"Da Da Da Da Da Da Da Da BATMAN!"

Usually the sound of feet shuffling into my bedroom in the middle of the night means, "Mom I just threw up". Last night's shuffling brought the 16 year old with an anxious "there's a bat flying around my room", Why she woke me is confusing. I'm not the go to person for critters, car troubles or cash. Those all fall under dadly duties.  Got a fever, perhaps a difficult stain, need a cupcake,  or a button sewn? I'm your gal. Bats are critters of the most yucky variety, not my thing. Of course I told her "you must wake your dad" ,(who for such a light sleeper is incredibly difficult to wake) he groggily told us he would look into in the morning.

So here's Allison's story. She was awakened by a sound which turned out to be the  bat hitting walls as it circled her room. When she saw the terrifying sight she immediately ducked under the covers and after regaining her composure she dared to peek out, about that same time the bat swooped down  barely missing her head. Back under the covers she went. She waited until she heard it reach the farthest corner from her,  then rolled off the bed, crawled out of the room belly to the floor under the cover of her comforter and shut the door. Absolutely nothing would make her go back in there, except her phone charger. A dead cell phone spells catastrophe to a teen, definitely worth risking life, limb and vampire bat bites to prevent. She opened the door, flipped the light switch and yanked the cord from the wall in one quick move, only pausing long enough to see the bat heading swiftly in her direction. Out she went once again, to sleep on the sofa for the remainder of the night secure in the knowledge she would be able to talk/text.

Before work,with the pool net and 20ft pole in hand up, up, up, the stairs Sparta the brave (aka Batman) went but there was no bat to be found.  He told me he will look again this evening.  For now Allison's room remains closed off and entry is forbidden (not really but none of us are going in there).

The First Step

Since the first step towards success in so many problems is in admitting there is a problem, here goes. True confession, I am a shopaholic. I don't seek out designer labels or lavish home decor just the average and ordinary; groceries, clothing and stuff.  I guess if it weren't for the plastic I use it would be okay but I've dug a really big money pit and although  reasons excuses abound, the reality of it is I just like to shop.

I had a conversation with a friend recently where I disclosed the ugly truth of my habit. The talk made me ponder the "whys" of my spending.  I have shopped to fill voids and to some degree for the attention I garner from store clerks as they ring up the purchases. Really sad, huh? Worse still, I have tried to keep said ugly truth from my husband.  It's embarrassing at least and will affect family finances for years at worst.

He found out recently (because I told him) and although very angry initially at the amount of debt and even more so at my lack of self- control, he showed mercy and forgave me.  I must admit the guilt of my debt burden was overwhelming me.  I went to bed thinking about it and woke up thinking about it, not the amount so much as the deception involved.  Feelings of guilt made me sick.  I am thankful that the truth is now out and I have a plan to pay off the debt, one balance at a time.  Prayers for strength of resolve and self-discipline would be appreciated greatly. Also, if you feel inclined to send a few dollars my way to help with the paying down feel free to do so (just kidding, kind of ☺).

So, what have I learned?  Credit can be a dangerous thing. Guilt has great weight. My husband is a man who practices forgiveness and mercy.  I have a long road to zero balances. God still loves me and so does Sparta.

Rotel Salsa

Here's a link to the recipe for one of my family's favorite snacks.  Tortillas and salsa, who doesn't love them?




http://mentoringmoments.org/ro-tel-salsa/

Here's an "I" Word For You

Did you know there is campaign currently underway to stop the use of the word "illegal" in conjunction with the words alien and immigrant?  You can watch the YouTube video, Stop the "I" Word by clicking the link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ebs6SCPf_dU

  

 If a person enters the country without going through proper channels, he is here illegally. Calling something what it is, is not hate. It's not racist, it's not a prejudice, it's not intolerant, it's fact.  Good grief.  If any "i" word should be stopped it's "intolerant".  

We've been conditioned to believe tolerance is always a good thing. You don't agree with someones lifestyle, with some choices that are being made, well bully for you. You are intolerant. Guess what? I am tired of being tolerant. I am tired of being politically correct. I am tired of kowtowing to those who would have us believe that to lack acceptance of immoral choices is narrow-minded. The "progressive minded" folks who berate us for believing in Jesus as THE ONLY way to God think we are bigoted. I am tired of being made to feel racist because I disagree with the policies of the first black president. I am tired of being thought of as uncharitable because I think Welfare recipients should pass a drug test or because I would prefer to choose my own worthy causes. Does this sound like an angry rant?  It is.  

 Sometimes intolerance is a good thing. I can walk with a thorn in my foot and tolerate the pain, if I take it out do I become intolerant or wise for realizing that it was possible to change the situation? Tolerating stupidity does no one any good. Tolerating overspending leads to daunting debt (5 trillion anyone). Tolerating vulgarity, profanity and sexualization at every turn of the page or flip of the channel has lessened civility and created a slew of problems. Allowing an opportunity to share the gospel pass due to a fear of seeming "intolerant"  might condemn someone to hell.   I'd much rather seem intolerant than face judgment day and find out I could have made a difference.

Seek the truth and speak the truth(lovingly, of course), whether it seems tolerant or not.

14 Then we will no longer be little children, tossed and carried about by all kinds of teachings that change like the wind. We will no longer be influenced by people who use cunning and clever strategies to lead us astray. 15 Instead, as we lovingly speak the truth, we will grow up completely in our relationship to Christ, who is the head. 16 He makes the whole body fit together and unites it through the support of every joint. As each and every part does its job, he makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. (Ephesians 4:1)