them and hope that some day their parents or caretakers see how important their little lives are. I pray that these adults (and I use that term loosely) can put away their vises and crutches and addictions long enough to see what it is doing to their child/children. Somehow the cycle has to be broken.

We can be examples for these children. That is why I am so grateful for teachers. For at least 7-8 hours a day these kids can get a normal routine and not have to wonder where they need to go or what they need to do. They can get a warm meal and lots and lots of hugs from the love of their teachers. Praise the Lord for these teachers. They have the most difficult and important job in the world and don't get paid NEAR what they are worth!

I want to challenge those out there that are struggling with a purpose in their lives or that feel depressed or trapped. I want to challenge you to give the love to your children. Say a nice word, give a smile, give a hug...even if it's a small one...It's a start. Children come into this world trusting and loving their parents. All they ask in return is to be loved back. That's all. Surely we can give that to them. Make their Christmas/Holiday season special this year. Give them security and stability. That's our job. I don't know about you, but I don't want to look back years from now and realize that I FAILED my children. What an awful feeling that would be. Could YOU live with yourself?? I know I couldn't.....

1st swim meet

The boys had their first swim meet this past weekend in Boonville. My parents came out to watch and surprised the boys. We were so proud of them. Michael got 4 first places, 1 second place and a 6th place. And Vince got 4 first places and a 6th place. They both decided that they want to continue on the swim team now. ha! We all had a lot of fun.

Mojo Indians??....

We had our annual Mojo Halloween party again this year. We all tried something different. This year we had a theme - Cowboys and Indians. It was great fun. And everyone always has just great imaginations. It's so much fun seeing what everyone dresses up as. More great Mojo memories!

Dad

I'm a little behind in my posts. We celebrated Dad's birthday back at the first part of October. He looks pretty comfortable, doesn't he. Kimberli playing with one of their MANY dogs.

I LOVE this photo. Vince - you ARE SO ORNERY!!! I wonder where you get that. Sorry mom...

Yup, the dogs pretty much have the run of the house at my sister's. But they are very well behaved.

New calf...well, not so new now...

Well, I told you a while back that I'd send pics of our new calf. He's not so new anymore. He was born about 2 months ago. He's pretty cute. I will be sure NOT to name him this time. It'll make it easier when it comes time to put him in the freezer...:)

A Great American

Wow! What a book! I recommend this highly for those of you who haven't already read it. I believe Sarah Palin is a great American and I strive to be more like her. She is the epitomy of Patriotism and standing up for what you believe it. She is a pioneer and a great role model. It is hard to fathom how misinformed and relentless people are when they don't even have the whole story.

I know there are always 2 sides to every story and you shouldn't believe everything you read. But I trully believe that Sarah Palin is a good person and she could have been a GREAT asset as VP for this country. I don't know how she handled all the upsets during her campaign and afterwards. She was literally harrassed and by people and reporters that didn't even have a clue as to what they were talking about. But she carried on with the grace of God and kept her head up.

That's the thing about doing what's right.... no matter what other people say or how much they harrass you, you carry on because you KNOW you've done the right thing and acted with integrity. That's hard to do. People can be so relentless. A normal person will back down to the pressures and do things or say things that they might not normally do. But a true American such as Sarah Palin refuses to give in just because she's "expected to" or "because that's the way it's always been done". She went Rogue and I'm proud to say that I have her on my Bucket List as a person I would like to meet someday. Carry on, Sarah Palin. The good guy/gal always wins and the cream rises to the top. You're on top in my book and you've proven it despite very difficult odds. You should have no regrets or doubts. I know you are proud of your family and what you all stand for and the fact that you can look at yourself in the mirror every morning and get a good night's sleep says a lot. A lot of americans can't do that. You have made some very significant changes and made big differences in many people's life and we thank you for it.

The Brain and all of it's power

A person I know and that I respect highly posted this excerpt from The Strangest Secret by Earl Nightingale. This is something I've been preaching for years. The mind is such a powerful tool and we take it for granted so many times. We can be whatever we put our minds to be..... Here is the excerpt:

We become what we think about.

Conversely, the person who has no goal, who doesn't know where he's going, and whose thoughts must therefore be thoughts of confusion, anxiety and worry - his life becomes one of frustration, fear, anxiety and worry. And if he thinks about nothing...be becomes nothing.

How does it work? Why do we become what we think about? Well, I'll tell you how it works, as far as we know. To do this, I want to tell you about a situation that parallels the human mind.

Suppose a farmer has some land, and it's good, fertile land. The land gives the farmer a choice; he may plant in that land whatever he chooses. The land doesn't care. It's up to the farmer to make the decision.

We're comparing the human mind with the land because the mind, like the land, doesn't care what you plant in it. It will return what you plant, but it doesn't care what you plant.

Now, let's say that the farmer has two seeds in his hand - one is a seed of corn, the other is nightshade, a deadly poison. He digs two little holes in the earth and he plants both seeds-one corn, the other nightshade. He covers up the holes, waters and takes care of the land...and what will happen? Invariably, the land will return what was planted.

As it's written in the Bible, "As ye sow, so shall ye reap."

Remember the land doesn't care. It will return poison in just as wonderful abundance as it will corn. So up come the two plants - one corn, one poison.

The human mind is far more fertile, far more incredible and mysterious than the land, but it works the same way. It doesn't care what we plant...success...or failure. A concrete worthwhile goal...or confusion, misunderstanding, fear, anxiety and so on. But what we plant must return to us.

You see, the human mind is the last great unexplored continent on earth. It contains riches beyond our wildest dreams. It will return anything we want to plant.

Biker Prayer

It's almost the end of riding season but wanted to post this. It's good. May the Good Lord always watch over our fellow bikers. And those of you in cars, please watch over us. We have a right to be on the road, too.

Future after 50

I don't know about the rest of you 50 year olds and 50 plusers but since turning 50 and realizing that I'm in the perimenapausal stage getting ready to go into full blown menapause, I've become more health conscious than I ever have before. I've always ate pretty healthy and worked out but never really concerned myself with the reality that someday my hormones would be all out of wack and that would dramatically effect my physical and mental health.

Looking back now, I realize that I should have looked into getting more information on hormones when I was in my mid to late 30s. That's when I remember things starting to change. And by the time I had my kids, I was an emotional wreck. Ask my husband! ha! In my mid to late 40s I started taking more supplements, exercising more regularly and questioning why I was still so out of sorts, emotional and angry all the time. When I finally went to my Ob-gyn and he told me that I was in the pre stages of menapause, things started falling into place.

Then, I started reading Suzanne Somers book Breakthrough and also read a few more books regarding women's health, etc. I realized that this is not the end and that my life in my 50s could actually be better than is was in my 20s. There IS hope. I have become SO interested in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. Hormones are involved in EVERYTHING we do and EVERYTHING that makes the body healthy and productive. And if they are not working like they should or have started to deplete (which can start happening in women as early as their mid-30s) then it throws your emotions and physical health right out the window.

I urge those of you that are in your 30s to not take this lightly. And for those of you that are in your 40s or starting the menapause stage, please look into this type of therapy. Don't take the synthetic hormones. God made our bodies so perfect and if we find the right formula for them where everything works in sync (like it should) then we can enjoy YEARS of optimal health.

I'm excited for my future because I know that it is within my control. I hope the rest of you enjoy your health, as well. It doesn't have to be a downhill slide. I guess that's why they call them the Golden Years. Here is the link to Suzanne's blog. http://www.suzannesomers.com/blog

Beautiful!!!

The Arabian - In my opinion, God's most beautiful creature. I hope to have another one someday.

Be what you need to be and Do what you need to do

I was thinking the other day, as I often do since my life has changed so much in the last 10-15 years, about how we are sometimes called upon to perform certain duties or jobs and how we can develop preconceived notions about those duties or jobs. How many times have you heard someone say, "I could never be a stay-at-home mom", or "I could never do what he does".

Now, if it is your opinion that you do not WANT to do what he does or you do not WANT to be a stay-at-home mom, then it is your right and obligation to follow through with those notions. BUT, if you are called upon to suddenly change pace or to go a different route due to circumstances beyond your control, then go forth with vigor and optimism.

We can be whatever we are called upon to be. God gives us the grace and strength to forge ahead and succeed in the areas and ways that he has placed before us. He knows more of what we can be and if we can succeed and enjoy it. We are a very adaptable species. We can survive in the most unimaginable circumstances and can succeed over and above our most impossible dreams.

I never thought I'd be able to be a stay-at-home mom. And I was one of those women that thought stay-at-home moms didn't do anything and their jobs were a lot easier than actual "paying" jobs. Boy, was I wrong ...on both counts! I could be a stay-at-home mom, AND a good one. And it is also one of the toughest jobs you'll ever have. I also didn't think I'd want to go back to work either but I have gotten back into the working world and it feels good.

My point being that we are given the tools that we need to accomplish whatever task we need to accomplish if we only have faith and listen to Him. He will give us the grace to manage it and be successful. We need not be afraid because NO ONE measures up to Him.

Rainbow Bridge

When a beloved pet dies, it goes to the Rainbow Bridge.
It makes friends with other animals and frolics over rolling hills and peaceful lush meadows of green.
They are as healthy and playful as we remember them in days gone by.

Together, the animals chase and play, but the day comes when a pet will suddenly stop and look into the distance.....bright eyes intent, eager body quivering.
Suddenly recognizing you, your pet bounds quickly across the green fields and into your embrace. You celebrate in joyous reunion. You will never again separate.

Happy tears and kisses are warm and plentiful, your hands caress the face you missed. You look into the loving eyes of your pet and know that you never really parted.
You realize that though out of sight, your love had been remembered.

You cross the Rainbow Bridge together. :)

Make the right choice

Life is full of choices. God's greatest gift to us was free will. Every morning we wake up, we have a choice. We can rise out of bed with a positive attitude ready to greet the day and take on whatever it throws our way. Or we can drag ourselves out with negativity and obstanance with a heart full of resentment and anger.

God has given us a wonderful place to live and grow. He has provided us with sunshine and beautiful scenery and opportunities to fullfill our inner most dreams if we only put forth the effort. People who fall off the horse and don't get back on are doing themselves a HUGE injustice. Not wanting to try and get back up on the horse is a cop out.

How many times do you think Thomas Edison failed before he saw that "bright light" for the first time? How many times do you think the Wright Brothers crashed before they finally got their air craft off the ground. Those people are people that got up every morning DECIDING to face the day and make it the best they possibly could. Those kinds of people are the winners. The losers are the ones that gripe and complain about how bad their world is and what other people are or aren't doing.

If you've ever attended Stephen Covey's Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, he talks about your Circle of Influence. Only worry about things you can control. Don't waste your energy on the things you can't. Wake up in the morning with Zest!! Because, remember, you DID wake up!! And that should be enough to get you off on the right foot.

50 is great

I was thinking while walking into work this morning of how great it is to be of an age where I am free of all the social pressures our youth face today. I now have the freedom to wear what I want without wondering if it's "in style" or not. Now, I'm not saying that I don't enjoying wearing the latest trends and styles. BUT if I chose to wear my hair up in a banana clip or wear leggins with my skirt and tennis shoes, I'll do it! And I'll walk with pride not caring who is staring or snickering behind my back. It is an enormous feeling of freedom to be able to put on what you feel like in the morning and with or WITHOUT makeup and still feel beautiful and confident. I feel I've earned this and I hope the youth of today can experience this feeling, too, and hopefully before they are 50 years old. Be independent, confident, not afraid to be different and PROUD of it!!

A loyal and special friend

She was my rock. A bright pair of golden brown eyes and wagging tail to look forward to at the end of the day. She never asked for much....just a few treats (a day) ha!... some water & food and a scratch behind the ears. We understood each other. Well we should have after 15 years. I knew her longer than my husband or kids. She was always there for me if I was down or depressed. She would sit and listen as I rubbed her soft fur and talked to her about my problems. We spent a lot of time together and I taught her a lot of tricks. She was a smart dog. I swear she knew what I was saying 75% of the time.

Well, her time came to an end this last week. She was old (well over a 100 in people years) and tired. I had the difficult choice of deciding whether to put her to sleep or try and prolong the enevitable a few more days. I decided I owed her peace and comfort. I could not prolong her life (or what life she would have....not much since she couldn't get up anymore to eat or go to the bathroom) just to satisfy my own selfishness. I owed her more especially after everything she had given me.

She will always be in my heart. She was a special dog and for those of you that have had them, you know exactly what I mean. She is now resting peacefully in the same location that she used to lay and watch the traffic, the lake and our cattle out in the pasture. She is at peace and I'm sure she will be waiting for me at the Rainbow Bridge when my time comes. Goodbye Brandy. I love you and miss you. And I will never ever forget you.

Attitude

The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.
Attitude, to me, is more important than facts...It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, then failures, than success, than what other people think or say or do.
It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill.
It will make or break an organization - a school - a home.
The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day.
We cannot change our past - We cannot change the fact that people will Act in a certain way.
We cannot change the inevitable.
The only thing we can do is play on the one String we have.
And that is our attitude - I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.
And so it is with you -

- Charles Swindoll

Mojo weekend

Another successful Annual Runnebaum partyfest! Due to the heat we didn't have as long of a poker run as usual but it was still a blast! We even stopped off and surprised Eric at Mid-America Harley for his 50th birthday. We had good food and lots of fun. Already looking forward to next year.

The fish are bitin'

Greg's first fish he caught out of our lake. Pretty good size bass. He stayed out until about 10:30 catching more fish for dinner tonight. He and the boys LOVE to fish. I'll just stick with cooking them up. ha!