Zack is taking the boys...

trick-or-treating. Yippie!! I get to hand out candy and prepare the post-trick-or-treating meal.

I made red chili, white chili, cream of broccoli soup, chips and salsa, three varieties of bread, and banana bread (incase someone doesn't want CANDY!). We'll also have hot cider and hot chocolate to warm our neighbors almost to the soul.

Happy Trick-or-Treating!!

On Monday I...

blogged about my indecision over who to vote for on November 4th. I also included an article from our church bulletin that helped remind me that God is in control no matter who I vote for. Where did I lose sight of that? I don't think I did, I just became bogged down by the choices and the fact that this election is more exciting to me than any other in the past. No doubt, this year will bring a historical change to our country. We will have either a female Vice President or an African American President. I believe both are long over due. I can't believe that a nation who touts diversity and non-discrimination, would be so long in arriving at an election that forced the issue.

I read a blog just this morning by one of our preachers Steve Sikes. Like the article I quoted on Monday, this too is from our bulletin on Sunday. I didn't get a chance to read this article fully until this morning. Enjoy this good read from Steve Sikes' blog. He has a way of bringing scripture alive and pointing us to its relevance even today, in a world confused by morals, money and mission. Oh yeah, a confused world is a fact that's no different from any other time in history, just read the Bible or any history book.

"Jesus Christ [is] the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever." (Hebrews 13:8)

Ah...and my faith grows, yet again!

Grati-

finds me grateful for simplicity. In a world of information overload, glitz and bling, for me the simpler the better. An I love you, a kiss or hug, a meal of beans & rice, curling up with my kids to read a book, fresh baked banana bread, a fire, a note from a friend or loved one, and a homemade gift, are just a few things I find simply fulfilling.
Given that I adore simplicity, its a wonder how our life has spun out of control. I suppose with four boys involved in afterschool activities and church activities, it just crept up on us. We just kept cramming things into our days.

Our family has come to the conclusion that we need to simplify our life. We're praying about how to go about doing it. We know we'll have to cut out activities that we like or think are good for our future on earth.

We've re-learned, through being too busy, that true simplicity comes from the activities that are good for our future in heaven. We've not neglected our spiritual lives, but we don't think we've given it the full attention it deserves because, we've filled our lives with sports, scouts, piano and...many other seemingly good things to help the children become well rounded. What has it gotten us? Frustration. We are always in a hurry to the next practice, lesson, church function, and meeting. Something is always let go (its usually the house) in order to fit in the other commitments we've made.

Chuck and I talked at length, the night before he left for his rotation, about simplifying our life, refocusing our family, and re-prioritizing activities. We've talked to the kids about it, and they agree that they'd like to simplify too.

I'm grateful for simplicity!

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