inventory

 With the weather outside being frightful and the fireplace so delightful, it seemed a good time to take inventory.





My little black book has daily to do lists, menus, birthdates, calendar, meeting notes, notes from significant books, sermons, conversations, lists of books read, books to read, challenges, lists of lists....You get the idea.  It basically holds my brains.  It is a rudimentary bullet journal.

It also contains a list of things I should never (or not for a long time) need to buy again.   I do not need to shop for:

• plates
• cups/mugs
• glasses (drinking not wearing)
• silverware
• pots 
• pans
• paper
• pens
• pencils
• scissors
• thread
• embroidery floss 
• paint
• file folders
• notebooks
• piano books
• candles
• luggage
• garden tools
• purses
• nuts
• bolts
• washers
• paint brushes
• mason jars
• furniture
• buttons
• sewing books

And tea.  I counted well over 300 bags of tea, not to mention several packets of loose leaf tea.  The resident fisherman does not drink hot tea as a rule. I drink tea almost every day, and half the time I  'have tea with an old bag' as I've heard it  said (use a tea bag more than once - this saying is in no way a reflection on my girlfriends).

So, I think it is time to throw a tea party or ten.  Other wise I will be drinking tea on my own for the next few years.

I'm also taking another inventory.  This list will never be finished.  It is an inventory of blessings.  Here are four for today:

• The resident fisherman is healing well from his recent vocal cord surgery, although he is still not supposed to speak
• I've finished three books, totaling over 800 pages (see first blessing)
• The sun is shining promising to warm up from the -16* we had to start the day.
• Lots of good friends to enjoy a cuppa tea with. 

What are some of the things in your blessings inventory?

Why I am deactivating my facebook account

It seems that whenever the LORD wants to make a point that HE really wants me to heed, He lets me know it in at least three different ways (I must be sort of dense).

So over a period of two days, I read these two blog posts:

Saying farewell to facebook.

Your digital life is not your real life.

And then saw this quote on, of all things, a friend's facebook status:
One of the great uses of Twitter and Facebook will be to prove at the Last Day that prayerlessness was not from lack of time." - John Piper

Ouch.

So, I have deactivated my facebook account. I figure I spend 20-30 minutes nearly every day checking facebook statuses (but primarily looking for cute grandbaby pics).
That is over two hours a week! I can think of dozens of other ways to use that time...maybe even sending actual letters to people! Or yes, praying.

What about you? Do you have a facebook account? Do you need one? I think it can be a great tool. I love seeing my youth pastor sons using it to communicate with their students.

But as for me and my house? We're not gonna have facebook anymore.

thank you

I can barely get through the Star Spangled banner without tearing up. As the flag passed by in our little Northwoods Fourth of July parades through the years? Big. Lump. In my throat. Always.

Seeing the flag and knowing what it stands for: Sacrifice. Honor. Commitment. Duty. Freedom.

Today, especially, we stop and remember our veterans and those who are currently serving our country. Words are inadequate, but I am so grateful.

Thank you so very, very much.

dream retirement job

I've decided what I want to do when I'm retired.

Step one: Sell everything - house, furniture, all of it except for my clavinova and sewing machine and 33 pieces of clothing (Pat can keep some fishing equipment if he wants :) ).

Step two: Buy a modest motor home/camper. One that has room for the two of us, my clavinova, sewing machine, some fishing equipment and a small, adorable, well-behaved dog.

Step three: Start a ministry based on this.(please be sure to watch the video - blogger isn't letting me embed it here). *Instead of random acts of culture, it would be called Random Acts of Scripture (or something like that). We would tour the country doing three things:
1) feeding the hungry
2) building shelter for the homeless/repairing homes for the elderly, out of work, single parents and
3) singing at shopping malls and other public venues.

It would be so cool if a bunch of like-minded people would join us. (Maybe I should talk to my hubby about this first?). Can you imagine driving cross country, stopping to minister along the way and regularly singing the Hallelujah Chorus?

Anybody? Anybody?

*This video was taken the day before Halloween. Did you notice the gals that were wearing the devil's horns? They seemed to be ducking to avoid the camera. Feeling sheepish? The words to the Hallelujah Chorus are a great reminder that JESUS IS LORD OVER ALL!

pondering

photo by Jon - with my camera :)

"There are two ways to get enough: one is to accumulate more and more. The other is to desire less."
G. K. Chesterton

"To have what we want is riches, but to be able to do without is power."
George MacDonald

speak easy

I grew up in a very loving, stable home. For this, I am so grateful. And part of the stability meant that there were rules that must be obeyed.

Some of the rules involved our speech.

'Oh, be careful little mouth, what you say;
Oh, be careful little mouth, what you say;
For the Father up above is looking down in love,
So, be careful little mouth what you say.'

We were not allowed to say things like: 'dumb', 'stupid', 'shut up' or 'hate'. (Even now, I cringe to type these words - sorry Mom and Dad - just trying to make a point here.) Those were swear words. I don't think I heard the really bad words until I was in high school. Yep, pretty naive and glad for it.

My sister, in yesterday's comments, referred to the name calling and spitting that took place in Washington, D.C. prior to the health care vote. Name calling and spitting! I can not imagine being so angry as to lose control of myself and call someone a name or spit on them. (Sounds more like something a two year old or a junior high school bully would do.)

Whatever happened to civility? Neither name calling or spitting or shouting are any way to make your voice heard, let alone win an argument or persuade someone to see your point of view.

"Oh, yeah, well, since you spit on me I see how strongly you feel about this, therefore I will come around to your way of thinking."

Don't think so.

Let your speech always be with grace,
as though seasoned with salt,
so that you will know how you should respond to each person.
Colossians 4:6

~~~~~~
A few people have mentioned that they have had trouble commenting here. Sometimes Blogger behaves badly for me too!

Here is my dear friend Ann's comment regarding yesterday's blog:

I wrote about your Mom and how it made me smile to think of her going to the dump with earrings, scarf, and shoes to match her outfit. And just how cute I think your Mama is, both inside and out.

Ann, you are so right! I love my cute little mommy!

dear friend,

I'd like to respond to your facebook status:

How most Republicans in Congress can claim they're Christian is an interesting sleight of hand trick. Didn't Christ heal the sick, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and raise Lazarus from the dead? So why have most Republicans become the enemy of every generous impulse in our national character?

First of all, your indictment made me so sad. Yes, absolutely Jesus healed the sick, fed the hungry and clothed the naked and commanded His followers to do the same.

There's the catch, and why I was not in favor of this particular health care reform bill. (Note, I did not say I'm not in favor of health care reform.) Jesus commanded His followers to
care for the sick and needy, not the government.

I object to the current health care reform bill on three levels:
1) As one who is pro-life, I cannot support government funding of abortion (and yes, I realize that this was taken out of the bill, but only at the 11th hour.)
2) As a mother and grandmother, I cringe at the debt we are taking on for the future generations
3) There is a reason why people laugh at the punch line - 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help'. I have little to no faith that the health care reform bill as passed by the house will help.

Our state representatives enumerated the ways it will hurt our state budget. Paying for mandated health care reform will divert money from education and infrastructure projects.

It is a complicated issue and I don't pretend to have the answers. All I know is what Jesus called me to do. If I am faithful, I can do my little part to help those in need. I know it is a drop in the bucket and doesn't fix all the problems, but it is a start.

We recently had a meeting of the food pantry workers at our church. There were about 100 of us there. People who faithfully give their time and money to help. Every week we give a bag of groceries and milk and bread and meat to each recipient.

Without a government mandate.

I'm posting this as a comment to my friend's facebook status and waiting for the slings and arrows to fly.

span of years

beautiful golden mums from Aunt Barbara and Uncle Bob - thank you!

If you can believe this kind of thing, it looks as if I will live long enough to be a problem to my children (as though I haven't already):

Check your score here.

Mine? 100.

Providing I don't get hit by a bus or ride away in an experimental hot air balloon.

Of course, I don't put much stock in this, but it was a interesting way to spend 10 minutes.

It made me think of this verse, penned by Moses, inspired by the Holy Spirit:

"The length of our days is seventy years-
or eighty, if we have the strength;
yet their span is but trouble and sorrow,
for they quickly pass, and we fly away."
Psalm 90:10

Perhaps not the most comforting verse in the Bible - but a clear-eyed view of life. In the world you will have tribulation. Moses would know. He led the complaining, grumbling, ungrateful Israelites in the desert for 40 years (and lived to be 120 by the way!).

Take the test (if you dare ~smile~) and report back in the comment section. It would be interesting to see how many of you are going to stick it out with me! :)

"And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years."
Abraham Lincoln

Memorial Day

photo courtesy of visitingdc.com

They sat in the second and third pews in the section left of center. I couldn't even look at them, for fear of losing my composure, as our quartet sang these words:

Blades of grass and pure white stones

Shelter those who've come and gone

Just below the emerald sod

Are boys who reached the arms of God.

Buried here with dignity

Endless rows for all to see

Freedom's seeds in sorrow sown

'Neath blades of grass and pure white stones.

Blades of grass and pure white stones

Cover those who left their homes

To rest in fields here, side by side,

Lest we forget their sacrifice

Buried here with dignity

Endless rows for all to see

Freedom's seeds in sorrow sown,

'Neath blades of grass and pure white stones.

words and music by Philip Naish, Orrin Hatch and Lowell Alexander

Three families from our county. All had sons killed in Iraq. They were invited guests to our church yesterday. We honored the memory of their sons as well as all those who had died serving our country.

There were not too many dry eyes in our congregation.

To some, it may have seemed unkind, even cruel to put them through another service of remembrance. But as one of the Gold Star mothers put it: "We are so afraid people will forget."

Let us never forget.

food for thought

the roses beneath our bedroom window

There is now a probable case of swine flu in Knoxville. The middle school student and his family have been quarantined and his school is closed for the week. An overly cautious or a prudent reaction?

I don't intend to debate that here today, but I am praying for that family. Do they have enough food in the house to feed them all for a week? Do they have neighbors who are willing to pick up groceries for them? Apparently the student has recovered and is feeling fine now and did not attend school most of last week. Still, I am sure that people's response to this will range from nonchalance to panic.

Me? I tend not to worry much about anything, preferring instead to trust God for my well-being. Or for His care if my being is not so well. Worry is unproductive, but planning is prudent. Yes?

What would you do if you found yourself unable to get to the grocery store for a week or so? Would you have enough food to eat? We would be fine, because as you may know, when food goes on sale I buy quantities of it. That is more about saving money though, than about worrying about pandemics. Still, we have enough variety to keep menus interesting for a week or two and then enough spaghetti, or rice and beans to last until we are good and tired of them.

~~~~~

I have some good news to announce tomorrow. For now though, Mom, Dad and I are heading up to the big city for some routine lab work. Seems like we just did this a week ago. Oh, wait. We did!

revisiting resolutions

another cute Joshua picture -

like there is any other kind....

I received a card in the mail yesterday from the organization that sponsors free aerobics classes in our community. It contained a suggested list of New Year's Resolutions. Here they are:

1. I will walk or exercise 30 minutes every day.
2. I will eat at least 3 fruits and 5 veggies every day.
3. I will eat less sugar and fat every day.
4. I will add fiber to my diet.
5. I will learn new ways to make healthy foods for me and my family.
6. I will find exercise buddies to share my exercise moments.
7. I will take a 10 minute 'me' break once or twice a day.
8. I will decrease the number of sweet dringd I consume daily.
9. Me, smoking...are you crazy? I will kick the habit this year.
10. I will explore a new hobby or interest that I have been wanting to learn about.
11. I will call an old friend and catch up.
12. I need to befriend a new person in my community or workplace.

Interesting, huh? Does anyone eat 3 fruits and 5 veggies every day? 'Exercise moments'?

10 minute 'me' break?

Despite the fact that some of these make me laugh, there are some good ideas here and it reminded me that I should revisit my New Year's resolutions and see if I am on track. Now that we are a whole two weeks into the New Year.

But first, I suppose I should take a 'me' break.

How are you doing on your New Year's goals?

intentional

more prairie grasses

"Y'awright?" drawled the substitute postman as he handed me a package yesterday.

"Yes, you?" I responded.

"Awright enough. Y'all go to church?"

"Yes, you?" I replied.

"Yep. Just wanted to make sure y'all did."

This interesting exchange gave me a lot to think about. I have just finished reading Francis Chan's thought provoking book, Crazy Love (a Christmas gift from Nathan). And I'm in the middle of reading Horse and Buggy Mennonites by Donald Kraybill and James Hurd (a Christmas gift from Suzi written by one of the professors in her department).

These are two very different yet suprisingly similar books. In Crazy Love, Chan challenges the reader to live as though they really believed Christ's claims. Not comfortable Christianity, but radical Christ-following living. Horse and Buggy Mennonites, describes the foundational beliefs of the Wenger Mennonites and how those beliefs are reflected in their day to day living.

Chan's book tells us that what we believe should make a difference in how we live.

Kraybill and Hurd's book tells that what they believe does make a difference in how the Wenger Mennonites live.

My substitute mailman tells me that his belief that people should be connected to a church informs how he interacts with new customers.

Intentional. This is a word I have been pondering a lot lately. So much of life just happens to us and we sometimes feel like we are simply swept along with the flow. Or flood.

But we can and should be intentional in how we live. Not simply responding to circumstances, but thoughtfully and wisely pondering and planning (as much as it is possible) how we will live.

Your thoughts?

tangled trees and vines

Happy New Year! (how's that for an original title)

yeah

I read a blog earlier this morning that said: "I won't bore you with my New Year's resolutions..."

(too bad that is exactly what I planned to write about today...sorry folks...). If you are not in the mood to be bored, feel free to move along to another blog.

My 'resolutions' actually come from the inspiration I have received from other people in my life. I wanna be like them.

First and foremost, as a Christian, I want to be more like Christ. I plan to read through the Bible again chronologically. Also, our Bible study will be doing a Beth Moore study beginning later this month. I need to do more than simply read His Word. I want to act more Christ-like.

I want to eat healthier meals. Unless there is chocolate around. Then I want to eat chocolate.

I would like to take on a more active role in the food pantry our local church provides.

I want to read more. Maybe a book a week? Fiction, non-fiction, classics and contemporary.

I want to sew and craft more and teach myself new skills. I hope to move beyond the knitting of rectangles and squares and learn how to do hats and mittens and socks.

Speaking of socks, this might knock your socks off. I have started jogging. Yes, you read that right. This slightly-overweight-on-the-downhill-side-of -middle-age-woman has taken up jogging. It is not fast and it is not pretty, but I have been jogging for about six weeks now. I can run over a mile and a half without stopping which is pretty amazing to me because six weeks ago I thought I was going to die when I ran through our teeniest cul de sac of only 4 houses. My goal is to be able to run the full 2 and 2/3 miles up hill and down dale in our subdivision. And I am considering entering a 5K race. Maybe.

I was inspired by Nathan, who ran a half marathon this past summer. I was also inspired by this blogger and by my mommy who learned to swim when she was 50 years old. And by my hubby who still plays basketball at the age of 62.

I want to be a better wife, mom, mother-in-love, grandma, daughter, sister and friend.

So, those are a few of my New Year's resolutions. Or goals. It is good to have something to shoot for, don't you think? What are some of your goals? I promise, I won't be bored. I'd like to hear what your plans are. Share them in the comment section or on your blog! Or start a blog if you haven't already (it is addicting).

And...Happy New Year!

admiration and inspiration

Nathan called the other day and during the course of the conversation casually mentioned that he is training for the Chicago half-marathon.

I am impressed. He printed out an 8 week training schedule and is pressing toward his goal.

Jon has been pursuing a goal for several months now. He is close to being at the finish line, I'll share more about that another day.

Daniel also called yesterday. He talked about the fun his team had playing 'Bananagram' which is similar to speed scrabble for those of you who know what that is. Speed scrabble is a cut throat game when played by my boys.

He said his teammates were surprised that he 'smoked them'. "Why?" I asked. Apparently, Daniel carries around a little notebook and when someone says a word that he is unfamiliar with, he writes it down and gets the definition. He is increasing his vocabulary. Perhaps they had the impression that he didn't have a very good vocabulary. I, as his mother, see this, of course, as a very intelligent way to educate oneself.

I am always amazed when I see the boys flat out pursuing some goal. They may have gotten some good qualities from their phlegmatic old ma, but intensity in achieving something wasn't one them. That came from their dad.

I am proud of each one of them and sooooo thankful.

Our youth pastor preached Sunday (his parents are moving into our neighborhood soon and we will have kindred spirits close by - parents who can commiserate with us on what it was like to raise 'crazy' (in a good way) people).

His sermon was challenging and full of 'all or nothin' phraseology. Being sold out to God. Radical in our faith. Make the house of God a priority.

It was inspiring.

I'm inspired by my boys and by the sermon last Sunday. Time to put that inspiration into action. Are you with me?

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind."

Matthew 22:37

shop talk

nasturtium

"You heard me," snarled the man in the next aisle at the store.
"The blankety-blank I did," retorted the woman.
The two shoppers exchanged heated words peppered with expletives as they argued about who should have been next in line.

A few days later, at another store, the man behind me was vociferously voicing his opinion.
We were waiting as the clerk did a price check on an item.
"I'm sorry," she said sweetly to those of us waiting in line.
"Not as sorry as we are," grumbled the grump behind me.

After a few minutes another lane was opened.
"Finally!" he hollered as he dashed toward that lane before anyone else could get there.

Tempers out of control; people unwilling to wait.

It is so much more pleasant to strike up a conversation with the person next to you in line about the weather or whatever, rather than make things unpleasant for yourself and those within earshot.

Those two shopping experiences reminded me of the following verses:

".....Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you."
Romans 12:3

"Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."
Col. 4:6

Perhaps these verses as well as the one in Proverbs that cautions us that a gentle answer turns away wrath should be posted at every checkout line in every grocery store.






"

be nice now....

At one of the Cornerstone seminars I attended, the presenter spoke about trying to treat others in a more loving manner. I am all for that.

He had a specific ‘people group’ in mind. No, not Europeans or Asians or Africans.

Telemarketers.

We are on a ‘do not call’ list, so we rarely get calls from telemarketers. We do get the occasional political or charity call – more often than not in recorded form. I hang up on these as a rule.

I usually give real live people a quick ( hopefully polite) ‘no thank you’ and then hang up.

This fellow has begun engaging telemarketers in conversation. He lets them know that he is not interested in their product, but in them. In fact, he offers to send them $10 if they give him their mailing address.

Of course, this is completely disarming and gets them off their script immediately.

I would never offer to send a telemarketer $10 (remember, I am a cheapskate), but I could certainly treat them in a civil manner.

When you think about it, being a telemarketer has to be a lousy job. How would you psych yourself up in the morning to go to work? Yippee, I get to go to work in a cubicle all day and get hung up on or yelled at!

So, what do you think? Can we all be nice to telemarketers?

HWJTT - How would Jesus Treat Telemarketers?

"A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver." Proverbs 25:11

no time?

"The most precious thing a human being has to give is time. There is so very little of it, after all, in a life. Minutes in an hour, hours in a day, days in a week, weeks in a year, years in a life.
It all goes so swiftly! And what has been done with it?"
L'Abri by Edith Schaeffer

"Only one life, 't will soon be past;
only what's done for Christ will last."

These words ran through my mind as we scraped and scraped and scraped the Wallpaper That Refused to Come Off. It finally surrendered and Pat and I finished painting that room last night. Except for a few touch-ups, moving in furniture and hanging pictures on the wall it is done.

This weekend we tackle the kitchen. Hopefully this wallpaper will be more cooperative.

We are preparing our home to be more salable - more appealing to some unknown buyer. I must confess to a wee bit of resentment at having to spend my time doing these things. There are so many other things I could be doing (and would rather do).

I need an attitude adjustment. I've decided to pray for the family that will someday inhabit this home. Pray that the Lord will bless them as He as blessed us. Pray that they will have as many happy memories here as we have.

What has been done with my time lately? Scraping off fingernail sized pieces of wallpaper. Doesn't sound very significant or inspiring. Or fun. However.....

I can feel my attitude slowly re-adjusting now. When Pat and I first walked into this house, we were impressed by the beauty of the three-quarter inch tongue and groove ash paneling in the living room dining room. The cathedral ceiling, the views of the woods out every window.

Someday, another young couple will walk in and decide that this is where they want to raise their family. They won't realize that the former owners spent a significant amount of time praying for them.

That is okay. It is our privilege - and - we've got the time.

the vision....

...of the gal who started the bi-monthly dinners at the food pantry, was that they would become community events. Various churches and civic groups throughout the area have provided dinner; tonight it is our turn.

When I first began working at the food pantry a few years ago, my motivation was to help those in need - doing it 'as unto the Lord'. That is still my motivation, but I have discovered that I can't come in with an attitude of "You're poor, I'm not - aren't I nice to come here to help you?"

As I have worked at the food pantry, I have met some very dear people. The man battling cancer, the elderly woman devastated after her daughter's death, the son who picks up food for his elderly parents, the neighbor who picks up food for her terminally ill friend, those who have had babies, have recently landed new jobs or moved to the area.

Tonight, we will sit and visit with these folks. We might start off talking about the weather as we begin conversation. Invariably we find some common ground of discussion - gardening, reading, 'how 'bout those Packers', music, etc. Then dialog really begins.

I have learned a lot from these folks who persevere and maintain good attitudes in the midst of difficult circumstances. And I thought I was helping them?

~~~~~~
I am so grateful to all who have stepped forward to help out at tonight's dinner. I haven't had to beg, twist arms or 'guilt' anyone into it. Lots of willing volunteers. Thank you.

My lists are ready. Lists of helpers. Lists of people bringing food. Lists of set-up chores, serving chores, clean-up chores. One grocery list all checked off. One more grocery list for last minute things. The hamburgers are all ''pattified', the desserts are made.

My favorite brother in the Lord is picking up a coupla grills this afternoon. The grillers will show up at the appointed hour. As the pantry recipients pick up their food this afternoon, they will be enticed over to the dinner by the smell of hamburgers on the grill.

Hamburgers, potato salad, carrot sticks, a special ice cream dessert.

Let's have a party!

life cycles

Today, Nate and Christie fly to Florida for Christie's sister's wedding.

Today, my friend C. awaits the birth of her third baby.

Today, I go to sit by the side of a dying friend.



Today is a gift from God.

weltanschauunging along

At the risk of losing any readers I might still have, I would like to revisit the topic of my last blog.

My world view has primarily been formed through my faith and my family. My faithful parents took seriously their responsibility to give us a Christian education. Not through private education - they taught us at home through word and deed and they took us to church and Sunday school. Going to church never seemed like a chore or a duty to me, perhaps because Mom would often quote from the Psalms: "I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the LORD". And I was glad. Still am.

They passed on to me a love and respect for God's Word. I chose to go to a Christian college to further my knowledge of the Word.

Fast forward a whole bunch of years. To this morning (I'm writing this on Sunday afternoon).

In our Sunday School class ( I teach 3rd-5th grade), we have been talking about the first few chapters of Genesis. We have marvelled at the beauty of God's perfect creation. We have wondered what it must have been like to be Adam and Eve walking in absolutely perfect fellowship with God in a perfect world.

We have been saddened as we watch Satan appear on the scene and deceive Eve, then Adam.

These kids are smart kids - 'church kids'. They know the right answers to almost all of the questions I ask.

However, they always assure me that had they been in Adam and Eve's place they would have done the right thing. They would have chosen to obey God.

"Oh, really." I say.

We explore this concept a little bit further.

"So," I say, " You mean to tell me that you have never disobeyed your parents, your teachers - that you have never told a lie or took a cookie when your mom wasn't looking or done something mean to your brother or sister?"

Silence.

"Do your parents have to teach you how to be bad, or do they have to teach you how to be good?"

Before too long, they admit that they are sinners( and I make sure they know that I am one as well) .

Thankfully, we have a Savior and these kids readily acknowledge that Jesus is The Savior and their Savior.

These truths they are learning are shaping their world view.

After Sunday school was over and the students were dismissed, I climbed the stairs to the main level and found one of my students sitting on a ledge over the staircase. We do not allow our kids to sit on this ledge.

"Please come down," I said to Esmerelda (you, perhaps, have guessed that this is not her real name).

"No," she said.

Hmmm. Apparently I would have to employ some reasoning techniques.

"So, Esmerelda," I began, " remember what we were talking about in Sunday school today?"
"Yeah," she replied.
"Did you know that it is my job not just to teach you about the Bible but to teach you to obey?"
"No."
"Well, it is. Do you know what your job is?"
"No."
"Your job is to respect authority. I've asked you to get down and I expect you to do just that."
No response. But I could tell she was thinking.
"So let's try this again. Would you please get down?"
"Okay." she sighed begrudgingly.

By appealing to our shared world view, that God's Word is true, I was able to talk Esmie down off the ledge.
No hollerin' required and I believe that we are still friends.

"Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD." Isaiah 1:18

"His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. " II Peter 1:3

~~~~~~~
In other news... Nate and Jeff and Jason arrive tonight for a few days of snowboarding. Can't wait!