I enjoy writing. I enjoy putting my thoughts on paper. I like to doodle. I like to draw. I guess what I am saying that with a pen or pencil, crayola, paint brush in hand, I can easily be entertained. Of course, now, I am forced to add the keyboard to the computer to this list as well. Even better, I enjoy taking a 'trip down memory lane' now and then, and ruffling through the pages of some of my old journals to see what trips I have taken over the years. Goodness what memories are refreshed! What thought provoking memories sometimes are brought back to mind.

Probably the reason for all of this is the fact that I was asked to give the lesson for our church circle group of women today and it encompassed the 'Beatitudes'. Such a beautiful lesson in our Bible. 'Jesus Sermon on the Mount'. You might want to check it out in Matthew 5: 1-11. A very small group of ladies, we do some intense studying each month. Questions are always being raised and today when I brought forth, from my briefcase, a simple little hard cover journal which I had prepared for each member, you should have seen the surprised look on their faces. A journal? They were supposed to write a journal? Why not? Journals are fun. Journals are interesting. Putting down thoughts on paper opens the door to be able to see our blessings much easier. Each one was asked to jot down their first thoughts upon waking each morning, setting down what blessings they were receiving at that particular moment, further encouraging them to, just before bedtime or some quiet time in the evening, to again grab the journal, but this time the entries would be what blessings they had bestowed on others during the day. I can't wait until next month to see what they have done. I have no doubts but that they are going to find themselves enjoying this little project.

Each day we should reach out and touch someone. We shouldn't judge each day by the harvest we reap, but by the seeds we plant. We all have the ability to look within ourselves and find the strength and courage to achieve anything and everything we put our minds to do!

I have every reason to believe that other people mimic us more then we realize. And, when I say this, I have to recall a time, my children along with the oldest granddaughter, the only grandchild at the time, were enjoying a dinner together in a restaurant, in a nearby town. Little Claire was so busy, all strapped in the highchair, with a cracker in hand, and we adults had sort of forgotten her for the moment as we were looking at the menus deciding what to order. Soon the orders were placed, and while waiting for the meals to be delivered, we started conversations, happy to be together, trying to 'catch up' on recent events as it had been a month or so since we all had been blessed with the opportunity to be together. We were laughing, enjoying ourselves, and all of a sudden, I looked at Claire, and what did I see??? Well, here is this wee one, about two and a half years old, her little face cupped in her two hands, leaning on the tray of the high chair, totally absorbed in the conversations of the adults. First she would cup her head to one side, leaning on her right hand, her attention directed to the person talking, then she would change positions of her hand, possibly to the left hand, again turning her attention to the speaker of the moment. I was fascinated! I made a comment to my son about her actions. My son assured me that she was probably trying very hard to 'put herself in the shoes of each person as they spoke'. All this time, during the course of the changes of the position of the hands, was this cute little smile on her face, but at the same time, a little furrow above those bright, shiny brown eyes! I couldn't help but marvel (now of course, which grandma in this world would do anything but this, right????) how intelligent this child was at this young age and did we, as adults, realize that at that particular moment, the expressions on our faces was one of the most important things in the world to that child??? She was taking it all in. Absorbing our every word!

How about now? How about at lunch today? How about with the family any time, or friends, or business associates? Just what kind of expression are we wearing? Guess maybe we need to realize that possibly one of the most important thing that any of us ever wear, is the expression on our faces!

Challenge of the week:

"Remember, if you pursue happiness it will ILLUDE you, but if you focus on your family, your friends, the needs of others, your work, and do the very best you can, happiness will FIND you."

Remember that favorite TV show of the late 50's, early 60's, that was entitled, 'Name That Tune"? Contestants, usually a pair, would win sums of money based on the amount of notes that the orchestra would have to play before they were able to properly identify the song that was selected. Starting with one note. Then two notes, and on and on until the song was identified by either contestant. Now, far be it from me to tell you what note is the first one that would be played to identify this popular song (need your help, Carol, you are the music teacher), as notes I do not read. True, I sang in the choir for more years then I probably want to remember, and I love to relax and play my keyboard, but notes are not my cup of tea. Frankly tho, I sincerely believe that it is not necessary for a proper note to accurately describe what an upbeat feeling that song gives to me. It is like singing, 'Glory, Glory, Halleujah'. It is there! You just reach out your heart and hand, and the joy and beauty of what those words tell you, are all there.

Well, that describes what our RHS class of 1952 experienced this weekend.................It was beautiful. We had a beautiful couple days in spite of the blustery Kansas winds driving the therometer up to 90 plus degrees on Friday. And we did have wonderful feelings. Probably more then I will ever ever be able to put on paper for you!

But tell me, isn't that what class reunions are to be about??

If you have ever read the poem about 'Class Reunion' you will have to agree we have all been thru everything it describes. First time we met, in ten years, most classmates were busy trying to impress everyone with their new jobs just out of college, the prettiest wife in the group, or the most handsome husband, the one with the biggest house, the most beautiful children. However, as the years progressed, that lean homecoming queen showed up weighing one-ninety-six, the jocks had lost their hair, the cheerleaders could not raise a kick if their lives depended on it.

Then how about that class nerd, why he was the one that ended up guiding a spacecraft to the moon, and plain Jane? She is now the wife of a shipping tycoon while the guy that was decreeded 'most apt to suceed' was now serving ten years in the pen and the one voted 'least' was now a priest. Oh we went thru the beehive stages, the crew cuts, the wide ties, and regardless of your stature you simply had to wear a mini, after all, it was in style and you had to be in style.

But as the years progressed, the mood before more informal, more back to normal because by this time the majority were beginning to realize they too, were going to pot like the rest of the class. Now, this was nearing the fortieth year, shucks we were all over the hill. When we got to fifty, those who weren't dead had to literally crawl out of bed, and definitely had a time schedule to watch in order to take the proper pill at the correct time.

Well, folks, this weekend, we did our 55th! I believe I can say, with sincerity in my heart, that the majority of us there had a great time. We need to take stock of the present and remember that the regrets of yesterday and the fears of tomorrow are the things that rob us of this day. So, we if elected to sit on the sidelines and complain about anything or everything in general, that was a choice but blessed were those who hugged, and cried and shared at the 'Show and Tell' table what hobbies they have to brighten up our lives. I really hope that there are more hobbies in the lives of my former classmates then was shared! I shared my 'house collection' Does that come as a surprise? But I failed to share that I also love to write. I love to read. I love to be with my grandchildren and children (if that can be considered a hobby). I love to play bridge, party or duplicate. I love to coffee with friends. I love to spend time with my 'furry' faithful companion. I just wish I had more time and pep to do all the things I would like to do.

We rode in the Activity Bus of RHS, you know, that great big red,white and blue baby that is air-conditioned, for the Homecoming Parade. We were able to wave to the townspeople as they lined the streets of Main at 2:30 on Friday afternoon. And one classmate shared that, yes, she had marched in the band when she was in school, but she had never actually 'riden in or been a part of a parade' and this was exciting for her. Following the parade, we all met at the Lutheran Church on Main Street for a 'Homecoming Dessert Party' where we were able to meet the congregation members, the townspeople and other members from the graduating classes of ten and thirty years ago (of which my own son was a member). And the desserts! Everything from homemade ice cream to German Kucken and cakes and pies. We were stuffed!

Saturday, a 'Quilt Show' was held in the lobby of the hospital, and one classmate shared her quilts that she makes, bringing them clear from the state of Texas to display. Then, lunch was enjoyed at the Swinging Door Saloon on North Main Street, a BBQ special of the day provided by another RHS grad, few years our junior.

By this time, felt good to get out of the blustery wind and head for the Log Cabin for an afternoon of socializing. Amid red and blue decorations so attractively displayed by classmates willing to take time to do this extra special touch, the afternoon was spent greeting each classmate as they arrived. Some were thinner, some were heavier, some were more grey, some a little more disabled then last reunion, and oh, some were even more spry then five years ago!!! We ate chicken livers, gizzards, chicken strips, onion rings, cheese and potatoe deep fat fried goodies, (oh, weren't they on the diet sheet the doctor gave us last week???), nuts, drank coffee and tea and just enjoyed one anothers company as well as browsing up and down the tables of articles displayed for the Show and Tell event, reading old year books, scrap books, delighting in the hand-out gifts that were brought which included handmade bookends made out of native Kansas Post Rock from northern Russell County, made by Marjorie Heard Franklins father and which she so generously shared, as she said, by bringing them 'back to Russell County'. Another had cups and shirts and other items which they had printed with the picture of our ole high school building and made excellant momentos with Larry Davis proudly displaying this entry.

The evening program was tops. MC'd by Eddie Fowler who has replaced our class president, deceased Thurlow Ralph, and he did a fabulous job! Frank Edwards a former Pony Express Staff member (that was and is the school paper) gave a history of the class from kindergarten thru the twelfth grade. Then Eddie explained that our class is the only class that supplies scholarships to RHS students, done yearly, started five yars ago. The list of students we are helping was read. A wonderful project. I had the honors of giving an update on classmates not in attendance and want to interject here, that I so enjoyed all the phone visits that I had with those of you that were not able to make it to the reunion, but during this presentation, we brought you back with us, if not in person, you were there in spirit. But YOU were there!.................Carol Cunningham Fowler, a former music teacher, led us all in singing the school song............'Stand Up and Cheer' (hate to tell you this but there appeared to be a little CRS in the wording).........but we finally made it through it. Did not quite 'raise the roof' on the Log Cabin, but we came near to it!!!! Later she, with the assistance of Marjorie Evans Edwards and Anita Peterson Reisig gave a candle lighting ceremony for those classmates we have lost since the last reunion. Our total now is twenty-three lost classmates.

Distance and time may seperate us, but friendship and memories won't!!!!!

Has anyone ever shared this little sentiment with you....."Why is it that at a class reunion you feel younger than everyone else looks?" .... You know, if you were at the reunion these last couple days and did not come away with that feeling, please, please post this challenge on your frig door, on the bulletin board along side your computer, on the dash of your car......and let this positive note swell and delight each and every moment of your life.......until we meet again, dear, dear friends!

CHALLENGE..........................

'The regrets of yesterday...........and the fears of tomorrow........are the things that rob us of THIS day'.

The anticipation of seeing the deciduous trees turn, in most cases, to such beautiful colors that you know that God is at work, for sure. The end result, however is not always a pleasant ordeal, raking, hauling away the leaves, but think of all the fun we can have while we are doing the raking. The kids as they ran through the neatly stacked piles (oh, they were nice and high, mom), even the dogs and puppies delighted in ruining that perfect stack that was all ready for the dumpster. Homemade fun, nothing better in the world to experience, at any time.

Or is it the fact that the days are getting shorter and one is going to be forced to stay indoors and possibly get a few more household chores finished then before as the nights become longer. And, under normal circumstances, precipitation usually increases. For this, we are waiting in this area.

Now, it cannot be the time change. OH PLEASE, that is when I have to wonder why someone is always thinking up something new to accomodate their life style. Why don't they set the time for one setting and leave it at that??? Sure, it is a good reminder to change all the batteries in those time pieces which require a battery for continued operation, but surely we could come up with an idea of our own as to when the battery should be renewed. I hate to admit the fact, but my ole bod rebels just as much as I do .....when it comes to the time change. Seems it takes me about a month before I am back into a routine again...........and it begins again tonight. Be sure to change those clocks. Remember, "Spring ahead, Fall back". Sure do not want to get to church tomorrow morning too early! And as for me, I surely want to be in attendance at the correct time as we are having a special day in recognition of a wonderful friend who has served our congregation as our organist for 60 years!!!!! Isn't that marvelous! Am sure we can encourage her to tickle those ivories with the ease that she has done for so many years, occasionally! Replacing her will be another talented musician that will be surely welcomed and with all this goodness abounding, you can easily guess what my entry in my blessings journal will be all about for November 4. And so, why not interject this little ponderism here..............'you may not be able to turn back the clock, but you can always wind it up again'.

The other fact of October is of course, the holiday most kiddies love................Halloween. Though the number of door-to-door 'tricks or treaters' dimish yearly in this neighborhood, mainly because the children are invited to a local motel where candy is distributed indoors, eliminating all the dangers to which children can be exposed so in various elements and locales. Some churches even have 'trunk Halloween' parties where the members of the congregation take their treats on a Sunday prior to the Halloween eve events and the children come all adorned in their costumes there. My oh my, how things have changed from 'my day'. We had no store bought costumes. We borrowed our dads straw hat, tied on a kerchief around our neck, donned a pair of overalls from brother, and we were 'Farmer Jones'. Or, we borrowed an apron from mom, pulled our hair back into a bun, put on a pair of spectacles that were usually horn rimmed, and off we were, 'Lady of the House'.We would never dream of missing the opportunity of going from house to house each Halloween night, rain or snow. They were waiting for us. Doors opened freely. Dishes laden with popcorn balls, homemade baked goodies, suckers, Tootsie Rolls were waiting just for us. Sometimes the goodies would be distributed by the man of the house while mom was out taking a younger member of the family on their little Halloween ritual. Fun Times.

Usually, October is sort of a 'laid back' month for me, but cannot say that for 2007. I was really, really busy! Reunions, class reunions occupied my thirty-one days, pretty heavy. Hey, when you are out of high school as many years as I celebrated this year, there is a reason to celebrate!!!! And, it was great. Seeing all those familiar faces was wonderful. Since I was granted the priviledge of attending two high schools during those days, I am honored to be able to attend celebrations of two different schools which makes it even more memorable, I do believe. You know, lifes moments are so precious.....that is why God gives them to us only one at a time. This I believe with all my heart. The good friends you have. They are like the stars......you don't always see them, but you know they are there. Isn't it amazing how we all seem to want to live a long time, but yet we do not want to get old??? Have you even felt, while attending a class reunion, that you feel younger than everyone else looks until you get near a mirror???.......What a hoot! Do we often wish we knew as much as we thought we knew when we graduated from high school at the ripe old age of seventeen or eighteen??

Don't forget to turn your clocks back!!!!!

challenge of the week:

"Life is hard by the yard...............by the inch, it's a cinch."

I used to wonder why they used that expression as it seemed as though the expression would be used most often when it involved an issue of contraversy, but when I checked with my friendly dictionary, I had a much, much better understanding of why that pun was used,...... certainly different than what I thought of at that stage in my life for then a worm was those squiggly, wiggly ugly little things that appeared after a rain, or what we dug up in the earth when we were working in the vegtable garden, or what we had to find when we wanted to go fishing so that we would have bait to put on the end of our wooden cane poles.

Definition of worm tells us it is a small creeping animal; an intestinal parasite; a disease caused by parasites; something vermicular or spiral, this all in the noun form. However, look at the meanings in the verb form: to wriggle; to work gradually and secretly; to effect by stealthy means; to insinuate oneself; to extract cunningly.

At a meeting of minds over coffee last week, that expression was used when describing religion and politics for it was in general agreement that anytime either of these issues were addressed, it was certainly 'opening a can of worms', and after clarification of the meaning of the word, I believe I understand that conversation a little more fully.

Most of the times, of recent dates, the act of reading my daily newspaper or turning on the TV makes me wonder if there will ever come a time when people will learn to live together in peace!!!! This politician blames the other party; a bombing in this or that foreign country kills a number of people; mass murders, federal, state and local police uncover drug dealers. And puleeaasee........I thought newspapers and TV stations were to represent 'all'. Wrong? Pick up newspapers, I notice, especially as I am familiar more in this area, they mince no words as to which political party they favor. Who they blast, who they 'pipe up', and since we have somewhat of a monoply in part of the country on ownership of the publications, it will carry within each individual publication. Interesting to note. Am sure they have lost subscribers as a result of their editorials and comments in these past few weeks, and probably more will follow. Same for TV stations. Watch Fox, watch CNN. Doesn't take you long at all to figure out which party affiliation their news broadcasts and broadcasters focus on. Look at the polls taken on the recent debates! Heavens to Betsy, have you ever seen so many versions of a poll and its results??????? For sure, somebody can't or does not want to count votes correctly. For once, please, once people, be honest with your viewers regardless of your party preference! The truth, man, the truth. We want to hear it. Right or wrong. Agree or disagree. Just the truth!....

Who used to have that as a form of a program years ago on a TV, show....the words, "The Truth, nothing but the truth"????

It is only of human nature that when we speak, or when we write, we say what is on our minds, what is in our hearts.....for better or for worse. We all take for granted that we are free to speak......thankfully for the many who have gone on before us, many times giving their lives and fighting (even today, at this writing) so that we can enjoy that freedom today..........but at the same time we need to recognize the fact that it does come with some limits. We all reason, use our own voices while we seek stability and certainty. And, I firmly believe, we try to work for the good of the WHOLE. Not for the Republican Party, or the Democratic Party, or the Liberals, or whatever.

Herein lies the problem I have! It is this.......
We all enjoy comfort zones and most certainly find comfort among those who agree with us but the surprising fact remains that we find growth among those who don't! One of the secrets of life is to make stepping stones out of stumbling blocks. So, if this is true, why does a person stay in office for years and years, doing the same thing over and over and only doing it so his/her position is assured, yet blaming the other party/person for the world's problems? Re-election of course. Party politics.

But, let me ask you, who is not guilty of ever having played party politics? Raise your hand if you have never played 'party politics', oh no specified party like Democrat or Republican, just 'party'......... You want to be popular. You want your partner to stay by your side. You want to keep your job. You want a better paying job. You want that teacher to give your child a good grade in school. You want you son or daughter to be sure to be on the first string at the next athletic performance at school. You want to make that sale. You want that neighbor to cut your grass free of charge. How many hands are in the air???

And, then when you don't get that sale, when you do not get a job promotion, when your child does not end up as the Valadictorian, or this Congress voted on this or that issue, or this political candidate did not agree with you on this or that issue whose fault was it? The greater a persons sense of guilt, the greater his or her need to cast blame on others!!!!!!!!

One little thing, and it is just a little thing at that........to remember is when you use your pointing finger, and point it at someone else, accusing them of this wrong, of that wrong......what is happening to the other four fingers on your hand? Who are they pointing to? It's not whether you win or lose, but how you place the blame.

I loved the article in our last monthly church newsletter which stated that people claim that 'Money is the root of all evil'.......Believe that? Hope not. I Timothy tells you that 'The love of money is the root of all evil". Wouldn't it be much nicer if our world was built on the foundatioin of the 'power of love' rather than the 'love of power'???.

The Law of Logical Argument states that 'Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about'. Doesn't it just 'frost you' when someone stands up at a meeting, or blabs on TV, or writes articles in the paper and goes on and on and on and on about an issue and never says a thing, just takes up your time??? It sure does me. That is when I am tempted to say.........if allowed........"Hey, we are intelligent human beings, we have minds of our own, give us some credit". Ah, that is when the remote springs forth from its normal resting place, when you turn the page or crumple up the newspaper because by making that decision, in essence you are saying, "I am making this decision with an open mind and heart, and I feel it is the right decision to make".

I was fortunate this week, to enjoy e-mail transmission with the eldest granddaughter, attending college, and reading her reactions to the debates regarding the upcoming November election. Ah, the youthful view is something we all need to acknowledge. It was great. She was objectional, and rightly so, as all should be. She shared the views of her roommates and friends and it appears they are taking an active part of the world events and I feel that is so important to the future of our country. I would like to tell them, and everyone for that matter, who says, 'oh my vote will not count, it doesn't make any difference that I feel this way about this candidate or that way about that candidate, or this way or that way about that or any issue' just remember this one little thing............"If you think you are too small to make a difference to improve life and the lives of others, you have never been in bed with a mosquito buzzing around your head".................

Please join me in the upcoming challenge, 'open a can of worms'....... it is of vital importance:

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

"Have a fresh, mental and spiritual attitude every single day, especially if you don't like what is happening or ABOUT to happen." PUSH!

Todays blaring headlines in the newspapers, on TV telling what financial problems our country is experiencing, the reasons for such......just what in the world do you think your parents would be saying if they were still here among us, now, right at the moment??? Well, for me, I can hear ...spoken in very, very plain words.........my mother saying, 'What a revolting developement we have gotten ourselves into'.

A dear friend, (*thanks Rae) who keeps in touch on a daily basis sent this little tidbit among her mailings today. It goes something like this:

"Investments...Short and to the point!"
Investments...If you have purchased $l000 of shares of Delta Airlines one year ago, you will have $49.00 today. If you had purchased $l,000 of shares of AIG one year ago, you will have $33.00 today. If you had purchased $l,000 shares of Lehman Brothers one year ago, you will have $l.00 today. BUT, now listen to this.......if you had purchased $l,000 worth of beer one year ago, drank all the beer, then turned in the aluminum cans for recycling refund, you will have received $214.00. Based on the above, the best current investment plan is to drink heavily and recycle. It is called the 401 Key. A recent study found that the average American walks about 900 miles a year. Another study found that Americans drink, on average 22 gallons of alcohol a year. That means, that, on an average, Americans get about 41 miles to the gallon!. ........Then it went on to say, 'Makes you proud to be an American!'..........But I ask you, does it?

We are always looking for something bigger and better. A bigger house. A better job. A flakier crust. Whiter whites, brighter colors. Whiter teeth, bigger cars. It seems that we are driven by dissatisfaction, we swim in an ocean of marketing, which promises to make everything new. Everything better, everything more improved. Coveting bigger and better things is what we do.

The business world has created a new occupation; the corporate headhunter. Employers who are seeking to lure the best employees from competitors, hire headhunters dedicated to this task. Dare we condemn employers who entice employees from other businesses, sports coaches who entice players from other teams and how about someone who coaxes the neighbors cat with a saucer of milk. Talk about enticement. When we are tempted to entice others, we have to face reality......we are being enticed ourselves. Temptation awaits everyone, everywhere, every minute, every hour of the day and night. Chosing right over wrong, ethics over convenience and truth, our popularity. These are the choices that measure your life.

True, we look to the government for leadership. We vote them in office. We expect them to look out for us. For our best interests. But what happens when people, just take for example, are buying a home. They want the best. They do not want what mom and dad started out with. They want something better. They want all the amenities. A double garage. A full basement. A swimming pool. Two bathes or more. A bedroom for each child. So, what happens, they buy beyond their means. Then, months or years down the road, circumstances occur that changes their life entirely. A divorce. A death. They can no longer afford to pay the mortgage payment each month. Now, who is to blame when a default occurs? Were the buyers honest about their income, their expectations when they applied for the loan? At that particular moment, whose fault is it? Is it the buyer? Is it the lender?

Raised in an era when we were taught that we were to 'make do with what you have or do without', it is really hard to understand what is happening in Washington these days. We watch our stocks and investments dimish daily. Hey, we sure didn't ask for this to happen. Why, look at children when they play board games. They must follow certain rules. They are not merely rules for rules' sake, but they are set in place so that the players know how to play and what to expect. Without rules....and authority to enforce them....the game isn't a game.............it's CHAOS. And chaos is what we are experiencing at the moment.

The authority of our senators and representatives, our president, is established to enforce rules in this world. The way I feel about the situation is that often times we have to travel the path of integrity without looking back, for there is never a wrong time to do the right thing. If you don't stand for something you will fall for everything. They, along with the large corporate CEO's, command some of the highest salaried positions in our nation.

Our troops are abroad, facing dangers each and every day to protect us. Protect our country. Protect our freedoms. Men and women have given their lives for many years to protect our country, our freedoms, things we hold dear and honorable. Where is the loyalty of our citizens? Why is it being hidden under blankets, under covers?

Sure this is a 'revolting developement'. How many people involved in the problem solving solution of this mess can go to bed with a clear conscience tonight???? How many can look at themselves in the mirror when they awake tomorrow morning and say 'I have done my best'???? How many can say, "I have never been enticed!"????? I simply cannot understand their thoughts!

The measures of life, after all, is not its duration but its donation, and frankly, I believe there are a lot of people that need to be a little 'donation wise'. But, I will give them the benefit of doubt..........for only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly, but time is running out. They need to act now. Forget the money that is gracing their pockets. Think about all mankind. The little man, the big man. We are all involved! Many of the things worth doing in this world, were declared imossible before they were done...............so get to work, make it work, forgo selfishness, greed, lying, stealing because when there is something as meaningful to many, in all probablility the whole nation, it is important that it be done, it be said,......now, TODAY,...... for in life there is not always a second chance to do that.

Do you agree that our nation, this great country of ours, is in a 'revolting developement'?

If you do, PUSH. PUSH until something happens. I am.

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

"Time is all we have -----use it wisely!"

P. U. S. H.

Have a good 'un. Nadene

We have a responsibility. We need to pray. We need to be able to live with our conscience as we exercise our voting priviledges.

I firmly believe this.

Election day is just a matter of a few days away. Give some serious thought to the candidate of your choice. Educate yourself about each candidate.

I have to think of my father who placed such a high value on education. Possibly because he was denied such in his earlier childhood, but I heard these words repeated more than once by him...........and they were: 'Study, get all the education you can. and always believe in God for those things can never be taken from you'.

With those words in mind, check the voting history of your choice of candidates. Seek out prior actions. Seek as much information as you can always keeping in mind that disseminated information is not always accurate and keeping in mind as well, each candidate is but a mere human being. Only one PERFECT human has ever walked this earth!

Therefore, it is YOUR responsibility to ascertain, to the best of YOUR ability what box you wish to place your big "X" in on November 4. Be as honest as your heart directs in every aspect of the search.

Get out and vote. Go to the polls. Exercise your right, your priviledge as a citizen of this great nation. VOTE!

Our sons, our daughters, our brothers, our sisters, our mothers and fathers have died and fought for this right, this legacy, for all citizens of this great United States of America. Do not let them have died in vain! Remember also, it is not just history, for the battle goes on right now, today, tonight! Our citizens are still battling to maintain our freedoms. May God bless them, and all of us as well!

The following was sent to me by a dear friend who finds it within her heart to send me a special greeting nearly each and every day. Please read and enjoy!

During WWII, there was an advisor to Churchill who organized a
group of people who dropped what they were doing every night at a
prescribed hour for one minute to collectively pray for the safety of
England , its people and peace This had an amazing effect as bombing
stopped.
There is now a group of people organizing the same thing here
in America.The United States of America and our citizens need prayer
more than ever !!!
If you would like to participate: each evening at 9:00 PM
Eastern Time, 8:00 PM Central , 7:00 PM Mountain, 6:00 PM Pacific,
stop whatever you are doing and spend one minute praying for the
safety of the United States, our troops, our citizens, for peace in the
world, for wisdom and courage for our leaders, the up-coming election,
and that the Bible will remain the basis for the laws governing our
land and that Christianity will grow in the U.S.
If you know anyone who would like to participate, please pass
this along. Someone said if people really understood the full extent
of the power we have available through prayer, we might be speechless.
Our prayers are the most powerful asset we have. Thank You.

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

Love is patient; love is kind; love never ends.

Have a good 'un......................................Nadene


PS........Thanks for sharing, Janelle!

Stop and think for a moment about the above paragraph.
What things happen to you periodically which bring memories of your parents when it occurs?

I remember reading this little verse somewhere, long, long time ago, and it has stuck with me ever since. It went like this.....DON'T BELIEVE ALL YOU HEAR......SPEND ALL YOU HAVE... or SLEEP ALL YOU WANT. Do those words strike a 'chord' in some phase of YOUR life?

DON'T BELIEVE ALL YOU HEAR!......I love to think about the little 'Gossip Game' we used to play in school. Remember doing that??? We would all sit in a circle, and one person, starting, would whisper a sentence into the ear of the person sitting next to him or her. And, some times, they would say it real fast to throw you off. It could not be repeated. Then it was that persons job to do the same, repeating what they heard, or thought they heard, until the circle was completed.......amazing what the final results were. Is it any different today? We are bombarded, by all methods of the news media, by truths...by untruths. What would Mom and Dad have said????.....Remember that God gave you a brain. Put it to use. With that hand little computer at your finger tips, do research. Search for yourself. Be amazing what you can discover. Why, one time I happened on a website of Human Facts about the feet. The common foot. You know what I discovered? There are 250,000 sweat glands in a pair of human feet and about l million bacteria on each foot! Holy moly, no wonder 'tinky feet' is a fact that can be protrayed to the youngest member of the family as you go about play time with them.....Also, your big toes has 2 bones while the rest of your toes have 3 bones. Another interesting fact was that you use 200 muscles to take a step......Hey, no wonder they tell us that walking is one of the best exercises we can do for our bodies! I found that research interesting. I discovered new things that I did not know before. I was amazed. I was glad I took the time to do a little research, it gave me a totally different insight to my feet, ones I never had before and you know something, it sure did not do any harm for me to learn those things! So, I am not going to believe everything I hear, I am going to be a skeptic, I shall research!

SPEND ALL YOU HAVE.....You know, two people could be given a million dollars each. One would return richer, having made wise investments, saved, and the other one, well, they blew the whole amount. They had nothing to show at all for all the money that had been given them. Look at what is happening in our world today! The economy, the economic conditions occuring across our nation......And what would Mom and Dad have called that situation?? Knowing them as well as I did, I can easily say they would be apalled at our world today. They would say to quit buying something just because the neighbor has one. Think twice about having the best and most clothes, or the best house in the neighborhood. Don't be so wasteful with that food. Use the leftovers. Mashed potatoes, leftover, make great potatoe cakes for tomorrow evenings supper. That coat will fit cousin Sue, give it to her next winter. Use it up. Make do or do without.......Nothing new in those phrases except that today we have given it a new name. Today we call it recycling, we call it 'Going Green'.

SLEEP ALL YOU WANT....Amazing how the need for rest, for sleep can affect the human body. We all, amazingly, carry the wounds of life, we face discouragement along lifes way nearly every day of our lives, but it is how we allow it to affect our lives as to the wear and tear that it does to our bodies. Some people can go to bed every night and the minute their heads hit the pillows they are sound asleep, much like a new born babe. While others, well, do not need to elaborate on that problem. It all stems back to how we address various problems in our lives. I like the words of Mark Twain when he said...."It isn't what I don't know about the Bible that troubles one, but what I do know". OOPS, that struck a familiar note. What would Mom and Dad have said had they read that quote???? Well, my parents told me this phrase and I never forgot it........and this happened when I was about in the fourth grade of school........'if you are ever in doubt about what you are doing is right or wrong, think about whether or not you can come home, be honest and sit down and tell us all about it, without feeling guilty of having done the wrong thing'. To me, those words said it all!

You know, if Mom and Dad were here today, I think they would be saying......."Be the change YOU wish to see in the world, don't let someone else decide for you. YOU, YOU make that choice. YOU research. YOU seek. YOU make up your own mind and don't believe all you hear, or spend all you have, and for pete's sake, get some sleep".

Thanks, Mom and Dad, for being "YOU"!

My Challenge this Week:

"If you can't decide whether what you are doing, or going to do is right or wrong, ask yourself.......'what would Mom and Dad, or Uncle Hank or Aunt Bessie or Grandma or Grandpa say if I told them that what I have just done?' ".

But, hey, I am not telling you the real subject of todays challenge, for all that has been happening of late, has certainly triggered my choice of this weeks challenge. Read on!

It is........."HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY".

Head of the National Institute of Health studies said.....'Our body releases neuropetides with conflicting messages that work against each other'.........these studies included the discovery in the mind/body link. 'Consequently we end up with a weakened, disturbed psychosomatic network'................hey, but guess what, we are told the good news that when we are honest, our bodies will work with us to promote good health. Amen.............

Example, a good friend asks you how you like her new sweater (well, guess what, it is not the best thing you have ever seen her dressed in), so, it is pretty tempting to conjure up just a teeny=tiny white lie. That is, if your face does not give you away as mine would probably do. Example, last Monday, sitting in the doctors office, waiting for my name to be called, my son sitting beside me, I felt my hair was a bit ruffled, so I commented that they would not lay down properly this morning, and so I looked at my son, and said, something like, 'is that right?'.................did he have to answer? Nope, it was written all over his face, but he was honest, he admitted they did not look very good in spite of the fact!!! Much appreciated, son, you were honest!

Keep your word..................Above all, be honest. If you can't do what you say you are going to do, don't say it. Every path has a few puddles and true you oft times have to jump those puddles but don't make them into a lake for then YOU ARE LYING. If you cannot share your past with people. If you fail to be honest with your friends, your family, your business associates, something is wrong. Like my dad used to say.............'WHERE THERE IS SMOKE THERE IS FIRE". By that, I took it to mean that when people evaded a question, or were not honest in their words to you, they were hiding something.. Haven't you found that to be true? I have! I once read that it takes 10 lies to cover up ONE lie. Boy, all I can say is, we better have a very good memory if we elect to keep being dishonest.

So, if you are tempted to fib, remember George Washington. He was committed to 'never telling a lie" and lived to be 67. Just 67, you might say. That is not very old...........but guess what, he lived to be 67 when the life expectancy was only 38.3! Think that tells us something!

Well, guess what, sun is still shining, not dark yet, but my door bell has already rang and immediately I heard this dear, sweet little voice calling through the door..........'TRICK OR TREAT! SMELL MY FEET'...................none other than the grandson of our next door neighbor, here visiting from Nebraska, as his grandpa is celebrating a birthday today!. So, guess I better bring this to a 'screaming' halt and get ready for the rest of the ghosts and goblins that will soon be appearing on my doorstep!

My CHALLENGE FOR THE WEEK::

LIVE A GOOD HONORABLE, TRUTHFUL LIFE......then when you get older and think back, you'll enjoy it a second time.