FIREPROOF

This Saturday, we went to see Fireproof at the theater. If you are familiar with Facing The Giants, you've probably heard of it. The movie stars Kirk Cameron. He plays a firefighter, who willingly sacrifices his wellfare everyday for the good of others, but at home, is far from heroic and letting his marriage crumble. He and his wife cannot get along anymore. He blames her entirely. She blames him entirely. They are both ready to call it quits. His father steps in to help. I can't give away the story for those who haven't seen it, but it was a really great movie. The characters are real people facing real problems in life -- there's no soft-pedaling that. It shows the emotions they both go through and the changes they face in their life. Whether you are married or single, this movie has a message for you. If you are married, I don't doubt that it will make you think about your commitment to your marriage and if your attitude toward your spouse might need some adjusting. If you are single, it will definitely make you think about what a serious, lifelong commitment marriage is, and that when you say "I do", it is for the worse as well as the better. The movie has light-hearted moments that make you laugh out aloud, and moments where the tears will fall. I recommend it to everyone. Visit www.fireproofthemovie.com for more details.

Well, I did it.....

I finally signed up for online college work! I'm actually pretty excited about it. It is a program that leads to a career diploma in medical coding and billing. That's not the most exciting course of study, I know, but I thought this would be "career" that would be good for me. Coding and billing can be used in any health offices, hospitals, insurance companies, etc, and I could work from home as well. That was one of the main reasons I chose it. I started to learn medical transcription, which is a common at-home job for typing medical records, but I quickly realized that my hands aren't up to that much typing. So, I thought coding and billing would be best for me. I haven't received my books yet, but I can access them through pdf files online. They look like they will be interesting -- and some of them look hard! So, I'm going to schedule studying into my day from now on. :)

New drawings.....

This is from a picture that my friend loaned me just so I could draw it. She took it at a Civil War reenactment. The glare on the picture makes some of the details fuzzy, but it's an interesting picture in person. I'm experimenting with the bottom edge. It's supposed to be dust/smoke from the battle, but it looks like it needs some more blending.
My latest had drawing. I'm still working on smoothing out the background. I thought about tinting the flower pink, but I can't make up my mind. It's still a work-in-progress.
I tinted this drawing with my colored pencils. The before is in the picture below. I like the way it turned out. I may even darken the colors a little more, though the soft colors are nice, too. Decisions........

Okay, boring post.........

I am finally, FINALLY beginning to feel well again after over three weeks of bronchitis and asthma. It only took three trips to the doctor. I have a busy two weeks ahead of me at work -- between yesterday (Monday) and next Friday, I'll only have two days off. Tomorrow is my first day off. I hope to work on cleaning my room and just spend some time doing nothing. :) I hope I can find something new to post about, too. I have been debating the decision to sign up for some online college courses. I would really like to, so, maybe tomorrow I'll be able to find time to sit down at the phone, call, have all my questions answered, and sign up. Although, writing that did make me wonder if I'm having such trouble finding time to sign up, how will I find time to study? I may have to cut my hours. I've also started a new cross-stitch sampler and keep thinking about quilting. I would really love to make a nice tree skirt. Sooooo....let's see what I actually end up doing in the upcoming weeks.

Luther

Last week, we finally saw the movie Luther. When it was on at the theater a couple of years ago, we had planned on going to see it, but just never got around to it. We were going through movies at the library, saw it on a shelf, and checked it out.



I thought this was a really good movie. It brought the story of the Reformation to life for me. The first time I watched it, I thought it was a little confusing. You would definitely have to know something of Luther's life and the history of what was going on at the time to keep up with the story. For the first thirty minutes, the plot kind of skips along too fast, but once he is settled at the school they begin to take more time and it is easier to follow. I liked the actor who played Luther, too.



What was interesting was to see those times come to life. Common people had no Bibles. Most church services were in Latin, which only the well-educated understood. Luther himself, even after becoming a monk, had never seen a copy of the Bible until going to the theological university. On October 31, 1517 he nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the church. He protested the selling of indulgences,held that the Bible is the only source of truth, and that salvation is a gift only God cam give, not something we can buy or earn, and stood before the Diet of Worms on April 18, 1521, to defend his several writings. Because he would not recant, he was excommunicated from the church, which in essence, made him an outlaw. He translated and published the first Bible in the language of the common people, an act which changed the Christian world. Even after reading my history books, I had never realized that the Reformation caused such upheaval, almost war. The movie showed the chaos, and the number of people who died.



The only part of the movie I didn't care for was when he and his wife became engaged. She pretty much proposed to him! I can't imagine a woman being that bold in that day and age, and from what I've read of the real story of how they met and married, it was totally off-base. It was a really good movie, though, showing how God used one man to change the world.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas....

The Christmas trees at the store went up on Monday! I still can't believe it, but they are so beautiful! I have a feeling I'm going to be buying a lot Christmas ornaments there. They have a tree with candy ornaments -- gingerbread ornaments, candy canes, etc -- and trees clear, glittery ornaments. There is even a black tree! It is about four foot high, with shiny black branches, and decorated with silver ornaments. There is a twig tree decorated completely with glass birds, and a white tree with red ornaments. There are Hallmark ornaments, Western ornaments, Victorian ornaments -- every kind you can think of! I can't wait to buy a few.....or several! :)

Long Day......

Today was a high stress day in my retail world. Whew! I worked 8-4:30. From 8 until 10 there weren't a lot of people in the store, but starting about 11, it was a rush! It wasn't any worse than some other busy sale days I've been through, but the store was short-staffed of cashiers and so many people had enormous cartloads of purchases. Add that to the fact that I'm still not over my last bout with bronchitis/asthma, so I just wasn't in the mood to deal with it. I guess what really made me panic a little today was the number of people with their big cartloads saying, "I'm just getting my Christmas shopping started!" Christmas shopping? I'm not ready for Christmas shoppers!!! I've been hearing the "terrible tales" from the people who worked there through the last holiday season, about being open until midnight or later, opening at 6 am, 10 hour shifts -- can I handle this?!?!?? Not to mention grumpy holiday shoppers who won't be satisfied with anything they can find or anything I can do for them. I know it's early to be thinking about it, but Thanksgiving is only two months away!! Either this will be a good lesson in patience, or my sanity will crumble.

We Will Never Forget......

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day

Out in the yard with your wife and children Working on some stage in LA

Did you stand there in shock at the site of That black smoke rising against that blue sky

Did you shout out in anger In fear for your neighbor Or did you just sit down and cry

Did you weep for the children Who lost their dear loved ones

And pray for the ones who don't know

Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble And sob for the ones left below

Did you burst out in pride For the red white and blue

The heroes who died just doing what they do

Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer

And look at yourself to what really matters

I'm just a singer of simple songs I'm not a real political man

I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you The difference in Iraq and Iran

But I know Jesus and I talk to God And I remember this from when I was young

Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us

And the greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day

Teaching a class full of innocent children Driving down some cold interstate

Did you feel guilty cause you're a survivor In a crowded room did you feel alone

Did you call up your mother and tell her you love her Did you dust off that bible at home

Did you open your eyes and hope it never happened Close your eyes and not go to sleep

Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages Speak with some stranger on the street

Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow Go out and buy you a gun

Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watching And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns

Did you go to a church and hold hands with some stranger

Stand in line and give your own blood Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family

Thank God you had somebody to love

I'm just a singer of simple songs I'm not a real political man

I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell youThe difference in Iraq and Iran

But I know Jesus and I talk to God And I remember this from when I was young

Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us

And the greatest is love

I'm just a singer of simple songs I'm not a real political man

I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you The difference in Iraq and Iran

But I know Jesus and I talk to God And I remember this from when I was young

Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us

And the greatest is love

The greatest is love The greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day

Alan Jackson

Presidential Candidates

"I fell in love with my country when I was a prisoner in someone else's. I loved it not just for the many comforts of life here. I loved it for its decency; for its faith in the wisdom, justice and goodness of its people. I loved it because it was not just a place, but an idea, a cause worth fighting for. I was never the same again. I wasn't my own man anymore. I was my country's.

I'm not running for president because I think I'm blessed with such personal greatness that history has anointed me to save our country in its hour of need. My country saved me. My country saved me, and I cannot forget it. And I will fight for her for as long as I draw breath, so help me God. "

John McCain

I didn't think I could support John McCain as a presidential candidate. At least, I couldn't support him wholeheartedly. I didn't think my viewpoints and his were going to coincide. The more I listen to him, though, the more I like him. His speech at the RNC really showed a lot about him. He suffered for this country. He loves this country. Even though all of his policies aren't what I'd like them to be, sincerely loving this country as he does is something you rarely see and is valuable. When I heard that he had chose a woman for his running mate, I kind of thought he was just trying to gain popularity. But when I heard Sarah Palin speak, I was like, "Wow!" She stepped onstage and told everone what she'd done and what she wanted to do. She had a great personality and was a skilled speaker.

"But here’s a little news flash for all those reporters and commentators: I’m not going to Washington to seek their good opinion - I’m going to Washington to serve the people of this country. Americans expect us to go to Washington for the right reasons, and not just to mingle with the right people."

Sarah Palin

I really appreciate her conservative viewpoints and her "will-do" attitude. What do I think about a female VP? Carolyn McCulley has interesting post about that here. It's a lot to think about.

More company........

Grandpa told us a few weeks ago that he was just going to get in the car and drive for vacation, stopping here and there when he decided to. He mentioned coming to visit us, but never said anything definite. This evening he called. He and his wife are just an hour away from us -- a 600 mile drive from where they live! Fortunately, I have tomorrow off, so I'll be able to visit with them. It's kind of funny -- we never have more than one or two visitors a year, and now this will be five visitors in little more than a month! Plus, some more of my dad's family are coming up to visit in October. It's pretty nice, actually. All of our family lives in a different state, so we only see them every three or four months. It's great to get to see them more often and show them where we live. Now, I should go clean my room. :)

A few pictures........

Back home.........

We are back home again. It was a tiring trip. We never stayed in one place for more than an hour as soon as we got there, or at least, it seemed that way. It was sad to go to the funeral for my uncle, but there was comfort in knowing that he wasn't suffering anymore. During the service, the preacher talked about how he had tried several times over the years to talk about the Lord with my uncle, but he would change the subject and seem uncomfortable. It wasn't until a few years ago, when his sickness was growing worse, that the preacherr tried to talk to him about salvation and he was interested. He said that he prayed with him and saw a definite change in his life after that conversation. That was certainly something to be thankful for.



It's hard to watch people suffer. I hadn't seen this uncle as much as I should have all these years that he has been sick, but I remember him years ago when he was well. Looking at the pictures at the funeral, it was hard to see how much the sickness changed him over his life. It made me remember my grandma, too. She was sick for so many years before she died and suffered so much. And now, my grandpa is not doing well either.



Funerals are always sad, but they make me think about Heaven. My grandma can walk and run and see now. And my uncle is well, too. In Heaven, there will be no more sickness, no tears, no sadness, or pain.

I can only imagine What it will be like

When I walk By your side

I can only imagine What my eyes will see

When your face Is before me I can only imagine

Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel

Will I dance for you Jesus or in awe of you be still

Will I stand in your presence or to my knees will I fall

Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all I can only imagine

I can only imagine When that day comes And I find myself Standing in the Son

I can only imagine When all I will do Is forever Forever worship You

I can only imagine

I can only imagine When all I will do Is forever, forever worship you