All Christian parents……

long for tools they can use to help their children fall more in love with the Lord and His Word.  Everywhere I go, folks ask me, “what are some great resources for my children?”  That’s why Dan and Louie Audio Bible Stories are now an item we stock at our resource table when we travel, encouraging parents in their child rearing. 

These humorous, often hilarious and heartwarming, dramatic Bible stories  are priceless.  Imagine a grandfatherly ventriloquist chatting it up with a dorky, scheming and immature dummy (who actually has a heart of gold under all that stuffing) and you can begin to imagine the fun they have together as your children or grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends listen in, trying to visualize these unique characters they’re listening to.

While our children were growing up - and even now on occasion as I’m raising cool teen-agers, believe it or not, Dan and Louie still take us on adventures to The Bible Storybook Castle.  Dan and Louie have been fixtures in our household for almost 2 decades - (am I that old???) and I know you’ll love them, too.

Simply post a comment annnyyyywherrrrre on my blog anytime during the month of May and you’ll be entered to win as many times as you comment!

…..by simply posting a comment during the month of May - ANYWHERE on ANY month’s posts here on the Blog.  It doesn’t have to be fancy, intriguing or provocative - just tell us what you’re thinkin’.  

We would LOVE to hear from YOU!

This DVD is not only guaranteed to make you SCREAM with laughter, but comedian Jeff Allen’s refreshingly honest testimony of his conversion to Christianity at the end of the tape, will bring you nearly to tears.  This is hands-down, one of our most favorite videos EVER.

I FOUND THIS IN MY INBOX RECENTLY AND I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE GREAT IF YOU - MY BLOG READERS AND FRIENDS, BOTH HOME SCHOOLERS AND NOT, COULD HELP ME TO ANSWER AMANDA’S HEARTFELT INQUIRY(FYI Amanda okayed me sharing this with you):

Hey Denise
I have been thinking about homeschooling for about a year now (it is my second choice as the Christian private schools are just unaffordable for a one income family) and I was wondering if you could give me the hard facts about successful homeschooling. No flower please. My husband doesn’t think I can do it because of my temperament and is convinced that homeschooling is what causes premature socialization. (he is comparing 4 homeschooling families and they are all, in fact, socially immature for their ages)
Can you give me some insight?
Thanks Amanda

O.K. LET’S GIVE IT TO HER STRAIGHT  AND REMEMBER, ANY COMMENT YOU POST ANY WHERE IN THE HISTORY OF MY BLOG IS ONE MORE CHANCE FOR YOU TO WIN DURING OUR…

 BIG MAY CELEBRATION! 

you’re entered TO WIN! 

This is one of our MAY CELEBRATION! prizes and one of the best comedy videos we’ve ever seen.   We’ve shared it with too many folks to count, who, in turn, have shared it with too many folks to count - it is truly contagious. This guy is outrageous  - creative - unpredictable - non-religious, yet devoted to the Lord,   brilliant, the father of four and as my hubby says, “he grows on you”.   Some folks try so hard not to like him, and then he just crashes in and steals their hearts!  This particular video is some of the best laughter therapy in a package you’ll find anywhere and will provide you, your friends, your kids, your dinner guests, the Pope, ANYONE and EVERYONE who enjoys laughing, a more-than-entertaining evening!

I’ve been reminiscing this week - you do that as your children grow older and pleasant memories of your own childhood reach out to capture your thoughts.

When my busy little boys once occupied nearly every precious waking moment of my happy life with their chubby cheeks, continual chatter and constant activity, I didn’t tend to ponder the events of my own childhood; I was too concerned with building theirs. But suddenly, one finds oneself with windows of time to reflect….

When I was a little girl, we lived in a neighborhood of acreages - which was quite common in our city in Nebraska - and our land was filled with lots of flowers.  We never planted anything, but somehow it was so normal to have tulips, daisies, clover flowers, purple cones, goldenrod, sunflowers, peonies and assorted unidentified bushes, blooming in an array of colors and petals.  I’m not sure why, but on the first day of May, I would run around the yard picking everything. I’d hold the flowers tight in my fist while wrapping the base in a makeshift hand-vase of Reynolds Wrap aluminum foil, scrunching it real tight around the bouquet.  I’d run up to the front door of my favorite old people in the neighborhood, place the bouquet and a note declaring “HAPPY MAY DAY!” at the front door, ring the bell and run and hide.  Then I’d watch with glee at the delightful expressions on their faces as they bent down to retrieve their anonymous greeting.  Such fun.

I didn’t know Jesus back then, but His gentle hand was upon me, guarding and keeping me until the time we would meet.  I’m so grateful for His powerful protection and care as I walked through my young life without a revelation of Who He was.  Now I have so much more to give to my neighbors, than simply a bunch of cut flowers that last only a few short days.  I’m endeavoring to share His great love.  Many on my street are in their 70s and 80s, so desperately in need of Him.  I’m praying their hearts will be open and that our family can have an impact here.  I trust you’re doing the same where you live, work and play. 

HAPPY MAY…EVERY SINGLE DAY!

  Drab, damaged flooring.

Outdated, aging fixtures.

We recently moved to a home that was built in the ’80s.  The main bath on the lower level was rather unsightly.  Unfortunately I don’t have a really great, close-up photo of everything, but the walls looked like they’d been textured by an amateur, the color was an off-white-slightly-sick-beige and the flooring was the worst.  Old, ugly, stained, marred linoleum with speckles and grey stripes that appeared to have been cut with a razor and simply set into place where it could readily depress anyone who walked in the room.  No matter how much bleach I used, it never looked clean.  The light fixture was original ’80s along with the matching antiqued brass faucets.  Ugh.  Well something had to be done.  On a strict budget, nonetheless. 

1.  We painted all the walls.  Cheap fix.

2.  Hubby went to Home Depot and bought inexpensive light fixtures and faucets.  We bartered with a friend to help us install them.

3.  We found a white sheer curtain panel to cover the window and shirred it onto expandable rods (no screws needed to hang) and set it into the deep window well.  It not only gave us privacy, but softened the room considerably.

4.  THE BEST KEPT SECRET is the flooring solution we found.  Installation of tile, laminate or linoleum was going to be over our budget, so I went online to JC Penney and searched their huge selection of bathroom cut-to-fit floor rugs.  These are completely machine washable, come in a wide variety of colors, and will fit (after cutting) most any normal-sized bathroom floor.  You always buy the size that is larger than the measurement of your floor.  Then you get a very sharp razor, marking pen and some great music to listen to while you measure and cut for the next few hours.  I chose pure white-it sticks to the floor because its backing is thin rubber.  See how fresh and bright it looks:

      5.  Lastly I purchased ‘accessories’ like towels and contrasting rugs and toilet lid cover, candles, and a print for the wall to pull the color theme together.  (Target, Ross, and other discount stores have loads of this stuff)

Now this room brings a smile to my face.  No longer is it a drab-looking spot.  It’s more than merely functional.   

I think there are always solutions to trouble-spots in our homes - even if we’re renting and on a tight budget.  I hope some of these ideas will help you, too!

I had the privilege of speaking at a Christian school faculty luncheon in the Sacramento area.  It happened to be held at an outdoor venue, which always sets me just a little bit on edge due to, well, the unexpected er…uh…well, let me tell you about yesterday.

I arrived at the location good and early to get a feel for the place, be ahead of any possible logistical issues that might arise, etc.  I had my fourth-born trusty assistant, Levi Aaron in tow, which was a pleasure.  We were led past the flowering bushes, wisteria vines and assorted beautiful garden decor to the back outdoor patio which was delightfully appointed, set up and ready for us - and who ever else wanted to sit outside, having lunch on the restaurant’s patio!  So…we wouldn’t be…alone…???  Hmm.  Will the unsuspecting restaurant guests…. SURPRISE!!! …desire to hear me chatting away about ‘the unpleasant-tries of our sin-sick nation, our need to arise to save the next generation, and our duty to serve our Great and Awesome God on a daily basis’ on the microphone while they sip their iced tea and munch their chicken salad, while attempting to visit with their lunch buddies? Well, I must not take that worry on, thought I.  I will remain focused.  (Perhaps they have an appointment with God that they weren’t aware of - ha! - double surprise!) 

Moving along…Once our group of educators were seated and formalities attended to, along with the other items on the agenda, it was my turn.  Now, keep in mind that I wore a two-piece suit, as is my habit when I address a group of professionals, and this happened to be a 90-degree day standing on sun-baked concrete .  Envision a beautiful, loud, fountain, flowing precisely behind the spot where I was to speak. Picture an active parking lot just behind me, customers flowing to and fro, car doors slamming, waiters buzzing about, latecomers sort-of-sneaking in discussing their needs with the waiters, birds flying…yes, so much activity and multiple distractions to compete with.  (Lord, I silently cried in desperation, help me capture their attention so they can hear what you brought me here to say!)

Now, imagine as I spread out my oodles of notes and illustrations before me on the music stand and little rolling waiter’s table I have arranged for just such a purpose (remember, I’m the bag lady who always brings more than she needs, just in case!) when I turn to adjust the microphone placement, suddenly a subtle gust of wind sweeps by, grabbing my freshly typed and highlighted notes, whisking them into the bubbling fountain! (see Exhibit A below)

In a silent panic, disguised of course with calm facial expression and with microphone in one hand, I reach into the fountain with the other (not a good idea, Mom always said, to mix electricity with water!) grabbing MY PRECIOUS from certain annihilation, (which, need I say, would leave this guest speaker in great distress!)  “That was so much fun,” thought Mr. Wind, that he began to tease me unmercifully, attempting to lift all my assorted papers from their resting places, thus activating much of the staff to grab paper weights in the form of whatever could be found laying around to anchor my papers securely to the surfaces I had arranged.

OK, this is war and  I refuse to lose.  Two can play at this game.  I recalled a text message my daughter Missy had just sent me earlier that morning, “BE BOLD!”

Those words strengthened me and I decided not to allow anything to hinder what God wanted to accomplish at this lovely event, honoring these impassioned Christian educators who were sacrificing so much to minister to their young charges, day-in and day-out.  “Let’s turn off the fountain, please,” I requested.  Done.  Good.  Now we can hear.  The gun blast sounded, we took off from the gate and  I had a blast! and I trust God worked and  now I can get a good laugh out of all those unexpected incidents at the lovely outdoor patio luncheon. 

Let’s never allow ANY little thing to get in the way of what God wants to do.  “Never, never, never give in,” is what Winston Churchill said.  I like that.

  These photos came from one of my son’s ‘moments of genius’ (see April 18th Post) with digital camera in hand .  Why five photos of the same blackbird with merely subtle variations in movement?  Because this is a boy with an eye for detail, one who truly appreciates and learns from God’s creation most every day.  A boy who has the privilege of an unhurried life, a lifestyle which allows him to STOP and ponder the brilliance in what others would consider mundane.  He is a very rich boy indeed; a boy whose innocence allows him to delight in simple pleasures.  I’m committed to protecting this aspect of his life for as long as I’m able, by God’s grace.  This is a precious thing.  

I’m suddenly reminded of Jesus’ words in Matthew 6 verse 23-26:  “Life is more than food and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens:  They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them.  And how much more valuable you are than birds!  Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?  Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?????”

Hope you’re having an unhurried, pleasant, peaceful day; filled with God’s wonders.  If not, how ’bout tomorrow?

  by the contents in our LOCKED (ie., supposedly secure) mailbox.  My son innocently went to the mailbox (one of his daily duties) to grab the predictable armful of junkmail, bills and assorted papers.  As he transferred the load to me at the front door, my eye caught the latest Nordstrom’s ‘catalog’ -  “April 2008 Lingerie Book”. 

I lept into defense mode as I spied the sultry-looking bleached blonde beauty on the cover with the ‘come get me’ look on her face, her black lace almost-bra peeking out for the whole world to see.  She was the least of my worries.  When I opened this tool of hell, I was aghast that this little magazine hadn’t come in a secrecy envelope with a clear parental warning label across the front to protect the men in my household. I began to shred this 52-page packet of smut with a vengeance, as, page-by-page, I became more and more incensed by the presumptuous, greedy group of marketing execs who conceived this ‘catalog’.  I immediately Googled Nordstrom’s contact information, dialed their customer service number:

1-888-282-6060 and graciously, calmly removed myself from their mailing list, asking the operator to note specifically that this publication is in actual fact Softcore Pornography and is inappropriate for the men in our household, was unrequested, unmarked and UNWELCOME in our home, thank you very much.  She kindly informed me that this was not the first such call she had received, which was somewhat of an encouragement…if perhaps a flood of protest calls came in, incapacitating their system and threatening their profits, we would see change.

Along with this overt strike at our family, at least 5 obscene SPAM messages popped into my ‘inbox’ - a daily occurrence is 5-10 of these nasty devils - and that with strong filters downloaded onto my computer.  Then, after installing a computer camera for the purpose of talking for free via the internet, face-to-face with various friends across the earth, we were greeted with this pop-up message “Catherine has some sexy photos to show you - click here!”  All in one day.  Not to mention the alluring billboards we drive by on the interstate, the suggestive commercials we dodge on T.V. and the half-dressed strumpets strutting their stuff in our neighborhoods, coffee shops and grocery stores.  This is exhausting.

This is NOT O.K.  I won’t cry ‘peace’ when Sodom and Gomorrah are beating down my door for access to the godly men of my household and the millions of households in this nation! As I see it, this is a direct assault - a blow leveled against the purity of our lives, the strength and solidarity of our marriages, with the intent of corrupting the innocence of our children. I am angry.  This is war of another kind, and the enemy never plays fair. 

What man can stand against the deluge of smut thrown at him day and night in all its forms?!  Only a man fortified by close godly friendships, filled by God’s Spirit, marinating in God’s Word.  Plain and simple. I will sound the alarm until change comes.  I invite you to join me.    TO BE SILENT AT SUCH A CRUCIAL TIME IN OUR NATION IS TO INVITE DISASTER.