Saturday, January 31, 2009

LAEP Contest Results

As I mentioned before, as a part of the LAEP set construction crew, I've learned how important it it to remember how the set is put together so it can be put BACK together the RIGHT way the next time that particular part of the set is constructed. I took pictures last year - worth 1000s of words, you know - so we'd have an easier time putting things together this year & thought I'd see if any of YOU could recognize what is in the photographs.

The results are in and we have a winner (drum roll please!): Stephanie!
Congratulations!
I know you are really surprised since Stephanie was the only person who played. Still a win for her! She will be receiving a cute little stationary gift.

Photo #1 does indeed show the inside of the baptistery looking toward the congregation underneath the staging for Pilot's scene.
As Steph put it in architect speak: "cantilevering over the baptistery taken from inside the pool."




Photo #2
This caused some confusion.
This is the ramp that the tomb door rolls down. Perhaps if I'd turned the photo counterclockwise it would have been easier to identify but Rachel knew what it was. Smoke is piped out of the white tube.





Photo #3


Under the scaffolding beneath the scrim ladder is a tight squeeze. We nearly always have to re-arrange HEAVY things because they are not initially placed close enough to the wall or the blocks are not sticking out the door.



Photo #4
Rachel didn't know this one either. This is the ladder that Pastor James climbs so he can perch on top of the tomb for a solo. The fan is inside the tomb. Scott asked me to photograph this specifically so that poor little upside down fan must have some important job. In this photo, all the black hanging cloths have been removed so just that corner of the tomb frame is visible.


Photo #5
On the other side of this grey wall are the choir risers so the red frame is part of the scaffold and the silver air vents are a blessing indeed to all the costumed cast & choir members. I took a couple of photos of this section that had to be redone TWICE because an older MAN (who shall remain nameless, just as well because I don't recall his name!) would not listen to the females who knew where things were supposed to go. TWICE.

No, I'm not mad upset irritated bothered by it.
Anymore.
The photos are ammunition proof. Just because we are female is not a reason to assume that we don't know what we are doing. Don't believe what we say? Just look at the pictures, buddy.
LOL!

Friday, January 30, 2009

American Heritage Girls

I may have told you that Rachel joined a newly formed American Heritage Girls troop last October. AHG is a Christian scouting organization complete with merit badges and level awards including a BSA Eagle comparable called the Stars and Stripes Award. Their mission statement is Building women of integrity through service to God, family, community and country.

For more AHG info, go here.
Since they are a new troop, exploring their books has consumed some of their meeting time. One fun component of the book is the song section in the back.

There are the traditional camp songs such as "Boom Chicka Boom" and "Bug Juice" plus the ever popular "Kum Ba Yah". Also included are songs to help the girls learn the AGH creed, oath and service pledge.

However, the words, not the music are all that's there so unless there's leader materials containing the tunes, I guess we just make up our own.
That's Rachel in the baby blue.
Jackie & Linda are the adult leaders pictured.
This looks like "Lord I Lift Your Name on High" but I suspect it's something else.






Here we are starting the family Christmas party meeting with pledges and oaths: "As an American Heritage Girl, I promise to love God, Cherish my family, Honor my country and serve in my community.



Prior to digging in to the goodies, the girls pose for this photo op. Rachel is the oldest (& tallest) in the group.



One of the requirements for a cake decorating badge in the Family Living Frontier section of the book is making a ginger bread house. Don't these look yummy?




Jackie read a Christmas themed story to the kids.

Note the devastation surrounding the goodie table: a sure sign of a good party.


Last night was an official joining ceremony. Rachel, as the oldest AHG member, had the privilege of reading/directing the flag ceremony as the Color Guard Commander.



Jackie recognizes Linda & Elizabeth as foundational leaders.


As a part of the ceremony, a candle was lit.
I found it humorous that couple of Boy Scouts were on hand with a lighter to accomplish this task. Once some of the girls earn the Fire Safety badge, I expect they'll be able to light their own candles.
Each girl was called to the front, given a candle to light from the group candle then stood at the front letting her little light shine.

We have a nice group here. Rachel is still hoping for some older girls to join. (Pssst: Hint! Hint!)

While up front, still holding their lit candles and displaying the AHG sign, the girls quoted their oath and creed:






As an American Heritage Girl I promise to be:
Compassionate
Helpful
Honest
Loyal
Perseverant
Pure
Resourceful
Respectful
Responsible
Reverent
Before sitting down, Jackie presented joining pins to each girl who had completed the initial requirements - but she was too fast for me to get a photo. Maybe next time.
I'll keep you posted.

Monday, January 26, 2009

Lake Area Easter Pageant CONTEST?

Photo #1
As a part of the LAEP set construction crew, I've learned how important it it to remember how the set is put together so it can be put BACK together the RIGHT way the next time that particular part of the set is constructed.

Photo #2
We have maps of staging units and carpet placement but other sections have tended to rely mostly on memory which, sad to say, can be faulty after a year has passed SO last year as we were tearing-down, I pulled out my camera & took pictures - worth 1000s of words, you know - so we'd have an easier time putting things together this year.

Photo #3

I spent some time yesterday organizing those photos into more friendly sizes and layouts & just for the fun of it though I'd see if any of YOU can recognize what is in the photographs.

Photo #4
Leave a comment with your guesses.










Photo #5
And, YES, there is a prize for the most accurate guesser. Have fun!

Friday, January 23, 2009

Color Me Blue for My Boys

This arrived in my e mailbox today from the Christian Worldview Network:
the Middle Class
By Brannon Howse
Listen to Brannon’s live, national radio program
M-F at 5:05 p.m. CT at www.worldviewmatters.net

Obama’s economic advisor Robert Reich, who served as labor secretary under President Clinton, testified before the House Steering and Policy Committee Jan. 7, 2009, on federal funding of infrastructure projects throughout the nation.

Reich said:
"It seems to me that infrastructure spending is a very important and good way of stimulating the economy. The challenge will be to do it quickly, to find projects that can be done that will have a high social return that also can be done with the greatest speed possible. I am concerned, as I'm sure many of you are, that these jobs not simply go to high skilled people who are already professionals or to white male construction workers. I have nothing against white male construction workers I'm just saying there are a lot of other people who have needs as well. There are ways in which the money can be, criteria can be set so the money does go to others, the long term unemployed, minorities, women.”

Can you imagine what the media and cultural elite would say if the agenda was to only give federal contracts for infrastructure to whites and NOT minorities and women? The last two groups that can be discriminated against in America without consequences are Christians and white males. If you happen to be both a Christian and a white male then you are really a target in today’s politically correct culture.

I predict that one group that will be employed by the federal tax dollars that were paid in by the hated “white, high skilled people who are already professionals” and the “white male construction workers” will be illegal aliens.

I predict the Obama Administration will not only give illegal aliens high paying jobs through this federal infrastructure program, but also citizenship. With citizenship comes the right to vote and thereby securing election after election for the Cultural Marxists.

Responding to the testimony of Robert Reich, was U.S. Representative Charles Rangel, D-N.Y. Rangel had no problem with what Reich was proposing. In fact, Rangel wants to implement even more federal dictates to the states. Rangel said the federal government, must "remove the discretion" about where the money would be spent and how it would be spent. Governors and legislatures would have no say on how the money will be spent. Reich agreed and said, "Governors ought to be, should be given a choice of signing on the bottom line or not."

Now hold on to your hat. Rangel said when the "middle class" hears about their plan; the middle class will do nothing. Rangel said:
"One thing that you can depend on, you don't have to be worried about what the middle class is going to do. Things are so bad, they have to put food on their tables, get clothes for their kids, get them in school.”

The more I read, hear, and research, the more I am willing to believe this financial crisis, that was birthed in the Clinton Administration, was possibly orchestrated in order to destroy the middle class and implement radical, extreme socialism.

Who is the largest employer in America? The answer is small business. Who runs small businesses? The middle class largely run small businesses in America.

Who supports pro-family, pro-life organizations like Worldview Weekend, The American Family Association, Focus on the Family and other groups that oppose the humanistic, global governance worldview of the cultural elite? Who is the most politically active for faith, family and freedoms? Who funds Christian radio, missions, and the spread of the Gospel? What group of Americans most understands history, has served in the military, and is opposed to socialism? What group makes up the largest members of the Reagan Revolution?

The answer to all these questions is the middle class.

The social engineers know that if the middle class is consumed with food, shelter, clothing and employment; most will not even notice what is happening in the area of public policy. Those that do see what is happening will not be able to do anything about it because as Rangel said, they are overwhelmed with the basics of life.

Barack Obama’s White House Chief of Staff, Rahm, Emanuel told business leaders in a November 2008 meeting that the financial crisis was “an opportunity to do things you could not do before.”

The goals of Cultural Marxism are primarily the destruction of Christianity and the creation of chaos. The ultimate goal is to move from Cultural Marxism to traditional Marxism and that is what is happening to America today. Obama, the Clintons, Rangel, Reich, Emanuel and Obama’s entire Administration is committed to moving from Cultural Marxism to traditional Marxism. To get there they must destroy and distract their only real obstacle…the middle class.

For a more complete understanding of Cultural Marxism read an article I wrote during the summer of 2007 by clicking here: http://www.worldviewtimes.com/article.php/articleid-4104/Brannon-Howse/Brannon-Howse
Click here to view the Rangel and Reich comments for yourself:http://www.worldviewtimes.com/article.php/articleid-4488/Brannon-Howse

Ahem.
You may know by now that I have 3 sons, at least 2 of which will be seeking good jobs during the current presidential reign. Strong, intelligent, hard-working, Jesus-loving, American melting-pot white, middle-class sons whom I love like crazy. I'm starting to feel like our new administration is out to get them and that idea makes me mama-bear don't-you-mess-with-my-cubs mad. My dukes are up and I know where to find the Power Who can bring change.

Stan told me earlier today that Rush said something like "praying for your president to succeed is good if he is doing good things, but if he has devious plans that are anti-America, pray for his plans to fail."

I repeat from a couple of days ago:
2 Chronicles 7:14 If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Are you on your knees praying for our country & for your children's future?

I am.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Plenty have Plenty to Say

I can contribute very little to the abortion debate besides adding my name to those who stand against it.

Pastor James spoke as one who has faced the issue personally and triumphed. Hopefully, Sunday's message will soon be posted here. I recommend it.

Here's one of the articles from World Magazine Blog (see it on my Blog list?) R.C. Sproul on abortion Written by Mickey McLean

January 22, 9:36 AM
Issues WorldMagBlog-->
On this anniversary of Roe v. Wade, Ligonier Ministries is offering free streaming video of R.C. Sproul’s teaching series on abortion. At Ligonier’s blog, Karisa Schlehr writes: “If you would like to be able to present an intelligent, well-reasoned defense of the unborn without engaging in a shouting match, this series can help.”

Citizen, a production from Focus on the Family has this article from Chuck Colson lamenting our nation's culture of death. They regularly address this issue with excellent argument points. I read today that few pro-deathers will even argue the point since they currently stand in a place of victory. Very sad.

Perhaps you've seen these bumper stickers:

"Equal rights for unborn women"

"Be a hero, save a whale.
Save a baby, go to jail."

"Blacks didn't choose slavery
Jews didn't choose genocide
Babies don't choose abortion"

"Terrorists have killed 3000 Americans since 1990.
Abortionists have killed 4000 Americans since yesterday."

"Respect Life
From the Womb to the Tomb"

Want to make a statement? Here's a good site for shopping for them: ChristianShirts.net

My favorite:
Abortion?
If it's not a baby,

You're not pregnant.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Sparkin'

By any chance have you noticed the new buttons on my sidebar?

First, let me draw your attention to the one that looks like this:
Got some DVDs just sitting around that you really don't watch any more? Here's your opportunity to trade them for other neglected movies! Help depressed DVDs to find a loving home where they will be taken out and watched on a regular basis. It's the humane thing to do. :-)

Now an ode to my Aunt Betty & Uncle Jr who upon meeting my fiance' (yes, this was probably 25 years ago at least) shared with us the tale of their young romantic days of driving up into the mountains to go "sparkin". Love that word!

Which brings us to the next new button:
SWAK =
Sealed with a Kiss.
This is a Valentine challenge for married couples
to smooch until there's
sparks a'flyin'.
Who's game?

That brings us to the one at the top, the 1Corinthians 7:5 Challenge button which I currently cannot show you because SO MANY people have been visitin' that I'm getting this message: Bandwidth Limit Exceeded The server is temporarily unable to service your request due to the site owner reaching his/her bandwidth limit. Please try again later.

See how many people like this one? :-)

If the button is STILL not usable, read the verse & try to figure out the challenge.
Note: http://thediaperdiaries.net/the-challenge-a-refresher/ is for wives. The challenges have been weekly so far & have included fixin' up the boudoir & purchasing some new non-granny undies.
Just between you & me, I've seen some pretty wild granny undies > meaning the undies belonged to a granny. Those grannies have frillier finery than moi. Thus the challenge.

Spark! Spark!

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Presidential Assignment

Look at my two guys in red squashing their oldest brother. Don't cha feel sorry for the big guy on the bottom?
Not me!
I was there when Andrew cleaned books & newspapers off the couch so he could spread out upon it & just as he was sitting down, Jacob dived into position.
So Andrew sat on him. Then Caleb brought over some reading materials. Obviously not schoolwork.

Today's newspapers & the TV for it-seems-like forever have been rejoicing over today's "historic event" with the inaguration of a black man. It would be more historic if he were actually an "African American" - descended from slaves rather than being an import. I could actually enjoy the "historic event" if I thought he were a man of character who would bring God's hand of blessing on this nation rather than judgment. I pray that I am wrong & that God will protect His people. PTL God is still on His throne & still answers prayers if we earnestly seek Him. 2 Chronicles 7:14 If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Time to get the kids re-focused on the world around them and politics, past awa present.

Compostion assignments for this week are the ones given the the Liberty Writers at our January meeting as homework to be shared with the group at our February meeting:

1. "If I were President of the United States..."
As I said then, "Note that means if you, yourself were president, not if you were the president elect who is being sworn into office" today. I can hear some of them: "I looked into the mirror and realized that my skin was darker! And I was married with kids!"

2. Write a report on a past President of the United States who you know little about.
The group did not sign up for specific presidents so we still may wind up with a number of repeats but hopefully this will challenge students to research their topics rather than writing down everything they remember about Washington, Lincoln or W.

Rachel picked Garfield because she likes the name >think fat orange cat with a 'tude. :-)

I'll keep you posted!