Hi Everyone!
Martin and I have prayerfully been considering a move to Texas for some time now. It is with great reflection, consideration and excitement that we have decided to accept the relocation offer to Dallas Texas. This was not an easy decision, since we value the love, friendship, family and church that we have here. However, the peace that has come with this decision surprises and surpasses anything we could've expected. We know that God has a perfect place and plan for us as we begin this new adventure in our lives.
Mason is even excited, and wants to meet some "cowboys"! We are excited about the excellent schools, and many other opportunities that make this move just right for our family. Martin will be reporting to work in Texas on Monday, February 18th, and we hope to officially head out for Texas on February 28th or 29th.
Please know that each and everyone of you is welcome to visit us in Texas at any time. Our hearts are heavy at the thought of being so far from our dearest, but thankfully we have many friends in Texas, and look forward to many more, as well as finding the church that will become our Texas "family".
We know that there are so many of you we'd like to see before we leave North Carolina, so we'd like to invite each one of you to visit us at our Open House anytime on Saturday, February 23rd. We will be here all day, and would love to see each and everyone of you before we hitch up the wagons and head out. :)
We love EVERYONE of you. Sniff, sniff.
Love,
Martin, Amanda, Mason and Coen
Monday, January 28, 2008
Monday, January 14, 2008
Gossip or "Facts"
I apologize for not writing in so long. I have lots to talk about, but it is usually a soap-box that that will drive me back to the blog, and it has done so today.
Gossip, as defined by Merriam-Webster Online is: 1- a person who habitually reveals personal or sensational facts about others
2 a: rumor or report of an intimate nature b: a chatty talk c: the subject matter of gossip.
Now, my issue lately is that I get emails about individuals that are sent under the pretense of "political facts". The truth of the matter is, a large number of the "facts" are disputed, and/or reported as INCORRECT or false. Now, I know, you can't believe everything you read, and hear- that's why I bother to check the "facts". But that goes both ways. So if you don't know if it's true or fact, you shouldn't forward it, and you shouldn't repeat it.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but the Bible specifically talks about this. So my question is, did the Bible only mean for us to apply this rule of gossip to people who are Christian, or should it apply to everyone? Maybe just the ones who have the same political views as us. I guess that's the way some read it.
The irony is, I have a lot of the same views as those who send/forward/reply to said emails. However, it annoys me IMMENSELY to face a personal attack, just because I bothered to check the facts.
How about, instead of forwarding incorrect information about people we DON'T like- we forward the positive stuff about people we do?
And this my friends, is my rebuttal.
Gossip, as defined by Merriam-Webster Online is: 1- a person who habitually reveals personal or sensational facts about others
2 a: rumor or report of an intimate nature b: a chatty talk c: the subject matter of gossip.
Now, my issue lately is that I get emails about individuals that are sent under the pretense of "political facts". The truth of the matter is, a large number of the "facts" are disputed, and/or reported as INCORRECT or false. Now, I know, you can't believe everything you read, and hear- that's why I bother to check the "facts". But that goes both ways. So if you don't know if it's true or fact, you shouldn't forward it, and you shouldn't repeat it.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but the Bible specifically talks about this. So my question is, did the Bible only mean for us to apply this rule of gossip to people who are Christian, or should it apply to everyone? Maybe just the ones who have the same political views as us. I guess that's the way some read it.
The irony is, I have a lot of the same views as those who send/forward/reply to said emails. However, it annoys me IMMENSELY to face a personal attack, just because I bothered to check the facts.
How about, instead of forwarding incorrect information about people we DON'T like- we forward the positive stuff about people we do?
And this my friends, is my rebuttal.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Chef B'oyardee's on the Way!
Just talked to my brother, Tim, in Iraq, and he sounded fine, but is frustrated because the boxes that my mom sent him haven't gotten there yet. His DVD player is in there, and he said he's going nuts without anything to do. It made me sad because he said he goes by the mail place every day, and there's boxes and boxes- walls of them, he said, and somehow, his haven't gotten there yet.
He said he was just worried because he knew mom had put a lot of stuff in them, and he didn't want it to get lost, but really, I think he's just ready for a little taste of home.
I hung up feeling really guilty because the box of stuff that I have to send him, has been sitting there for about 2 weeks, because I had to go to 3 post offices to get the right boxes, and now I found out I have the wrong forms, too. Anyway, that box is going out TODAY. I put cans of pop-top Chef B'oyardee (per his request), a soup mug, plastic spoons, Lance Crackers, Pumpkin Peeps, and lollipops in there along with a Halloween card, and a picture Mason colored. Hopefully, it'll get there before Halloween. I told him about the Chef B'oyardee on the phone, but I said, "I guess I shouldn't tell you about it- your mouth will be watering". He said, "It already is." He said the PX over there has lots of canned microwavable stuff, but there are some things they don't sell- Chef B'oyardee being one of them.
I joked about sending him a freeze-dried pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving. But he said they are eating really well. He said he had bacon and eggs for breakfast, and stir fry for lunch. Last time I had talked to him, he'd had steak and lobster. Good thing they keep those guys moving!
Anyhow, I think he would appreciate a card or note- or a picture your kid colored, whatever. I know you're all busy, but if you have a second, and want to send him a card or note, contact me for his address- postage should be the same as US.If you do send a card, put on there how you know me or our family, so he knows who you are. :)
Also, I know alot of you are involved with youth groups, school groups, and such. Maybe some of your kids would be interested in doing Care Packages. Not just to Tim, but to some of the guys over there. I'm just thinking that he's probably not the only one over there not getting mail, you know?
If you decide to pursue any of that, and want to do a package- get the flat rate boxes. They're $8.95 to ship- no matter what you put in them. It just has to fit in the box. However, if you do that, then make sure you go to the counter and get the big white customs form and fill it out if it's over 3 lbs. I'm just telling you because I got the little green customs form, and now, I get to wait in line.... Again. If you want to do this, and need ideas, let me know.
He said he was just worried because he knew mom had put a lot of stuff in them, and he didn't want it to get lost, but really, I think he's just ready for a little taste of home.
I hung up feeling really guilty because the box of stuff that I have to send him, has been sitting there for about 2 weeks, because I had to go to 3 post offices to get the right boxes, and now I found out I have the wrong forms, too. Anyway, that box is going out TODAY. I put cans of pop-top Chef B'oyardee (per his request), a soup mug, plastic spoons, Lance Crackers, Pumpkin Peeps, and lollipops in there along with a Halloween card, and a picture Mason colored. Hopefully, it'll get there before Halloween. I told him about the Chef B'oyardee on the phone, but I said, "I guess I shouldn't tell you about it- your mouth will be watering". He said, "It already is." He said the PX over there has lots of canned microwavable stuff, but there are some things they don't sell- Chef B'oyardee being one of them.
I joked about sending him a freeze-dried pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving. But he said they are eating really well. He said he had bacon and eggs for breakfast, and stir fry for lunch. Last time I had talked to him, he'd had steak and lobster. Good thing they keep those guys moving!
Anyhow, I think he would appreciate a card or note- or a picture your kid colored, whatever. I know you're all busy, but if you have a second, and want to send him a card or note, contact me for his address- postage should be the same as US.If you do send a card, put on there how you know me or our family, so he knows who you are. :)
Also, I know alot of you are involved with youth groups, school groups, and such. Maybe some of your kids would be interested in doing Care Packages. Not just to Tim, but to some of the guys over there. I'm just thinking that he's probably not the only one over there not getting mail, you know?
If you decide to pursue any of that, and want to do a package- get the flat rate boxes. They're $8.95 to ship- no matter what you put in them. It just has to fit in the box. However, if you do that, then make sure you go to the counter and get the big white customs form and fill it out if it's over 3 lbs. I'm just telling you because I got the little green customs form, and now, I get to wait in line.... Again. If you want to do this, and need ideas, let me know.
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