Thursday, August 5, 2010
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Excitement in City Hall!
I would say that a miracle occurred today for us. The second reading and proposed passing of an ordinance banning bees in our city was tabled and postponed for further discussion.
The next task is to educate the city officials about bees.
This should take place by August 17, the next work shop for the council. My husband will have the honor of pointing out other city ordinances and their acceptance of beekeeping. He will need to show all the evidence that bees are endangered and needing particular attention and safe-guards against banning them.
I am hoping that the general direction this ordinance was taking will be altered for good.
We can rest easy tonight that the bees will be here for now.
The next task is to educate the city officials about bees.
This should take place by August 17, the next work shop for the council. My husband will have the honor of pointing out other city ordinances and their acceptance of beekeeping. He will need to show all the evidence that bees are endangered and needing particular attention and safe-guards against banning them.
I am hoping that the general direction this ordinance was taking will be altered for good.
We can rest easy tonight that the bees will be here for now.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Ordinances
Usually I don't post so frequently, especially when we are so extremely busy, but there is something that has come up at Corgi Hollows that needs much prayer fast---a general "crying out" to God.
Tomorrow evening there will be a council meeting for our city and a proposed ordinance is to ban any non-domestic creature from our city's backyards---including bees. It is written in this time.
How could our city be so backward when Minneapolis in fact just repealed legislation banning bees?!
My heart was warmed when our neighbor from across the street knocked on our door and handed over an article from the local paper about the ordinance.
"Have you seen this?" he asked. "NO!" I cried-----"I can't believe it!"
"We'll go to the meeting with you to fight this," he told me. I am so touched that our neighbor wants to help us.
Later that evening he emailed us a letter he had emailed to several city officials in protest of this act.
I guess the bees will have to go if they pass it tomorrow night, and that would be a sad day for Corgi Hollows.
My husband thinks the measure is "draconian," and poorly understood. It appears to be an uninformed tin-type document downloaded from an overly zealous city management website. There must be room for negotiation with such a blanket ordinance.
So we need prayer. Prayer that there will be listening and forward looking officials who are sympathetic to current trends and realistic environmental issues.
PRAY WE CAN KEEP OUR BEES!!
Tomorrow evening there will be a council meeting for our city and a proposed ordinance is to ban any non-domestic creature from our city's backyards---including bees. It is written in this time.
How could our city be so backward when Minneapolis in fact just repealed legislation banning bees?!
My heart was warmed when our neighbor from across the street knocked on our door and handed over an article from the local paper about the ordinance.
"Have you seen this?" he asked. "NO!" I cried-----"I can't believe it!"
"We'll go to the meeting with you to fight this," he told me. I am so touched that our neighbor wants to help us.
Later that evening he emailed us a letter he had emailed to several city officials in protest of this act.
I guess the bees will have to go if they pass it tomorrow night, and that would be a sad day for Corgi Hollows.
My husband thinks the measure is "draconian," and poorly understood. It appears to be an uninformed tin-type document downloaded from an overly zealous city management website. There must be room for negotiation with such a blanket ordinance.
So we need prayer. Prayer that there will be listening and forward looking officials who are sympathetic to current trends and realistic environmental issues.
PRAY WE CAN KEEP OUR BEES!!
Monday, August 2, 2010
Brain Turmoil
I've had to look back at a few posts to remind myself to stay connected to what really matters, just to get through the ups and downs of each day.
My husband is preparing to go into full-swing job finding mode. This doesn't fit comfortably, but we'll see how it wears.
I am dealing with anxieties about my oldest child and his future---despite the great promise I have to smother the heart longings of loss as he leaves the nest and tries to make his path. I know, I know---every mother MUST do it, and it's been done over and over. I assert it remains HUGE in every loving mother's heart.
We are hosting a student from China right now. He is a personable young man with great charm and fantastic English abilities. I know he will do well. He experienced our campfire with hot dogs and s'mores last evening. He shared with us photos of his wife and family, all on his computer files. He was able to link with her via Skype right away last night. China is so close these days. They can experience every thing together via the internet. After ten years of hosting we have seen all sorts of communication worldwide, our present student is the first to be this connected, right away. Progress.
I moved my oldest son's things to the storage area over the past weekend in preparation for his college departure. It was all done in a rush, getting ready for our foreign guest. I wonder if I will regret the hurried ejection of his personal effects when I'm missing him this fall. Transitioning from one phase of his life to the next is monumental, and he seems to be behaving with grace. All good.
We are all weary today. Last week one of my brothers opened the New York Stock Exchange one morning, as his bank went to a public stock option. That day was filled with news and media reports and excitement for him and his family. We are not close, but there is a certain understanding. I am glad for him. Apparently he was in the neighborhood this weekend with his girlfriend, but we didn't get in touch.
We drove to Iowa for a family reunion. We happened to have 3 dogs with us, as we were pet-sitting a friend's pooch. The canines contributed to the on going mayhem. A good time was had by all.
The next day a church family wedding took place, and how sweet it was! There is nothing like a sacred ceremony that actually means something these days! Too many people have a wedding just to throw a party for a relationship that has already had a conjugal beginning perhaps months or even years before. Why bother? This was a real covenant made between two faithful families, and the wedding was a real event. The holy expectancy was real. I'm so glad all of my children were able to be there and witness this. I hope that they may have the same experience when (if) they marry.
Well, Midwest Living, the magazine, may come calling here in the near future to do a piece on backyard urban apiaries. I guess I'd better clean up the yard and get mowing. Maybe I'll get Margaret to take a few snaps and post them on here first. Copyright??
The bees seem to be doing really well. It's August. Summer is waning. Honey harvest soon.
My husband is preparing to go into full-swing job finding mode. This doesn't fit comfortably, but we'll see how it wears.
I am dealing with anxieties about my oldest child and his future---despite the great promise I have to smother the heart longings of loss as he leaves the nest and tries to make his path. I know, I know---every mother MUST do it, and it's been done over and over. I assert it remains HUGE in every loving mother's heart.
We are hosting a student from China right now. He is a personable young man with great charm and fantastic English abilities. I know he will do well. He experienced our campfire with hot dogs and s'mores last evening. He shared with us photos of his wife and family, all on his computer files. He was able to link with her via Skype right away last night. China is so close these days. They can experience every thing together via the internet. After ten years of hosting we have seen all sorts of communication worldwide, our present student is the first to be this connected, right away. Progress.
I moved my oldest son's things to the storage area over the past weekend in preparation for his college departure. It was all done in a rush, getting ready for our foreign guest. I wonder if I will regret the hurried ejection of his personal effects when I'm missing him this fall. Transitioning from one phase of his life to the next is monumental, and he seems to be behaving with grace. All good.
We are all weary today. Last week one of my brothers opened the New York Stock Exchange one morning, as his bank went to a public stock option. That day was filled with news and media reports and excitement for him and his family. We are not close, but there is a certain understanding. I am glad for him. Apparently he was in the neighborhood this weekend with his girlfriend, but we didn't get in touch.
We drove to Iowa for a family reunion. We happened to have 3 dogs with us, as we were pet-sitting a friend's pooch. The canines contributed to the on going mayhem. A good time was had by all.
The next day a church family wedding took place, and how sweet it was! There is nothing like a sacred ceremony that actually means something these days! Too many people have a wedding just to throw a party for a relationship that has already had a conjugal beginning perhaps months or even years before. Why bother? This was a real covenant made between two faithful families, and the wedding was a real event. The holy expectancy was real. I'm so glad all of my children were able to be there and witness this. I hope that they may have the same experience when (if) they marry.
Well, Midwest Living, the magazine, may come calling here in the near future to do a piece on backyard urban apiaries. I guess I'd better clean up the yard and get mowing. Maybe I'll get Margaret to take a few snaps and post them on here first. Copyright??
The bees seem to be doing really well. It's August. Summer is waning. Honey harvest soon.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
New News
For the few of you who read this I am sharing. Sometimes Facebook is a perfect venue for keeping people updated, but for those people I know who actually visit this blog and read my heart thoughts here I want to inform of current developments in the family.
Looks like we have major CHANGE in the near future. There's good news and bad news!
Good news first: My eldest son got a 3 year full ride ROTC scholarship to attend Concordia College this fall. There is a strong possibility that a fourth year will also be awarded, but this will come about later. We are thrilled for him, and he is so excited to go off to college and do something with his life career-wise. We are thankful to the Lord for His timely provision.
Now for the "bad" news----which, for all that really isn't BAD. Joni Earickson Tada, a quadrapalegic for the past 30 years or so, just got diagnosed with breast cancer. Her response was, "I can't wait to see what God is going to do with this!"
Well, I can't wait to see what God is going to do with US! My husband's company had a mandatory meeting yesterday. Yeah. Long story short---change.
We'll see where God leads us next.
I have my hopes to stay in the Midwest, but instead of looking forward and the endless possibilities I am going to look to the past.
I have been so blessed in this house for a decade of my life.
Good health, success, limitless provision for our needs, fun, purpose, growth.
Why focus on the dark side of life when the positives are powerfully lighting them away?
I know that difficulties develop character. I know they force us to trust God in ways that we never desired, but isn't that the point? Life is not SURE. We never can plan for certainty. Why bemoan the loss of a status that never was forever anyway?
Surely we all look at pain, suffering, deprivation as negative, but there is an unseen world of activity hinging on our circumstances. We only see the here and now, yet the repercussions of our days and actions have sent a shock wave through the supernatural.
That is why God allows suffering. The face of our burnished gem is turned toward Him. We are seeing the unpolished side, and it may not be pretty, but we hope, we know that there is a gorgeous stone, brilliant in all aspects shining toward our Creator.
Hope. It's what we have in abundance.
Looks like we have major CHANGE in the near future. There's good news and bad news!
Good news first: My eldest son got a 3 year full ride ROTC scholarship to attend Concordia College this fall. There is a strong possibility that a fourth year will also be awarded, but this will come about later. We are thrilled for him, and he is so excited to go off to college and do something with his life career-wise. We are thankful to the Lord for His timely provision.
Now for the "bad" news----which, for all that really isn't BAD. Joni Earickson Tada, a quadrapalegic for the past 30 years or so, just got diagnosed with breast cancer. Her response was, "I can't wait to see what God is going to do with this!"
Well, I can't wait to see what God is going to do with US! My husband's company had a mandatory meeting yesterday. Yeah. Long story short---change.
We'll see where God leads us next.
I have my hopes to stay in the Midwest, but instead of looking forward and the endless possibilities I am going to look to the past.
I have been so blessed in this house for a decade of my life.
Good health, success, limitless provision for our needs, fun, purpose, growth.
Why focus on the dark side of life when the positives are powerfully lighting them away?
I know that difficulties develop character. I know they force us to trust God in ways that we never desired, but isn't that the point? Life is not SURE. We never can plan for certainty. Why bemoan the loss of a status that never was forever anyway?
Surely we all look at pain, suffering, deprivation as negative, but there is an unseen world of activity hinging on our circumstances. We only see the here and now, yet the repercussions of our days and actions have sent a shock wave through the supernatural.
That is why God allows suffering. The face of our burnished gem is turned toward Him. We are seeing the unpolished side, and it may not be pretty, but we hope, we know that there is a gorgeous stone, brilliant in all aspects shining toward our Creator.
Hope. It's what we have in abundance.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
And some every day doings
Last evening we had "the" campfire with a hot dog roast and several friends enjoying s'mores, glorified rice and pasta salad. The 10' swimming pool was in heavy use yesterday---it was 90* in the shade. I expect we'll be using the pool much today as well.
Our son returned from a missions trip to the inner city and its diverse people groups. He arrived this morning after 10 days away. It will take a few days for him to cough up the experience verbally. I'll have to make sure I'm within speaking distance from him so I don't miss anything!
My other son is taking the ROTC PT test this morning at an armory. Hoping he passes! 53 sit ups in 2 minutes, 42 push-ups in 2 minutes, and running 2 miles in ? . We'll see how he does. ROTC means 3 1/2 years of college tuition for him, so we have high hopes.
Misty Corgums is suffering from a hot spot on her neck and shedding profusely. Poor little creature! We are caring for her as best we can.
My brother is on a world tour promoting his business. My thoughts are with him today, concerned about the state of the world and business, politics and events. I'd loathe his burdens, but I will pray for him. I guess someone has to make the business world go round.
We are invited to a Chinese dinner cooked by one of our former Chinese guests this evening. Looking forward to that!
Now to some long overdue cleaning. The story of MY life!
Our son returned from a missions trip to the inner city and its diverse people groups. He arrived this morning after 10 days away. It will take a few days for him to cough up the experience verbally. I'll have to make sure I'm within speaking distance from him so I don't miss anything!
My other son is taking the ROTC PT test this morning at an armory. Hoping he passes! 53 sit ups in 2 minutes, 42 push-ups in 2 minutes, and running 2 miles in ? . We'll see how he does. ROTC means 3 1/2 years of college tuition for him, so we have high hopes.
Misty Corgums is suffering from a hot spot on her neck and shedding profusely. Poor little creature! We are caring for her as best we can.
My brother is on a world tour promoting his business. My thoughts are with him today, concerned about the state of the world and business, politics and events. I'd loathe his burdens, but I will pray for him. I guess someone has to make the business world go round.
We are invited to a Chinese dinner cooked by one of our former Chinese guests this evening. Looking forward to that!
Now to some long overdue cleaning. The story of MY life!
Why I am a Conservative
Go ahead and laugh with me on this one. I've had this entry brewing for a few weeks in my head, and today is the day to draw up a cursory credo.
I've been driven to it by seeing friends and loved ones disillusioned by liberal thinking, decrying conservative values, bad-mouthing my core values. It's annoying.
Actually it is a lack of understanding. So here it goes, for me.
(Clarence Thomas has a really good book that covers this in depth!)
Being a Conservative involves:
Supporting free trade and enterprise
Rewarding hard work
Caring for the weak and helpless
Allowing free thought
Being able to acknowledge universal moral values
Understanding evil, fighting it
Revering human life
Appreciating Creation
Emphasizing personal responsibility
Limiting secular government's authority
Okay, so some of these things tend toward my faith beliefs. Somehow it does blend together!
I like the slogan, "Don't tread on Me." I like the freedom it implies.
One of my favorite things is to read biographies and life stories of the human spirit surviving oppressive authority. Take the life story if Sadhu Sundar Singh, for example. (Just get a copy, and read it! Be inspired!) Perhaps I am a little rebellious! However, when one is in submission to God, Jehovah, the power of any earthly authority pales in comparison.
This brings us to spiritual submission. Conservative values work best when the spirit is in submission to the Ultimate Authority.
That is why I am a conservative.
I've been driven to it by seeing friends and loved ones disillusioned by liberal thinking, decrying conservative values, bad-mouthing my core values. It's annoying.
Actually it is a lack of understanding. So here it goes, for me.
(Clarence Thomas has a really good book that covers this in depth!)
Being a Conservative involves:
Supporting free trade and enterprise
Rewarding hard work
Caring for the weak and helpless
Allowing free thought
Being able to acknowledge universal moral values
Understanding evil, fighting it
Revering human life
Appreciating Creation
Emphasizing personal responsibility
Limiting secular government's authority
Okay, so some of these things tend toward my faith beliefs. Somehow it does blend together!
I like the slogan, "Don't tread on Me." I like the freedom it implies.
One of my favorite things is to read biographies and life stories of the human spirit surviving oppressive authority. Take the life story if Sadhu Sundar Singh, for example. (Just get a copy, and read it! Be inspired!) Perhaps I am a little rebellious! However, when one is in submission to God, Jehovah, the power of any earthly authority pales in comparison.
This brings us to spiritual submission. Conservative values work best when the spirit is in submission to the Ultimate Authority.
That is why I am a conservative.
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