A Well Written Letter to President-elect Obama

Dear President-elect Obama:

First, congratulations on your victory. The historical magnitude of your presidential win is nothing short of stupendous and a colossal fulfillment of the American dream (an achievement embedded long ago in the equality clauses of the Declaration of Independence).

It's likely no big surprise that I don't see eye to eye with you politically. Actually, I stand in stark opposition to most of your politics. Still, I realize that we must learn to work together if we are to see our country get back on track. After Election Day, I asked myself, "How can I work for our new president to help better America?" Then a thought occurred to me. The first question that should be answered is: How will you work for me? After all, "We the People" of the United States employ you, correct?

So here are a few ways you might begin to gain the respect of those who oppose you and to show that your campaign pledges to bridge the divides were not empty promises to get you into office. And these requests I make are based upon the inaugural oath you will make Jan. 20, "I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of president of the United States and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States." No doubt these won't be my only requests through the years, but they serve as a good beginning:

--Use and cite the Constitution. If that constitutional oath ("preserve, protect and defend") is the central duty of your job description, then I assume we will be hearing often from you about exactly how you are doing just that. There is no replacement for strict adherence, application and defense of the Constitution. And it's high time that presidents quit reciting the presidential oath tritely and then abandoning its tenets when they enter the Oval Office. You should be quoting from the Constitution publicly as often as a preacher quotes the Bible to his congregation -- at least weekly. If you take this oath and challenge seriously, you will limit the powers of federal government, reduce taxes (for everyone), encourage the freedom of religion and expression (even in the public square), and stand up for such things as our right to bear arms. The American public and the government have lost their grip on the content and role of the Constitution, but if you daily choose, you can help to re-educate and model its usage for them.

--Protect American life. Thomas Jefferson wrote in 1809, "The care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction, is the first and only legitimate object of good government." Those are powerful and enlightening words. Of course, such a role was created and secured in the very fabric of our nation -- in the Declaration of Independence. The commitment to protect life should serve as the basis for all you do, even as a foundation for your national defense strategy. I'm sure the first of your secret briefings this past week on our global security threats have opened your eyes to the extensive onslaught of our enemies. Don't allow your pride, partisanship, personal bias or political abilities to jeopardize the safety of Americans lives. As commander in chief, you are called to preserve American life. Quite frankly, that is why I'm surprised that a man such as you, who professes to fight for minorities, would not recognize the clear value of a human life in a womb. Federal law should not decree the sacrifice of one human life for the preference of another. Both lives should be protected. Otherwise, what do Jefferson's 1809 words mean? As president, you are called to protect (not destroy) human life; it is the "first and only legitimate object of good government."

--Lead more from the center. It's been pointed out by countless pundits, and your track record is clear: You have one of the most liberal records in the Senate. You've had the liberty of voting and fighting for an agenda "from the left" as you've tried to persuade state and federal lawmakers to do the same. But if you continue to lead our country down a more liberal road, you will follow the peril of Bill Clinton, who stepped into office and initially tried to lift the ban on gays in the military and extend abortion rights, only to prompt the creation of a more balanced and strong Republican Congress in the 1990s. Don't underestimate the resurrecting power of the conservative voice. You observed in last week's election how three states across this union voted to protect marriage in their constitutions (the 28th, 29th and 30th states to do so -- California, Arizona and Florida).

We will be watching who you choose to be in your Cabinet. We will discern how you lead Pelosi and Reid. We will be observing those you select as candidates for Supreme Court justices. The election is over. No more promises. No more words. You might work well in a team, but this time, you don't have congressional members to hide behind. You're on your own -- leading the pack -- and the whole country is watching. I, especially, am watching. So make sure you lead more from the center.

One of your 300 million bosses,

Chuck Norris

HMV Fundraiser

His Master's Voice choirs and bands had a fund raiser at our local Kroger. The elementary choir sang in the morning, while the concert choir and jazz performed a few 20 minute segments throughout the day. In between performance segments, the older kids worked hard bagging groceries for customers. At the end of the day, they had earned $1,500 in tips to use towards new instruments! Woo hoo!




The elementary choir - Sarah is in the back row




The jazz band - Andrew is on the far right with the bongos.

Andrew bagging groceries -- people were glad to give tips to kids that were actually working!

Christian and Joseph Deaton

I haven't forgotten!

I know I've been MIA for awhile! I've got pictures to share, but they're on a camera 2 floors above me, and I'm too tuckered out to go fetch 'em! I promise to update soon . . . . .

The Divine Gift of Pet Ownership

A quick posting by Tom:

As I write this, Kristine is still mourning the loss that so many people feel when having to put a family pet to sleep. It has been quite an introspective process for each of us in the family. We do keep coming back to the fact that we’re talking about an animal. Is it our own sinful desires that cause us to miss being needed by it? Is it idol worship? How do we look at this sense of heartache and loss from a Christian perspective?

Gen 1:25

And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good.

Prov 12:10

A righteous man regards the life of his animal, But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

Let us remember that animals, part of God’s creation, are good.

Gen 1:26-27

26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 

27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

That sounds well and fine you may say, but it doesn’t seem to allow for us to worry about them and pour our hearts out over pets does it? Consider the prophet Nathan, who reproached David for his adultery with Bathsheba and his murder of Uriah.

2 Samuel 12:1-15

1 Then the Lord sent Nathan to David. And he came to him, and said to him: “There were two men in one city, one rich and the other poor.

2 The rich man had exceedingly many flocks and herds.

3 But the poor man had nothing, except one little ewe lamb which he had bought and nourished; and it grew up together with him and with his children. It ate of his own food and drank from his own cup and lay in his bosom; and it was like a daughter to him.

4 And a traveler came to the rich man, who refused to take from his own flock and from his own herd to prepare one for the wayfaring man who had come to him; but he took the poor man’s lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him.”

5 So David’s anger was greatly aroused against the man, and he said to Nathan, “As the Lord lives, the man who has done this shall surely die!

6 And he shall restore fourfold for the lamb, because he did this thing and because he had no pity.”

7 Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man!

Now it is not my point to talk about what David did and to deal with his sin. What we do see here is a biblical example of caring for an animal. Notice that I say caring for. Let us not become guilty of “worshiping” or in any way ascribing characteristics, or elevating the animal above the level of people. It seems clear to me, that we humans, being created in the image of God, can have a tender heart for our animals as long as we place them below humans, and remember their proper place.

Humans have pets. Whales don’t keep clownfish as pets. Gorillas don’t keep chimps or squirrels as pets. They don’t even seem to keep inanimate collections for nostalgia. Only people do that, and to the extent that people understand the divinely ordained relationship between themselves and their pets or animals, I believe it is biblical.

Is it idol worship to grieve the loss of a pet? That depends. It does seem that pets give us unconditional love. That may not really be what it is however. Animals such as dogs see us as leaders of their pack and know their dependence on us, which to us feels like love. It feels like love, and I’m guilty of this too. I don’t believe it is love by the animal but rather its own desires. We are selfish in our desire for this apparent love and affirmation.

It is good, however, that our hearts are quickened by this relationship since the animals are, after all, a gift from our creator to us. We do not worship the animals, but we can and should cherish that our God has so blessed us. It is because of the way our hearts and emotions are made, that we grieve loss. Again, this is because we are created in the image of God. What other creature reacts such as the human? And when they depart, we should remember that God is the giver and taker of life for us all.

Thank you Lord for your blessings upon us. Thank you for giving us some great years with our beloved pets and your using them to reveal yourself to us.

Tom

In Memory of Buddy Bear Thomas

Buddy Bear Thomas
Crossed Rainbow Bridge October 9, 2008

Our first family pet, a bichon whom we named Boo, came to us as a 9-week-old puppy in July of 2003. He was a typical puppy full of energy -- more energy than we could deal with on most days. Our dog groomer, a veteran dog owner, suggested that we get another dog, a mature one, one that wouldn't put up with Boo's puppy antics , and would teach him how to behave.

We really wanted another bichon, and were excited to find an approximately 8-year old male named Buddy available through the Atlanta Pet Rescue website. We filled out an adoption application, passed the phone interview, and were told to be at their facility in Atlanta on Saturday -- but be there early, as the animals are adopted on a first-come, first-served basis.

We arrived two hours early on Saturday morning, and were pleased to be the first in line. If we didn't get to take this little guy home with us, it wasn't going to be because we didn't give it our best effort! The line grew behind us, and the foster owners began arriving with their charges, adding them to the wire kennel where all the dogs up for adoption were being penned. We actually didn't see Buddy first -- we smelled him. What a stench!!!! His foster mom (Donna) figured out who we were (because we had Boo with us) and had come up behind us in line. Buddy's foul breath preceded them. He was very aloof, totally not interested in us, and was indifferent to Boo. In to the wire kennel he went with the rest of the poochies. He didn't interact at all with the other dogs, but just sat off at the side, looking away from the commotion.

As we were waiting in line, a SUV pulled up to the curb and parked. A man and woman exited the vehicle along with FIVE bichons! Buddy's foster mom informed us that the couple were also there to adopt him. Our hopes were dashed, as we were told that APR really wanted to place him in a home without children because of abuse in the past. What a joyful moment it was when Donna came and handed his leash to us! After meeting our family, she knew our children wouldn't be abusive to Buddy.

April 10, 2004
At APR after signing the papers making Buddy (in my arms) ours



In his new home after just a few days


It quickly became apparent after we got home that day that Buddy had issues. After entering our house for the first time, he immediately ran underneath the kitchen table, and that's where he stayed. In the coming weeks, we learned that any affection we gave Buddy was going to be on his terms. We weren't completely surprised by his personality. Donna, his foster mom, told us that he was unusual. He was the tenth dog in her care, so things were a little crowded in her apartment. At night, she said that all the dogs would jump on her bed to sleep with her (can you imagine being in bed with 9 dogs?!!!) but Buddy would run and find a dark place in the closet by himself.

Buddy did have a calming effect on the pup. He took the posture of alpha dog and was quick to put Boo in his place, and Boo learned that there were boundaries with Buddy. Buddy eventually accepted Boo, and we would often find the two of them together doing their favorite activities -- watching out the window or sleeping.

I mentioned earlier about Buddy's stench the day we adopted him. We had some concerns about how well this dog was going to clean up. Groomed bichons are beautiful, white, fluffy dogs, and Buddy was none of these. His fur was dull and ratty, his paws and mouth area were stained a dark rust color, his teeth were rotting, and he was quite skinny. Our groomer did a great job on his first grooming in making him look like a bichon should, and as the weeks went by, he steadily gained weight. A trip to the vet to take care of some of those rotting teeth went a long way in alleviating Buddy's presence being sensed before he was seen.

And so life went on in the Thomas household along with their bichons Buddy and Boo.

Whatever Buddy's past held, it left him with some severe insecurities. He always had to be hiding under something. Here he is hiding under the lingerie chest in the master bedroom, while Boo tries to talk him out for some play time.

This picture most reflects Buddy's personality -- very serious. And worried. This little guy always seemed to be paranoid about something.

Looking like a sweet, little teddy bear after being groomed

During Buddy's life with us, he spent a lot of his time under the master bed. It was his place, and he became very nasty if anyone tried to coax him out. He was extremely stubborn. We had a professional trainer quit on us once because he couldn't do a thing with Buddy. The trainer was sure that he wouldn't have any problem being the boss and getting Buddy out from underneath the bed. Buddy won. The trainer quit.

When Buddy would want something, whether it be more affection, treats, or a morsel of people food, he would do what we affectionately dubbed "The Buddy Beg." He would raise up on his back paws and paw the air with his front paws. It was adorable! People in our household have been known to do The Buddy Beg to get something they want.

Silly dog! Always had to be under something, and always loved a warm cushy place to lay. He got the best of both worlds here by climbing under the pad in his bed.

I think most dogs pick a person to bond with, and Buddy's choice was me. It was pretty creepy at first. He followed me EVERYWHERE. Every time I turned around, there were his little eyes peeping at me from whatever object he sought shelter under. About a year ago, his obsession with me began to become unhealthy. Up to this point, he had always been tolerant of the kids, but his behavior began to change. If one of them got near me, he would bark at them, and if they came to close, he would go after their feet. If they had been younger, we wouldn't have had a choice but to put him to sleep, but since they were older, they just knew to stay away from him, or if he was with me, I would just reach down and touch him with my hand, and he would leave them alone.

He also began to develop gastric problems because of his obsession with me. If he couldn't see me, he would become very distressed, which would affect his bodily functions, if you know what I mean. His sight and hearing deteriorated to the point that he didn't hear me when I called him, or hear me walk away when I left a room. I didn't think it possible, but his need to be with me increased to where he would frantically run around the house looking for me if I had somehow slipped from his sight. When he was put downstairs in the kennel when we were leaving the house, he would sit by the gate and wimper until I came back home. He was so pitiful. His condition had deteriorated so much when we were on vacation this past spring, that we actually formulated a plan for how we would get him back home if he passed while on the trip. In the past few months, he developed a condition where he would have episodes where it appeared that his lung and esophagus were closing off, and we thought he was going to suffocate. We thought the episodes may be anxiety induced, but then they began happening during the night while he was sleeping. Sometimes he would yelp out in pain even though he was still and no one was touching him. Sometimes he would cry when a harness was put on him or taken off. He was such a poor, pitiful, little dog.

So if Buddy was so old and frail, then why am I feeling so horrible for putting him to sleep? I cannot describe the guilt I feel! Tom was not home when I made the decision to take Buddy in to the vet. Buddy had a HORRIBLE, restless night Tuesday night, and laid on my bathroom floor shaking when I got up Wednesday morning. The thought crossed my mind that today might be the day that I might have to make a decision about Buddy's life. My heart was so heavy as I made my way downstairs to the kitchen. I was really wrestling in my heart with taking the life of this furry little creature who has been so close to me for the last several years. I sat down to read my Bible, and providentially, the Lord took me to Ecclesiastes. I read in Ecclesiastes chapter 3, "There is a time for everything . . . . . . A time to be born and a time to die . . . " Buddy certainly appeared miserable, but it didn't appear that death was imminent either. Oh, how I prayed that he would just curl up in a corner one day and not wake up! How can I make the decision to take his life away?!!! Then the Lord brought to my mind that he gave Adam dominion over the animals of the earth. We are free to kill them for food and clothing, and Proverbs 12:10 says, "A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal." I have cared for the needs of this animal in the senior years of his life, and his body is deteriorating to a point beyond which can be remedied. I felt a peace with the decision I was about to make, so Andrew, Sarah and I made our way to the vet's office.

As Buddy's closest human, I felt it my duty to stay with him until his last breath since I made the decision to end his life. It was not the peaceful ending that I imagined it would be, and I have been engulfed with guilt ever since. If it was the right decision, then why do I feel so miserable and regret what I did? My dear husband (who left on a trip yesterday morning and didn't find out until last night about the decision I made) has replayed the last year of Buddy's life with me, and assured me that we probably let him live longer than we should have. He was very proud of me for having the courage to do what I did, and said that after the night Buddy had Tuesday, he was going to put him to sleep when he got home from his trip. I know that my work load will be much lighter without Buddy, but my heart aches that he's gone. I know my feelings are purely selfish! I used to complain about how creepy his stalking me was, but now that those little eyes aren't constantly on me, I miss him so much! Sarah and I have cried and cried, and the boys have expressed that things aren't the same, and they miss him. Andrew commented that he is so used to hearing Buddy around the house that he keeps thinking he is still hearing him. For me, it is the absence of sound that is difficult. There are no little paw sounds on the stairs behind me. When I go to the basement, I do not hear his paws on the floor above me, scrambling to see where I've gone. There is no warning bark when someone comes in to my room. Boo and Baxter are a little confused why they can come in my room without being chased off by Buddy, but other than that, they don't appear to be aware of his absence.

The kids and I dug a grave for Buddy in the back yard and that is where he now rests. Time will go on and heal this raw wound that we all feel right now. I say that I will never get another pet, because saying good-bye is so painful, but I suppose I will change my mind someday.

Thank you for your devotion to me Buddy. Your little paw print is embedded in my heart forever!

Birthday Dinner, The School Grind, and Kittens

Packy, Sarah, Tom, Christian, and another friend from church, Mr. King
The Coppock's invited us over for dinner after church on Sunday to celebrate Tom's birthday.

The boys online classes through The Potter's School are in full swing, and they are feeling it! Here is Andrew with a fried brain as he works on a history paper that is due today.

Christian logging in for Latin class

Sarah was learning about the Dead Sea today in her history book, so one of her activities was to grow salt crystals. We'll show you the results in a few days!

The time has come to part with the last two kitties, Fireball (left) and Peaches. We haven't been able to unload them by word of mouth, so we are posting a flyer at the vet's office tomorrow.

Tom left on a three-day trip this morning, returning Saturday afternoon, and we had a very busy school day with papers and tests due. Sarah was a dear and made dinner for me -- potato soup -- yum! Tomorrow is our busy day outside of the house. I usually run errands while the boys are at bands/choir practice, but due to the gas situation here in Atlanta, I think I am going to come back home after I drop them off. We are reading reports of long lines and angry confrontations at the pumps that do have gas on the north side, and to my knowledge, things aren't as bad down here. The Kroger where I like to get my gas (cheapest) ran out of gas last Friday, and haven't had any since, but I was able to find some a little further down the road. Tom just called and said that it is being reported that the shortage here in Atlanta probably won't be resolved for another two weeks. Yikes!

Oh, I almost forgot! My new-to-me (eBay find) sewing machine arrived today! I am going to sign off here so I can go play with it for a little bit. It is my first computerized machine and I'm really enjoying it!

A Baby Shower!

Sarah and I attended a double baby shower honoring our friends Jill and Meloney!

Jill and Meloney (seated) with LaRae and Katie who organized the shower for them

Jill's baby girl, Naomi

And Meloney is due with Lily Ann any day!

Aren't these lady bug cakes made by Leah Hawkins darling?

Meloney opening the quilt I made for her baby

Jill opening the quilt I made for little Naomi

(Jill is a professional seamstress, so I'm sure it was painfully obvious at once that I made it!)

Sarah with Kristin Hawkins

Happy Birthday Tom!

Birthdays are good for you. Statistics show that the people who have the most live the longest!

"So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom."
Psalm 90:12

September 18, 1962, Thomas Stephen Thomas II made his entry into the world!

4 days old

April, 1964

We praise God for bringing you into our lives, a dear husband and father. May He continue to grow you in his wisdom and grace as you lead our family!

With much love,

Kristine, Christian, Andrew and Sarah

Bye Bye Kitties, a Finished Project, and New Sounds

Bye Bye Kitties!

Ruth Himebook with daughter Mary Love, and son Peter

Hooray for the Himebook family who has adopted Oreo, Coco and Clementine!
Tom just took the kids to their music lessons and got the first update on how they are doing (Mr. Himebook is the kids' instructor). Coco is extremely shy and likes to hide from everyone, but is doing better. Clementine loves everyone and just wants to be where the action is. It would appear that Oreo is much like his father! He has escaped outside and doesn't wish to be caught. They see him in their yard and in their neighbor's yard, and he will meow at them and come quite close, but there is no catching him. We will offer them our live trap, which is how we caught him the first time, if they would like to try again in making him a house cat. At least he is minus parts so that he can't populate their neck of the woods!

A Finished Baby Quilt

Sarah is holding my first attempt at quilting, and I am addicted! As far as quilting goes, this is an extremely easy quilt with all straight seams -- simple project for a simple mind. :o) Even at that, it was challenging to make everything line up exactly, with the binding being the most difficult for me.
I am attending a double baby shower on Saturday, and will give this quilt to one mom, and I am working on another quilt for the other mom (I'll post a picture after I finish it). I love to sew! (Don't confuse a love to sew with being good at it, for I am not!) Sarah and I have a couple of projects that we are getting ready to sew after I finish the second baby quilt. She already loves to sew at 11, so I'm praying that by the time she is asked for her hand in marriage, she will be quite an accomplished seamstress and can bless her husband, whether she is helping to provide income through her talents, or decorating their home with items she creates.

Sarah has begun flute lessons! Between Sarah's flute, Christian's trumpet, Andrew's snare and bells, and the piano, there are musical strains wafting through our house often!

Tomorrow is Tom's birthday! He leaves early in the morning on a trip, so we celebrated by going to Carrabba's last evening for some yummy Italian food. I forgot to bring my camera, so I don't have any pictures to share.

We are slowly getting our basement family room/office/school room functional again. We need to acquire some bookshelves for one of the walls, which will go a long way in controlling the clutter. We have more books than we have space for right now!

I am enjoying a cup of chocolate, peppermint decaf (coffee with melted chocolate and peppermint oil added) while I compose this post, but nothing is getting done while I am sitting here, so I best get moving. The weather has turned cool today (it is 68 wonderful degrees right now) and has put all of us in the mind of fall. Pork chops are simmering in the crock pot for dinner, and we will be joining in the family room for some family worship and reading later tonight.

Faye Showers, More Kitties and Laboring . . .

I posted the previous blog entries with all due respect to everyone and their political opinion. My purpose in doing so was to encourage people to think. What drives your vote for a particular candidate? Do you vote on principal, or do you vote the "lesser of two evils," and how do you arrive at your conclusion? Alright, let's move on from politics, shall we?

Thanks to all who inquired about my mom. After two days in the hospital with an extremely low pulse and blood pressure , she was able to go back home. She is still facing some challenges, so please continue to pray for her and dad.

Our week has been very busy with the boys' Potter's School classes starting. Reality has set in and they realize how much work they are going to have each day. Christian has to spend 1 1/2 hours on homework in Latin and Advanced Algebra everyday -- that's 3 hours for just two classes. He's also got Chemistry, Propositional Logic, English, and Literature courses to keep up with as well. And Concert Band, Jazz Band and Choir.

Andrew is in his freshman year, and will be working on knocking out the basic courses required for graduation. He is taking a year-long elective in robotic programming, which he is really excited about. His laptop started giving him problems last night, and since Tom was going out on a trip early this morning, he didn't have the opportunity to work on it. Andrew had to use the computer in Tom's office for his classes today, and when he was finished, he started working on the laptop. He likes to watch Tom when he is working on one of our computers, and Tom is a great instructor, so Andrew has learned much. From what Tom has taught him, he was able to wipe out his hard drive, and then he got it back up and running again. It will be good to have a technical guy around when Tom is out of town!

Sarah and I have been busy with her school work, and getting the house back in order. The main floor of the house had gotten cluttered up with our school books and other things while the basement floor project was under construction. Now that floor is done, it is sooooooo good to have it all back downstairs again! It is going to take a few days to get everything back in order, and I see a garage sale in our future.

Tom left on a trip very early this morning and will return home to us Saturday afternoon. A few weeks ago, he said that before he got married, he had the greatest job. But now that he is married and has a family, it isn't so great anymore because he doesn't like to leave home. The feeling is mutual -- the kids and I don't like to see him go, but are so grateful for his provision for our family.

Tomorrow is our busy day -- bands, choirs, riding lessons, and errands. Saturday, Sarah and I will be preparing food for the Lord's Day. We are having a visiting Pastor and his wife over for dinner Sunday along with the Hawkins, and it is Melinda's and my turn to bring food for Sunday evening after church, so LOTS of cooking on Saturday.

I am working on my first quilt ever! I will post a picture when I finish it in the next day or two.

I only have a few pictures to share with you even though it's been awhile since the last post. The older the kids get, the less they like to have their picture taken!

I guess I spoke too soon in a previous post when I said we didn't get a drop of rain from Faye. As she headed north, she dropped buckets full on us. The rain started after we went to bed one evening, and when I got up in the morning, the rain gauge said that we already had 2 inches. (Click on the picture for a larger view)

I watched the rain gauge climb all day, and the rain continued into the next night. When I got up the next morning, the gauge had maxed out at 5 inches. We so needed it!

Here are the two little kitties we have been trying to trap. Tom went out to run some errands the other day, and called me right after he left. He said, "I need help! I was driving past the neighbors house, when I saw two pumpkin colored kittens in the driveway. I got out of the van on the remote chance that I could catch them, when one of them ran straight at me and let me pick it up. Hang on here while I walk towards the other one . . . . . . . I am now holding two kittens. Please send the kids down!"

Smokey-the-mean-cat still comes around for food, even after we tortured her with surgery. She used sit on the deck like this, staring in our French doors every morning and evening when she was hungry. This picture marks the last time we saw her on the deck as two of the other cats, Jam and Reeses, have chased her off. The closest Smokey comes to the house now is under the trailer, so we sneak food to her there where Jam and Reeses can't see her. This picture is so funny to me, because if you look at the top of the picture behind the planter, Jam is poking her face out. She had just realized that Smokey was on "her" deck and she quickly chased her off.

In honor of Labor Day, we labored! The weeds were beginning to take over our landscape, and the grass needed to be cut after all the rain, so the kids and I (Tom was on a trip) spent the day working outside.

Letter to Sarah Palin

The letter I posted below is stirring up many comments in other circles I frequent in cyberspace. Tom and I agree with Mrs. Morecraft's letter entirely. One of the blogs I visit is debating the issue of a female civil magistrate, and people are bringing up that Deborah was appointed as a judge of Israel. I decided to share the comment I posted on that blog this morning.


As Christians, we are called to discern the Word of God, which is very different from judging. Scripture is clear on the differences between male and female, and a woman should never hold a position over a man. Gary DeMar (americanvision.com) has written a piece on Deborah as the judge of Israel, and in it, he says this:

"There is no doubt that the judgeship of Deborah is out of the ordinary, but the period of the judges is not a normal period in Israel’s history. The men are weak, as Barak’s response indicates (4:8), and the people were generally unrighteous with every man doing “what was right in his own eyes” (17:6). We see what this type of society produces if the men don’t assume their proper leadership roles. The people will choose a king like all the nations (1 Sam. 8), but not before adversely affecting the family and church."

Are there women leaders in our society? Yes, and from a biblical perspective, it is a disgrace. Are they in office providentially? Yes, but why? The majority of men in this country are spiritually dead or weak.

For me personally, based on Scripture, I cannot in good conscience vote for Palin because she is a woman, a woman with young children no less. Do we justify her abandoning her children because she is a good leader? I am a wife and mother, and you cannot lead a country and raise your children biblically at the same time. In the case of Deborah, she was not a mother. As a Christian, Sarah Palin is not exempt from Titus 2.

If McCain is elected and she is the VP of the US, will it be God's will? Absolutely. Could Sarah Palin be part of God's will at this time for the US? Absolutely. But we must see it in proper biblical context -- when women rule over men, it is a sign of God's judgment for moral and leadership decay.

Gary DeMar's piece with comments from others:
www.americanvision.com


Doug Phillips' Blog:
www.visionforum.com

Something For You to Read

A Letter of Encouragement to Vice Presidential Candidate Sarah Palin from a Sister in the Lord and the Wife of a Christian Pastor

September 3, 2008

Dear Sarah,

This letter is not written with the intention to demean or insult you on any level. Rather, I have a deep appreciation for you in many ways. We have many things in common—I am a Christian wife and mother of five children (one in Heaven, lost to miscarriage) and the grandmother of seven. I attended public schools where my mother, aunt and grandfather taught and was encouraged by all of them, as well as all my teachers, to attend college which I did, graduating with a B.A. in English. My family has always taken strong public stands, especially when serious issues are at stake, even as you do. When my husband ran for U.S. Congress during President Reagan’s second bid for office, my children and I threw ourselves into the battle with all our time and energy. We have since supported several political candidates and are ready to do whatever we can to bring our nation back to its constitutional roots. We have taken a strong pro-life stand and given many women with unwanted pregnancies food and shelter in our own home.

But the primary basis for this letter is not simply superficial interests and commitments. I believe that we are sisters in Christ and, therefore, both subjects of His rule of law from Scripture. It would appear that we share the belief that, “...in Christ Himself are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” - Col. 2:2b,3. I assume the following statement of faith, taken from your church website, summarizes your personal faith:

The Centrality of Christ

By God’s grace everything in the life of this church will revolve around the reality of Jesus Christ - who He is, what He has done, what He is doing, and what He will do. In the words of the early Church “He is Lord” and will be recognized as such in this church with an absolute allegiance that lifts Him above all others in our hearts, in our homes, and in our congregation. It is His commands that we will obey, His warnings that we will heed, and His promises that we will hold. In every endeavor we will rely upon His power, cherish His presence, and honor His name. We will, in sum, love Him. (John 14:6)

Apparently, we also share the belief that God’s Word is the only solid base upon which to build our lives.

The Authority of Scripture

In order to experience and enjoy the centrality of Christ in our congregational life, we will submit to the authority of the Scriptures. They will be the foundational source of information and direction guiding our exploration of Christ’s reality. The Bible will be used to determine our doctrine, to shape our practice, and even, when needed to settle our differences with the conviction that it is the very Word of God. In all the confusion of varied opinions and above all the claims of religious authority we will hold to the scriptures as the Truth for both faith and practice. In them God has spoken and to them we will listen. (2 Timothy 3:16, 17)

The serious Christian is one who wants to think God’s thoughts after Him, to shape every thought, word and deed according to His Word. Is God’s Word silent about the role of the woman and how we are to shape our relationships with men? No, it’s clear in its mandate:

But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ. — ...he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man. — For man does not originate from woman, but woman from man; for indeed man was not created for the woman’s sake, but woman for the man’s sake.- I Corinthians 11:3, 7, 8, 9

My friend, Susan Hunt, an Atlanta-based pastor’s wife, has written her commentary on the role of women in the church:

We write out of the realization that our personal pilgrimages for the last fifteen years have solidified our adherence to the position of male headship in the church. We are increasingly convinced of the theological rightness of this position. But the more urgent motivation is to help Christians move beyond confusion and debate over our roles toward active concern about the needs around us. We are convinced that the church provides that most appropriate context for Christian women to serve the Savior. We further contend that rather than being restrained by our exclusion from ordination, women are actually freed from the restraint of positions of authority to be exquisite expressions of the Biblical meaning of a helper-leader. When women insist on role interchangeability within the church, everyone loses. — Susan Hunt and Peggy Hutcheson, Leadership for Women in the Church, pp. 10, 11.

If these principles apply in the realm of the home and church, surely they apply more broadly in the civil realm. Because you are so gifted, Sarah, your talents are in great demand in the world at large right now. What tremendous sacrifices you, your husband and children have made over the past few years as more and bigger opportunities to serve your fellow-man have been set before you, not only in your community and state, but now nationally. I do not hesitate to recognize that you are a remarkably talented woman. But I have some serious questions I hope you will consider.

As a Christian woman, a wife and mother, surely you have wrestled with what has God called you to do. How are you to order your priorities according to Scripture? Are you over-stepping the boundaries His Word has set for you when you hold public office? I believe you are. Will you really be able to devote the time and energy necessary to raise your children as a public officer holder? What sacrifices will your husband be required to make? What message are you sending to the young women of our nation concerning their God-given role? These are difficult questions, especially since it would appear that you have already set a course that can’t be altered. The question in your mind should not be, “What am I capable of doing,” or, “What are the opportunities I have to serve;” rather, I believe only one question is a valid one: “What does God’s Word tell me I should be doing.”

One of my favorite authors was a little-known, brilliant Southern woman of the 19th century named Augusta Jane Evans. In her great novel, St. Elmo, through her main character, Edna Earle, she battles to save a Christian moral and social order, “taking her stand on the principle that woman can be most influential in society as a woman.” (italics mine) - Richard Weaver, Southern Tradition at Bay, p. 275.

Believing that the intelligent, refined, modest Christian women were the real custodians of national purity, and the sole agents who could arrest the tide of demoralization breaking over the land, she [Edna] addressed herself to the wives, mothers, and daughters of America; calling upon them to smite their false gods, and purify their shrines at which they worshipped. Jealously she contended for every woman’s right which God and nature had decreed her sex. The right to be learned, wise, noble, useful, in woman’s divinely limited sphere. The right to influence and exalt the circle in which she moved. The right to mount the sanctified beam of her own quiet hearth-stone; the right to modify and direct her husband’s opinion, if he considered her worthy and competent to guide him; the right to make her children ornaments to their nation, and a crown of glory to their [people]; the right to advise, to plead, to pray; ...the right to be all the phrase ‘noble Christian woman’ means. But not the right ... to trail her heaven-born purity through the dust and mire of political strife; to ascend the rosta [sic] of statesmen, whither she may send a worthy husband, son, or brother, but whither she can never go, without disgracing all womanhood.- p. 395

Sarah Palin, God calls you to a higher position than the vice-presidency of the United States. He calls you to be the most influential woman in the world today, perhaps in history, by taking your stand on the Biblical principle of His divine model of womanhood. I implore you to see yourself, not as a candidate for political office, but as a cherished child of Christ, in subjection to His will. I earnestly pray that you will make every effort to “arrest the tide of demoralization breaking over our land” as you call upon the mothers and daughters of America to “smite their false gods and jealously contend for every woman’s right which God has decreed upon us: the right to be learned, wise, noble, and useful in our divinely limited sphere; the right to mount the sanctified beam of our own quiet hearth-stone; the right to modify and direct our husband’s opinion, if he considers us worthy and competent to guide him; the right to make our children ornaments to the nation and a crown of glory to our people; the right to advise, to plead, to pray;...the right to be all the phrase ‘noble Christian woman’ means.” [paraphrasing Augusta Jane’s quote above]

I pray that you will demonstrate an even greater humility and strength of character than we have seen thus far by admitting you have taken the wrong path by accepting the nomination for vice presidency and ask to be released from this commitment. I will persevere in praying for you and your family. May God richly bless you as you are faithful to Him. I would be happy to talk with you or to correspond in any way that may prove helpful. My contact information is at the bottom of this letter.

“See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the traditions of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.” - Col. 2:8

Yours truly in the bonds of Christ,

Rebecca B. Morecraft

Taken from Doug Phillips' blog at The Vision Forum

Please be patient with me!

We have had many visitors to this blog these past few days, and I apologize to you all for not posting an update. It is in the works! We have started back to school, so I'm spread a little thin right now until the routine is familiar. Be looking for a new post in the next few days!

**Please pray for my Mom**
She had her gallbladder removed today on an outpatient basis, but had some difficulty with recovery, so they decided to keep her overnight. I am kicking myself for not making the trip down to be with her and Dad . . . . . it was supposed to be a quick surgery that would have her home the same day, so I didn't. Dad is home by himself tonight, and I know Mom is concerned for him. I feel like the worst daughter in the world!

Four down, one to go!

Jam and Reeses, glad to be free!

We said good-bye to Jam and Reeses today at the kids' request. I'm very proud of them! They had really gotten attached to Jam and Reeses, but recognized that they were not happy being confined. Their surgeries were three days ago (I think -- too many cats to keep track of!) so they should be fine. We initially thought that it would be good to find homes for them, but the adults have been on their own too long, and we just don't have time to spend finding homes for so many cats. The bulletin board at our vet's office is already full of brochures giving away cats and kittens -- we don't need to add to it. The most important thing is that the ones around our house won't be multiplying anymore.

Out of the five adults we've trapped, we're down to just having one still captive, Smokey. Her surgery was two days ago, so we will hang on to her one more day and let her go tomorrow. Oh my, is she grumpy! If you get near her crate, she hisses and growls. She's even been nasty to her kittens! The three of them are in a very large dog kennel with plenty of space, and she's fine as long as they don't come near her. If they do, she hisses and takes a swipe at them with her paw. Bad momma. The kittens are all very content in their crates, so we are going to hang on to them for a few weeks until they get a little older and can be spayed and neutered. The little orange kitten continues to be a monster, so we have given it the official name of Fireball.


No kitties were caught last night. We didn't set the trap because of the possibility of rain. Depending on the weather predictions for the night, we may set the trap before we go to bed. I hope Reeses and Jam are smart enough not to fall for the trick twice! We saw another adult cat that we have not seen in months, Midnight. He (maybe a she) was exploring the cat house out back, probably wondering where everybody has been. We are not hopeful that we will catch him as he is very elusive and we've never seen him come near our house.

Tom is on a four-day trip, and the kids and I have been home all day -- one of our favorite kinds of days. We unashamedly admit that we are all homebodies! We've been busy cleaning the house, making food for the next week, and cleaning vegetables to get them ready for canning on Monday. Faye didn't bring us anything but clouds and wind. :o( We so desperately need rain.

I'm off to clean green beans!

Number 8 and Counting . . . . .

We found this little one in the trap this morning. No name yet, and we don't know what gender, but it's a little fire ball and loves to hiss. The trap has been reset, and we hope to catch its two siblings over the weekend.

I think we will be saying good-bye to Smokey over the weekend. She is very grumpy and hissy, and I don't think there is hope of domesticating her -- at least not in the time frame that we have to give attention to the matter. We did what we set out to do, which was spay her. She's fattened up quite a bit since she's been coming to us to be fed, so she should do fine outside on her own. We'll continue to feed her if she wants to come back to us as her food source.

Jam has been hissing and growling today, so we don't know what that means -- perhaps that when she was so sweet and docile, she was heavily medicated?! The jury is still out on whether we'll turn her out or try to find a home for her. We'll give her through the weekend and see what happens.

Based on Reeses behavior, Tom thinks that we can turn him out because he'll stay around here and still claim us.

Cats are much so easier than dogs!

Catch of the Day

The sardines we sat out last night proved to be more than Smokey could resist! Tom and I found her in the trap when we got up this morning. She spent the day at the vet's office, came home minus a part, and is resting comfortably in a crate in our basement with her kittens.

We have now captured every cat that we have been seeing around our house. We know that Jam has 3 kittens, but have only seen them one time from a distance. They are at least 8 weeks old, so they are capable of surviving on their own, but we would still like to catch them. We set the trap across the street in the woods this evening, and hopefully, we'll catch one of them and not something unpleasant . . . . .

Smokey and Reeses' kittens are doing wonderful -- they are no longer frightened of us and we can hold them. Reeses and Jam have been domesticated before as they are very affectionate and let us pick them up. Tiger, however, is another story. The poor girl was in the same position this morning as she was when we went to bed last night. We were going to try and hold on to her for a few days until her incision healed, but the vet said to let her go if she didn't warm up to us or take food and water. We were going to try and transfer her to a crate, but couldn't get her to exit the carrier that we brought her home from the vet's office in. Tom even turned it on its end trying to dislodge her, but she dug her claws in and held on. Finally, Tom said that we needed to just let her go because of the stress being captive was causing her. He and Sarah took her out to the driveway and opened the carrier door. She didn't come out right away, but finally peeked her head around the corner, scowled at them, and darted off for the woods. I doubt that we see her again, but at least she can't add to the stray cat population around here.

We have decided not to release the other cats, but are going to find homes for them since they don't fear people and are affectionate. Anyone want a kitty?

Here a kitty, there a kitty, everywhere a kitty, kitty!!!

Our second day of trapping was extremely successful! When I spoke to the veterinary's office Tuesday morning, they told me to catch as many as I could, because they had a light surgery load this week and would be able to spay/neuter all of them right away. So we set out to catch as many as we could Tuesday night.

Around dusk, we set the trap out on the deck with a piece of Boar's Head smoked chicken breast, and within minutes Smokey showed up with her two kittens, Oreo and Cocoa. The meat was more than Oreo could resist, and he was quickly trapped.

We relocated Oreo to a crate and reset the trap. Another piece of meat proved to be irresistible to Cocoa, and we added her to the large crate that Oreo was in. We were hoping to catch Smokey, the momma, next, but she was very cautious around the trap. She would walk all around it, even going in halfway, and then she would back out. Pretty soon, she just laid down beside it.

As we watched from the family room windows, another cat appeared on the deck, Marmalade (who is a beautiful orange color). Marmalade quickly took the meat and was trapped. He was a live wire and went ballistic upon being caged in. We quickly relocated him to a crate (while he was hissing at us) and reset the trap, hoping again to catch Smokey.

Smokey was still on the deck, observing the trap but not going in, when Jam appeared (beautiful orange colorings like Marmalade). Jam fell for the bait, was trapped and relocated to our last available crate. Still no Smokey.

We decided to leave the trap set overnight in hopes of catching Smokey, and went to bed. At 6:15 a.m., I was awakened by the sound of a ruckus from the trap. I roused Tom and told him that we had caught Smokey, and we needed to get her out of the trap. We were very surprised to find that it was not Smokey that was in the trap, but a cat that we had not seen for a very long time, Tiger. We had her pegged as a female because of the way she and Reese's were always together last winter. We thought Marmalade was a live wire -- he was tame compared to Tiger! We left her in the trap as we didn't think it was safe to try and get her out.

Five cats. I called the vet as soon as they opened to make sure that they could still take that many cats, and they told us to bring them on in. After some thought, we decided not to take the kittens so that we could use them to lure Smokey if need be, so we went to the vet with Marmalade, Jam and Tiger (who was not happy, by the way).

We transported Jam successfully into the office, and went back out for Marmalade. We can't believe what happened next -- while we were en route, Marmalade had pushed the plastic tray on the bottom of the crate forward, which meant that when Tom went to pull the crate out of the back of the Excursion, Marmalade was able to slip through bottom of the crate, as the wires were spaced further apart there than on the rest of the crate. We watched helplessly as Marmalade raced across the parking lot, across the street and into the woods. Tiger was still in the trap, so we were able to get her in without any problem.

We needed the crate back so we could continue to try and trap Smokey, so the staff at the office took Tiger back to get her out of the trap. They came back out with wide eyes and said that Tiger is totally wild (which we already knew) and got loose on them. They managed to get Tiger under control, and had a much easier time with Jam. The plan was for them to keep both cats overnight. Right after we got home after dropping the cats off, the vet's office called and said we would have to pick Tiger up late this afternoon, because based on their experience with her so far, she was going to wake up one grumpy kitty. It seems that she escaped in the surgical room, and was very difficult to catch. She was finally subdued, but not before she tried to run through a glass door.

We brought Jam and Tiger back home this evening, and they are resting quietly in their crates. The trap has been reset for Smokey, this time with sardines in it. She came on the deck looking for her dinner, sniffed at the trap, very much enticed by the sardines, but then walked away from it when she realized that she was going to have to go in to get her food. We will leave the trap set overnight and see what happens!

Smokey, underneath the patio table, waiting for her dinner.

Jam, recuperating after surgery.

Reese's and Smokey's kittens - Oreo and Cocoa

A totally terrified Tiger, who has not moved from this position in several hours.

First Catch

****UPDATE****

Tom spoke with the vet's office this afternoon, and it seems that we have a very unique kitty! First, we're glad to report that his feline leukemia test was negative (a positive test would have meant -- well, let's just say it wouldn't have been good). Cats with the tortoiseshell markings like Reeses are female 99.9% of the time, and tortoiseshell males are sterile 99.9% of the time. Reeses is a tortoiseshell male who is a daddy! He's a one in a million kitty! We will be picking him up tomorrow morning, and hopefully be dropping off another cat -- we'll see what we catch tonight.


The trapping has begun . . . . .

We set the trap out on the deck last night, and as predicted, Reeses was our first catch. He was absolutely terrified once he realized that he couldn't escape -- it was heartbreaking! We transfered him to a larger crate for the night, and he settled down quickly.

Tom, Andrew and Sarah took him to our vet this morning, and his surgery is scheduled for sometime today. Once they got him into the office, they tried to tell Tom that because of the calico markings, Reeses is a female. We believe they will find out differently once they have him sedated.

I hope he forgives us for this . . . .

An Uneventful Posting

Our blog has been quiet these past few weeks due to mundane living. Mundane living is good! Living out of the ordinary too often can be draining!

Our favorite time of year is just weeks away, and with the fall season comes a return to the school books. Much of my time lately has been spent planning out the year and making sure we have everything we need. I'm as bad as the kids -- I'm already looking forward to our first break! Thanksgiving week seems so far away . . . .

Bands, choirs, and riding lessons began last Friday. Whew! Fridays are going to be our busiest day of the week! I think it will be easier to do all of our running in one day than to have it spread out over the week.

My little garden is still giving us veggies, but most of the plants have about had it with the summer heat. Tomorrow, I think I will have enough tomatoes to can some tomato juice, and we'll be having eggplant in some form for dinner. One of the moms at band last Friday sold me a bushel of okra from her garden for $10 -- so guess what I've been doing! My okra plants did really well, but I didn't plant nearly enough of them, so I'm thankful for her abundance.

My dining room has been taken over with school books! This is only part of the collection -- the rest of the books are spread out on a table in our music room. (Hmmmm . . . I wonder why the front door was open . . . .)

Our resident box turtle, Pistachio. The boys see him periodically in our landscape, but one morning this week, he greeted us at the front door steps.

Time to get busy with school work! The kids have too much time on their hands! Poor Baxter, dressed in a baby outfit that Sarah puts on her dolls!

This crazy cat is Reeses, named after the peanut butter cup because his fur looks like chocolate and peanut butter mixed together. We began seeing Reeses around our house last winter and started sitting food out for him. Every morning when I would open the kitchen blinds, he would be sitting on the deck, in front of the door, waiting for his breakfast. He showed up one morning in February as usual, we fed him his breakfast, and we didn't see him again. Tom and I suspected his demise. Imagine our total surprise when he showed up again this week, SIX MONTHS LATER! He is just as congenial as ever and acts as if he never went away in the first place. He is the only cat (there are 9) that we can touch. He is very affectionate -- especially with Sarah. He will follow her all around the yard.

Tom and Andrew went to Wayne and Judy's house this week and picked up their dog house (they no longer have a dog), and it has been turned into a cat house. Last year, it was pitiful to see the cats wet and shivering in below freezing temperatures, so we're going to try to help them out this year. But first, we're going to help them stop multiplying . . . . .