Becca's blog: ""

What in the world has gotten into so many people in this land of America. There are many of our statesmen who seem to be afraid of offending someone if we as a nation want to stick to some of the ways of the past, which are even Biblical. For a start; the dust from the terrorists attacks of September 11, 2001 had barely settled in New York and Washington D.C. when the "politically correct" crowd began complaining about the possibility that our patriotism was offending others. Speaking of the multitude of immigrants, which have come to America. Our country's population is almost entirely comprised of descendants of immigrants. However, there are a few things that those who have recently come to our country and apparently some native Americans, need to understand about America. Broken Arrow, Oklahoma School officials removed "God Bless America" signs from schools in fear that someone might be offended. In Long Island, New York, U.S. flags were ordered to be removed from the newsroom and red, white and blue ribbons removed from the lapels of reporters of Channel 12. What brought this about? Management did not want to appear biased and felt that our nations flag might give the appearance that "they lean one way or another". What has happened to freedom of speech in our land? Then in Berkeley, California there has been a prohibition of U.S. Flags being displayed on city fire trucks because they didn't want to offend anyone in the community. In an "act of tolerance" the head of the public library at Florida Gulf Coast University ordered all "Proud to be an American" signs removed so as to not offend international students. This idea of America being a multi-cultural community has served only to water-down Americans. We Americans have our own culture, our own society, our own language and our own lifestyle. This culture, called the "American Way" has been developed over centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom. Our forefathers fought, bled and died at places such as Bunker Hill, Antietam, San Juan, Iwo Jima, Normandy, Korea, Vietnam, and Kuwait. In our land we speak English, not Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if one wishes to become part of the American society, let them learn our language! "In God We Trust" is our national motto. This is not some off-the-wall, Christian, Right Wing, political slogan. It is engraved in stone in the House of Representatives in our Capitol and it is printed on our currency. We adopted this motto because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation and this is clearly documented throughout our history. Yes, one of our freedoms is “Freedom Of Religion”, but America was built on Christian values, and let’s not forget it!. If it is appropriate for our motto to be inscribed in the halls of our highest level of Government, then it is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. God is in our pledge, our National Anthem, nearly every patriotic song and in our founding documents. We honor His birth, death and resurrection as holidays and we constantly turn to Him in prayer. If our God offends one, then possibly they should consider moving to another part of the world, because God (the Creator of this world) is part of our culture and we are proud to have Him and do not plan on giving Him up for some man-made god. We are proud of our heritage and those who have so honorably defended our freedoms. We celebrate; Memorial Day, Independence Day, Veterans Day and Flag Day. We have parades, picnics and barbecues where we proudly wave our flag. As an American, I have the right o wave my flag, sing my national anthem, quote my national motto and cite my pledge whenever and wherever I choose. If the Stars and Stripes offends one, or they don't like Uncle Sam, then they should seriously consider a move to another part of this planet. The American culture is our way of life, our heritage and we are proud of it. We are happy with our culture and have no desire to change and we really don't care how you did things where you came from. We are Americans, like it or not, this is our country, our land and our lifestyle. Our First Amendment gives every citizen the right to express this opinion about our government, culture, or society and we will allow everyone this opportunity to do so. But once one is finished complaining, grumbling and griping about our flag, our pledge, our national motto, or our way of life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great American freedom, the right to leave.

The lady who wrote this letter is Pam Foster of Pamela Foster and Associates in Atlanta . She's been in business since 1980 doing interior design and home planning. She recently wrote a letter to a family member serving in Iraq ....... Read it! "Are we fighting a war on terror or aren't we? Was it or was it not started by Islamic people who brought it to our shores on September 11, 2001 ? Were people from all over the world, mostly Americans, not brutally murdered that day, in downtown Manhattan , across the Potomac from our nation's capitol and in a field in Pennsylvania ? Did nearly three thousand men, women and children die a horrible, burning or crushing death that day, or didn't they? And I'm supposed to care that a copy of the Koran was "desecrated" when an overworked American soldier kicked it or got it wet? Well, I don't. I don't care at all. I'll start caring when Osama bin Laden turns himself in and repents for incinerating all those innocent people on 9/11. I'll care about the Koran when the fanatics in the Middle East start caring about the Holy Bible, the mere possession of which is a crime in Saudi Arabia . I'll care when Abu Musab al-Zarqawi tells the world he is sorry for hacking off Nick Berg's head while Berg screamed through his gurgling slashed throat. I'll care when the cowardly so-called "insurgents" in Iraq come out and fight like men instead of disrespecting their own religion by hiding in mosques. I'll care when the mindless zealots who blow themselves up in search of nirvana care about the innocent children within range of their suicide bombs. I'll care when the American media stops pretending that their First Amendment liberties are somehow derived from international law instead of the United States Constitution's Bill of Rights. In the meantime, when I hear a story about a brave marine roughing up an Iraqi terrorist to obtain information, know this: I don't care. When I see a fuzzy photo of a pile of naked Iraqi prisoners who have been humiliated in what amounts to a college-hazing incident, rest assured that I don't care. When I see a wounded terrorist get shot in the head when he is told not to move because he might be booby-trapped, you can take it to the bank that I don't care. When I hear that a prisoner, who was issued a Koran and a prayer mat, and fed "special" food that is paid for by my tax dollars, is complaining that his holy book is being "mishandled," you can absolutely believe in your heart of hearts that I don't care. And oh, by the way, I've noticed that sometimes it's spelled "Koran" and other times "Quran." Well, Jimmy Crack Corn and ---- you guessed it - - I don't care ! ! ! ! ! If you agree with this viewpoint, pass this on to all your e-mail friends. Sooner or later, it'll get to the people responsible for this ridiculous behavior! If you don't agree, then by all means hit the delete button. Should you choose the latter, then please don't complain when more atrocities committed by radical Muslims happen here in our great country. I am not deleting this, I am sending it on, but only after I add: --"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem." -- Ronald Reagan I have another quote that I would like to add AND....... I hope you forward this such as I have. "If we ever forget that we're One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under." also by... Ronald Reagan

Please note that Texas is the only state with a legal right to secede from the Union (please refer to the Texas-American Annexation Treaty of 1848). We Texans love y'all, but we'll have to take action if Kerry wins president over Bush. We'll miss you too. Texas has given all those complainers plenty of time to get used to the results. After seeing the whiners along the campaign route, the folks from Texas are considering taking matters into our their hands. Here is our solution: #1: Let John Kerry become President of the United States. (all 49 states.) #2: George W. Bush becomes the President of the Republic Of Texas. So what does Texas have to do to survive as a Republic? 1. NASA is just south of Houston, Texas. (we will control the space industry.) 2. We refine over 85% of the gasoline in the United States. 3. Defense Industry. (we have over 65% of it) The term "Don't mess with Texas," will take on a whole new meaning. 4. Oil - we can supply all the oil that the Republic of Texas will need for the next 300 years. Yankee states? Sorry about that. 5. Natural Gas - Again we have all we need and it's too bad about those northern states. John Kerry will figure a way to keep them warm.... 6. Computer Industry - we currently lead the nation in producing computer chips and communications: Small places like Texas Instruments, Dell Computer, EDS, Raytheon, National Semiconductor, Motorola, Intel, AMD, Atmel, Applied Materials, Ball Semiconductor, Dallas Semiconductor, Delphi, Nortel, Alcatel, Etc, Etc. The list goes on and on. 7. Health Centers - We have the largest research centers for Cancer research, the best burn centers and the top trauma units in the world and other large health planning centers. 8. We have enough colleges to keep us going: UT Texas, A&M, Texas Tech, Rice, SMU, University of Houston, Baylor, UNT, Texas Women's University, Ivy grows better in the south anyway 9. We have a ready supply of workers. (just open the border when we need some more) 10. We have control of the paper industry, plastics, insurance, etc. 11. In case of a foreign invasion, we have the Texas National Guard and the Texas Air National Guard. We don't have an army but since everybody down here has at least six rifles and a pile of ammo, we can raise an army in 24 hours if we need it. If the situation really gets bad, we can always call Department of Public Safety and ask them to send over a couple Texas Rangers. 12. We are totally self sufficient in beef, poultry, hogs and several types of grain, fruit and vegetables and lets not forget seafood from the gulf. And everybody down here knows how to cook them so that they taste good. Don't need any food. This just names a few of the items that will keep the Republic of Texas in good shape. There isn't a thing out there that we need and don't have. Now to the rest of the United States under President Kerry: Since you won't have the refineries to get gas for your cars, only President Kerry will be able to drive around in his 9 mile per gallon SUV. The rest of the United States will have to walk or ride bikes. You won't have any TV as the space center in Houston will cut off your communications. You won't have any natural gas to heat your homes but since Mr. Kerry has predicted global warming, you will not need the gas. Signed, The People in Texas, Have a nice day!

Being A Mom We are sitting at lunch one day when my daughter casually mentions that she and her husband are thinking of "starting a family." "We're taking a survey," she says half-joking. "Do you think I should have a baby?" "It will change your life," I say, carefully keeping my tone neutral. "I know," she says, "no more sleeping in on weekends, no more spontaneous vacations." But that is not what I meant at all. I look at my daughter, trying to decide what to tell her. I want her to know what she will never learn in childbirth classes. I want to tell her that the physical wounds of child bearing will heal, but becoming a mother will leave her with an emotional wound so raw that she will forever be vulnerable. I consider warning her that she will never again read a newspaper without asking, "What if that had been MY child?" That every plane crash, every house fire will haunt her. That when she sees pictures of starving children, she will wonder if anything could be worse than watching your child die. I look at her carefully manicured nails and stylish suit and think that no matter how sophisticated she is, becoming a mother will reduce her to the, primitive level of a bear protecting her cub. That an urgent call of "Mom!"will cause her to drop a soufflé or her best crystal without a moments hesitation. I feel that I should warn her that no matter how many years she has invested in her career, she will be professionally derailed by motherhood. She might arrange for childcare, but one day she will be going into an important business meeting and she will think of her baby's sweet smell. She will have to use every ounce of discipline to keep from running home, just to make sure her baby is all right. I want my daughter to know that every day decisions will no longer be routine. That a five year old boy's desire to go to the men's room rather than the women's at McDonald's will become a major dilemma. That right there, in the midst of clattering trays and screaming children, issues of independence and gender identity will be weighed against the prospect that a child molester may be lurking in that restroom. However decisive she may be at the office, she will second-guess herself constantly as a mother. Looking at my attractive daughter, I want to assure her that eventually she will shed the pounds of pregnancy, but she will never feel the same about her self. That her life, now so important, will be of less value to her once she has a child. That she would give herself up in a moment to save her offspring, but will also begin to hope for more years, not to accomplish her own dreams, but to watch her child accomplish theirs. I want her to know that a cesarean scar or shiny stretch marks will become badges of honor. My daughter's relationship with her husband will change, but not in the way she thinks. I wish she could understand how much more you can love a man who is careful to powder the baby or who never hesitates to play with his child. I think she should know that she will fall in love with him again for reasons she would now find very unromantic. I wish my daughter could sense the bond she will feel with women throughout history who have tried to stop war, prejudice and drunk driving. I want to describe to my daughter the exhilaration of seeing your child learn to ride a bike. I want to capture for her the belly laugh of a baby who is touching the soft fur of a dog or cat for the first time. I want her to taste the joy that is so real it actually hurts. My daughter's quizzical look makes me realize that tears have formed in my eyes. "You'll never regret it," I finally say. Then I reached across the table, squeezed my daughter's hand and offered a silent prayer for her, and for me, and for all the mere mortal women who stumble their way into this, most wonderful of callings. Please share this with a Mom that you know or all of your girlfriends who may someday be Moms. May you always have in your arms the one who is in your heart.

I've been cheated Been mistreated When will I be loved I've been put down I've been pushed 'round When will I be loved When I find a new man That I want for mine He always breaks my heart in two It happens every time I've been made blue I've been lied to When will I be loved When I find a new man That I want for mine He always breaks my heart in two It happens every time I've been cheated Been mistreated When will I be loved When will I be loved Tell me, when will I be loved By the Everly Brothers

As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls. Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many piles. An Angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life. But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how Ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in everyday life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all. I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened. My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air. Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose, each in turn, holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been. My angel looked upon me, and nodded for me to rise. My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes. I had love in my life, and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness, and death, and false accusations that took from me my world, as I knew it. I had to start over many times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me. And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was. I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light. An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with wide eyes. Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes, creating an image, the face of Christ. Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, "Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles. Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you." May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine through.

I've been on an emotional roller-coaster here the last few weeks and I am now thinking it is because of m babies. Here it is 2006 Holidays already. My children are ages 17, 11, 9. Have you figured it out yet? I've got my son graduating in May. He's 5'11 & 160lbs. Another 12-18 months and he will be out on his own. That's one child we've raised and now leaving home. WOW, it seems like yesterday I babysat this child and changed his diapers. Now, he is a fine young man preparing to face the real world. Then he will fall in love, marry the girl of his dreams and have a child(ren). What happened to last 18 yrs and where have they gone. My 11 yr old son will be in Jr High next year and playing football for the school. He's 5'2 & 140lbs. What happened to that beautiful baby boy we brought home from the Hospital 11 yrs ago? He is now my 11 yr old baby boy. In another 5 years I will have him graduating high school and yet again preparing for another one of my kids leaving home finding his true love, marriage and kids. It just doesn't seem like enough time has passed for all this to be happening. Then the baby! She is 9 and will be going to Intermediate(5-6)grades. Our little angel is only 4'4 MAYBE 4'5 & 76lbs. She is very petite. In my eyes, she is still to small to be heading to Intermediate. Then another 7 years she will be our last one and she will be graduating. The baby has grown up and she will find the man of her dreams, getting married and having her family. WOW getting married, MY baby girl. So help me God, the man that marries her if he ever hurts her..lol. To my 17 yr old he is like that's a long ways away. But its not! It's truly amazing how fast time flys when you have kids. Some one explain to me where the time has gone. Please explain to me. It is not time for my babies to grow up and move on. I've cried so much thinking about this and looking at my babies, that I don't see how God has give me any more tears to cry. If you read this, please don't feel sorry for me, because that is not what I want. If you have not been in my shoes before, then you have no idea what I am going through. Just please try to understand. Love to All xoxoxo

Below is a lovely story about Santa explaining the symbols of Christmas. This is a good story for a Christmas assembly. Teach the Children I just finished the household chores for the night and was preparing to go to bed, when I heard a noise in the front of the house. I opened the door to the front room and to my surprise, Santa himself stepped out from behind the Christmas tree. He placed his finger over his mouth so I would not cry out. "What are you doing?" I started to ask. The words choked up in my throat, and I saw he had tears in his eyes. His usual jolly manner was gone. Gone was the eager, boisterous character we all know. He then answered me with a simple statement. "TEACH THE CHILDREN!" I was puzzled; what did he mean? He guessed my question, and with one quick movement pulled a miniature toy bag from behind the tree. As I stood puzzled, Santa said, "Teach the children! Teach them the old meaning of Christmas. The meaning that now-a-days Christmas has forgotten." Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a FIR TREE and placed it in front of the fire place. "Teach the children that the pure green colour of the stately fir tree remains green all year round, representing the everlasting hope of mankind, all the needles point heavenward, making it a symbol of man's thoughts turning toward heaven." He again reached into his bag and pulled out a brilliant STAR. "Teach the children that the star was the heavenly sign of promises long ago. God promised a Saviour for the world, and the star was the sign of fulfillment of His promise." He then reached into his bag and pulled out a CANDLE. "Teach the children that the candle symbolises that Christ is the light of the world, and when we see this great light we are reminded of Jesus who fills our lives with light." Once again he reached into his bag and removed a WREATH and placed it on the tree. "Teach the children that the wreath symbolises the real nature of love. Real love never ceases, like Gods love which has no beginning or end." He then pulled from his bag an ornament of HIMSELF. "Teach the children that I, Santa Clause symbolise the generosity and kindness we feel during the month of December." He then brought out a HOLLY LEAF. "Teach the children that the holly plant represents immortality. It represents the crown of thorns worn by our Saviour. The red holly represents the blood shed by Him." Next he pulled from his bag a GIFT and said, "Teach the children that God so loved the world that HE gave us HIS only SON... We thank God for his very special gift." "Teach the children that the wise men bowed before the Holy Baby and gave HIM gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. We should always give gifts in the same spirit of the wise men." Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a SUGAR CANE and hung it on the tree. "Teach the children that the sugar cane represents the shepherd's crook. The crook on the staff helps to bring back lost sheep to the flock." He reached in again and pulled out an ANGEL. "Teach the children that it was the angels that announced the glorious news of the Saviour's birth. The angels sang 'Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace and good will toward men." Suddenly, I heard a soft twinkling sound, and from his bag he pulled out a BELL. "Teach the children that as the lost sheep are found by the sound of the bell, it should ring to guide us to God. The bell symbolises guidance and return. It reminds us that we are all precious in the eyes of God." Santa looked back and was pleased. I saw the twinkle in his eyes as he said: "Remember, teach the children the true meaning of Christmas and do not put me in the centre, for I am but an humble servant of the One that is, and I bow down to worship HIM, our LORD, our GOD."