As you approach this tiny gray house, nestled snugly next to its neighbors, you won’t notice anything out of the ordinary it is much like every other house on the street. A large tree, I’m not sure which kind, I’m very bad at recognizing things in nature, fills most of the small front yard. And a flagstone walk way lines the path from the gravel drive to the front porch. You are impressed with the smallness of the house as you stand on its tiny porch, barely big enough for two people to stand abreast on it. You open the front door and walk into an equally tiny living room, the walls are dusky rose in color with a matching border of roses running around the top of the room near the ceiling. On the ceiling you see a fan and in one corner stands a built in curio-cabinet. If you walk straight ahead you will enter the dining room, but to your right you notice a small bed room, it too seems rather diminutive. A door stands open to your left you enter, it leads you to the second bed room, and directly opposite you is the door opening to the bath room. Again it is minuscule holding only the barest of necessities. As you turn once again to your left you notice that you have come full circle and are facing the dining room. To your left is a very steep and narrow staircase, you are curious; you carefully make your way to the top. You are now standing in the attic, the walls and ceiling are painted a very bright, royal blue and most areas you must slouch a bit in order to avoid hitting your head on the ceiling, here there is also a bathroom, in the far corner, containing no more than; a toilet, a sink and a bare light bulb. As we return downstairs, we will finish our tour of the house with a quick glance into the extremely narrow kitchen and a very small laundry room that opens to the Backyard. Looking over the back yard you notice nothing out of the ordinary, a swing set stands in the middle of the yard and off to your left is a good size garage behind which is growing a good size tree from which hangs a tire swing. An Ordinary though rather small house, you think and wonder why I have brought you here.
Some people only see a tiny house, they do not realize the memories surrounding it. The memories of a young family just starting out, of three boys and a girl, chasing, running and playing with each other, the walls fairly echo with their squeals. You see, this was my husband’s boyhood home and as we walk through it, as a young married couple, I try to envision what it was like for him sharing the attic room with his two brothers, climbing the back yard tree to spend hours reading on the roof of the garage. He had drawn a diagram the night before showing me where everything was, his memories making everything seem larger. As we walk hand in hand from room to room we know we will not buy this little house and we wonder at the fact that they lived there so long. He grows a bit nostalgic and reminisces of days gone by, giving me a glimpse into the heart of the little boy, who stole my heart so long ago!
Today I am sitting in my own home, our first house, it too is small, only three bedrooms with one and half baths, some have called it a “cracker box” house, but we love it. I watch my children play on the fort swing set in the back yard and wonder if one day my son will bring his wife to this house and walk through it reminiscing of his childhood here. I wonder if he will see it though new eyes that day and realize for the first time how small it really is. Will he have happy memories of his boyhood home? Will he tell her of times that he snuck out to the fort to read? Will he think of hours spent mowing the yard? Will he remember singing with Dad’s Quartet in the garage on Saturdays? I see this house with new eyes, it is a blank slate not yet written on, where we can build wonderful memories for our son and daughter to tell their spouses when they are grown. I think I will turn off the TV and get out the board games and make some memories!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Monday, July 6, 2009
English class
My English class is very interesting, I've been learning a lot about writing, but lately I've been noticing how it is effecting my reading too.
I love to read, I can never remember not enjoying reading, in fact my mom used to punish me by grounding me from my books. But lately when I'm reading I'm turning into a style critic, I notice where the author uses good description. Where they might get a bit wordy or use to many "to be" verbs. It hasn't gotten so bad that it's hindered my reading just enough that I'm aware of what the writer is doing.
We are also learning somethings in English that have nothing to do with writing papers or grammar. Ms. A is giving us some life skills by teaching us how to deal with other people be that our spouse, classmate, coworker or our children. I think she is an excellent teacher and find myself trying to imitate her, especially when dealing with my children.
I am seeing this in a lot of my classes and hope that it continues, where I am learning things that I can use in a wide variety of places and not just learning facts to pass a test but also learning practical life lessons as well. I wonder if it is the teachers or if I am just geared to learn things that way and look for the practical side to everything I learn. I suppose time will tell.
I love to read, I can never remember not enjoying reading, in fact my mom used to punish me by grounding me from my books. But lately when I'm reading I'm turning into a style critic, I notice where the author uses good description. Where they might get a bit wordy or use to many "to be" verbs. It hasn't gotten so bad that it's hindered my reading just enough that I'm aware of what the writer is doing.
We are also learning somethings in English that have nothing to do with writing papers or grammar. Ms. A is giving us some life skills by teaching us how to deal with other people be that our spouse, classmate, coworker or our children. I think she is an excellent teacher and find myself trying to imitate her, especially when dealing with my children.
I am seeing this in a lot of my classes and hope that it continues, where I am learning things that I can use in a wide variety of places and not just learning facts to pass a test but also learning practical life lessons as well. I wonder if it is the teachers or if I am just geared to learn things that way and look for the practical side to everything I learn. I suppose time will tell.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
4th of July Cookout (hankey alert)
Today is the July 4th, the day we celebrate our independence. All across the country families are gathering and enjoying cookouts with all the fixings; hamburgers, hot dogs, Watermelon, lemonade, if you step outside you can smell the meat cooking on the grill. All across this great nation of ours there will be baseball, horseshoes, and croquet, and when it get's dark, all over this country you will here the sounds of fire works and see the marvelous displays.
For my family it was no different, except for one thing, my little brother recently returned from Afghanistan was spending the next few weeks with us and Dad wanted to do a little ceremony to honor him for his service to his country on our behalf.
It is a scene I will never forget:
I'm standing in the kitchen at my parent's home, it feels like it's a hundred degrees in there, because they didn't turn on the air conditioning. There are about 50 people crammed in here, all of the family; Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and all their kids. We are all sweating profusely, finally my dad starts to give his speech, he starts and stops emotion catching his throat. I think "Just say it Dad!" getting impatient. He finally got his speech out and gave my brother a plaque commemorating his service. I was watching my brother's face, I could see that he was grateful but he pauses a moment, then asked for a moment of silence before completely braking down. I had never heard such gut wrenching sobs! I don't think there was a dry eye in the room as he told of his fellow soldier, a young man who he had been witnessing to, a young man who had his life all figured out. A young man who the next day was gunned down and died in my brother's arms crying "Save me, Save me". We observed a moment of silence in honor of this young man, and I saw my dad holding my little brother, comforting him. One of the uncles was asked to say a prayer for the family and loved ones of this brave soldier. My brother apologized for losing control, but no one had been offended.
For a brief moment we realized what so many other families were going through on this 4th of July so that we can enjoy our cookouts and fireworks in peace. And I for one was heartily ashamed of my impatience moments before. We are some of the lucky ones, it could have been my brother that came home in a box, had it not been for the fact that the enemy's gun jammed the day my brother faced him and I'm sure some where in Afghanistan a family morns for the life that my brother took when he drew his knife across that enemy soldier's neck. And suddenly War is real to me.
I am thankful for my freedom and I am extremely proud of my little brother, for choosing to go and fight for that freedom. I know he did what he had to do in order to survive and I know he will never be the same because of this experience. I believe in the power of prayer and I believe that God sent an angel to jam the gun of the man who's aim was to take my brother's life. I don't know to what purpose my brother was saved but I pray that he finds it and God will continue to grant him protection.
Titus, I love you and am so proud of you!!!!!
For my family it was no different, except for one thing, my little brother recently returned from Afghanistan was spending the next few weeks with us and Dad wanted to do a little ceremony to honor him for his service to his country on our behalf.
It is a scene I will never forget:
I'm standing in the kitchen at my parent's home, it feels like it's a hundred degrees in there, because they didn't turn on the air conditioning. There are about 50 people crammed in here, all of the family; Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and all their kids. We are all sweating profusely, finally my dad starts to give his speech, he starts and stops emotion catching his throat. I think "Just say it Dad!" getting impatient. He finally got his speech out and gave my brother a plaque commemorating his service. I was watching my brother's face, I could see that he was grateful but he pauses a moment, then asked for a moment of silence before completely braking down. I had never heard such gut wrenching sobs! I don't think there was a dry eye in the room as he told of his fellow soldier, a young man who he had been witnessing to, a young man who had his life all figured out. A young man who the next day was gunned down and died in my brother's arms crying "Save me, Save me". We observed a moment of silence in honor of this young man, and I saw my dad holding my little brother, comforting him. One of the uncles was asked to say a prayer for the family and loved ones of this brave soldier. My brother apologized for losing control, but no one had been offended.
For a brief moment we realized what so many other families were going through on this 4th of July so that we can enjoy our cookouts and fireworks in peace. And I for one was heartily ashamed of my impatience moments before. We are some of the lucky ones, it could have been my brother that came home in a box, had it not been for the fact that the enemy's gun jammed the day my brother faced him and I'm sure some where in Afghanistan a family morns for the life that my brother took when he drew his knife across that enemy soldier's neck. And suddenly War is real to me.
I am thankful for my freedom and I am extremely proud of my little brother, for choosing to go and fight for that freedom. I know he did what he had to do in order to survive and I know he will never be the same because of this experience. I believe in the power of prayer and I believe that God sent an angel to jam the gun of the man who's aim was to take my brother's life. I don't know to what purpose my brother was saved but I pray that he finds it and God will continue to grant him protection.
Titus, I love you and am so proud of you!!!!!
Friday, July 3, 2009
A Busy Week
Wow, what a busy week it's been. Our Church has had Vacation Bible School all week. The topic was Passport to the Promised Land, each night we took a trip to another city in Israel and learned it's significance in Jesus life.
Day one: Bethlehem, we learned about the birth of Jesus
Day two: Nazareth, we learned about Jesus boyhood, growing up and working in the carpenter shop, his first trip to Jerusalem and the Temple where he stayed talking with the teachers even after his family headed home
Day Three: The Sea of Galilee, we learned about the start of Jesus ministry and the calling of his disciples
Day Four: Capernaum, we learned about one of Jesus miracles, where he raised a little girl from the dead
Day Five: Calvary, today we learned about Jesus death on the cross and what it means for you and me.
To some this might be just an interesting story, to me it is a truth that changed my life
Jesus was born, not like anyone else for he was born of a virgin. He had an ordinary childhood, but it to was not like anyone else's childhood for he was perfect and never disobeyed. His ministry was unlike anything else, he healed the sick, and raised the dead.
But beyond that his death is amazing... he did no wrong yet he was willing to died a cruel death for my sins, and after he died he didn't stay dead he rose the third day. That is the greatest miracle of them all.
Day one: Bethlehem, we learned about the birth of Jesus
Day two: Nazareth, we learned about Jesus boyhood, growing up and working in the carpenter shop, his first trip to Jerusalem and the Temple where he stayed talking with the teachers even after his family headed home
Day Three: The Sea of Galilee, we learned about the start of Jesus ministry and the calling of his disciples
Day Four: Capernaum, we learned about one of Jesus miracles, where he raised a little girl from the dead
Day Five: Calvary, today we learned about Jesus death on the cross and what it means for you and me.
To some this might be just an interesting story, to me it is a truth that changed my life
Jesus was born, not like anyone else for he was born of a virgin. He had an ordinary childhood, but it to was not like anyone else's childhood for he was perfect and never disobeyed. His ministry was unlike anything else, he healed the sick, and raised the dead.
But beyond that his death is amazing... he did no wrong yet he was willing to died a cruel death for my sins, and after he died he didn't stay dead he rose the third day. That is the greatest miracle of them all.
What is Rhetoric?
What is Rhetoric?
According to Webster Rhetoric is: : the study of writing or speaking as a means of communication or persuasion
My personal definition:
Rhetoric is when a group of people take a set of facts and twist them to fit their agenda. They either take the portion of the facts that suit their purposes and leave out any information that might hurt their cause or they twist the facts and mix them with lies to produce half truths. To persuade you of their point of view.
So why would I choose to write a blog about rhetoric? Well, because I'm sick of it, I'm sick of politicians using it, I'm sick of special interest using it, and I'm especially sick of preachers using it.
I hate it when I see people trying to defend a belief with faulty information, the other side of the argument knows when our information is faulty or rigged, and it just leaves us open to ridicule and gives us a bad reputation.
But the thing that hurts me the most is when I'm reading my Bible and I come across a passage that I've heard all of my life used to support a certain standard/doctrine and I realize that the people that I love and trusted have twisted it to fit the view their particular view point. It easy to spot the rhetoric in other's beliefs, and it's disappointing when you see rhetoric used in an organization that you support, but it is absolutely heart retching when you discover that someone you love has lied to you about why we do things a certain way, that their belief though not wrong, per say, was not grounded in scripture as you were always taught.
I guess that is why the Bible commends the people of Berea for searching the Scriptures to verify that the things Paul taught were the truth, it is always important to verify what you are hearing is true, if something doesn't ring true then check it out for yourself. We need to be on our guard against passing on rhetoric and just swallowing something because it sounds good or is what you want to hear. Check the source, compare scripture with scripture. Know the Truth for the truth will set you free.
According to Webster Rhetoric is: : the study of writing or speaking as a means of communication or persuasion
My personal definition:
Rhetoric is when a group of people take a set of facts and twist them to fit their agenda. They either take the portion of the facts that suit their purposes and leave out any information that might hurt their cause or they twist the facts and mix them with lies to produce half truths. To persuade you of their point of view.
So why would I choose to write a blog about rhetoric? Well, because I'm sick of it, I'm sick of politicians using it, I'm sick of special interest using it, and I'm especially sick of preachers using it.
I hate it when I see people trying to defend a belief with faulty information, the other side of the argument knows when our information is faulty or rigged, and it just leaves us open to ridicule and gives us a bad reputation.
But the thing that hurts me the most is when I'm reading my Bible and I come across a passage that I've heard all of my life used to support a certain standard/doctrine and I realize that the people that I love and trusted have twisted it to fit the view their particular view point. It easy to spot the rhetoric in other's beliefs, and it's disappointing when you see rhetoric used in an organization that you support, but it is absolutely heart retching when you discover that someone you love has lied to you about why we do things a certain way, that their belief though not wrong, per say, was not grounded in scripture as you were always taught.
I guess that is why the Bible commends the people of Berea for searching the Scriptures to verify that the things Paul taught were the truth, it is always important to verify what you are hearing is true, if something doesn't ring true then check it out for yourself. We need to be on our guard against passing on rhetoric and just swallowing something because it sounds good or is what you want to hear. Check the source, compare scripture with scripture. Know the Truth for the truth will set you free.
The Sun and Stars for a Light!
I have recently become interested in the study of Astronomy from a Jewish or Christian perspective. This poem reflects my feelings of how everything is made for a purpose and points us to Jesus that Savior.
I feel the sun upon my face
And I’m reminded of Your grace,
The Sun that lights the day
Your Son leads us on our way!
The stars you give us for a light
To bring us through the dark of night.
They tell us of your perfect plan
How God would become man,
And now they show us future plans,
what will be the end of man.
I praise you Father Lord of all,
Let me always hear your call.
I feel the sun upon my face
And I’m reminded of Your grace,
The Sun that lights the day
Your Son leads us on our way!
The stars you give us for a light
To bring us through the dark of night.
They tell us of your perfect plan
How God would become man,
And now they show us future plans,
what will be the end of man.
I praise you Father Lord of all,
Let me always hear your call.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Special places
As part of out essay assignment this week we have to make a list of places that we could write about and here's my list.
My Grandma's house
My childhood home in Germany
Our first house
Willson's Creek Battlefield
The Statue of Liberty
My Husband's boyhood home
Our church - Hillside Baptist Church
The Airport in Amsterdam
My High School
My Grandma's house
My childhood home in Germany
Our first house
Willson's Creek Battlefield
The Statue of Liberty
My Husband's boyhood home
Our church - Hillside Baptist Church
The Airport in Amsterdam
My High School
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)