The Good Earth

ISSMA
Where were you when Columbia disintegrated? I was sitting at Wayne High School listening to Ron sing "Candle on the Water" at ISSMA. Rick had just finished "Do Re Mi." They did very well with their solos and I am proud of them. They have no fear of performing. We went out to breakfast to celebrate, a celebration marred totally by the Columbia accident.

American Heart Association
Ron may have a future as a fundraiser. He raised the most money in his class for the AHA during a school program called Hoops for Hearts. He had a month to collect but he waited until the day before it was due to hit up everyone he knew at church. Thank you so much, dear people at HUMC, for pitching in. I wish you could have seen his face when he brought his prize home.

Happy Birthday, Mom
Mom celebrated her 80th year this week. I honor her and bless her for who she is. First she was Mommy, then Moooother during my teen years and emerged as Mom, my best friend in my twenties. Recently I revert to Mommy when I hug her since that is the most intimate expression of my love for her.

What can I do?
Rick asked me Tuesday night, "What can I do to stop the war and terrorism? What can a 13 year old boy do?" Breathing a quick prayer, I looked him in the eyes, so he knew I was taking this as seriously as he was, and told him I would have to think about it. I'm so glad that he is not five years older for he may have his answer then. My sister and a friend sent me this within the next few days. I had my answer for Rick:

We can do something about the threat of war; both in Iraq and with terrorists. In the Old Testament, God's armies were always led by the priests. When the waters parted in the Jordan, it was the priests' feet which first hit the turbulent river.! In the New Testament, Christians are also referred to as priests...all Christians.

We must, therefore, go in first.

As the possibility of war approaches with Hussein and Iraq, we are asking the priests to step in first.....ahead of our military. Let us be setting up camp for our soldiers' entrance into the conflict. How? By prayer.

Let us be sending in "prayer missiles," "cruise and scud prayers" to target enemy plans. "Patriot prayers" to shoot down incoming threats.

We should be praying for two things: (1) that the enemy leaders become confused, disoriented, and distrustful of each other; that their entire system of attack fall apart, and (2) that in God's wildest ways, these enemies would become aware of His deep love for them and the war Jesus has already fought for them, personally, on the cross.

God had Gideon reduce his army from 32,000 to 300 men!. He then equipped them with nothing but trumpets, pitchers, and torches. What an odd combination to fight off well-armed soldiers. When Gideon gave the command, the Bible says the enemy fled crying and turned on each other...all because God messed with enemy
plans.

Prayers were started for this about a month ago. On CNN last weekend a report came out that although Hussein has nothing to lose, his generals do.

Is confusion beginning to develop? Please pray for God to set the stage for defeat of all those who intend to do harm. When our men and women of uniform arrive on the scene, may they be surprised at how God had camp set up before they ever got there.

My valentine
We have been blessed with a significant deepening of our marital relationship. Perhaps it is because we faced trials together the last few years and are emerging stronger. I am overwhelmed with the love of my husband. This is from James Joyce:

...and then I asked him with my eyes to ask again yes
and then he asked me would I yes...
and first I put my arms around him yes
and drew him down to me so he could feel my breasts all perfume yes
and his heart was going like mad
and yes I said yes I will Yes.