TheTruth, the Whole Truth(?) & Nothing but the Truth?

While at school, Playmaker was interviewed by our local newspaper for an article related to a survey that indicates 64% of highschoolers admit to cheating.

Yesterday the headlines read: MORE STUDENTS ADMIT TO CHEATING & a long article follows - including a pic of Playmaker w/ her name (& a few pics/names of others) indicating these students talked about cheating at her school, Wed. However, there's not one quote or reference to her in the whole article. Ironically the expression on her face as she talked to the reporter - combined w/ the headline - combined w/ the stripes that she wore that day (that kinda make her look like a jailbird!), might lead one to think she'd just admitted to cheating! Just kinda funny/strange - & provides me w/ a rather personal(!) perspective on how powerful/persuasive the media is ... How something is portrayed - by including "this" & leaving out "that" -- all while "reporting the facts" - can lead one to believe something - whether it's true or not ... & to better realize how once someone is convinced of something, it can be very difficult to change their mind .... & - how powerful knowing/understanding/discerning the truth/Truth (John 14:6a NIV Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. ... ") really is.

Despite the deep thoughts this led me to - we've gotten some good laughs out of this rather personal propaganda(?) :)

Here & Now & There & Then

edited

Today (Sunday)-- Light snow... pretty - peaceful. Church. Family dinner. Our phone, internet & cable weren't working. The lack of technology was fitting - as after hubby & I snoozed by the Christmas tree by the window by the fire, we then headed out w/ the girls to "Bible time Bethlehem" -- well sort of... actually a very well done live Nativity/village /w census taker, market place, carpenter shop, basket weaver, dancing, live animals, open fire cooking, etc. And, of course, the manger scene. The cast spoke only Hebrew or Greek w/ the exception of at least one person reciting Scripture relating to the Christmas story. Afterward - a tour of the sanctuary - SO much symbolism in this very simple room that I wouldn't have appreciated if it hadn't been explained...black floor (sin), red carpet leading up to the altar (blood of Christ) , 12 hanging lamps (12 disciples) -- so much symbolism in the alter itself -& the garments of the pastor (black for sin, white robe for the righteousness of Christ) -- The pastor explained how none of this symbolism was necessary including his garb...all are simply visual aids/reminders. I just thought it was interesting --- how, in giving a tour of this church sanctuary, one could basically share the Gospel. Came home & picked up w/ the girls where they'd left off watching The Ultimate Gift.

Obviously our internet is back...& just in time for me to journal about this unusual (very special!) day - here & now (Home) & there & then ("Bethlehem").

Tickled Pink

This (shiny brand spankin' new red helmet) means Playmaker made her High School Ice Hockey team! She was the only girl that tried out...except for a girl goalie who also made it -- still not sure if she'll be on V or JV but it doesn't really matter to me b/c those boys are one size (BIG!) on both levels. She's tickled pink - as pink as her huge pink hockey bag! I, on the other hand - well, let's just say I got pretty good at multitasking (watching & praying at the same time!) when her big brother played - & so - I'll do it again...

Hmm - given that her school colors are red/white....I wonder if her coaches would object to her wearing a giant STOP! sign logo?

Are we a political hologram?

Edited

There should probably be a moratorium on political posts in Dec. - but - this surprised me ...

Check out the map in my side bar w/ a county by county breakdown (can be found here: The Country is Still Conservative ) . Are we red or blue? Perhaps we're a hologram? ...b/c we look quite different depending on how you look at it (state by state - or county by county)

"You know, it's interesting, I saw today the final county map, red state, blue state map by county, and if you just landed here from Mars, and you looked at that map, you would swear the Republicans won this thing in a landslide, if you didn't know where the population centers are." - Rush Limbaugh - at the link above

A New "Advent"ure

- Been trying to figure out how to make Advent more meaningful than candy calendars to count off the days leading up to the celebration of Christ's birth. The random act of kindness I posted about below inspired me! I realize I'm a bit late getting started - but - I intend to "perform" at least one totally random act of kindness for someone - least suspecting & different each day - every day until Christmas - & to encourage my family to do the same. I am so excited I can hardly wait to get started!

Random Act of Kindness/No explanation necessary :)

Much to my surprise, a small pkg from my friend arrived in the mail. My dd loves to open pkgs, so I let her do the honors...when what to my wondering eyes should appear - but the cross you see above (tried so hard to get a good pic!...this one doesn't do it justice). Here's what made it extra special: The gift itself & the fact that there was no note/ no nothing w/ it "spoke" how well she still knows me - so well that no explanation was necessary - despite the huge distance between us now & the much too much time that passes between touching base w/ each other - & - that it was totally unexpected - & how it brightened my day :)

P.S. You can see here what she & her husband have turned melting glass into.

Hmm - Can I give a gift to them that is really for me?

I'm organized ... to a degree - but there's definitely room for improvement & it's toward that end that (not crafty) I decided to hand-make this particular gift for my family:

ORGANIZATION
in the form of a:

CUSTOM(!) HOUSEHOLD
NOTEBOOK/ORGANIZER ...


to have & to hold, from this day forward,
important info all together in one place.

It's a basic 3 ring binder that includes: 2009 Planner (3holes), notebook, tabs/pockets/places for: Chore Chart, School/Sports Schedules, Bills/Checkbook, Stamps, Calculator, Receipts, Menus, Grocery List, Coupons, To Do List, Church Newsletter/Calendar/Directory/Youth Group, one tab for each kiddo, etc.......& a partridge in a pear tree! :) There's lot's more I could include - but this is just the stuff I want to keep handy ...&.... that's what the extra tabs are for :)

Such a simple - practical - inexpensive - stress relieving - keeps on giving - gift :)

The question is....Who is it really for?... them? or me? :)