Disappointed but Not Surprised

America has spoken,
Come January we will call
Senator Obama, President Obama.

Is is the end of the world?
No.

Will things change?
Most likely.

My biggest concern through this
is to help my children to understand
that this is not a time for fear or
hate. They were so involved in the
process this time. We studied historical
cases of those whose political bents were
the same as President-Elect Obama's so they
are aware of what could happen,
if taken to the extreme.

The job now is to remind them that God is in
control of all things. He will not leave us
or forsake us. Even if laws are passed that
we disagree with morally, or if our rights are
eroded, we serve a great God! HE will be our
help and our strength.

Now on to prettier things...
or should I say...
Regular Programming!



I took this as I stood in our front yard looking
across the street. I just love the colors.
I hope they are half as brilliant for you as they
were for me this couple of days ago.

I closed out one Fundraiser this week and picked
up the candles this woman had as her inventory...
Last night my Mother-in-law talked to some people
and now I have a new one to begin on Saturday.
Whew! Fun!
I am so glad I have that inventory to use as a base
since they are planning to set up a display at a
church for two weeks.

Today I have to complete my, every two years, investment
continuing education. It is a boring, boring time
but is relatively easy. It is a monitored computerized
program. I am allowed three hours to
process the information and pass tests. Often, I am
out of there in just about an hour. I read quickly.
I am thankful for that. Hope this one is speedy too.
It seems like last time there was a lot more reading
and the computer wouldn't go as fast as I was used to.
I love my job...I don't always like all of the requirements
for keeping the licenses.
But who does like absolutely
everything about their employment? Never met anyone yet
who didn't have something that made them crazy.

The kids have a lot of school work to catch up on after
these last couple of weeks. They worked a lot.
If I am correct this is their last week of work for the
season and then they will have to "buckle down".

Makes me look forward to a long snowy winter so that
we can snuggle on the couch with math and reading.

We are currently reading a Mrs. Pollifax book.
She makes me laugh. As a retired widow this
woman was looking for adventure. Her doctor recommended
she pursue something that she has always wanted to do but
was never able to. This, for her, was spying. She wanted
to be a spy. She becomes one. It is so funny. There are
quite a few books in the series.

One of the biggest benefits from reading aloud to the kids,
even at their advanced ages, is their appreciation for new literature.

It pleases me so to see them get into these books and want
more. Mikey has even been reading some on his own. He has
finished one sizable novel and is part way through another.
Finally...after many years of "hating" to read although
when tested he was always on grade level, he just thought
it was boring...well we are changing that one page at a time!

Have a blessed day,
Serve the One who made you.

Becky K.

Keep Your Chin Up!

These were the last words I
heard my Grandpa say and at
that it was more of a motion
than actual words.
He was too weak.

Grandpa was on his way into a
surgery from which he would
not recover.

My Grandpa was a Pastor,
a business man and a
lot of fun.

Unfortunately, we lived in
Pennsylvania and he was in
Michigan. I didn't know him
that well but I loved to hear
my Mom tell stories about him
from her youth.

Many years, though, we would
make that long trip to the North
and if it was winter he would have
built a large ice rink in his
back yard. Huge! So fun!

Anyway, I thought of that simple
thing he said that means so
much.
"Keep your chin up!"

All over blogworld there is a sense
of doom and sadness. There is an
understandable uncertainty and fear
creeping in.

We don't know what the economy is going
to do...we don't know who will be elected
and what the fallout from that could be...
either way.

The not knowing drives us crazy.

The defenses in our brain kick in
and we try to prepare ourselves for
the worst.

Then we worry...
and fret...

Well, today my advice to myself...
and to you is...

Keep your chin up!

We are not in this alone.

God dwells within the heart of the
Believer and wants to lead us through
these challenges.

Let us act like we Believe that "All things
work together for those, who are the Called...
for our good and His purpose."
Becky's paraphrase of Romans 8:28.

Let us be an example to the world, who is
watching, that we can have a peace and a
joy that is beyond explanation.

Be Prepared.
Be Steadfast in Him.
Be ready to lend a hand
or to speak for Him to those in need.
Be content.

But above all...

Keep your chin UP!

That's from my Grandpa to me... and to you!!!!

With love,

Becky K.

An Award...and Random Thoughts

Thank you, Miss Paula, Gathering of Friends, for this fine award. I am sitting here in my finest (Pj's) and have done my hair (yesterday). I'll put on heels later and walk on the neutral (tan/beige) carpet to celebrate! For now, I raise my glass (chocolate milk) to you!

No, really, I am tickled pink to receive this award! I saw it on someone else's blog not too long ago and loved it because I firmly believe in doing everything with excellence. I'll be the first to admit I don't always hit the mark but it is something that I strive for.

I would like to pass it on to Mrs. Rabe at Creekside Cottage who got me into this blog world in the first place and who I know to be an excellent person!
O.k., I just went over to get the link and Mrs. Rabe has already been given this award...but she is getting it again...because she deserves it!

Also, to Robin, at Bittersweet Punkin, for her excellence in caring for others. She is a very sweet person and if you go to her blog you will meet someone who reaches out to those who are hurting and always has a kind word to share.

Then, to Martie, at Hitting the High Notes. She and her family are about to embark on a new ministry opportunity. The preparations that she is sharing with her blog readers lead me to believe that Martie also cares much about excellence. It is reflected in her blog.

Finally, I am a fairly new reader of Little Red House and I am thoroughly enjoying it. So, Mary, since you have been giving me interesting reads lately... and lots of beautiful photos, this one is for you...

The Random thoughts part of this post:

Tornadoes - I send my thoughts and prayers out to those who were so devastated last night by the tornadoes in Kentucky, Arkansas and Tennesee. I think tornadoes are some of the scariest things on earth since they are so powerful and fast.

Warren used to work as an engineer
for a radio station whose tower was, of course,
on the upper side of a mountain.
Radio stations tend to go out in the middle
of big storms when trees fall down
on their power lines, etc.
This meant that in nearly every big
storm Warren would have to leave the comfort
of our home and make his way up this mountain
and dodge the falling trees to get that radio
station back on the air.
I learned to hate storms.
I would sit waiting anxiously until
he returned safely.

In the nearly eight years since he left that job
my fear for these storms has diminished greatly
but I can never quite forget...
the sound of thunder still increases my heart rate.

The Election Process:

Wasn't yesterday amazing?
So many people came out to vote.
This is such an amazing year for
us to learn the actual process that is
involved in gathering electoral votes.

I am intrigued by the complexity
and sometimes seeming insanity of the various
ways these delegates are appointed.

Still, it would seem that the system works.

We are seeing a clear front runner in the
Republican race...or so says the media.

The Democratic race is still too close to
"call". Interesting.

Until we have a new president-elect I am likely to be
glued to the tv, mostly gleaning what I
perceive to be the truth from those pundits
spouting Opinions all over the place.

I have no problem with it, really, as long as
others realize that is what is coming out of their
mouths. It is opinion...not fact!

Mike Huckabee may not be our next president,
and I am ok with that, but this pundit thinks that he
stands for the discontent of the Republican party
with what we have to choose from.

I like his sharp wit and firm, take no prisoners
stand on the things that are important to him.
I like that every time I hear him speak he goes through
his list of most important items to accomplish.
He is a great communicator.
I just respect that!!!!

Oh well, he could make a great VP!

Sorry, Senator McCain. I am sure you are a fine
person. I was just hoping for something a
little different.

Blessings to all of you fabulous readers!