A Song to Remember

This is one of those posts that I am writing for the sake of remembering a milestone. I have such a bad memory at times....even for things that I find precious, important or especially "memorable" at the time...so this is one of the purposes of my blog: to help me remember those things that I never want to forget! So, here goes...it is short and sweet.

This morning, as the girls were working on their spelling seatwork at the kitchen table, I had a CD playing that has a song to help remember the presidents of the United States. It is a simple acapella song, with only one vocalist. I was in the other room, when I suddenly heard what seemed to be a whole other song being sung by one of the girls. It turned out to be Marah, who was actually singing her own HARMONY part...and she was spot on.

She is still wondering how she made Mommy cry. ;)

The Boys

This is Cameron, my cousin--well, second cousin, I believe. Is that what the child of your cousin is considered to be....a second cousin? Anyway...this is Scott and Debbie's son, and he goes to school with Andrew. They are both in the eighth grade, and get along well--they both spur one another on to weirdness and obnoxious behavior at times...but that's okay, we love them anyway. ;) And this is Drewbie (Andrew). He is busy figuring out direction for his life. For the last couple of months he has been in training to become a ninja. But this last week he has decided to become a male model. He cracks us up. It's been good for him to have another guy his age to hang out with at family functions.

Holiday Pictures, Pt. II

Moo, Gigi & Belle.

Ah, the ornament exchange--we walked away with a glass flamingo dressed in hawaiian clothes. Would you believe that is our second flamingo ornament that we have ended up with over the past two years?

More ornament exchange shots.

My beloved family...so cute.

Some Holiday Photos, Pt. I

My sister Kristen, and her hubby, Nick. The evening of the 24th they announced that they are having a baby boy in about 20 weeks.

My babies.

At 94 years young, my Grandma shows her great granddaughters how to prepare sugo (that's spaghetti sauce, for all my non-italian readers).

They love their Gigi.

We are just now learning to use the timer function on our camera....now I just have to master using the right setting for the lighting! Argh!

The Toddler Whisperer

This is my cousin Scott who has just come back into our lives within the last year or so. We are all really enjoying becoming reacquainted with he and his wife Debbie and son Cameron. Part of the fun of getting to know Scott is discovering that he is a real softy. This is a great quality, and is most readily seen the moment he is around babies. Jaiden just loves to sit and babble with Scott for a good long time. I guess you have to know that Jaiden does NOT stop and sit for just anything or anybody...so this is a super-rare occurrence, and one that deserves applause. So, bravo, Scott! You are the Jaiden whisperer! :)

It's Addicting!

So here are a couple of my most recent knitting projects that I have completed. I have been focused on making dishcloths--that way I have the gratification of seeing a project completed, since dishcloths are fairly short projects. My first several were simple all-knitted squares. Then, I "graduated" up to this round cloth that I made for my Mom: And then there is this "Eighth Note" cloth that is a knit & purl pattern that I made for my Aunt Swede:

I will share more of my projects as they are completed...that way, after I have given them away there is a permanent cyber-record of my handiwork!

The Power of Light

When our souls are kindled by the light of the Messiah, our light grows and shines before men as the Master said it should.

2 Maccabees 10:6-8 "And they kept the eight days with gladness, as in the feast of the tabernacles, remembering that not long before they had held the feast of the tabernacles, when as they wandered in the mountains and dens like beasts.Therefore they bare branches, and fair boughs, and palms also, and sang psalms unto Him that had given them good success in cleansing His place."

The word Hanukkah, or Chanukah, literally means "dedication." It celebrates the Jewish victory over the Greeks. The Greeks had taken over Jerusalem, and had enforced brutal and bloody consequences to those who chose to remain obedient to God and His commands. Under the rule of the wicked king Antiochus, the Greeks sought to uproot the Torah way of life--forbidding Sabbath observance, circumcision, dietary rules, or reading of the Scriptures--and even went so far as to have the Temple defiled by having idols erected on the holy site. A priest named Mattityahu, outraged by what was happening, gathered his sons together to have them fight the Greeks and to reclaim the Holy Temple. No matter how many troops Antiochus sent (at one point it was up to 40,000), he could not overpower the Maccabees. The Maccabees went to Jerusalem to reclaim the holy site and built a new altar. Upon lighting a newly built menorah (the original was stolen by the Syrians), the Maccabees discovered that the oil supply was defiled. They managed to find one vessel that was not defiled bearing the seal of the High Priest Yochanan. However, it would only be enough oil to light the menorah for one day and it would be eight days before a new batch could be made. Legend states that God allowed the oil to burn for eight days and eight nights. We memorialize this event by lighting the Chanukah menorah for eight days--but the heart of the celebration is the miraculous victory that a small band of God's people had over the vast armies of Antiochus IV. Antiochus, by the way, was spoken of in the book of Daniel as placing 'the Abomination of Desolation' in the Temple....so the horrific and then miraculous events of Chanukah are spoken of in our Bibles, in both the Old Testament and the Apostolic writings.

Chanukah symbolizes the power of light and its ability to dispel darkness from the world. As a new flame is kindled each night, the light grows stronger representing our spreading of light to others in the world around us which in turn causes a brighter light to shine. The basic idea is dispelling darkness with the power of light.
A similar theme is found in the Gospel of John when he says, "In him was life, and the life was the light of the sons of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it" (John 1:4-5, my translation). John goes on to say that "the true light which gives light to all mankind was coming to the world" (John 1:9). A rabbinic writer commenting on Genesis chapter 1, has said the following: Rabbi Abba said, 'And light dwells with him' (Daniel 2:22)--this is King Messiah, as it says: 'Rise, shine, for your light has come' (Isaiah 60:1). Just as the Chanukah menorah has a servant candle that in turn lights the individual candles, so too, Messiah is the servant spoken of in Isaiah 53 (this interpretation is seen in the rabbinic writings) who brings the light of God into the world just as John said that this life was the light of the sons of men.

There are so many powerful teachings and themes in this celebration--the power of God to bring victory over insurmountable odds, the fight against compromise, the cleansing and rededicating of our hearts for God--we can't help but pause this time of year to light the candles and remember the Light of the World whose Light now shines in our hearts.

(portions taken from ffoz.org's "Themes of Chanukah")

Little Victories

I did it! I really did it! I conquered my fear of the double-pointed needle! I just had to share!!! I know, this may seem like the LAMEST post EVER....I don't care! I will post this to memorialize forever in cyberspace my ability to overcome the intimidation caused by foreign knitting utensils and stitches.

So you think you are afraid of something? Say...public speaking, giant fuzzy spiders, pandemic, global depression or severe social unrest?

Well, I say you don't know fear until you have read an intermediate knitting pattern.

Sledding Silliness

Yes, we got a bit of snow and sleet which made for very icy conditions on the roads....but were the kids (or my husband) worried about this? Nope. They saw it as an opportunity to go sledding. Do you know how fast you can go when the sledding hill is solid ice???

Fast. Very, very fast.

Moo was a bit hesitant, as was her mother. Belle? Well, she has a need...for speed!

Gearing up for a slick ride with three of them on a two person sled.

The girls insisted that I go down with them once or twice just on our bottoms. My poor bottom.

They came, they saw, they sledded. Good times.

More Party Photos

I finally had time to upload some more photos of the birthday party that we had for my Dad and Moo. OOOhhhhh...a cupcake tower!!! Tres chic!

A brilliant gift from us: a hitch cover for the back of his truck...in the shape of a deer with a target on his belly...that lights up red when the brakes are hit, and the deer raises his arms as if to say "don't shoot!". You know you're a redneck if....

One of Moo's favorite gifts: a pair of fake glasses from Auntie Dani & Uncle Jon.

And, to top it off: glow in the dark dinosaur footie pajamas for my Dad.

Perfect.

Long Lost Chicago Trip Pix

My Mom, Dani & I took the kiddos to Chicago this summer. We took the train downtown to see "Walking with Dinosaurs", and then we went to Millenium Park.

These are the pictures that I just now found on my Mom's camera:

Drew, climbing.
Moo, smiling on the train.

Lily, smiling on the bus.

Drew & Canaan, ready to be off the train.

All four of the little kids, under the famous "Bean".

Quality Time at Grandma's

Just to add a sense of 'balance' to the image of making gingerbread houses at Mimi's. This happens at Mimi's too--they seem to be oddly happy with being caged up with my Mom's one-eyed bull dog/shih tzu mix, "Pirate". That one eye sure can glow, can't it?!? Creepy.

Happy Birthday, Dad & Moo!

Being the good daughter that I am, I had my firstborn daughter the day after my Father's birthday! That was 10 years ago this Monday, December 15th. Wow, how time flies...

Sweet Things

Ah, the gingerbread house...I am so glad that I could subcontract this out to my Mom. She is a much better home economics instructor than I am.

My Little Parrot

Today we have a lot of exciting things to look forward to, like hair cuts at one o'clock, and a visit to Mimi's. (I know, really exciting, huh?! My kids look so forward to simple changes in routine.)

Anyway, Belle asked me what time it was. Before I could answer her, she started jabbering away: "I think it feels like it's almost one o'clock. Mom, what time does it feel like in your little mind?"

I KNOW she has heard this from her Dad and I....it's just so funny hearing it coming back my way!

*sniff*

I originally took this picture to send to a friend who had purchased these velour jackets for my girls. But after I looked at it, I was just taken by how my baby girls are growing up so fast...both of them are developing into young ladies in front of me. Ack! I am way too emotional to be blogging this right now! I should always check my estrogen levels before posting about my girls. *sniff*

Suzuki Sisters

Afternoons at the Grant home...violin practice...hold on, where are my ear plugs??? (Don't tell the girls I said that!) Seriously, they are coming along. They both get very frustrated that they don't sound like their teacher Miss Honna, but then they don't have 26 years of practicing under their belt like she does! They have polished a number of versions of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star", and are working on polishing "Lightly Row" and "The Song of the Wind". It's really cute when they play together. When they aren't whining at their sound or are dreadfully out of tune with each other, that is...

Audio Books

A great tool for parents who love to read to their kids...but who sometimes find their throats sore, their eyes tired and their minds too busy to sit down with a book: Visit Librivox.org

The kids and I are currently listening to Verne's "Journey to the Interior of the Earth". If we ever decide to see the movie, we will have a grasp of the author's original work. If you are interested in listening along with us, here is the link: http://librivox.org/a-journey-to-the-interior-of-the-earth-by-jules-verne/

My Songbirds

Moo & Belle at their first showcase performance for the 2008-09 season; held at a local retirement village.

They did so well...I am one proud Mom!

Crepes are So Delicious...

The girls are in choir this year, and one of their holiday pieces is entitled "J'aime La Galette". It is a sweet French folk song that sings the praises of the crepe. We have talked a little about what a crepe is, and I think I likened it to a really thin pancake. Anyway, I love to hear the girls sing the French portion of the song...but I guess I wasn't paying close attention to Belle's pronunciation....because upon rising this morning she asked her Dad: "Daddy, I want some of that pancake crap".

Oh Belle...how you make us laugh!

What You See is What You Are

A convicting thought from this week's FFOZ.org eDrash, from the Torah Portion:

Vayetze - ויצא : "And he went out"
Torah : Genesis 28:10-32:3
Haftarah : Hosea 12:12-14:10
Gospel : Matthew 15-16

Commentary
So the flocks mated by the rods,
and the flocks brought forth striped, speckled, and spotted. (Genesis 30:39)

Laban agreed to give Jacob all the striped, spotted, speckled and dappled born among his flocks. Immediately after making the agreement, he removed all but the solid-colored animals, to eliminate the possibility that Jacob would receive any livestock.
Not to be so easily outmaneuvered, Jacob engaged in a genetic-engineering experiment. He peeled sticks to make spotted, striped, speckled and dappled patterns on them and placed the peeled sticks near the water troughs during mating season. It was a common belief that a vivid sight during pregnancy or conception would leave its mark on the embryo. Therefore, if the solid-colored livestock saw the sticks while pregnant, they would give birth to striped, spotted, speckled young. It seemed to work. Jacob became exceedingly prosperous.
From our modern perspective, this incident sounds dubious. Even Jacob was dubious about the trick. He later admitted to his wives that it was God's miraculous intervention that brought the results, not his stick-peeling trick:

If [Laban] spoke thus, "The speckled shall be your wages," then all the flock brought forth speckled; and if he spoke thus, "The striped shall be your wages," then all the flock brought forth striped. Thus God has taken away your father's livestock and given them to me. (Genesis 31:8-9)

There is a lesson to be learned here. That which we place before our eyes impacts the inner person. Jacob believed that sheep looking at striped sticks would bear striped young. That may or may not be the case, but it is certainly true that when we view things that are shocking, disturbing, immoral, violent or perverse, those images leave an impact on us. Sometime later, we give birth, as it were, through deeds, action and speech patterned after the things we have been placing before our eyes.

For example, a person who watches television regularly cannot help but absorb the culture and values expressed on the television programs. The images he sees become a permanent part of his internal being because they are imprinted on his brain. The dialogue he hears begins to write new speech patterns in his mind. This is why King David declared, "I will set no worthless thing before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not fasten its grip on me. A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will know no evil" (Psalm 101:3-4).

There Might Be Giants

Belle: Mom, when do people decide to move?
Me: What do you mean?
Belle: When do people decide it's time to move from one house to a new house?
Me: Well, sometimes if their Mom or Dad get a new job in a different state...
Belle: ...or if they get tired of the house that they are in, right??
Me: (Wanting to make a point about our culture) Well, people might get tired of the house they are in...instead of being thankful for what they have, yes. But I think a lot of times people grow out of their home...their family gets bigger, and they don't have enough room anymore.
Belle: (silence)
Me: Sometimes they probably don't need ALL the room they have, but they think they do...(Belle grows silent again....wait for it....wait for it.....)
Belle: You mean they become giants?
Me: What?!?
Belle: They grow out of their home and have to find a bigger one?
Me: (Stifled laugh) No, not exactly...

The Bell

THE BELL

I KNOW WHO I AM

I am God's child (John 1:12)

I am Christ's friend (John 15:15 )

I am united with the Lord (1 Cor. 6:17)

I am bought with a price (1 Cor 6:19-20)

I am a saint (set apart for God). (Eph. 1:1)

I am a personal witness of Christ. (Acts 1:8)

I am the salt & light of the earth (Matt 5:13-14)

I am a member of the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27)

I am free forever from condemnation ( Rom. 8: 1-2)

I am a citizen of Heaven. I am significant (Phil 3:20)

I am free from any charge against me (Rom. 8:31 -34)

I am a minister of reconciliation for God (2 Cor 5:17-21)

I have access to God through the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:18)

I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Eph. 2:6)

I cannot be separated from the love of God (Rom 8:35-39)

I am established, anointed, sealed by God (2 Cor 1:21-22 )

I am assured all things work together for good (Rom. 8:28 )

I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16 )

I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Eph. 3: 12 )

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13)

I am the branch of the true vine, a channel of His life (John 15: 1-5)

I am God's temple (1 Cor. 3: 16). I am complete in Christ (Col. 2: 10)

I am hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3). I have been justified (Romans 5:1)

I am God's co-worker (1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor 6:1). I am God's workmanship (Eph. 2:10)

I am confident that the good works God has begun in me will be perfected. (Phil. 1:5)

I have been redeemed and forgiven ( Col 1:14). I have been adopted as God's child (Eph 1:5)

I belong to God

Do you know

Who you are?

I got this email this morning from my friend Anna. Although the text forms a perfect bell shape in the original email, it is not cooperating with my blog editor....I thought I would pass it along.

Hunting with Bucky

At last! I figured out how to scan a photo into my pictures folder...stop laughing, I know it's elementary stuff...I'm a little slow...

Last spring, my Dad took Belle out bird hunting. Now, Belle is an animal lover. She has been known to start sobbing during Benji movies when nothing sad is even happening--just because of the touching music and the presence of a dog. So, I wasn't sure how the whole day would work out.
It turns out that Belle loves Bucky as much or MORE than she loves animals. And the thought of going out and walking in a field shooting birds was a way-cool idea if she could be with "Bucky the Wonderful" (this is the title my Dad now goes by with my girls). Okay, so that's understandable...but did she really have to get into it so much? Not only did she pose with the corpses of these two chuckers, but she assisted in cutting them all up--and wanted to keep the heads and feet...if I remember rightly, she wanted to keep them under her bed! For weeks after this picture, she wore that orange hat everywhere. To the store, to friend's houses, and to bed. She had the toastiest head in town. NEVER was it uncovered and allowed freedom from the orange hat!
Now, when visiting Mimi & Bucky's, she doesn't ask to watch cartoons...she asks to watch channel 153, which Bucky has informed her is the hunting channel. What a weird kid.
Just in case anyone has any worries about Belle being too much of a tomboy, this morning she said that the next time she goes hunting with Bucky she was going to bring a camo purse! Is that a well-balanced sense of self, or what??? :)

Get Knitting

In recent weeks I have taken up knitting. My pal says it's the 'hepster' thing for young ladies to do these days....but I admit to feeling like I am taking up the activities of a much older generation. So I ask myself, what's the big deal? Right?

Growing up, it was always a compliment when I would hear adults comment about how I was "10 going on 30". Well, now the thirties are quickly on their way out, and I'm feeling like if I stick to the same "add 20 years" formula, that makes me--gulp--40 going on 60!

But really, that's okay. I think. Lots of maturing takes place in the thirties and forties....lots of getting comfortable with who you really are and who God made you to be....not a bunch of struggling to be someone else carved from a mold given by society. You know, ladies--someone taller, skinnier, smarter, funnier, more fashionable, and with--in my case--MUCH more talent in the kitchen (sorry Honey, I'm even starting to give up on that dream!).

Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying I am going to throw up my hands and embrace all that I find irritating, imperfect or downright yucky about myself. This is just a call to be a bit more gentle and understanding with myself, that's all. And to proudly get knitting.

On Legalism

For those who are in close contact with my family, it will come as no surprise to you that we have been called to a faith-walk that differs a little from what is found in mainstream Christendom. Over the last few years, both our study of the Hebraic roots of Christianity, along with God's leading, have together led us to what is best described as a Torah submissive lifestyle in our home.

Now, for those who have asked, we have been quick to state that the truth, in our experience, is that the "burden" of keeping the Torah of God is truly easy...a blessing...and even "light" (Mat. 11:30). Turns out that this was a very big surprise, even to us, once we embarked on this journey. After all, we had the same words about the "Law" and "legalism" that our Christian brothers and sisters have learned, running around in our heads too! Steve had his teaching and training at Moody....I had my years at Wheaton College, along with an in-depth discipleship course that taught me the same outlook on all those "Old Testament Laws". Keeping all those Laws is "legalistic", isn't it??

I came across a short article that deals with this issue of legalism, and I thought I would post it here. It is for you, fine blog reader...but it is also for me. In it there are many thoughts that could serve to make sure that our thoughts about each other and our works before God are kept in the proper perspective. http://www.torahresource.com/EnglishArticles/Legalism.pdf

There are a few Hebrew words that he uses that may require definition. Yeshua: Jesus; HaShem: literally "The Name", a common Hebrew circumlocution for God; Ruach: Spirit of God, Halakah: good works, literally "walk", as in the walking out of our faith.

Good Fruit

Thoughts on this weeks reading:
Chayei Sarah - חיי שרה : "Life of Sarah"
Torah : Genesis 23:1-25:18
Haftarah : I Kings 1:1-31
Gospel : Matthew 11-12

Good Things of His Master's Hand
Thought for the Week
Eliezer (אליעזר) literally means "God of Help." As Eliezer goes forth to procure a bride for Isaac, he relies on the God of Help to assist him. When we set out to do the work of God, we also must rely on Him for help, especially in the matter of evangelism. After all, we are not trying to make converts to a religious creed; we are trying to change hearts. This is an impossible task for a human being. Even the greatest psychiatrists cannot change the human heart. Therefore, like Eliezer, we rely utterly on God, the God of Help.

Commentary
Then the servant took ten camels from the camels of his master, and set out with a variety of good things of his master's in his hand; and he arose and went to Mesopotamia, to the city of Nahor. (Genesis 24:10)

As we go forth, we must bring with us many good things from the household of God. In the midst of a lost and hurting world, we have the goods that people need. What are these good things of our Master's house? They are acts of loving-kindness, forgiveness, wholeness and peace. Many people have never experienced unconditional love. They have never known real kindness, real friendship, real compassion. But these are things we have received in abundance through Messiah, and we can pass them on to others, but only if we bring them with us. This may be the most important part of sharing the Gospel.

Eliezer brought these gifts of his master's household with him in order to establish credibility. If he had simply appeared in Mesopotamia, claiming to be looking for an attractive young girl to bring back to some faraway prince, the men of that place would have driven him away as a scoundrel and kidnapper. So too with us. If we start to speak into people's lives about God and faith without first having evidenced to them the fruit of our faith, they will drive us away as religious nuts. And rightly so. The world today has plenty of religions for sale, each one clamoring for attention like obnoxious salesmen. Consumer, beware!

But a person of genuine faith and conviction is always attractive. A person who lives out his faith and manifests his convictions in godliness and real kindness, without phoniness or pretense, naturally attracts others. What are the good things of our Master's house that we can offer to others to establish credibility? "Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." (Galatians 5:22-23) The fruit of the Spirit is irresistible to the thirsty soul. St. Francis of Assisi is credited as saying, "Preach the Gospel to everyone, and if necessary, use words."

(taken from FFOZ.org edrash, Chayei Sarah)

A 4th Grade Poem of Thanksgiving

Nature

by M. G.

Nature, nature, trees and sky;

Down below on the grass I lie.

Summer, fall, winter, spring--

Thank you, God for everything.

Nature, nature, big and grand;

God made you in the sea and on land.

(I'm thankful for my daughter Moo, who wrote this lovely poem!)

Check it Out

http://www.fightfoca.com/

Proof That I Exist

Because of my morbid fear of leaving no photographs of myself for my children to remember me by, I am now posting this picture to my blog...to forever exist in cyberspace. So there. Isn't that a cheery thought? :)

At Last!

At last...a current photo of my nephew Jaiden! He, Andrew & Kris stopped by for coffee this morning. Jaiden is such an active little guy...if I could ever get a hold on him for more than a millisecond, I would eat him up. As much as he prefers other sorts of toys, Ellie's My Little Pony collection entertained him for a little bit.

My Pumpkin Pal

This is my dear friend Sara who has a pumpkin stand in the fall that has her working her tail off until November 1st. Some friends and I decided that we would celebrate the end of Pumpkin Season by surprising Sara with a party....complete with "Queen Pumpkin" sash, orange tiara, an orange bouquet and LOTS of coffee and goodies! Isn't she lovely? She even inadvertently dressed to coordinate with our pumpkin theme!

Love you, Sally!

On Hope

Now there was a famine in the land; so Abram went down to Egypt to sojourn there, for the famine was severe in the land. (Genesis 12:10)

Not long after his arrival in Canaan, Abraham's newfound faith was sorely tested. Though God had promised to give the land to Abraham's children, that seemed like a remote possibility. Abraham had no children, and the land was already occupied by the Canaanite nations. To make matters worse, a drought brought on a severe famine. Abraham had no choice but to pack up his wife, his servants, his flocks and his herds and travel to Egypt, where the Nile's abundant waters irrigated the crops even in drought years. He would find food in Egypt.

Maimonides refers to the famine in Canaan as the second great test of Abraham's faith. Suppose you had sacrificed everything, leaving your job, your family and your home in order to take an offer for a high-paying executive position with a firm halfway around the world. When you arrived you discovered that the position was not yet open, and you had to take a temporary job in the mailroom. As if that was not bad enough, a financial slump forced the company to lay off several mailroom employees, including you. You would probably be feeling pretty bitter toward the company that offered you the position.

Abraham did not give in to bitterness and resentment. He did not give up on God. When a person holds on to faith and hope despite bad circumstances, it is called perseverance.

We also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out." (Romans 5:3-5)

The need to persevere is a normal part of being a believer. The joy of a convert's newfound faith is routinely tempered by life's difficult realities. Faith offers no quick fixes or easy solutions to problems. Sometimes being a believer makes life a lot harder.

So, if life is just as tough for believer and unbeliever alike, what's the advantage of believing? The advantage is hope. As a believer, you have God on your team, and you never know what He has up His sleeve. (Taken from FFOZ Weekly e-drash, Lech Lecha)

Serious Election Results

Results of our CC class mock election:

McCain:18

Obama: 6

Ralph Nader: 1

Grilled Cheese: 1

As much as I was pulling for Grilled Cheese, I had to vote my conscience when I went to the actual polls today...