Free Video Camcorder for tasting Progresso's Newest Soups!

MyBlogSparkTM sent me two of Progresso's four newest soups. I know fiber is important in my diet so I was impressed that these have 28% of our daily fiber intake per serving.

The new varieties (available in stores in August) include...

• Chicken Tuscany
• Creamy Tomato Basil
• Hearty Vegetable and Noodles
• Homestyle Minestrone

Today my husband and I ate both the Chicken Tuscany & Creamy Tomato Basil for lunch. I wasn't surprised that my favorite was the Chicken Tuscany and his was the Creamy Tomato Basil even though we loved both!

The "spark" for doing the taste test was quite a bonus. They sent me a Flip video camcorder to keep after videoing my review. How great is that!

Review of the American Patriot's Bible NKJV

I wish we had had the American Patriot’s Bible to use as a devotional tool when our children were growing up. As Americans our children should know that our founding fathers believed, “It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.” That quote attributed to George Washington is among the hundreds of entries inserted throughout the pages of this beautiful study Bible. The inclusion and interspersion of historical documents makes it a wonderful addition to the classroom as well where the truth of our American history is allowed and encouraged.

I appreciate the thorough and easy to read subject index that allows a student to quickly find and focus on a particular time/subject in American history. Additionally, the quality of the paper used, easy to read script, the colorful drawings and overall presentation make it a joy to read. Dr. Richard G. Lee, the general editor along with Thomas Nelson Publishers is to be commended for this beautiful New King James Version Study Bible and the successful accomplishment of showing that, indeed, biblical truths and our Christian faith formed the foundation of America.

Mystery Solved! Fifth Cousin to Susan B. Anthony Found

I'm a fifth cousin by marriage to Susan B. Anthony, but the bloodline of course is really through my husband. My search to find out the family connection to Susan B. Anthony goes back a decade at least when my mother in law, Doris Brollier Greenacre, asked me to help her prove that she really was related to her.

Doris prided herself in that relationship, but if she once knew where she connected she'd forgotten. Even in her latter years "women's rights" and "status" in the community was in the forefront of her life's work. I knew it was important to her and she had ignited that research bug in me to hunt down every connection in our family tree.

I took on that challenge right away because I was convinced that with a few clicks online I would be able to solve this mystery and make her so happy. Periodically she would ask me if I'd found "the link". I was so sorry to disappoint her, but began to doubt that there was a connection at all!

Just recently I was doing some online research for another part of the family and decided to see if there was anything new that would link our Anthony connection to the famous suffragate, Susan B. I found a free e-book produced by Project Gutenberg, a two volume biography of the Life and Work of Susan B. Anthony, by Ida Husted Harper. For the next few hours I added the detailed information of her family dates and relationships into my Legacy Genealogy program.

Later, after taking a break, I decided to click back through my genealogy program from my mother in law to see if the information I had entered had linked anyone. I could not believe it! Dr. Levi Anthony, my mother in law's great grandfather was a FIRST COUSIN to Susan B!

Unfortunately, Doris has been gone 8 years now, but I know she would have been so thrilled to know she was right. Genealogy research has given me some of the greatest fun through the years. Many, many times I have found a nugget of information that solved a family mystery. One of the keys in genealogy research though resides in the memories, pictures, family Bibles and those bits of paper tucked away in old trunks! If you think you might like to join in the genealogy fun, don't put it off--family memories pass away and those old letters and pictures fade and crumble!

Walking the Streets in Arizona, but it's not what you might think!

It's true I've been walking the streets in the town where I live in Arizona and as a result it's been a while since I've posted to my blog or even read another. It was for a good cause. I've been a US Census enumerator.

In the year 2000 I worked for the 2000 Census in Northern Colorado. It was fun because it was a followup for all the folks who didn't mail in their form for one reason or another. My husband and I had some fun trips as we drove up into the isolated areas where houses were in obscure places in the hills and valleys of vast ranch lands.

This time, though, I used a hand held computer to map each and every home in my assignment areas. I really understood why people were leary when they saw me approach their door. Was I a religious fanatic, or the government wanting to get information so more money could be taken from them, or even worse was I looking for illegal immigrants? If given the chance I quickly tried to set their minds at ease. "Not to worry! We were just gathering a GPS spot to make the maps for the 2010 Census that would be conducted next year." That information often brought an immediate facial change of relief and often a hint of a smile. Only once was a dog let loose to chase me away!

The experience, first of all was supposed to bring in the income we needed. The $15 hourly salary + mileage offered great promise. The job was supposed to be 10-12 weeks, but... we were too quick, completing it in 4. We're sure the addition of the hand held computers was the key, but they tell us that the hiring pool was immense so they could be more selective this time.

I felt blessed to get the job for the income and the exercise until I experienced my first week of severe foot pain with new blisters every time I switched to a different pair of shoes or insoles. I thought walking 8-10 miles a day would yield a significant weight loss. It didn't!

Otherwise, I have to admit the typical, beautiful March/April days here with the citrus fragrance on every breeze made it an enjoyable daily walk.

In April of 2010 the Census questionnaires will be mailed to every home in America. So, to avoid those scary Census enumerators coming to your door, just fill out completely and return them. I'm going to send mine in and opt for an office job!

The Noticer by Andy Andrews—A Book Review

It must be true. I wanted this story to be true. Aren’t all allegories based on truth?! Yes, it is actually based on the remarkable true story of the author, Andy Andrews. The Noticer is one of those books you would like to give all your friends and those who aren’t because it gives hope. The hope that you can change things in your life now, today, given a new perspective and the immediate motivation to begin your life over!

I could not put this book down. It’s a good thing it is only 167 pages because I was driven to finish it in one sitting; to see the next bit of wisdom Jones had to share. Jones, not Mr. Jones, just Jones was a mysterious old man who always appeared at just the right moment to offer wisdom to folks who were on the edge of making bad decisions. Each character was someone we all know facing a challenge we all either need help with to help ourselves or someone else.

This thought provoking story is set in Orange Beach, Alabama, a town filled with people who have marriages on the brink of divorce, homelessness, bankruptcy, and many of the other challenges that we struggle with everyday.

Jones always seems to show up to give folks “a little perspective” that he gets from his gift of noticing things that others miss. The wisdom he shares is profound, but so simple that I wondered why I hadn’t thought about it that way or why I hadn’t been a “noticer” of that perspecitive.

After you read this story you will be compelled to share it, as well, to give hope to someone else.

One Cobra in the Car is One Too Many!

I decided to share one of our TRUE missionary stories on this post.  I needed the encouragement and maybe you do too!  Thanks to "Ring Around the Blogs"

It was a typical, beautiful Sunday morning on the southern island of Mindanao, in the Philippines as our family loaded into our little 10 year old car which was once a Philippine taxi.  After a few months in the Philippines we were accustomed to the stares and laughter as our family of six rode to church in our four-passenger vehicle, so that’s no longer our topic of conversation.

Jim preached the morning message primarily in English with a few words and phrases in Cebuano. In spite of the language barrier, the Holy Spirit spoke to the heart of a Filipina woman and she came forward to accept Christ during the invitation.  This was a special joy to our family as we had invited her to the new barrio church in Lapu Lapu Village just that morning.  After the service we rode home happily, anticipating our afternoon drive to Tagum, an hour away, where we would minister in testimony and song that evening.

We finished with lunch and began packing the car for our overnight stay.  Tara, our three-year-old daughter, was walking to the car when Jim looked out the front door and saw a 3-foot long cobra behind the rear tire.  As Tara came closer the snake rose to strike, but just in time Jim yelled and pulled her out of the way.  Immediately he went to get a large bamboo stick to kill the snake, but when he returned, the cobra had disappeared.

Jim began a thorough inspection of the grass, bushes and drains, but found no cobra.  Because we have many holes in the floor of our old car, we thought it best to check it also.  After removing all the luggage and looking under the seats, Jim stillcould not find the snake, so we were partially satisfied that we were safe.

We resumed our repacking and by 2:00 pm were on our way to the meeting in Tagum.  Jim turned onto Ma-a Road—a very bumpy, dusty, gravel road.  After driving for a few minutes, we hit a hole and one of our suitcases fell off the top of the car.  We stopped while Jim retied the baggage and then were on our way again.

  Tammy (9), Chad (6), and Tara (3) were chattering away in the back and I was thoroughly enjoying the view of tall coconut palms and nipa huts scattered among the trees.  There was a fresh sea breeze that day and the scenery seemed like a picture postcard.  Of course by this time we were used to the bumpy road, so I didn’t pay much attention to the next bump as our heads hit the ceiling until Jim began kicking and yelling.  I couldn’t believe he was telling us to get out of the car while we were rolling along at 25 m.p.h.  Then I caught it—“A snake!” The snake was in our car!

Evidently the snake had entered in through one of the holes in the floor and crawled up behind the dash board.  When the car hit the bump the snake dropped down between Jim’s legs.  He looked in horror as the cobra raised its head, opened its hood and struck him on the right leg.  Thankfully, he was wearing his cowboy boots and the snake struck ¼ inch below the top of his boot.  In trying to kick the snake,though, Jim caught his right foot between the brake and the clutch pedal and we were unable to stop.  The cobra crawled up between the seats and headed for the children in back but because they were waving their arms it turned around and came to my side of the car. The black and yellowish snake slithered over our 20 month old baby, Tania’s leg and bit her on top of the right foot.  By this time the car had slowed down and Jim, in desperation, had opened his door and put his left foot out dragging it in the sand in an attempt to stop us.  Finally, the car stalled and I flung open my door as the snake made his exit along with Chad, Tammy and Tara who were by this time hysterical.  I was out immediately after them with the baby.  I did not realize that the snake had escaped or that Tania had been bitten. 

In less than a minute hundreds of Filipinos surrounded us--they had been watching the crazy scene of six Americanos yelling and trying to jump out of an old taxi.  As they began to ask questions we were amazed at our ability to communicate with them in Cebuano, even though we had only been in language study for five months.  

As several men with bolo knives chased the snake, we all suddenly realized that Tania had been bitten.  A man immediately began squeezing her leg and rubbing it in his effort to force the poison back down her foot.  Jim quickly applied a tourniquet to her leg, and then we all jumped back into the car and headed for the closest hospital.  

Sunday is always a big market day with traffic-congested roads, and this day was no exception. We drove in three minutes what normally took ten.  I was sure we would have a terrible accident as Jim cut between traffic and raced through the market.  It was as if the Lord moved the cars and made openings just wide enough for us to squeeze through.  We reached the hospital, our 12-inch tires squealing and smoking.  Jim brought the car to an abrupt halt in front of the emergency entrance. 

We have been told that with cobra bites an adult usually has 20 minutes to live, but for a child, that length of time is greatly reduced.  Tania was already pale and her eyes were rolling back in her head as Jim carried her into the emergency room. At first the nurses and doctors refused to believe us, but after examining Tania’s foot and hearing Jim describe the snake, they suddenly came to life.  An incision was made between the fang marks and the blood and some of the poison were suctioned out of the wound  The doctor then told us that there was no anti-venom in Davao City. This was a shock we had not anticipated. 

Jim took the three older children out on the hospital lawn and prayed and then took them home, not knowing if Tania would be alive when he returned. 

After one hour in the ER they put Tania in a private room for observation.  None of the doctors could believe that she survived.  When our pediatrician came the next morning, Tania was up and smiling.  What we had witnessed was nothing less than a miracle.  Even though the cobra had left much of his venom on Jim’s boot there was still more than enough left to harm a small child. The doctor’s comments on his discharge report said “MIRACLE”. 

Humanly speaking we should have had a tragedy before Christmas that year, but God in His wonderful mercy and grace brought us again through the fire of purification and spared our youngest daughter.

“For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways...You will tread upon the lion and the cobra...”  Psalm 91:11,13

 

Copyright 1982  Denise Greenacre

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Book Review: Same Kind of Different As Me

Authored by Ron Hall & Denver Moore

I don’t remember the last time I read a book, that grabbed my attention from the very beginning and didn’t let me go until I finished it several hours later at 2:30 in the morning.  Thomas Nelson Publishers sent the book for review as an email attachment so I sat for those hours at my computer spellbound by the events leading to the blending of the lives of two men— a wealthy white man who was an international art dealer and a poor, illiterate slave of 20th century America as God used one woman to bring it about.

 I hadn’t read any reviews or previews of Same Kind of Different As Me so I didn’t know that I was reading a true story until I was half way through; it was too unbelievable to accept that slavery was ongoing in 20^th century America on cotton field plantations in the south.  It’s an amazing story how God brought together two men from two totally different spectrums, saved them and has continued to use them to impact souls all over the nation today.

 A few of Denver’s experiences near the end, although very real to him,  I do not find them biblically based and thus cannot endorse those couple of situations as theologically correct.  However, it did not detract from the tremendous biographical account and overall message the authors wanted to convey to the reader as the message of faith, repentance and salvation for all walks of life were very clearly given.

 Who is this woman that God used to bring them together in a homeless shelter in  Texas?  She is the key to this unfolding drama.  I never dreamed that I would be so impacted reading about the life of one woman  who committed to serving the homeless by “keeping the faith and fighting the fight” even when her own marriage threatened to crumble.  No reader of Same Kind of Different As Me can ever look at the homeless again with disdain or a judgmental attitude, but will, rather be compelled to serve and give more selflessly.

Same Kind of Different As Me: A Modern-Day Slave, an International Art Dealer, and the Unlikely Woman Who Bound Them Together
By Ron Hall & Denver Moore with Lynn Vincent / Thomas Nelson
 

Aloha Friday

An Island Life is hosting Aloha Friday.. I thought it would be fun to participate. All you have to do is answer the question I ask by leaving a comment. Then click over to An Island Life and link up to Aloha Friday with your own question!

My Question is:

Have you had a family member or friend with Alzheimers? How did you deal with it?

Feel free to link up your Aloha Friday Question below with Mr. Linky.

Book Review: The Moon Shines Down

The Moon Shines Down

by Margaret Wise Brown

A child can travel the world in The Moon Shines Down. Based on the New England sampler prayer, “God Bless the Moon and God Bless Me” the koala sees the moon and prays in a different part of the world on each page. On each vibrantly, colorfully illustrated page the same moon looks down on the Dutch boy, in Swiss Country, in the far, far East, in Mexico, on the little French children, the Australian children, the English boys, the children in Zimbabwe, on Christmas night and the fishes of the deep; the koala prays, “God bless the Moon and God bless me.”

It is a delightful story written in the same tradition of Margaret Wise Brown’s bestseller, Goodnight Moon soon-to-be a bedtime classic.

The Monday After...

Thanksgiving ...

as all our house guests, a family of eight and our son Jonathan, have returned to Colorado to jump back into their routine.

It was a quick 4 1/2 days as we crammed in Thanksgiving, a trip to the Grand Canyon, a Filipino day complete with Filipino cuisine prepared on site by our Filipino friends, church with the Risma family singing and son, Chad preaching his last sermon as our assistant pastor, an "almost baptism" and a last meal together at a Chinese buffet.

The "almost" baptism! Madison was so excited to follow the Lord in believer's baptism...until she got to this very point! She refused to go under so at the risk of looking like child abuse, her dad, Chad chose to put it off for another time :)!! A few hours later with me, while taking a look into the baptistry once gain, she said in all seriousness, "yep, it's still there!" She explained to me as only a four year old can that she was scared. I told her that was ok she will be baptized someday.

In the middle of that whirlwind, Charlie, our marine son in law just returned from his two year deployment in Japan Saturday...to a very happy Jennifer, twin sister to Jonathan. Now we are getting ready for a new batch of guests and their 2 year's later wedding reception to be held on Saturday in our back yard!

Fast forward another week and Jenny, Charlie and half the stuff in our garage will be in North Carolina at Camp LeJeune. Since Jen has lived with us most of the last 2 years her departure is going to be the hard part even though the empty garage will be good!

"No Missionaries Were Sent to My People"

I'm sure Meemee had no idea how her story touched my heart yesterday. You know how sometimes you will feel an emotion so strongly that it hurts?! I still hurt!

As a part of our mission conference, we had just watched EE TAOW, the true story of the Mauk tribe in New Guinea which tells how almost the entire tribe was converted at the same time. The emotion of that film never ceases to impact me each time I see it.

After our "international banquet", while a group effort was putting the fellowship hall in good order Meemee asked me why "no missionaries were sent to her people" in Thailand. I was taken back. I personally know several missionaries in Thailand, so how could that be? She explained that she knew missionaries were in the cities of Thailand, but none had gone to her place-- an overnight train ride, plus from Bangkok. I don't know the answer to that question, but it certainly is worth it to me to investigate. After all, it isn't God's will that any should perish!

By the time we were missionaries in the Philippines in the 80's we were privileged to work along side Filipinos who had worked with American missionaries for many years. I can't imagine entering a land and culture who only know the idol worship of Buddha.

When Meemee ran away from her home many, many years ago to escape the very hard work and poverty, she took her Buddhas with her to the city and eventually to the states. She kept them in their own shrine, taking care of them and burning incense until the day she was "born again"-- then threw them away! That trip was certainly orchestrated by God as her people still have not heard the redeeming message of Jesus Christ. She said if they would hear the message of Jesus Christ, like the Mauk people they would believe too!

Get Free Books as a Book Reviewer

I love to read so being a book reviewer is a great way to receive newly published books FREE! I just received "Billy"from Thomas Nelson Publisher, read it, wrote a review and now I'm getting a child's book this time. Read my review on my blog by clicking the book cover .

You can be a "Book Review Blogger", too! Check it out here-- http://brb.thomasnelson.com/

Read more tips like this one on this blog!


Celebrate Freedom: BILLY: The Untold Story of a Young Billy Graham

BILLY: The Untold Story of a Young Billy Graham

I was intrigued to read the book, Billy as I couldn’t imagine what the "untold story could be"--what more could be told about Billy Graham? After all, much has been written about the most renowned evangelist of our time. Billy is so well written, like a novel, rather than a typical biographical sketch, that it hooked me from the beginning! The intrigue from the onset was created through the unusual friendship and the choices Billy and his long time friend, Evangelist turned atheist, Charles Templeton were both destined to make. Those choices separated them until an unlikely event brought them back together for one final meeting. It's a must read for those who have loved him, those who have felt abandoned by God, those who have questioned that the Bible is the inspired Word of God and even those who have questioned the integrity of Billy Graham!

Being a Secret Shopper Means a Free Dinner Out with My Husband

Our President is a Minister for our Good

I don't want this to be a commentary on Romans 13, but it is so clear that regardless of how we feel about those in government, they are "appointed by God" and are "God's ministers for good." So, I am actually excited to see what God is going to do with our new president in the next months!

A lot of folks have said maybe the results of this US presidential election is bringing on the rapture...tribulation...and that is great for me. Of course when the rapture happens we won't be saying "I told you so!"--it will be a done deal and we're immediately in heaven!!

What do you think?

Follow the Rules and Vote!!

We're "rule followers" so were quite surprised by the harassment some of our fellow election workers dished out regarding our candidate preferences during the primaries The rule is: "do not discuss (or flash material) your party or candidate preferences inside or anywhere within the 75' perimeter outside the voting area."

Jim and I worked the Arizona primaries a couple of months ago which was a fun day, even though it was a rather long 14 hours! During our training we covered lots of dos and do nots, most of which the general public doesn't know anything about! You know sometimes it's hard to keep your mouth shut in situations like that, but we were afraid we might have misunderstood the guidelines and didn't want to bring any negative attention to ourselves as Christians. (They all found out Jim was a pastor.)

We went to another training last week to learn the updated rules for the general election this Tuesday, and now we know for sure what to do! We will continue to stand by the rules and encourage the others to do the same. I think we can do that without a riot!!

It is hard to follow the rules when others don't! My kids used to tell me over and over again, "But, Mom that's not what everyone else is doing!" and I would counter, "are you a follower or a leader?" or "do you have to follow the crowd?"

In this election and we think it's a big one, we need to just do what's right--follow God's rules, vote for the best choice based on the Bible and let God take care of it! We're praying for it on Monday, how about you?! I'm kind of excited to see what God is going to do!

Question from last week-- What to fix for Sunday lunch?
For years when all the kids were still home, we would often have something that could be cooked in the crock pot (like a beef roast or chicken) while we were in church, then when we got home we just added the trimmings. This Sunday a college student who is staying with us prepared a Mexican lunch for us and I can certainly appreciate someone else's cooking best of all!

Leave your comments with your Sunday tips!

Next Monday--Responses to the election!

Have You Felt Condemned?

I was working on our church bulletin looking through the many options for inserts when I read this poem. I was an English major, but the only poetry I ever really enjoyed was written by child #8. This one so encouraged and lifted my spirits today I was compelled to share it!


The Record Book

If all the things you ever said,
Were written in a book:
And all your thoughts were on display,
So all could take a look;
I guess there’s not a living soul,
Who wouldn’t hang his head;
And feel ashamed before the Lord
And wish that he were dead.


There is a record book I’m told,
With every deed and word;
It even keeps the records of---
Our thought that can’t be heard;
The good, the bad and every sin,
For nothing has been missed;
It really makes me feel ashamed,
To think what’s on my list.


And yet the pages of my past,
Shall never condemn me;
For Jesus nailed them to His cross,
One day at Calvary;
And now I stand in Him complete,
Redeemed from sin and strife;
And with His blood He wrote my name,
Down in the book of life.
---Author Unknown

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Why do I love Mondays?

Why do I “Love My Mondays”? I put my heart into getting ready for Sunday all week!! The prep doesn’t usually start until Monday is over so Monday is kind of a catchall day for me--no particular schedule. How about you?

Actually, my house needs some attention after the weekend. Unless we are expecting guests, on Sunday mornings our focus is to get out of the house to church on time, even early—which has always been important to me...so forget about making the bed and washing the dishes! Now that’s hard for me because I have 'aesthetic eyes' (can't stand if things are out of place)—so it drives me crazy to come into my kitchen or bedroom with those two things out of order. It does work, though, to push me quickly past the kitchen and into the inviting unmade bed for a Sunday power nap!! Anyway, I can take care of it on Monday!

My favorite part of Monday is to do just anything with my husband—sometimes that even means cleaning out the garage. (It’s his day off!) Thankfully, daughter number 4 got me out of that a few days ago by helping her Dad!!

Did you ever think about the numerous blessings of a public library? “Peace!” Sometimes we peruse the stacks, then find a quiet table to write or read away from the frequent interruptions at home—even on a Monday!

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee.” Isaiah 26:3

Leave your comment this week by signing my guestbook—What do you do on Mondays? Make sure you introduce yourself—no last names are necessary.

Next week—What do you do for Sunday lunch? Any tips?

My Heaven--not yours, but mine!

Lately, I've been known to say frequently "heaven sounds really good right now" or "this would be a great time to be raptured".

Our youngest daughter was sharing with me yesterday their topic of discussion in one of her classes in college. Her professor allowed each student to share what his or her heaven would be like. I hadn't thought of it before in that light! MY heaven?

Without a lot of thought.... What's "MY HEAVEN"? Sitting in my comfey lounge chair in a field of wild flowers organizing genealogy or writing, inhaling the aromatic fragrances of the flowers blowing in the endless fields that surround me. Certainly that would work for me today.... but next Wednesday maybe I'll think that a quiet day is out of the question and heaven is being surrounded by family and friends who've been a part of my earthly life. It certainly brightened my day to think about "my heaven."

We all have our ideas of what heaven is like--we will know some day if we indeed are His children who have repented of our sin, accepted Him and His sacrifice for us.

Visit Rocks in My Dryer for more Wednesday tips!

What Can a 4 year old tell his grandparents about politics?

I thought it was a joke when this cute, ordinary grandson was filmed by his mother espousing the virtues of a McCain/Palin ticket! Then we spent a few days with him and his family last week. Of course Fox News is periodically (maybe more than that) in his earshot, and he does say the words, "Fox News fair and balanced" a little more than normal, but maybe that's not too unusual nowadays!

Anyway, we came home with all of these little phrases in our minds like, "Don't vote Obama, vote McCain" and then adamantly he adds twice for emphasis, "Vote! you have to Vote!" We got the point and it works for me!

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