Memory Monday

If you'd like to participate in Memory Monday, go on over and see Joanne at The Simple Wife.

My scripture for this week:

"May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Spirit. " Romans 15:13 (NIV)

No Words

Sorry I haven't been posting for a while. I just have other things on my mind and blogging is way down on my priority list right now.

Many of you know about my 17 year-old niece, Hannah, who has been battling brain cancer for almost a year. She's been admitted to Children's in Little Rock again today but tomorrow they are planning to move her into hospice care. We know that without miraculous intervention her time with us is short. I don't have adequate words to describe my sorrow and grief. For now I'll just ask you to pray for wisdom for her parents, Brad and Jill, as they make decisions tomorrow about Hannah's care. And please pray for the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, to guard the hearts and minds of all of Hannah's family in Christ Jesus. Above all, pray for Hannah's comfort and that she won't be in pain.

But in the midst of it all, we celebrate that no matter what happens, Hannah's future is secure in Jesus.


That's Hannah on the right and her younger sister, Bethany, on the left.

Amazing Pork Loin

I just made a totally rockin' pork loin in my crock pot. Here's a link to the recipe in case you'd like to try it. I highly recommend it!

So today was definitely Monday.

I had to wait on the heat and air guy AGAIN. We now have a/c which I guess is ok since it's been 70 degrees. However, we still don't have heat which is not ok since, HELLO!, this is Arkansas in February and it is likely to be in the 20's again at a moment's notice. Supposedly he is ordering some parts and will be back at some future date yet to be determined. We have TWO units and neither one works right and they are only 3 years old. All I can say is never, ever, under any circumstances buy a Lennox. I don't care what kind of sale they have going or what kind of deal they make you...it is soooo not worth it.

Then I had to take the dog to get her stitches out and she threw the ugliest fit at the vet's office. She is such a weenie. And then I smelled like wet dog the rest of the day because, of course, it was raining.

Then I hurry to school to pick up Caitlin at 3:00, wait in that interminable car rider line only to remember that today is Benchmark tutoring after school and I don't have to pick her up until 5:00. Bummer.

Being the smart time manager that I am, I decided to make my weekly Wal-mart run while I'm killing time until I need to pick up Hayley at 4:00. Except I left my shopping list at home. So I proceeded to do my shopping from memory and miraculously only forgot one item which is probably the postive note on which I should end this post.

So consider this post done. Bye, y'all!

This Is Your Brain On Joy

Get it here.

I just finished reading This Is Your Brain On Joy: A Revolutionary Program for Balancing Mood, Restoring Brain Health, and Nurturing Spiritual Growth by Dr. Earl Henslin. This is not normally the kind of book I would read since I am a skeptic by nature. I tend to be wary of self-help books or books that promise something in a certain number of steps. I expected this one to be along those lines.

I was pleasantly surprised by Dr. Henslin. This book is well-written, easy to read and entertaining. It contains a balanced mix of science and theology. While the theology is not deep, and he does over-simplify the science, the book winds up being practical and thought-provoking.

I was pleasantly surprised by Dr. Henslin. This book is well-written, easy to read and entertaining. It contains a balanced mix of science and theology. While the theology is not deep, and he does over-simplify the science, the book winds up being practical and thought-provoking.

Understanding the latest neuroscience research offers hope to those living with depression, obsession, anxiety, anger and ADD as well as other mental illnesses. Dr. Henslin also successfully argues the case for compassion for people suffering what may likely be a brain problem and not simply sin or rebellion as those in the church are apt to think.

He offers practical treatments and specific therapies for specific problems through supplements and medications, nutrition, music, exercise and Scripture. While I was not entirely convinced that supplements and nutrition can make a difference and I usually consider psychotherapy to be hocus-pocus, feel-good stuff I have to admit that the case presented by Dr. Henslin seems fairly reasonable and bears consideration. Some of his examples of patients seemed a little too good to be true but overall if you or someone you know suffer from any kind of mental issue this book is certainly worth the read.

Dear Congressman Mike Ross

Thank you for your timely response and for your concern about my concern regarding H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 which I shall hereafter refer to as "The Liberal Spending Frenzy of 2009."

While I applaud your ability to recite verbatim the Democratic talking points regarding The Liberal Spending Frenzy Act of 2009, I am curious as to whether or not you personally believe the crap you are spewing.

You stated that "Experts agree that if nothing is done, the unemployment rate could reach double digits." And then you assured me that "This plan will...immediately jumpstart job creation." Could you please be more specific? Just exactly HOW will The Liberal Spending Frenzy Act of 2009 jumpstart job creation? How many jobs will the $650 million for digital TV coupons create? Or the $150 million for the Smithsonian? How many jobs will the $34 million to renovate the Department of Commerce headquarters create? (I don't know about you but when I can't pay my existing bills, I don't borrow more money to renovate my house.) Please tell me how many jobs the $350 million for agriculture department computers or $88 million to help move the Public Health Service into a new building will create. (Not FOR a new building, to MOVE to a new building!)

You also stated that "In fact, I led the efforts to eliminate the pork in this bill, removing earmarks for contraceptives and resodding the National Mall, and I fought off attempts to include frivolous requests like a water park in Florida." YOU personally did all that?! Wow. You should be really angry that you didn't get credit for that publicly. I haven't seen your name mentioned in any articles or on any news programs.

I was particularly moved by your statement that "Economists from across the political spectrum agree that unless we take bold, swift action, the economic situation will easily become worse. Sitting idly by and letting the economy collapse is not an option, especially as more workers are laid off, more families are forced out of their homes and more children go to bed hungry at night." I suspect that these "economists" may be somehow related to the "scientists" that "all agree" that global warming is man-made. I guess the debate on the economy is settled too. I'll just disregard the article I read today that said the CBO says that this "stimulus" is worse than doing nothing. And speaking of global warming, why do we need to spend $87 million for a polar ice breaking ship? I thought all the polar ice was going to melt?

Seriously, Mike. May I call you "Mike?"

Mike, the next time I contact you regarding pending legislation I really hope that you will leave well enough alone and not respond with your generic liberal talking points. Please don't insult my intelligence.

Thank you and have a nice day.