Cultivating a thankful heart, looking to God as provider and sustainer, each day this month I’m posting that for which I’m thankful. . .
* Stimulating conversations
* Gas prices falling
* A full fridge
* God’s faithfulness
* Forgiveness
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. I Th 5:18
Another reason I’m infatuated with Google is Google Labs newest search engine toy, In Quotes.
Try it. . . Find out what McCain, Obama, or any one of many major politicians have said on any issue recently. I can see so many bloggers and pundits having fun with this one!
(via LifeHacker)
Molodyetz, Senator McCain, on the “Trust, but verify” nod to Ronald Reagan. That made me smile, along with McCain’s understanding of the nuances of Georgia, Ukraine, and NATO. (And the nuance of accurately saying Ukraine, rather than Obama’s the Ukraine.)
Yes, the focus of the debate was much broader than Eastern Europe, but I appreciated McCain’s strong statement of support for Ukraine.
MCCAIN: Well, I was interested in Senator Obama’s reaction to the Russian aggression against Georgia. His first statement was, “Both sides ought to show restraint.”
Again, a little bit of naivete there. He doesn’t understand that Russia committed serious aggression against Georgia. And Russia has now become a nation fueled by petro-dollars that is basically a KGB apparatchik-run government.
I looked into Mr. Putin’s eyes, and I saw three letters, a “K,” a “G,” and a “B.” And their aggression in Georgia is not acceptable behavior.
I don’t believe we’re going to go back to the Cold War. I am sure that that will not happen. But I do believe that we need to bolster our friends and allies. And that wasn’t just about a problem between Georgia and Russia. It had everything to do with energy.
There’s a pipeline that runs from the Caspian through Georgia through Turkey. And, of course, we know that the Russians control other sources of energy into Europe, which they have used from time to time.
It’s not accidental that the presidents of Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, and Ukraine flew to Georgia, flew to Tbilisi, where I have spent significant amount of time with a great young president, Misha Saakashvili.
And they showed solidarity with them, but, also, they are very concerned about the Russian threats to regain their status of the old Russian to regain their status of the old Russian empire.
Now, I think the Russians ought to understand that we will support — we, the United States — will support the inclusion of Georgia and Ukraine in the natural process, inclusion into NATO.
We also ought to make it very clear that the Russians are in violation of their cease-fire agreement. They have stationed additional troops in Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
By the way, I went there once, and we went inside and drove in, and there was a huge poster. And this is — this is Georgian territory. And there was a huge poster of Vladimir Putin, and it said, “Vladimir Putin, our president.”
It was very clear, the Russian intentions towards Georgia. They were just waiting to seize the opportunity.
So, this is a very difficult situation. We want to work with the Russians. But we also have every right to expect the Russians to behave in a fashion and keeping with a — with a — with a country who respects international boundaries and the norms of international behavior.
And watch Ukraine. This whole thing has got a lot to do with Ukraine, Crimea, the base of the Russian fleet in Sevastopol. And the breakdown of the political process in Ukraine between Tymoshenko and Yushchenko is a very serious problem.
So watch Ukraine, and let’s make sure that we — that the Ukrainians understand that we are their friend and ally.
Do not wait; the time will never be “just right.”
Start where you stand,
and work with whatever tools you may have at your command,
and better tools will be found as you go along.George Herbert, via Camille
Reluctantly, dragging my feet, resistant to let go of ritual. . . At the prodding of my pastor of all people, I am finally embracing RSS and using Google reader to keep up with my online friends.
After church today, our pastor led a mini-seminar on utilizing web technology in a positive way. Afterwards, one gentleman told me he was “too old” for that sort of thing — and then waxed eloquently about his iMac and how he frequented the pastor’s blog. Too old? No way! Though, it has taken a little bit of prodding for my grandmother to like her new laptop. . . still she’s checking her e-mail and looking at family pics online now.
From time to time I come across an article or academic research that points to problems with technology, cautions about the web being a barrier to community. I think those warnings are very valid. And yet. . . So many times in my life I’ve been physically isolated (at home with small kids, a move to a new state where I’ll only live a few months, on the other side of the ocean from family), and yet have been able to maintain relationships, continue communication, stay sane because of this same technology.
How often it just comes back to the same refrain that is true of so much of life. . . Balance.
“These are the different stems of the Hebrew verbs. The Qal stem is used when the verb is active, Niphal for simple passive or reflexive, Piel for intensive active or causative, Hiphil for causative active, Hitpael for reflexive. The consonants in the root verb stay the same, but you can tell which stem is being used based on vowels or additional consonants added to the root.” — my friend who knows this stuff
Good info to know when looking this up on BLB:
Lexicon Results for shakach (Strong’s H7911)
שכח
1) to forget, ignore, wither
a) (Qal)
1) to forget
2) to cease to careb) (Niphal) to be forgotten
c) (Piel) to cause to forget
d) (Hiphil) to make or cause to forget
e) (Hithpael) to be forgotten
1. ـTulip, 2. Brie, 3. 1991, 4. Blue, 5. None, 6. Tension Tamer Tea, 7. Diving with Whales, 8. Gambino’s Petit Fours, 9. Author, 10. Hubby and Kids, 11. Ambivalent, 12. TulipGirl
Here’s how it works:
a. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.
b. Using only the first page, pick an image.
c. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into fd’s mosaic maker. Choose 3 columns with 4 rows.
The Questions:
1. What is your first name?
2. What is your favorite food?
3. What high school did you go to? (or, What year did you graduate high school?)
4. What is your favorite color?
5. Who is your celebrity crush?
6. Favorite drink?
7. Dream vacation?
8. Favorite dessert?
9. What you want to be when you grow up?
10. What do you love most in life?
11. One Word to describe you.
12. Your flickr name. (kid version: favorite animal?)
Like Megan, if you want to join in, consider yourself tagged!
Yes, the comments are wonky here at TulipGirl. For some reason, most people who try to leave a comment get a message about needing to enable java and cookies in their browser. Behind the scenes, my friend Her Royal Geekness is trying to find the glitch. Thanks for your patience!
And if you just HAVE to comment, you can reach me at tulipgrrl AT gmail DOT com .
UPDATE: Thanks to the the nitty-gritty codewonking of a friend, comments are back on!
The GFI National Conference is now well under way. We believe and have experienced how the Lord is both over all and close at hand, and how He uses prayer. And so we ask you to join with us in prayer for the parents and teachers involved with the conference and with Ezzo parenting.
Pray that Christ will be preached.
Pray for Gary and Anne Marie Ezzo.
Pray for the conference attendees.
Pray for wisdom and discernment.
Pray that parents who do use the material will seek balance.
Pray for reconciliation for the Ezzo family.
.
This post is part of the Ezzo Week(end) 2008 series, raising awareness about the concerns with the parenting “philosophy” promoted by Gary Ezzo.
Karen Campbell of ThatMom podcast and blog had a special contest in June — and I’m one of the winners!
The podcasts are a great source of mommy-inspiration. As Karen explains, “. . .my vision for thatmom was born back in the days of diapers, Winnie the Pooh, and Playdoh. . . . I hold to the truth that God’s word, the Bible, rather than the agendas of man, is our standard for life and practice. To that end, the goal of this nook and cranny of cyberspace is to reach out to those women who might be looking for a kind word, a cup of virtual tea, and an older friend who knows that some days, all you really need is chocolate!”
As one of the contest winners, along with a special book, a hand-made apron, and a family cookbook, Karen is sending me three cds of ThatMom Podcast first year archives!
.
And so, another contest!
In the spirit of passing along the blessing, two special moms will be receive a mommy-inspiration prize of the first year cd of all of the ThatMom Podcast broadcasts AND a $5 Starbucks giftcard! However, the drawing is limited to the new visitors to TulipGirl.com who have stopped by thanks to the mention in the No Greater Joy Magazine July/August 2008 issue published by Michael and Debi Pearl. All those new visitors who have commented on various threads so far will be entered into the drawing — and those who comment on this thread will be entered a second time.
I’ve received several requests to unsubscribe people from receiving emails of comments on posts to which they responded. I want to make sure all understand that I have not signed anyone up for these subscriptions, when you post a comment you have the opportunity to opt in or opt out.
It has taken a few days to figure out some of the behind-the-scenes wordpress coding, but I can now unsubscribe those who have asked that I do so. I appreciate those who have been patient.
So as not to sidetrack the discussions on other posts, those who wish to be unsubscribed, please let me know in the comments of this post.
And I do encourage you to continue the conversation!
Grace and peace,
TG
With all the new babies and babies soon to be born, I just had to share these TWO contests! (No blog, website, or purchase needed to enter!)
Love to babywear?
Win the Essential Babywearing Stash from Along for the Ride
(one Beco Butterfly, one Hotsling baby pouch, one BabyHawk Mei Tai, one Zolowear Ring Sling, and one Gypsy Mama Wrap)
Want to try cloth diapering?
BumGenius 3.0 Cloth Diaper Starter Kit!
In Texas, Heather and Troy greet Susannah Grace.
In Pennsylvania, Aliza and Jeff greet Shelby Rose.
In Nebraska, Chad and Shanna finalize the paperwork for Lexie and Becca.
A friend of mine started a meme. . . and though I wasn’t tagged, I just couldn’t resist joining in!
“People who visit us get a taste of who we are, what we’re into, and what we’re like. I notice that my kids tend to show new visitors the same computer things they like, or play music for them that they love that our guests have probably never heard, and offer the same snacks.
Since there are lots of people I know via the internet who may never get the chance to visit us, I thought I’d offer a virtual glimpse of a visit to our house.”
If you came to our house. . .
You would see:
An oil painting of a kitchen (my sis has a copy painted by my brother), a portrait of a conductor (a painting that rightfully belongs to my sis, but we have for now), a print that portrays Ukraine which was a crazy ordeal to buy my last day in Kyiv, and bookshelves lining each wall.
We’d probably feed you:
Green Thai Curry, for dinner
Breakfast tacos, if it’s morning
And offer you this to drink:
Old Bisbee Roaster’s coffee!
We’d undoubtedly ask if you’d read:
Whatever we’re currently reading
C.S. Lewis or J.R.R. Tolkien or J.K. Rowlings
Berkhof or Keller
We’d want to play this music for you:
From Pandora. . . Cab Calloway, Asylum Street Spankers, The Fratellis, Edith Piaf, TMBG, the Ramones, Duke Ellington
From YouTube. . . Safety Dance, TMBG,
We’d want to tell you the latest about:
What our crazy kids have done or said
We’d probably suggest a game of:
Chess, mechwarrior, spades or marco polo
We might would definitely show off:
Our books
We might get on the computer and show you:
Hubby’s blog, family pictures, or the latest humorous youtube vid
If it was a long enough visit, we might watch:
Ummmm. . . hmmmm. . . depends upon the friend. . .
What would a visit to your house be like?
I’m tagging. . .
Amy, posted!
Keer
Carol, posted!
Molly
Cindie, posted!
Kathryn
Rebecca, posted!
the SmockLady
Then (for now, until the kinks are worked out) you’ll want to update your reader to go to: http://www.tulipgirl.com/wordpress/index.php/feed/
We have worked out all of the kinks! Update your reader (permanently) to to to: http://www.tulipgirl.com/index.php/feed/
And if you want to see the pretty, springy, tulipy new TulipGirl, go ahead and click through to http://www.tulipgirl.com.
(Thanks, Carol, for letting me know the new site wasn’t being picked up yet. . .)
I know I should use a blog feed or reader. All the cool kids do. It is more efficient. It makes sense.
And yet. . . I like the ritual of right-clicking and going through the names and blogs of friends past and present. . . Seeing the site and familiar images.
More than once I’ve been criticized for having an unendingly long blogroll. *shrug* I know it isn’t fashionable. I know it looks indiscriminate and merely like link trading. But it’s not. For me, those links on the side column have served along with the posts as a bit of a memorial of connections and interests–some which have grown, some which have waned. Still I’m loathe to delete any link until I know it’s dead and gone for real.
So, I’m slowly, manually rebuilding my blogroll and link list. If you were on it previously, you’ll likely show up again. Eventually. This is a slow and ritualistic process.
We will control the horizontal. We will control the vertical.
This is still your dear ol’ TulipGirl.
Thanks to a dear friend, my long-overdue behind-the-scenes blog update has been accomplished! Spam be gone! Posting ease ensue! Along with that is the bright, springy tulipgirl theme. I’m looking forward to more blogging in the coming days and weeks.
All the cool kids are doing it. . . Revolution Money Exchange is trying to give PayPal a run for its money. *cough, bad pun* Looking through the fine print, everything seems legit. $25 is automatically credited to your account if you sign up before April 15. (And if you click through on that button, it credits my account with an extra $10.) The test will be whether it becomes as widely accepted and trusted as PayPal.
Drinking: Fruit and protein shakes
Recovering: From minor outpatient surgery
Reading: Tim Keller
Studying: MBTI, MMPI, MSI, NEO
Linking: Raced-Focused Schools
Watching: Lost online
Listening: To nothin’ — my MP3 player died
I’ve been collecting an assortment of links on facebook, web sites and news stories that have caught my eye or I want to return to. . . And now, to share with you:
* Гагарин, я Вас любила, on YouTube
* Nicene and Apostle’s Creeds, side by side.
* A Russian love story. *mush, mush*
* Leben, A Journal of Reformed Life
* More than a Parenting Ministry, a sad reminder of evangelical vulnerabilities
* Bible Chapter Checklist, like the one I had when I was a kid
Carole at Thoughts of Home tagged me this week. . . and I’ve been slow to getting around to posting. Weird week, you know?
7 Random Facts About Me
1. I am the oldest daughter of an oldest daughter.
2. I love veggies, but don’t eat enough of them.
3. Shopping malls stress me out.
4. I like white walls in houses and have never painted walls before.
5. Our townhouse in Midland had a retro-avocado kitchen, and I thought it was great.
6. We’ve lived in this house longest of anywhere since we’ve been married. I need to declutter. I don’t know how to do that without moving.
7. When I was preggers with my oldest, I had two short-term “dress up” jobs at once–a food selling wench at the Medieval Fair and the Easter Bunny at the mall.
_________________
Game of Blog Tag Rules:
*Link to the person that tagged you.
*Post the rules on your blog.
*Share 7 random and/or weird facts about yourself on your blog.
*Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.
*Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blogs.
_______________
Tagging: Amie, Skerrib (already played!), Rebecca, Gem, Gwibbles, Nancy, and Allison.
As an overview of the past year, here are the titles of the first post of each month.
January 2007: Another Year Bloggin’ and A-Deeper in Debt
February 2007: To Console, To Understand, To Love
March 2007: Drugs and the Brain
April 2007: Westminster Shorter Catechism, Question 10
May 2007: One Anothering
June 2007: Hurricane Season, Florida
July 2007: For Demographic Fiends
August 2007: World Breastfeeding Week, August 1-7th
September 2007: Shepherd of Tender Youth
October 2007: Looking to Christ, Listening to my Mother
November 2007: Bored of Bedtime
December 2007: Taking for Granted
(Via Three Under Three, via A Mindful Life)
Four years ago for Christmas, Hubby bought me my own domain name. *mush, mush* And I started blogging. . . This space I’ve carved out for myself online has at times been a soapbox, a family journal, a photo album, a dear diary, a tool of political revolution, a way to keep in touch with family far away. . .
Thank you, friends and readers, for coming along for the ride.
For several months I’ve been listening to the weekly podcasts of ThatMom - homeschool mother and grandmother Karen Campbell. I’ve known Karen via her daughter for several years now. The podcasts are definitely included in my Mommy-Inspiration Files.
What I’ve really appreciated is how Karen keeps returning to the Gospel, and how the Lord is leading each of us in our respective families. Too often in homeschooling (and Christian parenting) there is the tendency to become ideological or strive to do everything “just right.” In doing that, it is easy to adopt manmade standards and lose sight of our focus on Christ alone.
Karen and her guests come across as just another homeschool mom. Loving, imperfect, wanting the best for their children, seeking the Lord. In her tone, I hear the experience of a mother who has made it to grandmotherhood and the experience of a Christian who has made mistakes along the way and learned to lean into the Lord.
And for me, that is the encouragement I need.
ThatMom Blog
ThatMom Podcast Downloads
Yeah. Okay. The geek in me comes out. I got excited to see the book 55 Ways to Have Fun With Google is now available for free download.
My friend Rebecca started blogging awhile back, and now her two sisters have joined her. So, check out the smart domestic Rebecca, momma-with-the-mostest Amy, and the splendid Emily. I’ve known these three sisters since. . . well. . . has it been almost 20 years?! Uh, it can’t be that long, can it?
These three sisters remind me of two other sisters from the same time in my life, same locale–April and Stacey. Only, Stacey isn’t blogging. Yet. That I know of. Stacey and her sweetheart Dustin are now blogging!
Two more sisters, me and my sis.
Updated: Another sister pair from the same era and area are Little Carlotta and TweetyGirl.
Looking over where each of us, seven women in seven different states, each at a different stage in our lives, spiritual journeys, relationships. . . In the late ’80s, in Chicago’s northern suburbs, I don’t think any of us quite pictured we would be where we are now.
Megan and I both made major moves simultaneously a couple of years ago. She was my partner in packing and keeping sanity, even though half a world away. A more minor move this time, she’s relocated her blog to a new url. Update your bookmarks:
http://halfpinthouse.wordpress.com/
