STAND UP FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE....

This letter was written by a friend of my dad's, and he forwarded it to me.  It echoes so much the way that I feel, and written so much more eloquently than I ever could, so I asked his permission to post it here.

Like many of you, I have felt frustration at the behavior and arrogance of many of our elected officials. While there is a great variety of political affiliations and beliefs among us, we all deserve a government which is accountable to us. It is guaranteed by our Constitution.

My children have heard my complaints regarding the audacity and elitism which many elected officials display. One of my children asked me what I was going to do about it. That caught me off guard; since it's easy to complain but more difficult to act. So, I will start by doing one simple thing. I will write my representatives every week concerning an issue which I feel strongly about. That is something which I can do to have my voice heard.

I have decided that during the my next family home evening I am going to delicately explain to my children that the current Vice-President (Joe Biden) chose to use extremely vulgar language. Since Mr. Biden is currently the Vice-President of the United States, his behavior and language are unacceptable. Mr. Biden has made no real apologies for his behavior, and has said that the word he chose to use is "no big deal".  I have come to realize that as an American citizen I can, and do, expect more of my elected officials. Socrates once said: "Speak that I may see you". I want my children to learn that they can discern a great deal about someone from listening to what they say. I am going to invite my children (ages 7, 9, 11 & 14) to join me in writing individual letters to Mr. Biden and tell him what we think of his language and what type of behavior we expect from him.

Jesus Christ certainly taught and showed us that we need to teach by example. I am now at a junction in my life that I cannot allow my children to see me do nothing. As the British Statesman Edmund Burke said, “Evil flourishes when good men do nothing”.

I invite each of you to ask yourself if there is something that you can be doing to make our government accountable to us, and to have your voice heard. After all, If you do not stand up for what you believe, who will?

2010 Pinewood Derby Champ

Well, OK, Isaac got 2nd place (!)  But he's a champ to us!

(bad photo, I know - but my memory stick/computer port is having issues, so the camera phone it is!)

Reactions from My Neck of the Woods ...

There are lots of things  being written out there about the ill-begotten passage of Obamacare.   A statement that I came across was made by David Frum, with the assertion that  "Republicans will face a political reversal" in November, not the Dems.  His idea was that since the Republicans stood together and refused to compromise on their values and views on what made this country great - Capitalism - was a negative to the Republican party.  

Wow. The media can spin it any way they want to, but the fact that the GOP stood together as one and didn't compromise their positions and values is a good thing. I am a life-long Republican, but I do not appreciate the spending that took place during the Democratic-controlled congress years of Bush's administration. The Tea party movement is a good thing as well for the Republican party, despite the few individuals who allegedly didn't behave themselves during Sundays' protests. A party standing together against a move towards a New Socialized American will be seen as a good thing, both to Republicans like me, and the many, many, Independent voters out there. Yes, those individuals whose votes are crucial to the Dems.

I also read a few statements made by well-respected friends of mine, via FB.

"Well now, lets see here. . . We don't have to worry about the country going bankrupt . . It already has. No worries about the Commies taking over, they already have. Don't have to worry about the Constitution becoming irrelevant, it already is. We don't have to worry about someday losing our freedoms, it's already happened to some extent and continues on . . . Hey, no worries. Be happy!"

"Hopefully, the tide will turn before the wrath of God is turned lose on us. It all depends on the faithfulness, goodness, prayers, determination, and actions of the silent conservative majority".

"This health care bill is not about health care, it's about taking control out of our hands!! We already provide for those who are in need... I AM GOING TO LIST THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AS A DEPENDANT THIS YEAR! In God We Trust - Obama and the Federal Government, not at all right now!!"

I read somewhere that there are way more Conservatives out there than we could ever imagine. We just are not as vocal as Liberals are, nor does the "main stream media" give us a fair voice in the media. I have felt that for years.

We as conservatives have been focused on family, our Faith, and working hard to take care of ourselves and each other. Doesn't give us a lot of time to write our Congressman (though now it is very simple to email or fax them) or to go and march on the lawn in DC, or take part in other local organized ways to get our voices heard.

BUT if nothing else, these past 14 months have shown us that this country needs to SEE US IN ACTION to make it known what the REAL majority out there feels on the issues. Our "Representatives" may have not listened to us on the Obamacare vote, but they surely will sit up and take notice when the Dems are booted out on their rears in November! 

An inspiring speech given by Rep. John Boehner (R):

Water Vs. Coke

WATER

#1. 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated.

(Likely applies to half the world population)

#2. In 37% of Americans, the thirst mechanism is so weak

that it is mistaken for hunger.

#3. Even MILD dehydration will slow down one's metabolism as much as 3%.

#4. One glass of water will shut down midnight hunger pangs

for almost 100% of the dieters studied in a University of

Washington study.

#5. Lack of water, the #1 trigger of daytime fatigue.

#6. Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of

water a day could significantly ease back and joint pain

for up to 80% of sufferers.

#7. A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term

memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on

the computer screen or on a printed page.

#8.. Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the risk of

colon cancer by 45%, plus it can slash the risk of breast

cancer by 79%., and one is 50% less likely to develop
bladder cancer. Are you drinking the amount of water

you should drink every day?

COKE

#1. In many states the highway patrol carries

two gallons of Coke in the trunk to remove blood from

the highway after a car accident.

#2. You can put a T-bone steak in a bowl of Coke

and it will be gone in two days.

#3. To clean a toilet: Pour a can of Coca-Cola into the

toilet bowl and let the 'real thing' sit for one hour,

then flush clean. The citric acid in Coke removes

stains from vitreous china.

#4. To remove rust spots from chrome car bumpers:
Rub the bumper with a rumpled-up piece of Reynolds

Wrap aluminum foil dipped in Coca-Cola.

#5. To clean corrosion from car battery terminals: Pour

a can of Coca-Cola over the terminals to bubble

away the corrosion.

#6. To loosen a rusted bolt: Apply a cloth soaked in Coca-Cola

to the rusted bolt for several minutes.

#7 To bake a moist ham: Empty a can of Coca-Cola into

the baking pan, wrap the ham in aluminum foil, and bake.

Thirty minutes before ham is finished, remove the foil, allowing the drippings to mix

with the Coke for a sumptuous brown gravy.

#8... To remove grease from clothes: Empty a can of Coke

into the load of greasy clothes, add detergent, and run

through a regular cycle. The Coca-Cola will help loosen

grease stains. It will also clean road haze from your windshield.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION:

#1 the active ingredient in Coke is phosphoric acid.

It will dissolve a nail in about four days. Phosphoric

acid also leaches calcium from bones and is a major

contributor to the rising increase of osteoporosis.

#2. To carry Coca-Cola syrup! (the concentrate) the

commercial trucks must use a Hazardous Material place

cards reserved for highly corrosive materials.

#3. The distributors of Coke have been using it to clean

engines of the trucks for about 20 years!

Now the question is, would you like a glass of water?

or Coke?

(got this in an email...how much of this do you think is really true - the Coke part, I mean?)

Adorable Children's Books - for *Free! And Another Random, Unrelated Thought or Two...

If you would like to print out some books that you (or your parents!) may have read as a child but haven't been around for your own kids, here is your chance!


This link will take you to a site where you can choose from about 2 dozen really cute books that you can print out yourself on your printer.

So if you are as economically challenged as the rest of us, just print these off for your kiddos.  Even though nothing in life is ever really free (see* below) these books certainly retail for significantly more. 
http://www.childrensbooksforever.com/index.html


*well, printer ink is not free, but just dimes per page....

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Have you seen on the news where some states are not going to send out income tax refunds right away, and in some cases, for several months?  If you want to find out more information about it,  go here: http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Tax/states-hold-tax-refunds-months/story?id=10083227
North Carolina, Hawaii and Alabama are already doing it and others, such as New York and Kansas, might have to as well.
This might just cause more than a few people to have fewer taxes withheld from their checks instead of having the Govt. tax program act as an alternate savings account. . . .   ya think?

********************
Here is a topic that I have never commented on before:

Do you watch or have you heard of the show "19 Kids and Counting!"?

I watch the show pretty regularly, and I am always impressed by their faith, and their devotion to each other.  Yes, the older kids do each have a younger sibling that they are responsible for when they get ready to go places and are out on trips and during activities. If you ask me, it's a pretty ingenious idea for a family that size.  I have heard people be critical of that system, even saying that the mom doesn't do anything at all but take care of the newest baby.  But please, they home-school!  I know what that's like.  And just keeping things organized and moving is a full-time job.  Pretty sure here that mom Michelle has not a moment to spare while nursing the newest child.    Can you imagine the chaos that would ensure if they did it any other way?  I wish I had thought of it for my own kids, and I "only" have seven.  (But now that my youngest is 6 1/2, and my 3 oldest are grown, that ship has kinda sailed.).   

I also admire that those children are being taught how to be responsible for themselves and others.  And isn't that one of the most important things there is?  For a child to grow into a responsible, caring, loving adult and eventually have kids of their own that they can raise to be loving, caring adults, is a blessing.

Now, I know that the Duggar's are quite the oddball family.  And I don't advocate having that many kids.  But this family possesses a set of qualities that make it possible for  them to be successful.   I believe they do a better job at raising that  many kids than a lot of families with far fewer children do.  If you only have one or two kids, is it anybody else's biz why your family is so small . . ?   (I know that she does a better job of it than I!) And what if Michelle has babies clear up until menopause?  It's not something that I would have chosen to do for sure (well, not quite - I had my last at 39) but who are we to say she and her husband can't do it, in spite of the challenges that the family is facing raising a severely premature baby?   I realize I am probably in the minority for admiring the Duggars, I do.  I don't know why I decided to share my point of view here.  But it's been on my mind.

It's been a trial for them, but I know I learn the most when I am challenged the most . . .

Seriously? A 2+ Million Dollar Superbowl Ad Wasn't Enough?

Got this in the mail the other day...

I wonder how many households this was sent to, using our precious, non-existent (as in,  collected-but-already-spent) tax dollars?

I mean, did we REALLY need a letter informing us that the Census was going to be sent out?  

The Two-Story Outhouse

Are you feeling a little like this lately?


No further explanation necessary . . .

(Thanks Peggy,  for emailing this to me)

My Time as a Missionary Mom Is Done - now, I Get to Be a Missionary Daughter!

It's with very mixed feelings that my time as a missionary mom is done.   Of course, I missed Chad immensely and am so glad to have him home  (especially since he was in Chile - need I say more?)

But the feelings of having a son on the mission field, serving the Lord - that's an honor like no other.  The selflessness of a young man who is about to embark on adulthood, taking time out to serve for 2 years in an unfamiliar place, far from home, is rare these days.  And the growth that accompanies this experience is amazing, and affects most returned missionaries lives for the better. 

That growth was evident when he spoke with the stake president upon his release, and when he reported to the high council shortly after his return.  Our ward also saw firsthand over the years how much a little cute and funny little boy grew into a handsome and  confident young man.  The Spirit was so strong as he gave the traditional talk in Sacrament meeting this past Sunday, and bore his testimony in his mission language.

I am fortunate that in about 9 years, I have another son who is already looking forward and preparing to serve a mission as well, and another son after that who I hope does the same. 

So just for now, I am no longer a missionary mom.  But now I have the great privilege of being a "missionary daughter".

Recently my parents reported to the Nashville TN mission.  My brothers and I are, of course, so proud of them.  And how blessed the mission is to have their talents.  

Here is the first of what I hope are many letters to us . . .

Hello to all!

We are settled in a nice apartment and have a beautiful drive to  and from the office.  There are huge homes on small acreages all along the way.  The grounds are brown now but are very neatly mowed.  When spring comes it will be gorgeous.  If we ever get a chance we will take some pictures.  We live less than two miles from a major shopping center called Cool Springs which has all the major stores.  I feel right at home.  Ha, ha.

There is a church about every quarter of a mile all along the 15 minute drive to work.  We are 5 minutes from our ward building which is right next to the Nashville TN Temple.   Even though we are only 5 minutes away it took us at least 15 minutes to make the trip on Sunday because there were traffic cops directing traffic into and out of the many churches along the way.

Everyone has been especially nice and receptive.  We are in a ward that is much like the Evergreen Ward with a very active congregation.  They seem to be working hard to get the full time missionaries back into their ward.  They were not getting enough referrals so the mission president removed the Elders from the ward. We are still handing out the pass along cards to those we meet in the stores, etc. and we are going to work with the ward mission leader and the ward missionaries to visit with all the families in the ward and help them with their family mission plans. 

We are still being trained.  We had 9 days of training at the MTC which was truly an awesome experience!  We arrived in Nashville on Monday afternoon, changed our clothes and unloaded the car then we were invited to the Mission Presidents home for dinner with the other new couple and the couples that are leaving.  The next day we began training with the current missionary couples and have been working long days since.  Tomorrow we will be driving with the President and Sister Hutchings  2½ hours to Paducah, KY to clean out an apartment and move the furniture and missionaries to another area.  It looks like our P day is going to be skipped this week.  I am getting the impression that there is more work to be done that there are workers.  They mentioned at the MTC that they only have half as many senior missionaries and they need. 

There are about 130 missionaries in our mission and the goal is to baptize 50 people every month.  It looks like that goal will be met with the average the end of March.  The mission is sponsoring a fireside on March 7th and have invited the Osmond's to come and talk.  There are 10 members of the family that will be there.  Then later this spring there will be a concert with Gladys Knight that looks to be major.  They expect to get a lot of referrals from these activities.  The mission has a couple of companionship's that are called “church hoppers” that have been invited to go to other churches and preach to their congregations.  There is one church (non-member)s that has hired a bus to bring their members to the Osmond fireside.   We have a very aggressive, hard-working mission president.  He is having zone conferences every month instead of every six weeks which is suggested. 

All in all we are very busy and happy to be here.  It is great to be serving the Lord full-time.

Elder & Sister Merritt

Tennessee Nashville Mission

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints