It's UPtime America!

If you see injustice, STAND UP
If something needs to be said, SPEAK UP
If you make an appointment, SHOW UP
If you make a mistake, FESS UP
If you’re overstepping, BACK UP
If you get behind, CATCH UP
If they knock you down, GET UP
If you’re out of line, STRAIGHTEN UP
When your boss instructs, KEEP UP
When your elders speak, LISTEN UP
When your teachers teach, SIT UP
When your preachers preach, WAKE UP
When your country calls, MAN UP
Ladies too... WOMAN UP
When the fight is over, MAKE UP
If you’re being hard, EASE UP
If your heart is closed, OPEN UP
If you want to buy something, SAVE UP--
It’s not an entitlement, so SHUT UP!
If you make a mess, CLEAN IT UP
If you drop trash, PICK IT UP
If a car is waiting for you to
walk across the street, SPEED IT UP
If you’re cold busted, GIVE IT UP
If people fall down, HELP THEM UP--
Not the government, YOU STEP UP
If idiots start fighting, BREAK IT UP
If the music is wholesome, TURN IT UP
If the message is poisonous, THROW IT UP
If your words are vulgar, CLAM IT UP
If your words encourage, KEEP IT UP
If your pants are baggy, PULL THEM UP
If the belt’s too loose, CINCH IT UP
If your fly is down, ZIP IT UP
If you’re dressed half naked, COVER IT UP
If you can’t afford stuff, PASS IT UP--
No “bailouts” folks, PONY UP
If you made a promise, you BACK IT UP
And you can take your whining and PACK IT UP
It’s called personal responsibility, so TAKE IT UP
This country was founded on it, you can LOOK IT UP
It’s the American way people, so TURN IT UP
Because when life gets boring, you SHAKE IT UP
When life is good, you SOAK IT UP
When life’s unfair, you SUCK IT UP
When life is funny, you can YUCK IT UP
When life is sad, just LOOK STRAIGHT UP
And life’s too short people, so LIVE IT UP!

Or you can watch this or go here.

I have always told my kids that their response is their responsibility. She just takes it to a whole new level.

We are so blessed as a nation that we have become lazy and selfish. It's time to give it up, stand up and get this nation headed in the right direction - UP!

This was my motivation for today, just thought I'd share.

peace

Christmas in Oklahoma

One of my favorite things this time of year are all the Christmas lights. Here are just a few I've seen this year. All these photos are from my phone. Hope it lends some Christmas spirit to you!

peace.

Never done this before...

Ok, so for a long time, my husband and I have celebrated our anniversary in November by taking the day off and doing all our Christmas shopping. We love it, it's peaceful, no one else is out and walking across a parking lot is not a near death experience!

NOT this year...I was out of town, he was out of town and life invaded to the point that we are now 11 days from Christmas and I have 1 present purchased...and it was online.

Now I'm not saying panic has set in...it has, but I'm not saying!! I went to Walmart for groceries and barely escaped with my life. And that was INSIDE the store, I'm not even talking about the parking lot!

So hubbie and I are now making a plan. I'm wondering what stores are open at 1:00 am, would we be safe to shop then and how much can I get at Walmart and 7-11?

Those gift cards are looking better and better...and besides, they buy more after Christmas right? RIGHT? I mean that could be my reason...couldn't it??

peace?? :-)

Thoughts for today...

It's been pretty quiet at work this week. I'm grateful for the slow down, but it does give me time to think...here are some of the random thoughts I've had.

I was calendaring some work items and saw my dad's b-day in January, just couldn't make myself take it off the calendar for next year.

Andrea is graduating from college on Saturday, wonder what new dates we'll be celebrating next year?

Is 2010 the year I'll lose this weight?

Wonder what my future (as in they aren't even dating anyone kind of future) sons-in-laws birthdays will be?

Wow, it's 2010 already!

What day of the week is Jim's 50th b-day on? WOW, I'm married to an almost 50 year old!! (2011)


I'm not sure quiet time is good for me. Too much thinking, too many possibilities. But it also gives me time to reflect on good things. I try to be a grateful person. I think it's important to recognize goodness everywhere you can.

So here's my grateful list:

I'm grateful for my relationship with God. He is my strength, my comfort, my guide, my peace and my safe harbor. I cannot imagine life without His ever present goodness in my world.

I'm grateful for my husband. He is my best friend.

I'm grateful for my daughters. They bring me such JOY!

I'm grateful for my mom and sister. For my brother-in-law, my niece and nephew. They add color to my world.

I'm grateful for good friends, long-time friends, new friends, twitter friends, facebook friends...The support and love they offer without strings, a constant source of encouragement to me.

I'm grateful for a job I love, with people I love, doing work that daily impacts the souls of men, bringing hope where there is very little, and welcoming people into an eternity with Christ.

OK, so time isn't so bad. It's refocused me and I hope it has blessed you and challenged you to take some time and be grateful as well.

peace.

The Winner's Circle

Another timely reminder of God's love from Max Lucado's When Christ Comes. Hope it blesses you!

"The Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free." Ephesians 6:8

For all we don't know about the next life, this much is certain. The day Christ comes will be a day of reward. Those who went unknown on earth will be known in heaven. Those who never heard the cheers of men will hear the cheers of angels. Those who missed the blessing of a father will hear the blessing of their heavenly Father. The small will be great. The forgotten will be remembered. The unnoticed will be crowned and the faithful will be honored.

The winner's circle isn't reserved for a handful of the elite, but for a heaven full of God's children who "will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him" James 1:12

Did you notice that last part? The part about love? That really is all, God loves us and He wants our love in return. No works, no ultimate sacrifices, no grand deeds...just a loving relationship. Accept His loving offer of salvation through Christ's love displayed on the cross and enter into the Winner's Circle. I'll be there waiting, too.

peace.

Dad is at peace

The phone rang at 2:30am this morning, hospice telling us that dad was declining and we needed to come. So I went.

Jenny was there as I walked in the door, eyes dewy and sleepy. Dad was breathing, intermittently and shallow.

We talked to him, joined hands and prayed over him and told him it was okay to go on home. We spoke in quiet tones as we watched the life our dad lived for 70 years slowly ebb away. He didn't struggle, he just slowly stopped breathing.

We made our phone calls, began collecting ourselves, and made the trek home. Our conversations have been about details and plans to be made. Arranging our week to make space to say our final goodbye to dad.

Truth be told, we've been saying goodbye a little at a time. Alzheimer's steals so much for so long. We've said little goodbyes all along the path of this journey.

So now the time has come. We are grateful for the support of family and friends. But most of all, we are thankful for the goodness, grace and support God has showered on us during this most difficult journey.

And we are at peace.

I think I'm missing a gene

Not for any other reason than I hate to shop. I don't like crowds and there is NO deal that would make me want to get out of bed at 3:00 am to go buy something.

I don't understand it and to be very honest, I don't want to. I know many lovely people who get very excited this time of year. Their plans are made, their sale papers are marked, and their wallets are ready. (I hope with cash). Personally, I will be very sure not to clog the lines or get in their way. I will be home. Warm, snuggly and relaxed.

I'm also at the point in life that I don't want something else to dust. Give me the gift of an evening of games, dinner out, a girl's night or a movie. I don't need or want another whatever to clutter my full home. The older I get the more I realize that owning stuff is a fine line too easily crossed over...soon your stuff owns you.

So here is my plan. I will not go shopping, I will stay home. I will not make a Christmas list of stuff but of times I would enjoy. I will offer to others gifts that I believe will touch their hearts, even if they take my time and energy. I will not wait until Christmas to give the most important gift I possess, love.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Be ThankFULL!

peace.

p.s. the cat pic is Henry, my sis' cat, and it's just because. :-)