Beth Ellen took an interest in my charm bracelet I blogged about yesterday, asking for more information.
I was more than happy to do so. As crowded as this bracelet is, I still need some more: A dolphin would be nice, and something to represent my children.
Click on the image for a larger view.
I don’t have a lot of jewelry, and I certainly don’t have a lot of “good jewelry.” So when my silver charm bracelet went missing, I was quite distraught.
I talked to my son about it being lost. His reply was quite unexpected, “Did you pray about it?”
I almost couldn’t answer him, then I found my voice, “Well no, son, I can’t say that I did. I never thought to ‘bother’ God about my lost bracelet.”
So then Enric said, “Well is it important to you?”
I thought about that. Yes, it was. The initial bracelet was given to me as a graduation present and over the years my friends and family have contributed a charm for many of the important times of my life. Yes, it was more than a piece of jewelry, it was a representation of my life and all the people that care about me and the sentimental value given to it by each of their contributions to it.
“Well if it’s important to you, it’s important to God,” Enric said.
My heart was broken on the bracelet, but so many other issues had consumed me of late, I didn’t do what Enric told me to. The other day, I kept getting convicted that I should have faith in God and that he cared about what I did too. It kept nagging at me to do something about it. I kept arguing to this little voice that I shouldn’t be so consumed with a material possession, but then I remembered all the people behind each lovely piece, 19 in all so far. I finally gave in to the idea of prayer - it WAS important to me.
That very day, my charm bracelet was found.
I just read on Drudge that within a few hours Saddam Hussein will be executed. Wow, they don’t waste any time in Iraq.
“All the measures have been done,” Haddad, a judge said. “There is no reason for delays.”
Al-Maliki said opposing Saddam’s execution was an insult to his victims. His office said he made the remarks in a meeting with families of people who died during Saddam’s rule.
“Our respect for human rights requires us to execute him, and there will be no review or delay in carrying out the sentence,” al-Maliki said.
I read as this will happen, the state has run television broadcasts of Saddam’s attrocities. Smart move, really.
I recall only seeing a few small broadcasts of his attrocities here in the U.S., I think that is a mistake. Since we have so much invested there, I think the American people have a right to know more. At any rate there is a lot to be found on the internet on this subject.
Saddam’s atrocities exposed on video
Mass Graves Testify to Saddam’s atrocities
ALERT: Saddam’s Crimes Against Humanity
Alleged crimes of Saddam Hussein
Witnesses Testify of Saddam Atrocities
A surprise to Radio Caracas Television, as they say its licence is not up for renewal, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said he will not renew the licence for the country’s second largest TV channel.
“There will be no new operating licence for this coupist TV channel - the measure has been drafted so go turn off the equipment .” -Hugo Chavez
A definate move to silence his critics.
BBC News story HERE
In the past, this household has always been full of different people, from the exchange students, to daughters coming back home to live and bringing their families, to temporary live-ins, to those I have met online visiting…
These days, it is always full of young people, friends of my two teens.
I suppose I could understand my daughter in law’s confusion in how to address the envelope for our Christmas card…
Well done Miranda, and thanks for the biggest laugh of the season!
Even through the pressures and hassles of the holidays, I still have been trying to make time to learn and appreciate my new “toy”, Terragen 2.
New additions to this version is the ability to make:
rocks….
Trees…
Planets…
I was spoiled plenty for Christmas!!!!
(not shown here Amazon Gift Certificate
Shopping done, wrapping done, cards and packages sent, baking done.
Here are images of Heather and Laura icing a batch of sugar cookies…
Today my calendar says winter begins.
Maryland didn’t get a sweet dose of the lovely white stuff, but we often associate winter with snow here.
As the Christmas season approaches, here is a hope that its spirit keeps in our hearts forever…
I heard this one on a Jeff Allen Clip:
“I believe teenagers are God’s revenge on mankind. It’s as if God himself looked down and said, ‘Hey let’s see how much they like it to create someone in their own image who denies their existance.’ ”
Here are two ideas, one just came to my inbox this morning.
Last minute idea, still shipped for free:
I was given a gift from the Flying Noodle last year and it was months of fun. A free dinner and a Blockbuster card for a movie. Send this for your hard to buy for loved one!
And Amazon Gift Certificates are always a favorite because they can go right into your friend or loved one’s inbox!
Last night we went to a surprise 18th birthday party for Miquel’s friend, Ross. It was held at Texas Roadhouse.
Here Mike, Crazy Andrew and Miquel wait for the birthday boy to arrive
Ross finally arrived to a very big surprise…
He got a little emotional.
Ross next to his old friend, Andrew, home from Bob Jones for Christmas
Some girls braved that crowd of boys, here, Erin and Laura
Crazy Andrew and Nathan
Two good friends, Miquel and Ross
An obligatory round of Roadhouse birthday clapping preceded an obligatory round of Ross singing “Magical Trevor”
Happy 18th, Ross
Most know that I have been smitten with the Terragan program and have gone on to use it as a hobby, professionally, and also as a category to my art sites. It has near been an addiction, but not totally!
Terragen 2 (technology preview) has just been released and my first looks into it is overwhelming to a non pro 3d software user like myself. However, I keep reminding myself how overwhelmed I was with the first versions of Terragen, and how slowly over time I got comfortable with it. I do seem to be needing to remind myself all the time, as this version is very much over my head and will take some time to get used to all of its features.
Here are my first images. Notice the one above, two layers of clouds, not available in the first version, has been long awaited in this version of Terragen.
Some of the drawbacks on this version to me so far are:
I’ve been an associate with Amazon.com for a few years now, but I am rather slow to catch on to some things. Now, I have finally created my own Amazon store! Need to shop online? » Check this out!
I love a good quote, this one keeps speaking to me:
“You don’t have a soul. You are a Soul. You have a body.”
~ C.S. Lewis
How well do you know the Bliblical account of the Christmas story?
Questions like:
~ Which archangel announced Jesus’ birth to Mary?
~ According to the gospels, where was Jesus born?
~ During the reign of which Roman emperor was Jesus born?
Those were just a few of the easier ones…
Take the test HERE
Today I went to a funeral.
A nice family man in our church, still rather young, was diagnosed with cancer and 6 days later he died.
Before he died, after learning the news about his condition, he said to his wife, that if the Lord wants him to go Home in heaven that he was ready, and if the Lord wanted him to remain, he was ready for that too, and would fight this disease.
He was ready either way.
The pastor gave an intense sermon today from Amos chapter 4, “…prepare to meet thy God.”
How about you? If you had six days, would you be prepared? Are you ready like this dear man?
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13
