Save the post office!

I'm just curious. How many people think that the U.S. Postal Service is really in trouble because people are writing emails and texting more than they are sending old-fashioned cards and letters? I have heard this and have a feeling that it might be true, though it would seem that junk mail alone would keep it functioning. My mail box is more full of the stuff than ever! :)

Of course, when it comes to packages, the post office cannot compete with Fed-Ex or UPS. So, that is another source of lost revenue for our letter service.

Though I love email, Facebook, phone texting, and other systems of instant communication, I don't think that they replace the wonderful feeling of receiving a hand written letter. Do you? And, somehow for me, e-cards don't replace real cards that you can hold in your hand and store away to savor on a later date. That is, e-cards don't seem as meaningful when it comes to my closest friends and family. I do think they are a lovely way to communicate with people whom you don't see as often, but whom you really do wish to remember with special greetings.

Also, it seems that feelings can somehow be communicated with more accuracy in a hand written letter than via email. I know of several cases of hurt feelings caused by misinterpreting email, while I have heard of very few instances of this with snail correspondence. I wonder if that has to do with the quickness of email conversations, where the written word flies back and forth quickly, without the usual conversational cues we glean from tone of voice and facial expressions. When this happens so rapidly, perhaps, it is easier for emotions to escalate.

In letter writing, we don't have those extra conversational clues, either. However, I think that people probably put more effort into writing a snail mail letter than in dashing off an email. Also, the person who receives a written letter probably takes more time to read it thoroughly.

Whatever the case may be, I truly do hope that we will continue to be able to send letters and cards via the post office. The p. o. has been in trouble before, so this wouldn't be the first time it has pulled out of a crises -- if it does. I know I'm going to do my part by sending cards and letters when appropriate. I'd also actually like to have an old-fashioned pen pal, though I suppose that our instant forms of communication does meet that desire in part.

What about you? How often do you send snail-mail letters and cards? Do you think it's important to do so, or is that something you can easily live without? Does it seem strange to send a written letter to someone whom you regularly email, even if they live out of town? Or, do you like to do that once in a while just to add another dimension to your friendship? If you live in another country than the U.S., how is your postal service faring?

I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Enjoy!
Elizabeth

Interesting link that show difference between how older Australian feminists view life when compared to younger women, who are -- in large numbers -- coming home again.

http://sixtyminutes.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=824791

Enjoy!
Elizabeth

Here's a post that discusses something I hadn't thought much about: legal issues involving blogging. Since I have been involved in the writing business in some way or another for my adult life, I do stay somewhat mindful of copyright issues. However, blogging and social media are changing the way the written word is dissemanated. That opens up new opportunities for people to express themselves. With every new opportunity, there also comes a new challenge, and that is certainly true of blogging. I hope you'll enjoy the article I've linked to.

Enjoy!
Elizabeth

Outside my window...
It's 92 degrees and humid. Actually, that's not bad for this time of year, when we could easily be experiencing upper 90's or even low 100's. But, it still feels hot after an unusually cool June and July. I was wilting when I went out for a morning walk and, then again, when I went about the yard watering things.

Have you ever heard that old saying, "Women glisten, men perspire, and only horses sweat?" I'm only glistening, I keep telling myself -- as the water runs down my face and back.

I am thinking...how much my husband and I enjoyed visiting our daughter and her husband. They live in a walk up apartment in a charming neighborhood, where they can walk to so many things -- including public transportation.

From the kitchen...
I am contemplating making chicken and dumplins'.

I am wearing...black pants and black top -- which I can't wait to change out of and into something else after I take a much needed shower. I'm waiting until the afternoon heat dies down a little.

I am creating...a cleaner house.

I am going...nowhere today, but have lots on tap for the rest of the week.

I am reading...Isaiah, along with selected other verses and "The Triple Whammy Cure" -- a book by a doctor who practices both conventional and alternative medicine. It specifically addresses health issues that women face due to the triple whammy -- more problems utilizing serotonin than men have, modern stressful lifestyle, and continually changing hormonal levels -- which affect the serotonin. There are a lot of wonderful nuggets of advice in the book, but you have to sort them out from some other things that, imho, are not as helpful. I, am excited, however, about putting the good things into practice.

I am hoping...to improve my health via the program outlined in the above book

Around the house...I've been catching up on some things, including laundry.

One of my favorite things...This week, I got to see both of my children and their spouses. Since they both live out of town, that's a real treat.

A few plans for the rest of the week: meeting up with friends.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...I don't have the photos I'd like to share loaded on my computer yet, so I'll share later.

Enjoy!
Elizabeth

I'm still pondering the following quote:

"Abraham Lincoln had it right. Our task should not be to invoke religion and the name of God by claiming God's blessing and endorsement for all our national policies and practices -- saying, in effect, that God is on our side. Rather, Lincoln said, we should pray and worry earnestly whether we are on God's side.

"Those are the two ways that religion has been brought into public life in American history. The first way -- God on our side -- leads inevitably to triumphalism, self-righteousness, bad theology, and, often, dangerous foreign policy. The second way -- asking if we are on God's side -- leads to much healthier things, namely, pentitance and even repentance, humility, reflection, and even accountability."

Jim Wallis

Enjoy!
Elizabeth

Monday on Tuesday:

Simple Woman's Daybook:

Outside my window: We had another in a long line of unusually cool days. The predicted high was only 81 degrees. We've also had more rain this year. I actually like this cooler trend, as it keeps the trees, grass, and flowers looking lush. Having a summer this cool does make me wonder what the winter will bring, though.

I am really enjoying and am thankful for: the bluebonnets that are blooming in a container on my deck. I brought the seeds back from a trip to Texas. I'm also thankful for the butterfly weed that is blooming in a container on the edge of my raised garden bed.

I am thinking: How much I enjoyed dinner and doing a few errands with my beloved hubby tonight. I'm also thinking how nice it is to spend a cozy sprinkly evening indoors.

From the kitchen: I picked a perfect squash from garden today and need to cook it soon. I also was about to harvest another squash and a beautiful tomato when I realized that some little creatures had gotten to them ahead of me.

I am wearing khaki colored capris with a bit of embroidery at the bottom and a white embroidered tunic.

I am hearing: the movie I'm watching with my beloved hubby, as well as the buzz of the dryer saying that I need to attend to it soon.

Is anyone else having blogger problems today?

Some ways to overcome a slump....

Everyone hits a slump once in a while. Some low periods are simply normal cycles in the ups and downs of life. Others occur while recovering from an acute illness or when enduring the flare up of a chronic illness. Some slumps might be tied to monthly hormonal changes, to hormonal changes after childbirth, or to perimenopause or menopause. Still others might be caused by a period of fatiguing overwork or after experiencing a time of distress, such as an illness or death in the family. Some slumps can even be a natural let down after wonderfully happy times. There are any number of reasons why we experience low periods from time to time.

In using the term "slump", I do not mean a prolonged period of deep depression or a severe physical illness. What I'm talking about is those times when you just don't feel up to par. You're a little tireder than usual. Or, maybe, you're just a bit blue. Maybe, you've overextended yourself for a time, and, perhaps, the resulting fatigue is bringing some touochy emotions closer to the surface. Maybe, you have moved far away from home, and you're having a bout of homesickness. Maybe, you are encountering a few aches and pains from aging. Perhaps, you just feel a bit sluggish for no particular reason.

For purposes of this article, I'm assuming that your symptoms are of the sort that will pass in due time and that they are manageable on your own. One caveat: If you experience new and troubling physical symptoms, it's wise to consult a physician. Sometimes, a period of new and sudden fatigue or a vague feeling of uneasiness can be the only symptoms of a physical ailment. For women, these things can even be signs of heart disease, which presents differently in women than in men. Also, prolonged or closely repetitive slumps might signal physical, emotional, or spiritual difficulties. If you have any doubts about the cause of your low period, be quick to seek help. Be urgent, but not panicky. Most likely, you will be reassured that nothing is wrong. Or, if a problem is uncovered, it will probably be something minor and easily treatable.

Otherwise, there is much you can do on your own to overcome down times. The first step is to admit to yourself that you are in a slump. Pretending to yourself that you are fine when you aren't won't make your slump go away any faster and might make it last longer.

Secondly, it's wise to avoid going these two opposing extremes: 1) expecting more of yourself than you can give in the current circumstance or 2) withdrawing and expecting so little of yourself that your days feel even heavier.

Some ideas for pulling out of a slump are as follows:

1) Set aside some time each day to think about things that nourish and uplift you.
2) Work in times for extra rest, recreation, and devotions. If you are a busy wife and mother, be creative in finding ways to work recovery time into your schedule. Consult your spouse for help in finding some time to recoup.
3) Declare a "fun day". On this day, keep your tasks simple. Make the beds; tidy the house; get dinner; clean the dishes. Then, dedicate the rest of the day to wholesome and fun activities with your children. If you do not have children in the home, take some time to do some things you enjoy. Include at least some time in your fun day for coffee or lunch with a friend.
4) Keep yourself well groomed, even if you don't feel like it. This is good for your spirits and for the spirits of your loved ones. Even if you feel bad enough to take to your bed, you can still keep your hair and teeth brushed and your face clean. You can also slip into sleepwear or lounge wear that makes you feel pretty. Don't reach for those sweats!
5) Resist the urge to become self-focused. Attend to any distressing emotions that accompany or precipitate your slump. Set aside some times to cry, pray, and talk things over with trusted friends, if you need to. If you are mourning a loss, expect that you will feel moments of sorrow at odd times. Otherwise, let your thoughts and conversations be as positive as possible, and do little things to show your love for others. Keeping an overall outward focus will do you good.
6) At the beginning of a slump, a day in bed might be just what the doctor ordered -- if you can manage it. Curl up with a good book or a bit of handiwork.
7) Overdoing rest time can be as draining as refusing to slow down. If a slump persists beyond a day or two, start setting simple goals every morning. Allow for the fact that you may not be able to keep up with your full schedule. However, it is most likely that you can accomplish a few things, even if your slump is due to the flare-up of a chronic illness. Setting small goals and achieving them will help build positive momentum, as well as provide the satisfaction that comes with accomplishment. At the day's end, focus on what you did get done. Do not dwell on what you could not do. If, on a given day, you complete your simple to-do list before noon, push yourself to do a few more things in the afternoon. Allow breaks between activities and tasks if you need to.
8) Resist the urge to over analyze the source of your slump. This is akin to keeping an outward focus, rather than becoming self-absorbed. A little prayerful reflection might be helpful, as it could reveal some area of your life that requires attention. Your spouse and trusted friends might also offer some objective insight. As I've mentioned, certain circumstances might indicate that a medical check-up is needed. However, if you find no obvious cause for a blue period or a period of fatigue, let it pass without dwelling on it any further. Consider such a slump as merely a passing cloud in the otherwise bright sky of your life, and go on about your days as best as you can.
9) If you suffer from a chronic illness that waxes and wanes, don't let your physical discomforts dominate all of your thinking. Do educate yourself about your disease. Also, come to terms with your limitations. However, don't get so caught up in your symptoms that you reinforce a fearful or brooding mindset. This will only add to your suffering. Instead, spend some time counting your blessings. Even if you don't feel well, you will find many things to be grateful for. Also, stay interested in the lives of others around you. Ask about their interests and be a good listener. Don't overwhelm others with conversations about your symptoms or your down times. The temptation to talk on and on about our ailments grows stronger the longer we endure a chronic ailment. It also grows stronger as we grow older and acquire more aches and pains. We do ourselves and others a service by thinking of more pleasant topics to discuss. That's not to say that we shouldn't be truthful about physical suffering or that we shouldn't ever express the frustrations that come with an ailing body. Talking about these things at the appropriate times and with people who can give us support can be extremely beneficial. However, we don't need to dwell on this in every chat that we have with someone else.
10) Don't waste time moping about past regrets or worrying about the future. Live one day at a time. When you are in a slump, this may be easier said than done. However, disciplining your thoughts to making the best of today is well worth the effort. This will help your mood tremendously. And, anything that helps your mood might also provide a little extra physical energy, as well.
11) Don't wait until you "feel like it" to take positive action. When you are in a slump, you might not feel like doing much of anything. However, you do not have to have just the right feeling in order to love God, to love your family and others, and to meet what you can of your daily responsibilities. Choose to do good, and your feelings will likely follow suit. You will probably find that your spirits lift quickly. Even if they don't, you will have made a positive choice to do something good. While our feelings are important, they are our servants and not our masters. Even when we don't feel inspired, we can choose to be patient and kind, to forgive, to act and speak politely, and to put into practice all of the qualities of love mentioned in I Corinthians Chapter Thirteen.
12) While you are in a slump, the last thing you may want to do is to pick up the phone and call someone or go out to meet a friend. It is possible that you may, in fact, need some extra private time or extra time within the comfort of your family circle. However, don't let this need isolate you. Take a day of privacy if you need to, but quickly get back to your friendships. Even if you are going through a difficult time, you can probably manage at least a short phone call a day or a weekly lunch with someone. We often find solace and renewed enthusiasm in the company of the people who know us best. If your friends and loved ones have a hard time understanding what you are going through, don't take it personally. There are still benefits to be gained from keeping up your relationships.
13) Some people who are perfectly well experience occasional slumps. If you are healthy, get a physical exam once a year or so. Then, unless new or alarming symtoms presesnt themselves, don't worry about your health.
14) When you are in a slump, you may find it harder to concentrate than usual. You may also find it harder to be decisive. Here's where some short-term planning can be helpful. Plan the next week, taking into account the fact that you are not running at full speed. Plan rest times. Plan goals. Plan easy dinners. Get input from your spouse if you need help with clarifying your priorities during your slump period. Planning ahead can help you focus, even when your brain feels foggy, and it can also help you eliminate guilt about not being up to your normal schedule. If you get to feeling well before the week has ended, go back to your normal routines.
15) Sometimes, you can predict when a slump might occur. If so, plan for it. If you know that you are not your best at that certain time of the month, schedule more difficult tasks or appointments during what will be your best weeks. Also, if you have a chronic illness and you know that you have a physically taxing event on the calendar, plan for a few days of rest afterwards. Think through events that might trigger fatigue or a flare up of symptoms, and cook extra meals beforehand. Also, do some extra cleaning if possible. You can always add activities to your schedule if you feel better than expected.
16) Sometimes, when you have a chronic health issue, it's tempting to overdo on the days when you do feel well. Do not skimp on sleep or nutrition even during your peak times, however. If you exhaust yourself too much, you run the risk of bringing on another slump.
17) When in a slump, ask yourself if you have attended to the basics of life. Have you taken time to seek God? Have you gotten regular sleep? Have you been eating nutritious meals? Have you gotten some exercise? We all get off course, at times. A slump can be a signal that we need to get back on track. Sometimes, merely returning to good habits quickly restores our good health and good spirits.
18) You may not be the only one in your household who is experiencing a slump. If your family has been through a loss together, your spouse and children may be feeling a bit sluggish, as well. Or, if your family has just come back from vacation or been through the holidays, your children may need some help adjusting to their regular routine again. If you have all passed around a flu bug or some other type of illness, everyone may still be a bit tireder than usual. Don't forget to look out for the emotional and physical needs of your household.

Enjoy!
Elizabeth

A Faith to Share...Otherwise Known as Some Foundations for my Faith

I've pondered whether or not to include a statement of faith on my blogs. You see, my little scribblings are about things that interest me, particularly in the realm of home keeping, and they include lots of personal opinion and experience. You know what they say about someone's opinion. That and $5.50 will buy you a cup of coffee at Starbuck's...

On the other hand, it's hard to write about my interests and my days without talking about Christ, who is at the center of it all.

Since it is God's word and not my thoughts that are of ultimate importance, I've decided simply to offer some scriptures on various subjects. These form a basis for some of my cherished convictions. I've created a link in order to separate these Biblical verses from writings that are simply my thoughts on things. I hope you'll take a look and that you'll enjoy studying these passages, too. Of course, I cannot include everything God's word has to say on these subjects, so I hope you'll use these ideas as a springboard for your own study.

Enjoy!
Elizabeth

Outside my window…slightly overcast

I am thankful for…a relaxed Fourth of July

From the kitchen…Hmm, what shall we have for dinner?

I am creating…hoping to make a little arrangement of roses from my garden to take somewhere with a little card attached

I am going… to take a healthy cooking class on Friday

I am reading… The Elephant's Swimming Pool by Malco Cox...a devotional book about the book of John in the Bible. The unusual title comes from a quote -- usually attributed to Augustine -- which says that John is like a body of water in which an elephant may swim, yet a child might wade.

I am hoping… my dentist appointment tomorrow doesn't turn up too many things that need fixing in my sore mouth.

I am hearing… the sound of Bonanza coming on. Don't laugh!

Around the house… laundry is underway

One of my favorite things… reading my Bible with my cat curled up by my side. Why are napping cats so relaxing?

A few plans for the rest of the week: Alas, the week includes more doctor's appointments than I care to participate in, but I hope that all this will be my 100,000 mile tune up and I will be back to tip-top running order soon.

Thanks to Grandmother Wren's site for providing the daybook links for the summer, while Peggy is on break...Here's her site address:

http://grandmotherwren.com/?p=1234

Happy Fourth of July Weekend!

Only by walking with God can we hope to find the path that leads to life. That is what it means to be a disciple. After all—aren't we 'followers of Christ'? Then be all means, let's actually follow him. Not ideas about him. Not just his principles. Him." ~ John Eldredge, Waking the Dead

Would you believe that we're actually having a cool spell on the Fourth of July weekend? We're only reaching the upper eighties today and tomorrow. When I took a walk this morning, I was happily surprised by how cool and pleasant it was.

Last weekend, we had family over, and I tried two whole wheat, oatmeal, and raising recipes by Sue Gregg -- or rather I combined two oatmeal recipes into one. One was a nonfat recipe, and the other contained oil. I made the nonfat recipe but added half of the oil in the second recipe to it. I was pleased with how they turned out. Everyone kept nibbling on them, including my husband --who is always somewhat suspcious that whole grain and low fat desserts will turn out tasting like sawdust. I'll post my combined recipe later.

One of my goals for the year is to try 20 new recipes. I will count this one, but, in general, if I alter the recipe in any way, I'm not counting it. I do frequently alter recipes. How about you? Do you follow recipes exactly, or do you use them as a general guide, while working with what you have on hand?

Enjoy!
Elizabeth

Lavender explosion...

"We, little fishes, after the image of our Ichthys, Jesus Christ, are born in the water." Tertullian.

My lavender has spread out everywhere! I suppose, like most herbs, it is a vigorous grower. It always has been in my garden, at any rate.

In the past, I've dried it just by tying it upside down and letting it hang. Do any of you lavender growers know if there's a better way to dry it? My goal is to make sachets out of it, both for use in my closets and to give as gifts. Is there something special I should do to use it in a sachet.

The texture of my dried lavender doesn't seem to be quite as uniform as dried lavender I've bought.

This is a photo taken some time back. The onions/leeks in the foreground have now opened into huge, round, beautiful purple flowers. I was hoping that they would attract bees and butterflies to my garden, but, so far,the flowers are drawing some kind of wasp.

Enjoy!

Well, I've taken an unplanned break from blogging, but am back on the keyboard now. I've also let our little garden get away from me. We've had thunderstorms most days of the last week or two, as well as temps up into the mid-90's. We have been enjoying lettuce from the garden, though, and I do need to harvest some beans. And, our tomatoes should be ripe, soon.

After looking lush and showy this spring, all three of my rose bushes -- two established and one new -- are looking less than spry. I've got some major rose surgery and nursing to do.

We are visiting our son and his wife this weekend. They have become quite the good cooks and work well together. Our son barbecued some chicken he had marinated in lime juice, olive oil, and garlic, while our daughter in law prepared the rest of the feast.

I'm reading a book called, "The $64.00 Tomato". It's about a couple's adventures in putting in a large vegetable garden on the slope of the large, old house they had bought and refurbished. I haven't gotten very far into it, but it seems like it' s going to be a fun gardening journal.

Enjoy!
Elizabeth

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.

Martin Luther King

Can it be Friday already?!

I had a delightful time last night when our beloved daughter in law was in town for a work visit. My own dear husband was out of town for the evening, so she and I made plans to meet for a quick salad before she headed off to another appointment. Unfortunately, she got lost on her way to the restaurant, as I had given her only a vague address and her GPS system sent her down the wrong Interstate. Fortunately, she was able to get in touch with her husband -- my son -- who stayed on the line with her and directed her safely to our predetermined dining spot.

Have you ever wondered about some of the descriptions in Song of Solomon? We understand perfectly when the bride is described as a rose of Sharon or her eyes are compared to dove's eyes, because we find those to be lovely images. How about when the groom says: your hair is like a flock of goats; your belly is like a mound of wheat; your nose is like the tower of Lebanon?
A bride of today might tear up if her groom said those things to her. Are you saying I'm fat? Do you think I have a big nose?

According to a book I'm reading, the Bible often uses word pictures to describe the essence of a person or a thing, rather than providing an exact description of what that person or thing looked like. This is not always true; for example, we have very exact descriptions of how the tabernacle was to be built and what it looked like. However, in other cases, our attention is directed more to a person's life and character and to an object's use and meaning than to exact visual details. Sarah, we know, was a beautiful woman. Yet, how tall was she? What color were her eyes and hair? We know the exact dimensions of the ark and the wood that was used to build it, but what did the bow look like?

So, in Song of Songs, which is one of the poetic books, the groom describes his bride in terms of the response she evokes in him. He sees dignity and strength in her profile; hence, her nose is like the tower of Lebanon. He sees in her a readiness to bear children; hence, her abdomen is fertile like a mound of wheat; he sees abundance in her healthy, long hair.

This reminds me a bit of how Jesus looked at people and saw their potential. He looked at Simon and named him "the rock". He saw Nathanael and called him a true Israelite, in whom there was no guile.

How about us? Do we verbalize to our spouses and to our children the wonderful inner things we see in them? What about all of the people we encounter during our lifetimes? Do we take the time to look beneath the surface and see the inner qualities and potential in every soul? Do we know people on a deeper level or on a superficial level? I know I need to take more time to recognize and verbalize the wonderful qualities in the people around me.

enjoy!
Elizabeth

onion bulbs and lavender

http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com
For Today...

Outside my window...90 degrees! Vivid summer colors -- blue skies, white puffy clouds, everything green and flowery...soon, we'll move into the softer, hazy skies and colors of a southern summer, but, today, all is bright.

I am thinking... how nice it is to have a fan blowing on me and a glass of water by my side.

I am thankful for... a new Bible on order

From the kitchen... still pondering what I shall create

I am reading... still in the gospels.

I am hoping... to get some important things done.

I am creating... pillowcases, crocheted dish strainer --

Around the house... time to do a little tidying and freshening

One of my favorite things... swinging with dearest in the swing that hangs off of our back deck.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...See the onions above. These are the first onions I've ever let go to seed. They were planted last year, and I failed to pull them up before winter came. Now, they're growing and going to flower and seed. Don't laugh; these are actually the remains of a bunch of green onions I bought in the grocery store produce department last year. I stuck the ones I didn't need in the ground. I found that if you have green onions left over and you stick them in the ground, they will take root and keep growing. You can pull them up when you need them. As you can see, I didn't use them all, so they're still growing away. I am fascinated by the dome shapes they form right before flowering, so I'm just letting them go. I planted leeks alongside them last year, so some of what I'm seeing may actually be the leeks. At any rate, I think they look neat -- Don't you? I assume that once they've gone to seed like this, they might be bitter to the taste and no longer usable for cooking. Does anyone know?

Enjoy!
Elizabeth

The wandering path of worry versus the straight path of trust...

I found this interesting thought in a longer quote on the lovely blog, very CALM: "Yet more than this, anxious care often leads to acts of sin. He who cannot calmly leave his affairs in God's hand, but will carry his own burden, is very likely to be tempted to use wrong means to help himself."

I don't know that I've ever formed this idea in such succinct words, but it truly hits home with me. I can look back over my life and see times when I took things into my own hands, rather than trustfully depending on the Lord to meet a need. This was especially true in my pre-Christian days, when I looked for happiness down some winding, dead-end roads. In my case, I did try some fruitless and faulty means to assuage worries and insecurities. God used some hard lessons learned to turn my feet toward Him.

One of my youthful follies was to worry about what people thought of me, which often led me to follow the crowd rather than to follow righteousness. Though it takes a much different and more subtle form now, I still find that I must guard my heart against such worry. It's interesting to me that Jesus says in John 5:44, "How can you believe if you accept praise from one another yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God?" Chasing the approval of people over the approval of the Lord leads to unbelief.

I see this truth that worry leads to other sins played out in God's word. One example that springs to mind is Sarah, who worried that the Lord would never send her the child he promised. She pushed Abraham into fathering a child by her maidservant, Hagar, a move which didn't turn out well. (A lack of trust never turns out well!) Likewise, Abraham worried that a king might try to kill him in order to take Sarah, and he persuaded her to tell half-truths in order to save his skin. Yet, the Lord was watching out for them all along, and had they rested in this truth, they could have avoided painful sin. Happily, these were but episodes in otherwise faithful lives, and they are known as the father and the mother of the faithful.

Worrying can take you down some twisty, winding dead end paths. Someone once advised me, "Never make a decision based on fear." It is hard to make righteous or even rational choices when your mind is divided by worry. It is easy for the anxious mind to grasp at any means of comfort or security, even if those means provide only a temporary and deceptive relief.

Trust, on the other hand, shines a light on the straight and narrow path that leads to life. One of my favorite verses says,

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; acknowledge Him in all your ways, and He will make your paths straight."
Proverbs 3:5-6

Enjoy!
Elizabeth

More from the Trace...Trail up to an overlook.

More Thoughts On Beautifying America...

Is it just how I'm perceiving things, or have you noticed a judgmental spirit taking hold in America? I suppose I'm thinking about that more now, as I just studied Jesus' words about what is and what isn't proper judging. The Bible instructs us in some areas not to judge and, in other areas, to make some judgments for the purpose of discerning truth from falsehood and also to help others. So much depends on the context and the heart. Well, out of my heart, I can so easily cross the line from judging justly into the self-righteous judging that Jesus forbids.

My beloved and I were doing very well about not watching much media, but I've slipped back into having the TV on more. I've noticed how very much of the news nowadays is based exactly on news anchors and "experts" making judgments about situations. Since our culture now has news available to us 24 hours a day, the news networks have a lot of time to fill. So, in addition to just reporting the facts to us, they now employ all sorts of people to give their very definite opinions about what some person in the news should or shouldn't be doing or how a situation should or shouldn't be handled. Many news shows are now more entertainment shows centered on judging and arguing from a particular viewpoint.

Sometimes, the anchors and experts are very far removed from the situation under discussion and couldn't possibly know what a person's motives were. Nor, are they likely to possess all of the background information that is necessary to properly analyze a situation. Even some representatives of science, who are supposed to be unbiased, use studies and findings to further a particular agenda and a particular set of beliefs. They are critical of those who do not share their viewpoint.

It seems that we, as a nation, are ever fascinated with celebrities -- and many politicians and reality TV show participants and crime victims and other people find themselves in the category of celebrities today. We feel that we have a right to know and judge every detail about their public and private lives. This quickness to judge, it seems to me, extends itself into the blog-0-sphere, as well. This seems to be true whether discussing political events or celebrities or theories of government or religion or how to protect the environment or almost any issue you can think of. So many times, the line is crossed from presenting a well-reasoned line of thought into saying harsh, cruel, and profane things.

This censorious spirit is also found in general conversation, as well. I know two bright and creative young people -- neither of whom know each other -- who have each decided to reject Christianity largely because they view Christians as being judgmental and they don't want to be so. Yet, out of each of their mouths come the most vehemently negative statements about other individuals. I'm not picking on them; I'm just bemused by how easily the sins of judgmentalism and hypocrisy beset us all. Only Christ can help us overcome a critical spirit or any other sin, so rejecting Him leads us back into doing the very things we don't want to do. Romans Chapters Seven and Eight so poignantly describe the frustration of trying to live a righteous life without the power of Jesus. On our own, we all fall short of the glory of God, and we all need the blood of Jesus to redeem us and to purify us and to enable us to live lives of love and holiness.

Back to the media. Some people can handle watching a lot of news during the day, but I have found that I simply cannot. Listening to judgment laced commentary for too long tempts my own inner weakness toward judging and leaves me with an unsettled spirit. It doesn't matter whether I agree or disagree with the opinions stated; either way, it tempts me toward a fretful spirit. I personally am better off if I obtain enough news to know what's going on in the world and to make informed decisions without meditating on it all too much. It's also better if I direct my thoughts about the news toward how I can help and pray, rather than toward criticizing people whom I don't even know. I am happier and more productive if I limit my exposure to the media and the Internet and if I choose wisely those Internet sites which I will and will not visit.

Perhaps, this is one area where we can help beautify our corner of the world -- by rejecting the weeds of self-righteous judging within our own hearts and replacing it with the flowers of compassion, mercy, and true discernment. Perhaps, we can also school our words to speak the best and our ears to hear the best, as well.

Enjoy!
Elizabeth

Here's a Great Idea: Keeping a Kitchen Journal



I took this photo along a trial up to an overlook on the Natchez Trace on May 23. It doesn't have anything to do with today's post, but I thought I'd attach it anyway. I love all of the tiny flowers and fruits that God scatters everywhere in His world.

Back to the subject at hand: I read a post in which the author suggested keeping a notebook handy in your kitchen in order to jot down thoughts that come to you while you are working, your family's particular likes and dislikes, and any notes you want to make about recipes, etc.

This made total sense to me, as I always seem to think of things that I need to jot down while I am in the kitchen. Rather than trying to carry my calendar or notebook with me, it would be easier if I just kept a notebook in the kitchen specifically for that purpose. The only problem with that is that you do need to make sure that you transfer any pertinent "to-dos" to your calendar or master to-do list.

This subject reminds me of an idea I wish I had known as a young bride. I read about a woman who used one main cookbook. Every time she referred to a recipe in it, she jotted down a few phrases in the margin. Her notes were about such subjects as how the recipe turned out, who in her family liked it, who was there to eat the finished product, if the dish was prepared for a special occasion or holiday, any changes she made to the recipe, little things her children might have said or done that day, notes about the weather (She lived in the Colorado mountains, I think), and any other little snippets she wanted to include about the day's events. She didn't write large entries -- just a sentence or two. I'm sure some favorite recipes accumulated many little thoughts recorded in the white spaces on the page. Though I don't think this was her intention, this cookbook became a treasured diary of family happenings. After many years of using this book, she had recorded many precious memories.

Wives and mothers are busy people, and they sometimes don't have time to keep journals or elaborate scrapbooks. But, you can usually get a few minutes in the kitchen to jot down a little note. If you don't mind writing in a favorite cookbook, this might be an easy and quick way for you to keep a home diary. Just write down one or two sentences or phrases, and be sure to date them.

What about you? Have you found some quick and easy ways to record memories? Is it important to you to record them on paper, or do you store them in your heart? Or, are you a person who prefers to live in the now, rather than to meditate on memories -- happy or otherwise. We are all different in this area. Share with us your thoughts and ideas.

Enjoy!
Elizabeth

Enjoy!
Elizabeth

Happiness is the sunset off our deck. :)

Beautify America!

Way back in my childhood, Lady Bird Johnson, who was then the First Lady, embarked on a campaign to "beautify America". I'm too young to remember exactly what this entailed or how well it worked. But, I do know one thing: Mrs. Johnson loved wildflowers and had a desire to see them protected and planted so that people could enjoy them.

I was reminded of that recently when my darling husband and I took a trip to Texas, the state where we lived when we were newlyweds. While visiting the lovely town of Fredricksburg, we were every near a state park that had been named in honor of Mrs. Johnson.

Today, I decided to find out more about Mrs. Johnson's beautification program. I found this quote from Mrs. Johnson: "Ugliness is so grim. A little beauty, something that is lovely, can help create harmony that will lessen tensions."

Of course, as we know, the time in which the Johnsons were in Washington was a time of great turmoil in the country and the tensions to which she referred did need soothing. Large segments of the population enjoyed some degree of propserity and peace, at least on the surface. However, that peace was often interrupted by demonstrations against an unpopular war, a burgeoning gap between how generations saw things, a disagreement between political parties over how to do things, a growing drug problem, greed and materialism, racial strife, poverty, inflation, and high rates of crime. President Johnson came to power after the shocking assassination of JFK, and, during his term, Martin Luther King was also assassinated. Apparently, Mrs Johnson believed that conservation and beautification could improve the mental health of the nation, as well as aid what she saw as her husband's efforts to fight crime, to fight poverty, and to otherwise improve the well-being of the country.

Mrs. Johnson started with an effort to clean up Washington, as she thought that our capital district could serve as an example to other cities in the nation. The Washington clean-up program was two-fold: 1) to beautify tourist areas and, thus, create a capital city that America could be proud of and 2) to provide inspiration for those citizens who lived in decaying, crime-ridden, racially tense neighborhoods by making their surroundings clean and attractive.

The First Lady did not confine her efforts to D.C. She also tackled projects to beautify the entire country, especially along the nation's Interstate Highways. It's largely due to her efforts that we have fewer billboards along our Interstates than we might have even today and that the medians are sewn with wildflowers. Apparently, as part of her efforts, she also inspired school children to scatter wildflower seeds, training them to prize nature's beauty, as well. In her later years, Lady Bird devoted herself to preserving Texas' trees and flowers.

Lady Bird Johnson seems to have garnered tons of support for her ideas, and, while he was alive, her husband backed her efforts, as well. Did some find her ideas to be impractical? Did they wonder how ridding the nation of billboards and roadside auto graveyards, while building new benches and planting flowers could heal a nation beset by such looming problems? I don't know. I did see the title of a speech from 1969 that said, "If you really want to beautify America, feed a child." I have no idea if the speech was making a pointed comment about the Beautify America campaign or simply drawing attention to impoverished school children in need of proper nutrition.

How much did Lady Bird Johnson's work impact our nation? Did her efforts to clean up neighborhoods and highways and to conserve our nation's flora effect lasting benefits? Did it really soothe tensions and heal great hurts in our society? I don't know enough about that to make an assessment, though I do enjoy all those wildflowers that are part of her legacy to the country.

Today, we have made great progress in overcoming racism. However, we are fighting another unpopular war -- albeit one that has more support than the Vietnam Conflict did in the Johnsons' Day. Plus, we still have poverty and crime, the rates of which go up and down over time, but never go completely away. We are still a populous divided over which political solutions we think will really fix our problems. We are experiencing the fallout from the sixties' in terms of a relaxed attitude towards abortion and morality and problems that have resulted therefrom.

While I am very happy to live in our country, with our system of democratic representative government, I don't look to any government program to eradicate all the ills of a fallen world. Though the Lord does determine the times and places for the temporary governments of this world, it will be His Kingdom that lasts forever. Any real victory over the pain that results from sin and death rests with Him and His reign.

Having said all that, I do think that somewhere in the legacy of Mrs. Johnson's Beautification program, there must be some inspiration for us today.

What if each one of us embarked on our own personal campaign to beautify America -- or, rather, to beautify our little corner of it. How about beautifying our homes? Our neighborhoods? And, while we're at it -- how about beautifying the blog-o-sphere? Is it just me, or does anyone else find the snarly comments, mean language, and rude assumptions that litter the information highway to be even uglier than physical trash on physical roadsides?

I'm not necessarily thinking just of planting flowers and eliminating physical eyesores, though I do believe that lovely surroundings can be inspiring. But, what about scattering everywhere seeds of faith, kindness, thoughtfulness, unselfishness, wholesome and healing words, and loving deeds?

Of course, for me, embarking on my own personal Beautification program starts with eradicating weeds and clearing out junk in my own heart, as well as sewing good and lovely thoughts into the soil of my inner being. From there, it involves dying to my natural selfishness and consciously reaching out to others, making the most of every opportunity.

Here's to beautifying our little corners of the country and the world!

Enjoy!
elizabeth

For Today...

Outside my window... sunny, with flowers and green everywhere! It's gorgeous.

I am thinking... how much fun it was to have a wee little man visit for a couple of hours, even though he didn't quite get his nap out.

From the learning rooms...God has brought home to me in a number of ways lately the importance of always learning to know Him more deeply and how to love others better.

I am thankful for... the gift certificate for a manicure and pedicure my husband gave me for Mother's Day and for the calls and thoughtful gifts from my children, as well.

From the kitchen... beans and a starch with veggies.

I am wearing... blue dress, no shoes, hair up. I really need to get those shoes on to do a proper job of house keeping, but I love to run around barefoot inside during the warm months.

I am reading... Kingdom Come -- a study of David Lipscomb and James Harding

I am hoping... to get to many tasks that need doing.

I am creating... pillow cases -- See my other blog: Project Home Economics to follow my progress -- as well as a crocheted dish strainer.

I am praying... for my loved ones, always.

Around the house... All is quiet; laundry is going.

One of my favorite things... blooming roses.

A few plans for the rest of the week... I have an unusually packed week, with some happy things, but also medical appointments, so I am praying for stamina

Enjoy!
Elizabeth

But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God. I Timothy 5:4 KJV

but if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family and to make some return to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God.I Timothy 5:4 NASB

It will fall upon most men and women to care for aging parents or grandparents at some time in their life. Sometimes, this will occur while an individual still has children to think about, as well. Remembering to give a little gift or card of encouragement to a caregiver to remind him or her that he or she is doing a noble work is one way we can reach out in love to others.

Enjoy!

Elizabeth

I was thinking about my last post, and the power of a written letter to cheer someone's life. I have heard so many stories about the power of letters to encourage, instruct, and cheer other people. I am fascinated by books of letters, such as between a notable married couple or a well-known parent to a child.

Once, many years ago, when my children were small, I was trying to figure out how I could reach out to others in addition to caring for my wonderful family. I wasn't sure how to get started. Then, I read in a church bulletin about a woman who had been shut in with illness and some health issues connected to aging for many years. Since she was not able to get out and about, she wrote someone a letter and mailed it every day. When she died, it was estimated that the number of encouraging letters she had written was in the hundreds. Some testified how much her letters had impacted them.

Well, I figured that bulletin article was an answer to my prayer. I thought about the Biblical principle that if you have a little, you will be given more and that if you are faithful in a little, you will be able to be faithful in the larger things. I could certainly write and mail letters, even if I didn't know how else to be an encouragement to others. Also, if a woman whose body was declining could write letter, surely I -- an able-bodied young mother -- could find time to write and mail letters. I could certainly do that without neglecting the charge to care for my dear husband and precious babies, too.

So, I started scouring our church's bulletins for clues about people who needed a letter of encouragement. Each week, I would write a few notes.

God was faithful in that he brought people into my life who showed me some other little ways that I, as a young wife and mother, could share my faith and also serve and encourage others. I was very grateful.

Sometimes, I get busy and forget to keep up my letter writing. However, if I do "get stuck" for ideas about putting my faith into practice, I go back in my mind to that example I read about so long ago. Over time, I have lost the original bulletin article. But, the faithful example of the women in the article -- someone I had never personally met -- has stuck with me all of these years.

In a way, sending a letter is such a small thing. It requires so little on our part. But, letters do mean so much to the recipients, and being in the practice of writing them does train our hearts to be sensitive to the needs of others -- whatever they might be. Also, training our children to write notes and letters is good for their hearts, as well.

I recently read of the letter writing ministry of a preacher from the late 1800's to the early 1900's. Some ideas from that has enlarged my view of what can be done through writing notes and letters. My daughter and daughter-in-law are both really better than I am at writing notes to people.

I've also personally known many examples of women who have been examples for me of other little ways to show kindness -- such as sharing cut flowers from your yard, baking things for others, how to speak a gracious and encouraging word to someone, etc. There are so many gracious, wonderful women around whose examples we can imitate. Tagging along with another woman when she is going to serve someone gives me an opportunity to learn, myself. Also, when someone shows me a kindness or encourages me in some way, that teaches me something, too. I remember what helped me, and I am able to pass that along to someone else. Taking note of models of kindness helps me so much when I want to grow in serving others.

Enjoy!
Elizabeth

Here's a story that inspires me. It appeared in the February 20, 2002 issue of the Fayette, Alabama paper ("The Times Record"). It was originally written by Polly Essary and re-quoted in the book, "Special Delivery" by James McWhorter:

"There was a little old lady who lived alone on the side of a country road. Her days were long and lonely and many times the only person passing to speak to was the rural mail carrier.

Faithfully, she sat in her old porch swing and waited patiently -- even hopefully for him. Even though she never received a letter, she'd wave cheerfully and call out a friendly greeting, which he always returned. Then, she'd go indie -- for the excitement and expectancy of the day was past. HOwever, bright and early the next morning, she would return to her porch, regardless of the weather to wait again. Years passed, and the postman retired. Looking back over his time of service and recalling patrons and incidents, he realized how very mucj she had memant to him. Many times her heerful greetings had brightened his day and made him more appreciative of his ability to work, to serve, and to travel along the lovely countryside, to see poeple and mix and mingle with them. She had taught a great lesson in patience as she waited enedlessly for a letter which never came. Considering how truly importnat she had been to him, he decided to write her a letter of thanks.

Some time later, her body was found int he little house by the side of the road. She had died all alone. The letter was found in her apron pocket. Its edges were frayed and worn and it was stained. Evindently, she had read it over and over again and again, feeding on the joy and comfort the few kind words ha offered to he weary and lonely heart."

I've actually read many stories about the power of a kind letter in various people's lives. Even in this age of e-mail and other electonic forms of communication, a snail mail word of encouragement can be a treasure to someone.

Enjoy!
Elizabeth

San Antonio was our destination. Flowers, Flowers everywhere. I loved it!

A day or two after we came home, my Great Maiden's Blush rose slip arrived. I planted it at dusk in a nook formed where two fences sit at a slight angle. I didn't think about where the shadow of the fences might fall. So, I'm not sure I chose the best location. I've been keeping an eye on the sun just to be sure that the bush will get enough sun to thrive.

I've also been busy catching up with planting time. I've put out tomato plants, bean seeds, squash seeds, butterfly weed seeds, etc.

What are you planting in your garden?

Enjoy!
Elizabeth

From these photos, can you guess where we went on a few day getaway with friends?

Hi

I'm back from a trip and checking back in with the blog-o-sphere.

I'll post more later.

Enjoy!
Elizabeth

Don't forget to visit the Simple Woman's Daybook to read other entries or to write your own.

For Today...

Outside my window...The sun is battling with a drizzle, and the breezes are blowing.

I am thinking... of what I need to do for the rest of the week.

I am thankful for... the resurrection of Christ.

From the kitchen...something simple, as we will be heading to a meeting.

I am reading... the book of John -- very slowly -- and a book about roses.

I am hoping... for my dearest husband and myself to have a nice vacation with our friends next week.

I am creating... a home and a crocheted dish strainer, also some pillowcases

I am praying... for the people in Murphreesboro, a town very close to our city. Our whole area was in a storm system on Friday, but this town was hit hardest by tornadoes. Our daughter and son-in-law and our son and our daughter in all lived there for a time, and we currently have many friends who live there. No one we know was hurt, and many from our church are helping with the clean-up. It was so heart wrenching to hear of a mother and 9-week old daughter killed, and the husband being found in a state of great injury, having been blown by the tornado some distance away. Forty-one other people were treated for injuries, and many lost their homes. Just over a week and a half ago, our city had ten tornadoes touch down, but they did not do much damage and I did not hear of injuries.

Also praying for father-in-law to recover from health problems.

Around the house... I will soon have the delight of caring for a friend's baby for an hour.

One of my favorite things... spring flowers!!!!

A few plans for the rest of the week...getting ready for our trip.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... Here's a photo someone took of one of the tornadoes and sent to local newspaper.

French women do get fat (New research raises questions concerning one of my favorite books about eating: French Women Don't Get Fat. How much longer will French women be an example to us of healthy eating?)
When I was last in Paris, the book French Women Don't Get Fat was all the rage in the U.S. I actually brought it with me to read on the flight over and back. While in Paris, my beloved husband and I enjoyed some great French food and still lost a few pounds. I had spent a summer in Paris in my teens, and I was now trying to show my dear one as many of my favorite sites in just a few days. So, we walked and walked and walked - in metabolism-raising brisk spring air, moreover. We were not trying to diet, but the pounds slipped off, nonetheless.

I intended to continue eating in the traditional French style when we returned home and to continue walking a lot, too. Alas, those pounds we lost in France eventually found their way back across the Atlantic and back onto our American tummies. Sigh.

I was interested to note on our trip that most of the Parisians still seemed both slender and petite in frame, despite the plethora of Starbucks and McDonald's that now saturate the city. Many other ethnic groups who live in that cosmopolitan city also share the tendency toward slenderness. I did notice, however, some signs that made me wonder if the next generation of French will struggle with expanding girth just as so many Americans do.

Three decades earlier, when I spent that wonderful summer in Paris, I had been surprised by the fact that you could with near certainty pick out certain nationalities by appearance. For example, Scandinavians were generally the tallest in a group, and they invariably had slender frames. Americans were next in height, and, while they were generally fit, they were usually of a bigger build than the other ethnic groups around us. The French were petite in stature and slim, to boot.

At the time, there was a pronounced difference in the European and American cuts of clothing for men and for children. French men fit into shirts and pants that were cut close to the body, with lots of seaming and darts. Even very fit American men sometimes had a hard time squeezing into the European cut. Though the sizing systems differed, there was not as much variation in the cuts of French and American women's clothing. However, the problem that American men had with the European cut usually had more to do with having a larger bone structure than with excess weight.

Since my friends and I were in our late teens at the time, our youthful metabolisms handled a daily taste of wonderful French pastries without any of us gaining an ounce. (I don't think the French would have eaten these delights every day, as we did.) Of course, as soon as our classes were over each day, we headed out to enjoy the sights and the parks of Paris. We burned up a lot of calories sight-seeing and giggling and just being young.

At the time, the people of France still did their grocery shopping on a daily basis. They selected their foods from the offerings of many small markets. There was a market dedicated to each kind of food. There were a few large American style supermarkets -- or supermarchés as they are called in France. However, they were just coming in style there and had not replaced the French demand for daily fresh food supplied by local merchants. (The supermarchés still have not vanquished the small markets entirely. Many Parisians do still shop the small markets. They carry rolling carts with them to carry their food home, and they stop by markets on their way home in the evening.)

We were there a year before the first McDonald's opened in Paris. At the time, there was not a real hamburger to be found in the whole city. The closest the French had to a fast food burger chain was the British establishment, Wimpy's. Though we delighted in all of the wonderful French meals we were having -- many of which were prepared by Portuguese nuns in the dormitory where we stayed -- we decided to try Wimpy's one day in order to get a taste of home. We found that the Franglicized idea of a hamburger was a bit different than the American one. Perhaps, the French were happier for not yet having so many supermarches and fast food restaurants to choose from.

In the intervening three decades between my visit, many Americans - including myself -- have found themselves battling weight issues. While this was once a middle-aged phenomenon, I've noticed that even school children and young adults often carry more weight than our generation did when we were that age. And, though our mothers often complained of packing on a few matronly pounds, I believe that middle-aged Americans have an even greater struggle than middle-aged Americans of a few decades ago.

Of course, the issue for me is not really about appearance, but about health. I'm no fan of the runway waif look. Nor, do I subscribe to the idea that you have to be extremely thin to be healthy, happy, or attractive. Sometimes, French culture -- as well as American -- puts an unhealthy focus on being skinny versus looking and feeling your personal best.

The principles in the book "French Women Don't Get Fat" harken back to a time when the French ate fresh foods purchased daily in local markets and to a time when the French and many other Europeans ate most of their meals at a leisurely pace. Also, the French were extremely family centered and their custom was for an extended family to enjoy a wonderful dinner together on Sundays. Cooking and eating were seen as arts to be enjoyed.

I remember being fascinated when I was in a restaurant in Rome on my first trip to Europe. A woman had a whole peach for her dessert. She gracefully used a knife to cut it portion by portion. It took her so...o...o long to eat that one peach. I'm sure she left the restaurant feeling as satisfied as if she had had a calorie laden confection.

Now mind you, in the U.S. at that time, home cooking and eating breakfast and dinner together were also still common for American families. Americans were active outdoors. More children and teens, especially, spent a lot more time moving about in the fresh air. We had only rudimentary video games; few of us spent long hours in day care; and we probably watched fewer hours of TV than our counterparts of today. Yes, even then, Americans were racing down the trail to the modern lifestyle and excess poundage faster than Europeans were. However, our culture still shared some principles of healthful eating and healthful living that are put forth in FWDGF.

Somewhere along the way, we Americans started working out in gyms (nothing wrong with that) but stopped including healthful outdoor activity throughout our day. We began to gulp down our meals in a hurry to get somewhere else. The family seldom ate breakfast together anymore, and even family dinners were in peril. People started eating more pre-packaged foods and fast foods. And, we started packing on the pounds. This has been a mystery to some doctors, because, in a way, Americans are more health conscious than they used to be. Many cut fat from their diets and try all sorts of diet and exercise regimens. We have made strides in overcoming heart disease and other ailments. Still, we have been super-sizing our bodies for thirty years and are continuing to do so at an alarming rate.

Well, statistics say that as the French and other Europeans are becoming more and more Americanized, they are -- you guessed it -- picking up American -style pounds. Here's an excerpt from an article about that:

"The French are looking more like Americans because they are living more like Americans. Goodbye shopping at outdoor markets. Hello processed foods. Goodbye two-hour lunches. Hello cramming a sandwich in your face at your desk as you scroll through e-mail. Goodbye savoring. Hello snacking.

"Most shockingly, French women (and it is still mostly women) not only don't have time to cook anymore - they've forgotten how. At a recent Weight Watchers meeting, a bunch of ladies who battled an hour of grinding Paris traffic to make it there after work were unable to identify a measuring spoon."

Another article about the book FWDGF describes the role of French government in regulating things related to diet. The article points out that Americans have traditionally found this paternalistic style of government to be too intrusive into one's personal life.

I'm fascinated by the connection in both countries -- France and the U.S. -- between extra girth and the fact that women no longer have time to cook. Of course, France is the land of great male cooks. Yet, in the home, it is usually the woman who plans the menus, does the marketing, and cooks the daily meals. It is generally the women who see that the family eats dinner together and organizes meals for the extended family on Sundays. On both sides of the Atlantic, it seems that women are struggling to find time to exercise the domestic arts that make for healthful and happy home lives. Have we Americans done the world a favor by spreading the wonders of fast food, as well as the idea that women are no longer needed in the home sphere and should turn their talents elsewhere?

Since my blog tends to be about domestic things, it's obvious that I have an interest in home and family. I do believe it's important for a woman to see home keeping as a worthwhile and satisfying sphere of life -- perhaps even making family her main career. Let me be clear; I am not rigid in my views about the choices women make concerning family and work. I don't want to err on the side of trying to dictate to others what decisions they should make in this regard. Still, findings like this research about French and American culture do make me wonder...Hmm.

Enjoy!
Elizabeth

Overview of the Bible -- Part III
A view of the cross --

Romans 3:22-26, 5;6-8 The cross is a demonstration of God's justice in the face of sin. God would not be righteous if He simply looked the other way regarding sin and evil. At the same time, the cross is the greatest demonstration of God's love for us. God loved His enemy -- you and me! We don't like to think of ourselves as having been God's enemies, but all of us, at some time, have lived in opposition to God's will and wisdom. We have chosen our own way, rather than submission to His perfect will. Still, God loves us. Because God loves us, Jesus Christ died for our sins. See also I John 3;16, 4:10

Mark 10:42-25 Jesus understood God's plan for Him to give Himself as a ransom for us -- to die for our sins. He could do this only because of His sinless life and His own love for us.

Matthew 26:36-46 What choice did Jesus make for us in the garden that night? Matthew 20:17-19 Jesus knew this day would come.

Matthew 26:52-54 Jesus chose not to use the power at his disposal. He could have called twelve legions of angels to deliver Him from the situation. Yet, because of His love for us, He did not. John 12:27-28

Matthew 26:59-63, 27:11-14 False witnesses as well as false evidence were brought against Jesus. Yet, Jesus chose to remain silent and not to defend Himself. He did this out of regard for His Father and His love for us.

Matthew 27:27-29 Jesus as a king could have chosen a crown of glory, but instead He chose the crown of thorns. Jesus did this for you and for me.

Matthew 27:38-44 The robbers, the chief priests, the elders of the law and the teachers all mocked Jesus and said, Come down from the cross, if You are the Son of God. Think of the choice Jesus made for us by staying nailed to the cross instead of saving Himself at the time. Yet, Jesus had not come to save Himself; He had come to save us. What an example he set for us in how to love others!

Isaiah 53 Written about 700 years before Jesus, this chapter predicted what the Messiah would do at the cross and why. In Luke 22:37, Jesus quotes from Isaiah and says it was about Him.

Isaiah told us in 53:1-3 that the Messiah would be despised and rejected. In verses 4-6, it says the Messiah would be pierced for our transgressions; in 7-9, the Messiah would be led like a lamb to the slaughter In verse 10-12, the Messiahs would be a guilt offering; but after His suffering, He would receive satisfaction in His resurrection.

Psalm 22 also foreshadowed Jesus' suffering on the cross.

Ephesians 2:1-10; Titus 3:3-8; Luke 15:11-31 We are saved by grace through faith. Faith is obedient trust in God. James 2:14-1. We trust what God has done in Jesus as the ground of our salvation and we commit our lives fully to Him.

I Corinthians 1:18 You can only see the cross in one of two ways: For those who are perishing, the message of the cross is foolishness. For those who are being saved, the message of the cross is the power of God.

I Peter 2:21-25 -- Why did Jesus die on the cross for us? So that we might die to sin and live for the new righteousness that the cross provides.

Acts Chapters One and Two: By inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Peter explains the Messiah, the cross, and calls the people to a response. We are called to make the same response today. "for all whom the Lord will call".

Question we can all ask ourselves: What impact does the cross and God's grace have on my life?

Enjoy!
Elizabeth