Mebee I need 2 go bak 2 skule...

Okay, just one more goofy quiz... !!!

Aww... I am one of those who never get an A+ (waah!) Plus, I totally guessed a few of these, so maybe I need to do some more "schooling". *scratching head*

You paid attention during 86% of high school!

85-100% You must be an autodidact, because American high schools don't get scores that high! Good show, old chap!

Do you deserve your high school diploma?
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What kind of person do I attract?!

Well, this explains some things... JUST KIDDING!!! HAHA! (This doesn't explain my ex-husband! Only GOD can explain that one...) *rolling eyes*

Okay, I'm done! (This was fun, though!)

What type of person do you attract? Your Result: You attract geeks! Your stunning intellect and love of sci-fi and video games allures the geeks like nothing else. Maybe it is the sparkle in your eye that makes them want to text you, who knows. Geeks make good partners, but tend to be arguementative. If you are a TRUE geek magnet, you will know if that was spelled correctly, and actually care. If it is a bad-boy/bad-girl you are seeking, you are barking up the wrong tree, unless they are just 'bad' behind a PS2 console.
You attract rednecks!
You attract unstable people!
You attract artsy people!
You attract Yuppies!
You attract models!
What type of person do you attract? Quizzes for MySpace

I know I am, but what are you?

Yes, I am THE original grammar snob! *victory dance* WOOHOO! (hehe!)

Your Language Arts Grade: 100%

Way to go! You know not to trust the MS Grammar Check and you know "no" from "know." Now, go forth and spread the good word (or at least, the proper use of apostrophes).

Are You Gooder at Grammar?
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I'm a Midlander-er...

Ahh... they have me pegged! I have been told before that I have a voice for radio! (That is if I don't stammer all over myself!) hehe! I thought this was pretty cool! So... what kind of accent do YOU have? Hmm?! Do you say "cawfee" or "coffee"?

What American accent do you have? Your Result: The Midland "You have a Midland accent" is just another way of saying "you don't have an accent." You probably are from the Midland (Pennsylvania, southern Ohio, southern Indiana, southern Illinois, and Missouri) but then for all we know you could be from Florida or Charleston or one of those big southern cities like Atlanta or Dallas. You have a good voice for TV and radio.
The West
Boston
North Central
The Inland North
The South
Philadelphia
The Northeast
What American accent do you have? Take More Quizzes

Noteworthy...

During my convalescence, I have been enjoying a CD Brother Marty sent to me (thank you!) of his lovely, 2nd oldest daughter's collegiate a cappella group called Noteworthy. This is their first CD!

Maggie Smith (3rd from the right/back row) attends the University of Georgia and is an accomplished singer/songwriter in her own right. You can enjoy her very own lovely songs on her MySpace site. I am hoping she and these young ladies don't mind me showcasing a couple of their songs on this blog, well, because I think they are awesome!

SONG ON MY MIND: This first song I would like to share, Maggie is singing a solo to one of my very favorite female singers EVER... Sarah McLachlan (YAY!) If you think you hear any instruments, you are wrong! This CD is sung completely a cappella, and I am impressed!

This song always makes me ache, because I think at some point or another, we can relate; we have all messed up royally (the school of hard knocks), and unfortunately, sometimes you cannot go back. All you can do is pray for grace from GOD, learn from your mistakes, and pray that those you hurt through your trials forgives you (and you can forgive them if they hurt you).

FALLEN - Sarah McLachlan

Heaven bend to take my hand
...And lead me through the fire
Be the long awaited answer
...To a long and painful fight

Truth be told I tried my best
...But somewhere along the way
I got caught up in all there was to offer
But the cost was so much more than I could bear

(chorus)
Though I've tried
...I've fallen
I have sunk so low
...I messed up
Better I should know...
So don't come round here
...And tell me I told you so

We all begin out with good intent
...When love is raw and young
We believe that we can change ourselves
...The past can be undone

But we carry on our back the burdens
...Time always reveals
In the lonely light of morning
In the wound that would not heal
It's the bitter taste of losing everything
...I've held so dear

Heaven bend to take my hand
...I've nowhere left to turn
I'm lost to these I thought were friends
...To everyone I know

Oh, they turn their heads embarrassed
...Pretend that they don't see
That it's one mis-step
...One slip before you know it
And there doesn't seem a way to be redeemed

To purchase Sarah McLachlan's CDs, go HERE!
To purchase Noteworthy's new CD, "99 Problems, But a Pitch Ain't One", please go HERE!
This CD was produced by James Gammon.
Noteworthy also has a MySpace site, if you want to hear more!

Love and encouragement to those who need it...

I can't imagine the pain of losing a little one. I don't want to imagine it. I once had a dream about losing my oldest son, Brandon, when he was just a toddler, and to this day, it's painful to think about it.

But for now, with much sorrow in my heart, I just want to wrap my arms around the parents who must be grieving with the whole of their hearts now. GOD's grace will be with you, and I pray that there is great comfort knowing that we are journeying towards a better place.

SONG ON MY MIND: This song was the first song that comes to mind when I think of losing someone you love. We have lost many loved ones lately, so this song is for the many folks who are struggling with loss.

I'LL BE THERE - Escape Club

Over mountains
Over trees
Over oceans
Over seas
Across the deserts...
I'll be there

In a whisper on the wind
On the smile of a new friend
Just think of me...
And I'll be there

(chorus)
Don't be afraid... oh, my love
I'll be watching you from above
And I'd give all the world tonight
...To be with you
'Cause I'm on your side
And I still care
I may have died...
But I've gone nowhere
Just think of me...
And I'll be there

On the edge of a waking dream...
Over rivers
Over streams
Through wind and rain...
I'll be there

Across the wide and open sky
Thousands of miles I'd fly
...To be with you
I'll be there

In the breath of a wind that sighs
Oh, there's no need to cry...

Just think of me...
And I'll be there

Beautiful picture taken by Feather3 from Wunderground.com

My response to Strem's blog "Delaying Marriage"...

I just finished the transcript of a radio program from familylife.com regarding a father's advice to singles, which would be: What are you waiting for? Get married!

I read this transcript because my good friend, Sister Michelle, questioned in her blog why so many Christians delay marriage or continue to stay single. You can read her blog about delaying marriage HERE.

Because I got married at the age of 19, had delivered 2 children by the age of 22, and then was a divorced, working mother by the age of 25, I will give my perspective to why I think people choose to stay single and when I think is a good time for young folks to marry.

First of all, in this day and age, I don't think many men want the responsibilities of being a father and husband anymore. They also want to play on their own terms. Why would a man want to be a responsible husband and hands-on father when they have girlfriends here and there who are willing to have sex? Many liberated woman act like they don't need husbands anymore either and can easily play the role of mother/father. I know we are talking about Christian men here, but I know many "Christian" men like I know a lot of "Christian" women who fit this description.

Now for the Christian men who remain chaste yet they want to remain single, I really do believe that many are just afraid to go to that next step searching for a good woman, and here are some of my thoughts:

With so many families being torn apart by divorce (their own families or friends), I'm sure that many young men have been discouraged, and to many of them, it's not even worth taking that risk financially or emotionally.

Many men don't feel ready financially to take care of a wife and a family. Sadly, many would rather have their cars and their play-toys.

I believe feminism has many men worried about their choices for a mate, so for them, the path of least resistence is to not choose a mate. Many men do not want a strong, opinionated, independent woman who they will have to argue with or will criticise them, so the woman with strong opinions may be automatically excluded.

Also, I believe many men have high expectations and would want to marry a woman with the qualities of the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31 but are having problems finding one just like her. If the single man's mother was domineering, they want a meek and gentle, family-oriented woman. If his mother is a perfect "Beaver Cleaver" mother, than he is expecting his potential mate to be like her. Most women are not perfect, and it takes time to develop qualities of this virtuous woman. How do you know unless you get married? Some men don't even want to chance it.

I believe, nowadays, that men want a woman with perfect looks and body. It's hard not to think otherwise because the media bombards men with this "ideal" woman: slim, beautiful... perfect. Anything below their superficial expectations may get men to thinking that there is a better woman out there for them, so their search continues. Many good women get overlooked because of these unrealistic expectations.

What makes me sad is that on both sides, if you don't get what you want, the easiest remedy is to get a divorce. *sheepishly raising hand* I am guilty as charged. I tried hard, yet I didn't get my results of a responsible husband/father, so I bailed. I know... shame on me. I wish I was stronger, more mature, and had the patience of Job.

Which gets me to the next question. What is a good age to get married? I thought I was pretty smart at the age of 19, and I thought I could get married, have children and not fail. I thought I had all the answers. (ha!) I am glad I got married and had children earlier rather than later, because it took every ounce of energy and drive to keep everything going between the two and work outside the home. Here at the age of 41... I really don't know if I have the energy to keep that balance going.

By the time I was 25, I was divorced, tired, confused, overworked, overwhelmed, and crying all the time when the boys were asleep. I painfully acknowledged that I didn't know anything, and I failed miserably as a wife and mother. I understood how hard it was to be a parent, and I had a new-found appreciation for my parents (who were also divorced, sick and overwhelmed) To me then, there were no good guidebooks on how to be that good wife/mother. (Saying all this now, I could just kick myself, because I could have faithfully read the Bible to get all the answers. I had at least 2 of them in the house, but I wasn't truly faithful as I needed to be, which makes me sad)

Where I was going with this is... no age is a really good age. I think maturity is the answer. I thought I was mature at the age of 19, but looking back, I really wasn't. At the age of 19, Sister Lydia is WAY more mature and knowledgeable than I was at that time.

In a big way, if a young woman or man is mature for the responsibilities of marriage and being a mother/father, I do think that they should marry early rather than later (I'm hesitant to say, however, from the age 17 and younger) I believe this primarily because I read the chances of women getting pregnant prior to turning 35 decreases dramatically with each year due to the age of their eggs, to hormone levels, or other health issues.

This, I realize, doesn't help a young man want to marry earlier, but it's very important to a woman, especially if she has dreams of being a mother. This will help him, however, from straying sexually.

I also believe Dr. Al Mohler has many good points, especially when it comes to getting set in your ways. Learning to work with a spouse and the demands of raising a family really takes the focus off of "you". That is a good thing.

SONG ON MY MIND: I just thought of this song while I was thinking about this topic. I guess the focus needs to be on finding a good mate; the more important issue, however, is our relationship with GOD.

I BELIEVE - DCTalk

I see the moon, a million stars are out tonight
Gentle reminders of the way... You are
A sea of glass, a raging storm has come to pass
You show Your face in an array... of ways

My feet may venture to the ground
But You will never let me down
I can't hold it in...
My soul is screaming

(chorus)
Hey you, I'm into JESUS
Hey you, I'm into JESUS, oh yeah
Hey you, I'm into JESUS
Hey you, I've seen the Truth... and I believe

I know You're there...
I feel Your love through my despair
You speak the words that ease away... the pain
My heart is free, my eyes are clear
My soul is healed...
Now that You have got a hold on me

I still believe, I still believe
Hey you, this kid is back
And I do declare that the sun is shinning
Hey you, this kid is back
With a red alert, and it might be blinding

One time, one time JESUS bled
On the third day He rose again
Can I get a witness for the things He did?
One time, one time JESUS bled
But then He rose again

Song on my heart...

As you may can tell from my previous posts, I have been pretty down because of the elections. I have, yet again, forgotten that GOD is in control of everything. I am letting this go, and I will look forward to continuing to push what I know is right.



SONG ON MY MIND: Well, I have had a couple of sweet hymns on my heart, but I happened to watch this beautiful song, FARTHER ALONG, on youtube (Thank you, Melissa!), and now I can't get it out of my head. I just think these girls (The Peasall Sisters) are adorable and their harmonies are beautiful... and this song just makes me so happy! Please watch this video (you might have to double-click this and any other link I have on this site):

FARTHER ALONG - J.R. Baxter and W.B. Stevens

(chorus)
Farther along we'll know all about it
Farther along we'll understand why
Cheer up my brother, live in the sunshine
We'll understand it all by and by

Soon with the Lord our wonderful Savior
We'll be at home beyond the blue sky
There we shall meet the dear ones awaiting
We'll understand it, all by and by

When death has come and taken our loved ones
It leaves our home so lonely and drear
Then do we wonder why others prosper
Living so wicked year after year

Faithful til death, said our loving Master
A few more days to labor and wait
Toils of the road will then seem as nothing
As we sweet through the beautiful gate

Tempted and tried, we're oft made to wonder
Why it should be thus all the day long
While there are others living about us
Never molested, though in the wrong

When we see JESUS, coming in glory
When He comes from His home in the sky
Then we shall meet Him in that bright mansion,
We'll understand it all by and by

GOD help us all...

Mood: Heavy-hearted

I fell half asleep on my recliner last night feeling kind of peaceful as the election returns were underway. Jim Talent had a 54% lead over Claire McCaskill for the Missouri Senate, and the good people in Missouri were saying NO to the embryonic stem cell constitution amendment by a very slim margin of 1%.

I unfortunately woke up to the disturbing picture of Claire McCaskill thanking everyone for their support and thanking the Missouri folks for their vote of confidence. What?! I couldn't believe my eyes. She won. Also, the ticker at the bottom of the screen showed that the embryonic stem cell amendment was passing. There were still 13% of the returns that needed to be counted, however, the news was pretty dim; the city vote hadn't been totally counted yet, so there was little hope that their votes would make a difference.

I moved over to the bed praying that when I woke up this morning that things would be brighter, but no. I woke up to the sad fact that the amendment passed, Claire's in control, and Blag is still in office. I wasn't surprised about Blago, but still... I just feel sick all over.

On top of that, last night the news was also stating that Nanco Pelosi won, and Rick Santorum was defeated. What a tremendous loss. Lieberman won as the Independent, however, so there was some good news. The Democrats, however, are in control of the House. I hope we can hang in there in the Senate.

The people have voted: They continue to want abortion-on-demand (up to the birth of the child). They are also willing to try cloning (a constitutionally protected cloning, mind you) and want to offer same-sex marriage... and they'll get what they want.

SONG ON MY MIND: I'm just upset... this song just came to my mind. I'm sad for our country. At this point for me, if it is His will, I hope the end comes soon, because it seems to me that we are quickly spiraling out of control.

THE RED - Chevelle

They say freak...
When you're singled out
The red...
Well, it filters through

(chorus)
So lay down
The threat is real
When his sight
Goes red again

Seeing red again
Seeing red again

This change...
He won't contain
Slip away...
To clear your mind
When asked...
What made it show
The truth...
He can't send to most

Don't forget to VOTE this Tuesday...

I just thought I'd remind you folks: the election is THIS TUESDAY!