Repost of Last Year's Veteran's Day-Classic Moment

The following is a re post of last year's Veteran's Day. It is a story I never want to forget. Mackenzie is in First Grade this year and all of my girls are getting big so fast. These kinds of stories are precious. Be blessed :)

Yesterday, Veteran's Day, my kindergartner came home from school all excited about what she had learned that day. I was particularly intrigued because her normal demeanor is exaggerated disgust at the "borin' stuff" she learned all day. So when she oozed enthusiasm, I sat down just waiting the see what had her so excited. She said, "Mommy, did you know that today is Veteran's Day? And we have to call Pop Pop because he is a Veteran, right"

"Yes, yes", I replied, "We always call Pop Pop on Veteran's Day and thank him for his service to our country and fighting in a war so we can have freedom."

"Well," she went on, "I can't wait to talk to him because I learned all about the Veterans and I want to ask him something."

I asked her to tell me what she learned and what she wanted to ask her grandfather.

"Well, the Veterans came over on the Mayflower and they met with Squanto. Squanto was an Indian and made friends with the Veterans. So since Pop Pop is a Veteran I figured maybe he actually got to meet Squanto!"

After I composed myself, I explained that she had indeed confused the Veterans and the Pilgrims and that I was very sure my father had not met Squanto. It was hysterical. It was a little sad though, she was so disappointed. I think she was expecting stories of my dad's encounters with the popular Indian. This was one of those priceless moments I never want to forget. A moment that oozes pure innocence. A moment so rare.

Blessings!

Update

I wanted to update everyone on the status of yesterday's concern over the Presidential Address due to take place on Tuesday. Now this will automatically post to Facebook, and frankly I don't want to change all of my settings just for this one post. So that said, this note is not intended to restart a debate, just to inform those who only read my blog and are not my Facebook friends.

I received a reply from Mike Sleeper, co-chair of the Columbia County Board and later a note was sent home by our school principal reiterating the decision to all parents. It is the decision of the school board that taking time out of the school day on Tuesday to participate in the President's address does not advance the school district's objectives and the classes will not be taking part. Now, if you are concerned, you should send a note directly to your child's teacher. The schools will not take part, but individual classes, especially in the upper grades are not restricted from doing so. There is no mandate that teachers NOT participate. Our school principal has assured us that our entire elementary school will be going on with their day as normal.

I am pleased with the decision and am once again reminded that each of us has a voice and we have a right and responsibility to use it. If you do not agree with something I urge you first to research it and research it well. Ask yourself critical questions about your motives, pray about your decision, and then if you still feel strongly about it, then DO Something about it! Especially when it comes to our children. I am not saying I single handedly changed the course of this situation, but I feel my voice was heard and it may have been the factor that tipped the scales toward the end decision.

Thank you to everyone who both supported and challenged me on my stance on this subject. I am sure there will be opportunities for both in the future.

Blessings!

My Letter to CCBOE

I found out only moments ago that there has not been a decision reached regarding Columbia County's participation in the President Obama national address for next Tuesday. I directed the following email to the Chairman and Co-Chairman of CCBOE. I urge you to do the same. Feel free to copy and paste any of my letter you would like to use as your own.

Send to the following addresses: jbuccafusco1@comcast.net, mike@sleeper.org

Dear Ms. Buccafusco and CCBOE Board,

I would like to express my concern and opinion to the Columbia County Board of Education regarding President Obama's Address to the nation's students next Tuesday, September 8. This concern is not politically motivated, but instead motivated by my rights as a parent to decide what my children will be taught, told, and exposed to. This is a unprecedented move on this administration's part and I do not want my children to be a part of it. I have read over everything available to the public regarding the packet you have been sent prior to this event. I have viewed the discussion questions and instructions. I am disturbed by the apparent indoctrination that is possible by such an event. I would be fine with the possibility of an evening address that we, as parents, are in control of. I would be fine with a pre-recorded address that I could view first and decide on the appropriateness of its content. I am, however, vehemently opposed to the forum as it is described that will be used next week. If the county's decision is to allow and support our schools to participate, I will remove my children from the classroom during any discussion and viewing of the Address. My opinion is shared by a number of other concerned parents and I urge you to consider your position on this very carefully,

Respectfully,

Lorie M Kerns
Concerned parent of three CCBOE students

Who Are These Kids? My Kids!!!

Ok, I've just got to blog on this one. I've left my link on Facebook for each parent to make up their own mind, but this is my blog and I'm going to spill how I feel about this. Besides, I don't think I'll sleep tonight until I get this off my chest.

I only found out tonight that President Obama will address all of our children in school next Tuesday, September 8 at 12 noon. I could post any one of a thousand links, but you can google it and you'll find all the information you need from every perspective. At first I was slightly irritated, and concerned. After some prayer and thought, I am still irritated, concerned, and now outraged, and in complete disbelief at the audacity of this man.

Now, this is not politically motivated. Whether I am Democrat or Republican, for or against Universal Healthcare, is not the issue. The issue is that I have been entrusted with children, by their creator, God Himself. I have been given the responsibility to keep them safe, loved, and to grow them into law-abiding, God-fearing citizens. In order to do this, I pre-read everything they read, pre-watch everything they watch, and closely monitor anyone they spend their time with. But now, a man whom I do not trust, wants free access to my children. To say to them whatever he chooses. And he wants to do this in the evening when I am with them and can make choices for them. NO! He is going to access them while they are out of my care and in the care of the school.

This is what I find an outrage. This is a blatant disregard for my rights as a parent to discern what is best for my children. If he were to tape this speech and make it available to preview, I would preview it and then allow or disallow my children to watch it. I do not allow just anyone to speak their thoughts and ideas freely to my children, least of all someone I distrust and have numerous fundamental differences with. There are major issues of morality and ethics that are in direct conflict with our views.

I find the entire prospect a direct violation of my rights as a parent. I have sent an email to our school principal asking if this telecast will be shown in our school. If it will indeed be shown, I will remove my children during any discussion and viewing time. I will not rob my children of the entire instructional day, but they will not participate in this blatant attempt to indoctrinate them. I will stand up against this shift to socialism as long as I still can. This is not about who our President is, this is about how much government we are going to allow in our lives. I, for one, will stand up now and say something and not wait for the government to grow in power to micromanage every detail of my life.

If you agree with this and have school-aged children, do something about it! If you disagree, well be glad this is the United States of America and we are all still allowed to disagree. It is that simple. I am one parent who lays her head on the pillow each night and prays to God to help me make the best decisions for my children and for them to grow up to be people He and I can be proud of. Parenting is the toughest job in the world, and is a job I take very seriously. As tough as it is though, I'd like to do it without the "help" of the President.

"Un Christian-like Behavior"

Ok, so I haven't blogged in awhile, but this is burning in my brain to write about. My title is one of sarcasm and I will address my Un Christian opinions in this post. I have been accused by some and simply challenged by others on my very strong opinion of Michael Vick playing for the Eagles. I have been accused of being unforgiving and not practicing what I preach.

First of all, this entire issue is one of huge conflict for me. I was born an Eagles fan. In my house, there was no other option presented and I started bleeding Eagles green at a very young age. This love for my team has persevered through countless disappointments (they've yet to win a SuperBowl), seasons where one or two wins was all we got, and my own move out of state. Through it all I have stayed loyal to my team and have always been known as the crazy girl who is OBSESSED with the Eagles.

Then there is another love of mine, animals. I have been a vet tech since I was 19. I have raised dogs, showed dogs at Westminister, traveled overseas to see dogs shown internationally, slept on the floor next to dying dogs, and mourned for the loss of every pet I've ever had. What we have here is a major conflict of interest for me.

Now, we reach the accusations, and here I will address them. First of all, along with Michael Vick, I do not agree with the reinstatement of ANY convicted felon to a major sports team. This is not about dog fighting being the "worst offense" in my opinion. It is not. There are much worse crimes, all of which should keep a player from ever getting on the field again.

So what about grace, forgiveness, and second chances? I believe whole heartedly in all of the above. I serve a merciful loving God who sacrifice greatly to provide these things. However, there is one big word missing here, and that is consequences. There are consequences for actions, something this society is watering down everyday. I know of people right this minute who have committed much "smaller" crimes than the mutilation and torture of innocent animals and have fallen on their face before God and repented. They sincerely are seeking restitution and want to start their life over again. However, most employers will not hire them. Even WalMart has a strict policy not to hire convicted felons. Do I understand this policy? Absolutely! However, this man can walk back into his life and make millions of dollars immediately after serving his jail sentence.

This is what is wrong with our society. We are raising our children in a "sugar-coated" world absent of consequences. Society doesn't want us to spank our children for bad behavior, wants to give a trophy to everyone, not keep score at the soccer game, and make sure "everyone is a winner". Where are the consequences? If you play poorly, you lose the game. If you don't behave, you will be punished. This is how I strive to raise my kids regardless of the popularity of it. We are not preparing them for the real world, unless their future includes being a professional athlete. Only the rich and famous are above consequences. And what are their chances of reaching that level of "success"?

And so this is where I am. I do not advocate any convicted felon playing a professional sport and making millions of dollars doing it. This is a position of public trust and so many young kids and athletes look up to them and want to "be them". My forgiveness does not have any bearing on this entire issue. I was not wronged, and I do not harbor ill feelings or wishes for Michael Vick or any other person trying to straighten out their lives. I hope that anyone in this position sincerely cries out to God (where one should turn for forgiveness) and sets their life on the right course.

I hope everyone who has had a strong opinion about Michael Vick being able to play,and against those of us not agreement of the decision ,will one day "practice what they preach" and reach out to a real-live member of society trying to make their own restitution. Maybe you will mentor someone recovering from drug or alcohol addiction and help them get their lives back on track. This is where a real difference will be made.

As for my Philadelphia Eagles, well, time will tell. My biggest dread is the moment Vick throws the game winning pass or leads them to the Super Bowl. Where will I stand then? I do not know, I honestly don't. But I know this for sure, I have always been an Eagles fan and I serve the God of second chances. You cannot challenge me on that.

Blessings!

For those of you that have not read or heard this before, or even those who have:


BETH MOORE'S HAIRBRUSH EXPERIENCE AT THE AIRPORT


At the airport in Knoxville:

Waiting to board the plane: I had the Bible on my lap and was very intent upon what I was doing. I'd had a marvelous morning with the Lord. I say that because I want to tell you it is a scary thing to have the Spirit of God really working in you. You could end up doing some things you never would have done otherwise. Life in the Spirit can be dangerous for a thousands reasons, not the least of which is your ego.

I tried to keep from staring, but he was such a strange sight. Humped over in a wheelchair, he was skin and bones, dressed in clothes that obviously fit when he was at least twenty pounds heavier. His knees protruded from his trousers and his shoulders looked like the coat hanger was still in his shirt. His hands looked like tangled masses of veins and bones. The strangest part of him was his hair and nails. Stringy gray hair hung well over his shoulders and down part of his back. His fingernails were long. Clean, but strangely out of place on an old man.I looked down at my Bible as fast as I could, discomfort burning my face. As I tried to imagine what his story might have been, I found myself wondering if I'd just had a Howard Hughes sighting.Then, I remembered that he was dead. So this man in the airport, .an impersonator maybe? Was a camera on us somewhere? There I sat trying to concentrate on the Word to keep from being concerned about a thin slice of humanity served on a wheelchair only a few seats from me. All the while my heart was growing more and more overwhelmed with a feeling for him.

Let's admit it. Curiosity is a heap more comfortable than true concern, and suddenly I was awash with aching emotion for this bizarre-looking old man. I had walked with God long enough to see the handwriting on the wall. I've learned that when I begin to feel what God feels, something so contrary to my natural feelings, something dramatic is bound to happen. And it may be embarrassing. I immediately began to resist because I could feel God working on my spirit and I started arguing with God in my mind.

"Oh no, God please no." I looked up at the ceiling as if I could stare straight through it into heaven and said, "Don't make me witness to this man. Not right here and now. Please. I'll do anything. Put me on the same plane, but don't make me get up here and witness to this man in front of this gawking audience. Please, Lord!".

There I sat in the blue vinyl chair begging His Highness, "Please don't make me witness to this man. Not now. I'll do it on the plane."Then I heard it."I don't want you to witness to him. I want you to brush his hair."The words were so clear, my heart leapt into my throat, and my thoughts spun like a top. Do I witness to the man or brush his hair?

No brainer. I looked straight back up at the ceiling and said, "God, as I live and breathe, I want you to know I am ready to witness to this man. I'm on this Lord. I'm your girl! You've never seen a woman witness to a man faster in your life. What difference does it make if his hair is a mess if he is not redeemed? I am on him. I am going to witness to this man."

Again as clearly as I've ever heard an audible word, God seemed to write this statement across the wall of my mind. "That is not what I said, Beth. I don't want you to witness to him. I want you to go brush his hair."

I looked up at God and quipped, "I don't have a hairbrush. It's in my suitcase on the plane. How am I supposed to brush his hair without a hairbrush?".

God was so insistent that I almost involuntarily began to walk toward him as these thoughts came to me from God's Word: "I will thoroughly furnish you unto all good works." (2 Timothy 3:17)

I stumbled over to the wheelchair thinking I could use one myself. Even as I retell this story, my pulse quickens and I feel those same butterflies.

I knelt down in front of the man and asked as demurely as possible, "Sir, may I have the pleasure of brushing your hair?"He looked back at me and said, "What did you say?""May I have the pleasure of brushing your hair?"

To which he responded in volume ten, "Little lady, if you expect me to hear you, you're going to have to talk louder than that."

At this point, I took a deep breath and blurted out, "SIR, MAY I HAVE THE PLEASURE OF BRUSHING YOUR HAIR?"

At which point every eye in the place darted right at me. I was the only thing in the room looking more peculiar than old Mr. Longlocks. Face crimson and forehead breaking out in a sweat, I watched him look up at me with absolute shock on his face and say, "If you really want to."Are you kidding? Of course I didn't want to. But God didn't seem interested in my personal preference right about then.

He pressed on my heart until I could utter the words, "Yes, sir, I would be pleased. But I have one little problem. I don't have hairbrush."

"I have one in my bag, " he responded. I went around to the back of that wheelchair and got on my hands and knees and unzipped the stranger's old carry-on, hardly believing what I was doing. I stood up and started brushing the old man's hair. It was perfectly clean, but it was tangled and matted. I don't do many things well, but I must admit I've had notable experience untangling knotted hair mothering two little girls.Like I'd done with either Amanda or Melissa in such a condition, I began brushing at the very bottom of the strands, remembering to take my time not to pull.

A miraculous thing happened to me as I started brushing that old man's hair. Everybody else in the room disappeared. There was no one alive for those moments except that old man and me.I brushed and I brushed and I brushed until every tangle was out of that hair.I know this sounds so strange, but I've never felt that kind of love for another soul in my entire life. I believe with all my heart, that I - for that few minutes - felt a portion of the very love of God. That He had overtaken my heart for a little while like someone renting a room and making Himself at home for a short while. The emotions were so strong and so pure that I knew they had to be God's. His hair was finally as soft as an infant's. I slipped the brush back in the bag, went around the chair to face him.

I got back down on my knees, put my hands on his knees, and said, "Sir, do you know my Jesus?"He said, "Yes, I do." Well, that figures, I thought. He explained, "I've known Him since I married my bride. She wouldn't marry me until I got to know the Savior." He said, "You see, the problem is, I haven't seen my bride in months. I've had open-heart surgery and she's been too ill to come see me. I was sitting here thinking to myself, what a mess I must be for my bride."

Only God knows how often He allows us to be part of a divine moment when we're completely unaware of the significance. This, on the other hand, was one of those rare encounters when I knew God had intervened in details only He could have known. It was a God moment and I'll never forget it. Our time came to board and we were not on the same plane. I was deeply ashamed of how I'd acted earlier and would have been so proud to have accompanied him on that aircraft.

I still had a few minutes and as I gathered my things to board, the airline hostess returned from the corridor, tears streaming down her cheeks. She said, "That old man's sitting on the plane, sobbing. Why did you do that? What made you do that?"

I said, "Do you know Jesus? He can be the bossiest thing!" And we got to share.

learned something about God that day. He knows if you're exhausted because you're hungry, you're serving in the wrong place or it is time to move on, but you feel too responsible to budge. He knows if you're hurting or feeling rejected. He knows if you're sick or drowning under a wave of temptation. Or He knows if you just need your hair brushed. He sees you as an individual. Tell Him your need!I got on my own flight, sobs choking my throat, wondering how many opportunities just like that one I had missed along the way.all because I didn't want people to think I was strange. God didn't send me to that old man, He sent that old man to me.

John 1:14, "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."

Grades Are In!!!

A quick update to last nights post, my grades are in and I am still eligible for summa cum laude! Maybe God decided I had been humbled adequately for the time being. I still have to maintain a perfect 4.0 GPA for the final 2 semesters before it is locked up. But at least it is still possible. I didn't think I'd even be able to have a chance after grades were in, but here we are!!!