You Tube -- It's a Whole New World

I'm a teacher on Christmas Vacation.  I am really enjoying the slower pace.  And that I can do whatever I want!  I did do some crafts before Christmas, but I want to do more.  So...

YouTube has been often my go-to source for how to do things that I need to do.  There are lots of "how to" videos.  My car's sunvisor broke, and I actually found a You Tube video on how to pull out the old one and install the new one.  Very helpful!

My daughter has been making "Let's Play Minecraft" videos.  Every day I look at her new video.  The last few days, other things have caught my eye.  Videos on crafts -- and one thing has led to another.

Yesterday and today, I got sucked into crafting videos.  And they're ENDLESS!  It's not a bad thing, there's a lot of good information out there.  I'm really fascinated by some craft ideas, and I found a couple of channels with tons of good ideas.

Craftklatch, which I mentioned the other day in a blog, is done by a lady named Mona, who shows how to make all kinds of things -- I found her first by seeing what she does with resin.  I'm totally fascinated by resin things, and want to try it.  She also shows how to make ornaments from duct tape, and so many other things.  I even found her blog, with more ideas.

So I looked at several videos on her channel and others, about resin.  That led to me seeing other interesting channels.  There is Paperpastels -- a young woman named Ashley, whom I found via more resin projects.  But she shows how to make molds, how to make erasers, all kinds of things.  That led me to her other channels as well as her blog, because I wanted to know more about her.

Then, I noticed a video about making a candle out of crayons, which led me to SoCraftastic -- this young woman is really funny.  Then of course I just had to look at other candle-making videos.  That led me to soap making... starting out with how to make liquid soap from bars of soap.  Then that led me to...

A channel called MistyPrepper, who had a soap-making video, "Making Soap with Marsha" -- out in the middle of nowhere, in Russell Creek, Tennessee, making soap with lye and oil and shortening, etc., out on the picnic table.  She made it look so easy, and I've been avoiding it because it sounded complicated and dangerous.

That led me to other MistyPrepper videos, including "Making Candles with Marsha", using a kerosene one-burner device to melt the wax, a generator for electricity for the glue gun to attach the wicks to bottoms of jars, etc.  She said they don't have electricity.  

I even watched part of a MistyPrepper video about a hand-cranked clothes-washing device, and found Misty's blogs, and read a few to figure out what state Russell Creek is in.

Friday, two days ago, I  had  my granddaughter over, and found a You Tube video on how to make a simple bracelet using the Rainbow Loom -- this was a big help to us -- we were able to quickly figure out how to use the loom and we made a bracelet, which she loves.

You could watch and watch and watch, and never "do" the things.... and waste time.  Or you could watch and then follow along.  

Most of the really popular channels and videos have taken a lot of time and work to make, promote, and make some more.  Some of them have elaborate setups to make their videos, and some make videos even 3 a week, and each video has had a lot of time-consuming editing done to it before being uploaded.  I appreciate the work they've put into them, and they come up with great ideas.. wonder if they ever have that media's version of "writer's block"???

Ok, I admit,  I'm very distractable...  but hey, now I know how to make a bracelet, a multi-colored layered candle using crayons, coasters, both liquid and bar soap, cough syrup (by Misty), molds for resin, and erasers, paperclip bookmarks, charms, and duct-tape ornaments!  And from my daughter, I learned about zombie sorters:)

Facebook

Facebook has changed our little world.  I mostly go on Facebook to see pictures of family, and to see news about family.  Some of my family is very near by, some is very far away.  So I love to see pictures of everybody.  I don't post much, but I look -- it kind of goes in spurts -- sometimes a lot for a few days, then I'll go for several days without looking at all.

Some of what I see along the trek of finding family posts is amazing.  Heart-warming news articles and videos.  Some posts are from news or people I don't know, that got shared -- and are SO stupid.  Some posts make me cry.  Some make me laugh. Some make me angry.  And there are things that make me say again and again, "Thy kingdom come."

But even with that, what is really shocking to me are the comments:  crazy, stupid, arrogant or just plain mean comments people make to even positive news or posts from famous people (you know, you "like" the page, even though you don't know the person personally?  those famous people).  

People have no sense, or no manners or no compassion.  They are so full of bigotry and hatred and self-centeredness, that they want to ruin even the most positive situation.

I see it on YouTube, too.  Comments from people who are clueless and/or mean.  And lots of YouTube videos get shared on Facebook.

There was a video of a female sign language interpreter who worked for the NY Mayor's office, and people noticed how "animated" she was -- actually her signing was quite normal for ASL, but to hearing people it looked "exaggerated", because they aren't used to seeing good signing.  It was a positive video and interview with her.

So what did the comments focus on?  How hot she is and how  much they'd like to bed her!!!!!    Or what would it be like to have sex with a deaf person!   Grrrr.

The GREAT thing about Facebook is that it has helped me connect with long-lost friends and even relatives. People post prayer requests.  People announce the births of their children or birthday occasions.  So it's not ALL bad... 

Then there is Facebook itself and its quirks.  Facebook puts ads on your newsfeed that magically fit your interests, and even what you're likely curious about.  Do they track you?

How do you feel about that?   How do you navigate Facebook to avoid the pitfalls you find?  More and more people are using Facebook to send messages to each other, and even to invite people to things...  How do you feel about that?  Do you use Facebook for business purposes?

Don't get me wrong, I like Facebook... but some of the users are, well, I'm just thankful they're not with me in person:).  And I'm NOT referring to my friends and family!

Comment below -- I'm curious, and maybe you are, too.  If you wouldn't want to comment about Facebook on Facebook itself, comment here.

Today-- Potpourri kind of day

Today was different.  Today was my first day of Christmas break.  I know, it's now called "Winter Break".  When I was a kid, it was called Christmas Break, because its purpose was to give vacation time for people to enjoy Christmas and New Year's Day.  

This morning I didn't get up early.  I didn't go to work (duh) :)  Last night was different, too, because I am now getting into my very own personal allergy season, so I took Zyrtec.  Because of that, I also took a nap today.  

I also watched my daughter's daily You Tube video.  She makes "Let's Play Minecraft" videos.  Anybody out there play?  Ok, I know it sounds boring, you'd rather play yourself than watch someone. BUT she has some very interesting things in there.  Did you know you can create a chicken coop/ egg gathering mechanism?  Did you know you could create a zombie gathering box that even includes controlling baby zombies? She limits her time to 15 to 22 minutes, so it's not like you'll waste your life away watching.  Her user name is +Gwinn Stacy .  Check out her channel!

Today I made some more felt ornaments.  It's my latest obsession, I guess. And I found some more interesting things you could make!

YouTube has so many craft videos on learning how to make things.  The sky's the limit.  It's endless!  It's a jungle out there!  But I do find good stuff and I'll pass it on here.

I happened to see a picture of string ball ornaments with nothing but air inside, I think, on Facebook maybe in an ad or something.  So I searched YouTube -- of course one thing led to another.  I found out how to make those.  I'll write brief instructions at the end.  There is a channel and user called Craft Klatch.

Craft Klatch is a YouTube channel and a website.  Both are run by a woman named Mona.  That's all I know so far about her.  But she does several different kinds of crafts, and I've watched several of her videos.  She shows clearly how to do things, and explains pretty well how to do them, too.  Check it out and let me know what you think.

Last night I went to my granddaughter's winter concert.  She is a sophomore in high school, and she sings in the choir.  I really enjoyed it -- they have some remarkable singers at the school!

Today I also found out that a dear friend's daughter passed away yesterday.  Her name was Sarah.  So many people prayed for so many years for her, ever since she was 9 and they found a tumor in her brain behind her eye.  I won't go into details but will say removing the tumor left her blind and with other health problems, that continued and worsened until the past several days.  

But as a Christian I know she is now in Heaven, seeing its beauty, listening to the beautiful music and dancing.  And she is at peace.

Please pray for her family, especially  her parents.  They devoted their lives to her care for most of her 39 years.  They will need comfort for their loss, and courage to move on to what God has for them.  They've been very involved in charity work overseas, so I can imagine them becoming even more involved now.

On another note, I saw on Facebook a post about a school's Winter concert (we used to call it the Christmas Program) -- the kids sang Silent Night, which is basically the story of the birth of baby Jesus -- but they changed the words to not mention Jesus at all!  

We Christians need to quit being afraid of offending people with holidays we treasure for meaning.  Non-Christians don't care if they offend us!  

If you celebrate Christmas, go for it with your whole heart and don't forget its meaning.  If you don't celebrate Christmas, it's ok, Jesus came for everybody, and He loves us all.

This time of year we are to focus on that fact: that God so loved the (whole) WORLD that He gave His only begotten Son, that none should perish, but have everlasting life.  If God loved us all that much, we should love each other as much as we can.

Almost forgot!  Here is basically how to make a string ornament ball:  You need:  small round balloons, laundry starch, water, embroidery floss or twine or yarn, and a bowl. Get small round balloons and blow them up.  Cut floss into 18 inch lengths and put in starch-water mixture.  Wrap the wet floss around the balloon until the whole thing is nearly covered with string.  Squeeze excess liquid out of the floss as you are using the string for winding.  After the balloon is covered with floss, let dry overnight.  When the floss is all dried, poke the balloon to deflate it and pull it out from between the string.  You now have an ornament, and you can attach a string or ribbon for hanging it.  Watch Craft Klatch's video on it, to get more details.

Fake Interpreter, Stocking for my Mila, ornament making

The world is in an uproar after a "fake" interpreter for the deaf made a fool of himself, the South African government, and whoever hired him, by showing up for a job he wasn't qualified for, and then having a schizophrenic episode on top of it. And the bottom line was total disrespect and mockery of the Deaf people he was hired to serve.  The deaf community around the world is outraged, and rightly so.

Apparently South Africa doesn't have much in the way of "criteria" for being a bonafide interpreter for the Deaf, or this would never have happened.  You would think this could never happen in the U.S. because we have professional organizations such as the Registry of Intepreters for the Deaf, local intepreter agencies, and certification of interpreters.

Everybody hones in on the "security issue" involved, but what about the rights of the deaf people they hired an interpreter for, so they could have equal access to the memorial?  To be that careless about who they hire for interpreting in ANY situation, even one with no need for "security" is just plain wrong.

But things like this do happen, just on a smaller scale.  Ask any deaf person you know to tell you their "worst interpreting experience," and I'm sure there will be a story.  Deaf people have been putting up with lousy translation for years.  

Interpreters in the U.S. are required to follow ethical guidelines set by the professional organization that certifies them.  These guidelines include the provision that if an interpreter has a health issue that could affect the quality of interpreting, he/she has no business accepting a job until or unless health is good.

This man has a history of schizophrenia that HAS resulted in him being violent and even hospitalized.  He had no business accepting an interpreting job that would be high pressure like this one.  I've seen him interviewed and at worst he is delusional, and at best he is clueless.

Apparently South Africa needs a certification process and stricter guidelines for hiring interpreters.

***********************  Enough of that!!!!  ***********************

On another note, my granddaughter face-timed me last week and asked if I could get her a stocking ornament like her brother's.  She had found his ornament that had his name on it, and asked her mother where it came from, the answer being that Grandma bought it.  So she asked, "where is  mine?"  Mommy said, "Grandma bought it for your brother before you were born, so there isn't one for you."  So she called me on FaceTime to ask for one, and showed me what she was talking about!  She asked for pink because it's her favorite color.

I couldn't find one in stores except a smaller, poor-quality one.  So I made one.

I hunted for patterns online, and found several.  One was from Martha Stewart's website, another one I liked was from www.favecrafts.  There was some good stuff at Better Homes and Gardens (a very cute little owl).  But the one I used was from WeeFolkArt.com.

I went a little crazy and bought a lot of felt, because i also found cute little felt bags and got them for grandchildren but wish I had bought more.  I'm so happy to be sewing again:)

I think I'll just have some fun and make little things out of the felt.  We only have 3-1/2 more days of school before "Winter Break" -- two weeks off work!   I'm ready for it, the students have been a bit wild lately.

Merry Shopping!

December 7 -- A day in History, a shopping day, "winter" is here

Today was Pearl Harbor Day.  The US was trying to stay out of war, but somebody had other ideas.  We have fought in several wars, but this was and still is, the only time a military attack was brought onto American soil. I don't count 9/11 because it wasn't "military", it was terrorists attacking.

Hawaii wasn't even a state yet when Pearl Harbor was attacked.  But we had a military base there and many ships "parked" in the harbor.  Even with seeing the movie, one can only imagine what it was like for the people in the area and nearby.  And so America was dragged into the war.  And today we remember those lost, on that day, and also in the war we were lured into fighting.

Rather than discuss that, I'll just say, I look forward to the day prophesied in scripture, when "neither shall they learn war any more."

This week it finally got chilly here in Southern California.  Our "winter" is more like autumn in other parts of the world - but that's plenty cold enough for me, and it's why I'm a California girl:)  I grew up just outside of Philadelphia, and chose to come to California for college, based on the weather -- and decided that no matter what happened with college, I was going to stay here. So my kids and grandkids are native Californians.

Today it rained -- but when it stopped, I went to a store and found a gift for my daughter.  I went to Bed, Bath and Beyond, and as I looked at the items I was choosing between, I got on my phone and compared user reviews via Amazon. 

A friend of mine went and got a Christmas tree because his grown son said he should have one.  He got a 3-foot high one, to put on a table.  That's what I would get, too.  I love Christmas and the decorations, but unless I have help, a tree is just too much for me.  

So I did the wreath I wrote about before, for the front door.  And put my nativity set in the bay window with some LED lights around it.  And got a really pretty red poinsettia on my dining room table.  And I have more ornaments to make and hang on things. So my house will be Christmas-y but simple!

The gospel of John is a really great thing to read this time of year.  John's gospel emphasizes Jesus being the very Son of God, conceived of the Spirit, come from Heaven (Philippians says He actually gave up the cushy, powerful life He had in Heaven to come live as a human on earth.), to live among men.

I'm reading it in the Passion Translation -- amazing translation from the Greek and Aramaic into modern English, with lots of footnotes.  Very much like having a Bible and commentary all in one.  www.passiontranslation.com  Check it out!

That's enough for now.  Maybe tomorrow I'll say something "more important". Life is a journey, and I hope at least if you're reading this, that it's uplifting for your day or night. I don't plan to solve the world's problems in my blogs, but encouraging people would be great!   Merry Christmas!

This is harder than I thought!

Thanksgiving week I started this blog.  My head was full of things I wanted to say, and it was even hard to figure out what to say first.  My plan was to try and write every day or two.

At first I wrote a lot in the first couple of days.  And here I am not even a week later, after skipping a day, wondering what to write next.

I'm a teacher.  I work every day and my head is full of what to teach, how to teach it, and how to manage 180 students.  Some days are better than others, and once in a while it's a "terrible" day.  I'm not complaining, it's my dream job -- I love teaching!  

But I mention this as part of the reason I don't write a blog some days.

I'm also a student in a Supernatural School of Ministry.  I love it.  We have class two nights a week, 6:45 to 10:00.  And there is homework! So that takes up mental energy and time, too.

I won't get into a deep Bible discussion or doctrinal argument here, but the basic premise of the whole school is that we take quite literally, "thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven", and we take literally Jesus' statement that "you will do greater works than I", as well as the command to "preach the gospel and heal the sick and raise the dead," that we are to "make disciples, and these signs will follow".. and like many Christians, we believe we are pretty much in the "last days" (or at least "more" last than we were before), therefore what is prophesied in Joel 2 is for now. And it's ALL permeated with God's love for people, that Jesus died for everybody, and forgiveness and repentance are available to everybody.

Revival happened a little over 100 years ago in several places such as Los Angeles, Wales, and England, and we are seeing the beginnings of new revival now. Hundreds of people were healed instantly of outrageous things, hundreds of people received salvation, and there are hundreds of personal testimonies from witnesses and people who were healed.  A man named Tommy Welchel wrote a book telling the stories he was told by the people who, as teenagers, were part of the Azusa Street Revival in 1906.  You can search for the book on Amazon.  I think his latest book is called "Azusa Street Revival."

Like I said, I refuse to argue about it, I'm just writing about what I'm doing.. and if it's all out of love, who can argue against that?  I've seen and experienced way too much to deny that God is real. If that's crazy oh well, deal with it or just don't read my stuff.

So... Here I am having written a whole page...  

Making things -- website recommendations!

Yesterday I wrote about the wreath I decorated, and making ornaments.  I love crafting.  I wish I had more time for it!

I get emails from Craftsy.com -- it's a site you can take video classes on.  I have enrolled in several classes..Wonderful -- they have all kinds of things -- knitting, crochet, sewing, cooking, cake decorating, jewelry making, some crafts, too.  The classes range from free to I think $59.99, and right now they have all classes at $19.99, but not sure when the sale ends.

Once you purchase a class, it's yours to see as slowly as you want, whenever you want. There is even an app for iPad so you can watch on that device right in the kitchen or sewing area, as you follow along with the instructor.  They have really clear demonstrations, well-known experts teaching, and the instructors answer questions.  They have instructor handouts, etc., and you can post a picture of your final project if you want. And your access is "forever".  You can purchase classes as a gift for someone, too, and there is a section where you can purchase things like yarn and fabric at great prices, and sometimes kits for the classes.

www.craftsy.com

From Craftsy I saw a free class about making handbags, signed up for it, and checked out the instructor's blog.  If you like sewing and making things other than clothing, check out her website:

www.sewmamasew.com

Enjoy!  Only 24 days till Christmas:)

Christmas decorating and video recommendation!!!

I know I wrote already earlier today but I wanted to share a good video recommendation.

Today I started decorating for Christmas!  Can't believe Sunday is December 1st!  Not sure how you count.. so it's 26 days till Christmas? Time flies when you're having fun... actually it flies whether you're having fun or not!

I get a bazillion emails from stores and websites I signed up for.. Armstrong's Garden center is one.  I got one about a lighted wreath being $15, 50% off.  So I got one.  But it's plain, just the lights and no decorations.

Yesterday I went to Michael's Craft Store to get things to put on the wreath.  They had some beautiful bows of various colors, but they wanted $12.99 for them!  So I got  some wire-edged ribbon half price, $3.50 a roll.  I figured I could make my own.

I used to have a bowmaker but rarely used it so took it to Goodwill or something.  But I sort of remembered how to do it.  I looked at one You Tube video, but it wasn't with wire-edged ribbon.  But I winged it, and it turned out pretty good.  

Then I looked at You Tube again, and saw a thumbnail of a video that looked like it was made with wire-edged ribbon.  It was very well-done.  Great demonstration and clear instructions.  The title is How to Make a Bow, posted by a user named GoodKnit Kisses.  Here is the code for it:

http://youtu.be/onaw5tiMNmw

You could use this method to make bows for gift packages too -- it's not hard at all and doesn't take very long.

And here is the wreath -- it's a little dark but I took it for a friend who wanted to see the lights and all.  It turned out pretty good.

You CAN'T be serious!!! (not all the time that is)

It just now occurred to me, I don't want to be SERIOUS all the time  in this blog.  There are lots of things I could do -- share recipes.  Review products or movies or YouTube videos.  Maybe do a certain thing the same day each week... like Monday thoughts, Tuesday recipes, Wednesday product reviews, etc.

And I guess I do want to have people read them...  so I will try out sharing this on Facebook...  this is a huge experiment -- so let's just move forward and see what happens!

The running thread is to tell it like it is (you know, I'm the Spear Woman), but at the same time ENCOURAGE...  so I'm NOT going to get political or be an activist -- I'd rather concentrate on the GOOD, the LOVELY, etc., like it says in Philippians.  

So even if I have to give a bad review, I refuse to be mean about it... yeah maybe that's boring but hey, there's enough mean stuff in the world, who needs more?

You want to get to the end of my blog and feel like you got run over by a truck?  I don't think so.  

If you disagree with me, I CHALLENGE you to find a NON-MEAN way to say it... it is my blog, you know :)

Truth Shall Make You Free

Someone just told me they don't want to spend the holidays with someone in their family because that person always puts them down and it hurts too much.

I understand.  I've experienced similar things.  But in a sense, that was "in another life", so I won't talk about it right now.

I'm a student in a school of ministry and one of the books assigned to read is "Supernatural Ways of Royalty" by Kris Vallotin.  I highly recommend it.  The book is all about the fact that when we accepted Jesus as our Savior we literally became children, sons and daughters, of God, who is a King.  That makes us "royal".  And the book explains what that does and should mean in our lives, and how this fact should affect how we think about ourselves and the world we live in.

Which brings me to the title of this post.  In John 8:32 Jesus is quoted as saying, "the truth shall make you free."  He was referring to the truth about who He was and the truth about freedom from burdens of Levitical law, etc.  But this statement has huge ramifications in every area of life, including the situation my friend faces, and my family experiences growing up, too.  The spiritual part of it, is of course, the first thing that comes to mind.

The truth about who God is and that Jesus died for us to save us and was resurrected and defeated death, is the Gospel -- the good news for all mankind.  And it's our hope that more people will accept this truth.

There is the truth and there is what is not the truth.  It is there.  But for example, if your parents were rich and you didn't know it, the truth is still that you were born into a wealthy family, but you might live like a pauper. So it's not just "truth" that makes you free, it's KNOWING and BELIEVING THE TRUTH that makes you free.

So many situations would be different if the people involved would know and believe the truth.  People would avoid foods or activities that are bad for them.  Our country's voting history would likely be different if the whole truth came out.  People who need to would go to jail and the innocent would not. And the list goes on. 

But what about the situation in my first paragraph?  I was reflecting on this, and the book, and the "truth makes you free" statement.  

If you had black hair and I said you were a blonde, how would you feel?  What if you had brown eyes and I told you I thought they were blue and was jealous of your blue eyes?   Those things are easy for you to know the truth and believe, and nothing anyone says or does could make you believe you have a different color hair or eyes than you have.  You would know that I was simply "incorrect" and not buy into what I said.  You might even think I was crazy!

The same is true for how you feel about yourself inside.  If you know the truth about your gifts, your talents, what you're good at and what you're not, it gives you FREEDOM to accomplish things, and freedom from put-downs and believing discouraging things said by other people.

We all have things we are good at.  We all have things we are not good at.  Which one should you focus on?  Is it logical to focus more on what you DO have or to focus on your shortcomings?  And if you are good at something, does someone telling you you're lousy at it change anything?

So if someone tells me I'm lousy at sports (I am), should I feel bad about that? No, because there are things I AM good at, so sports doesn't matter.  

As an aside:  Don't forget to forgive the person insulting you -- people are people and they get things wrong, are "incorrect", and the blood of Jesus will cover those mistakes as much as any others.

My wish for my loved ones (children, grandchildren, friends, and my students) and even myself, is that they would be so grounded in the truth of who they are, both in God and in the "natural", that they can be literally immune to put-downs. That they would know their worth and contribution to those around them.

Read Ephesians 3:14-19.  You are loved.  So much. Know this.  Believe this. Know the truth of what you're good at, no matter how small it seems. Read those verses as a prayer every day, and it will set you free.

Happy Thanksgiving!

This will be short -- I'm so thankful to have my family nearby, that we all have what we need, and that we enjoy being together with no drama.

My blog is new so nobody is reading it yet.  To anyone who runs across this, God bless you and yours and best wishes for a lovely holiday season this year.

The world could sure use a lovely season!  If you focus on what God is doing in your life, and your blessings, you will be joyful.  The "stuff" doesn't give us joy, the Holy Spirit does (Gal. 5)....

Those fruits of the Spirit listed there are actually attributes of God, and sub-characteristics of love (notice I Cor 13 -- for example, "love is kind" -- kindness is a fruit of the Spirit).  God is so good.

May you be filled with the Spirit as much as you wish.  It's  a gift, sent personally by Jesus (in Acts He told them He had to leave so he could send the Comforter, the Holy Spirit).  Wow.  A gift from the King Himself:)

Blessings to all.

Facebook Users: Will Someone Please Explain Where Privacy Went???

Several years ago, I saw a psychologist being interviewed on TV, saying that our society had lost its sense of privacy, that people no longer drew a line for sharing or not sharing what used to be considered confidential and personal issues.  That was BEFORE Facebook and Twitter.  I think at the time it was a response to TV shows like Jerry Springer and Monteil Williams, where people would tell all about what should have been family secrets.

But now we have "social media sites" -- people air their squabbles and tell what they "really" think, in front of the whole world! And people no longer differentiate between the virtual and real world.  It's ALL real.

We have cyber stalking, cyber espionage, cyber dating and cyber bullying. And anybody can watch or participate.  Employers check Facebook and Twitter accounts of prospective employees or fire current ones for making negative comments. Teachers get special training on how to teach students how to deal with cyber bullying-- because kids have even committed suicide over it. People feel comfortable making hateful comments on posts by people they don't even know.

What ever happened to, "if you can't say something good, don't say anything at all?"  Or "do to others what you'd want them to do to you"?

There is a lot in scripture about words.  People talk about all those "bad rules" God has...  but what is so terrible about a rule that says "love your neighbor as yourself"?  Or "don't lie"?  Or "treat others as you'd like to be treated"?

Disagreements in the family should stay in the family.  Friends should talk to each other privately and not on Facebook, to resolve problems.

There is even a verse that says "love covers sin."  It's NOT in anybody's best interest to blast someone's mistake or conflict all over the net for all to see... way too many times there is more to the story, or the story is even wrong -- and seldom after someone's reputation has been wrecked do we see the same publicity given to admitting the error that ruined a life just weeks before.

By this I don't mean someone who is convicted of a horrible deed like rape or robbery or murder.  I'm referring to private family/friend things or false accusations that go viral and then just die even after a relationship or reputation is forever ruined.

The Apostle Paul advised us in Philippians, "whatever things are good, ... think on these things." What do you want to fill your mind with?  Bad news or good news?  I find myself caught up in morbid curiosity, reading posts about the negative things happening in the world, until finally I realize what it's doing to my mood and I just simply stop reading.

My wish for the world in and out of cyberspace, especially this time of year, is that people would think before they say or write their words -- let kindness prevail, and honor privacy.

I'm thankful that my friends and family are kind to each other. To everybody else, try it, you'll feel lots better:) 

But I'm too short to be an Amazon Warrior!!!

My head is so full of ideas I don't know where to start.  So like I usually do when I start into ASL-mode, I'll start at the beginning.  Mine, that is.

I'm the eldest of 3 kids.  I was born premature, weighed 4 lbs 14 oz, and then had lots of what they now call "motor delays"... did everything "late".. and they named me Geraldine, after my mother (she told me she was going to name me something cool like Kim or Randee but my grandfather said "well she'll always be little Gerrie to me", so she figured "if people will call her Gerrie may as well name her Gerrie").  

I was always one of the shortest, skinniest ones in my class, and definitely NOT athletic!  I remember someone telling me I'd be able to jump further and run faster, cuz I was smaller and lighter.  Didn't happen!  I was almost always the last one in the race.  Did I care?  Nope, I loved reading books.

So I was "little Gerrie" and my mother was "Big Gerrie"... that's VERY funny, because as an adult I'm only a quarter-inch shorter than my mother was (she passed away in 2004).  I'm 5' 1-1/2" and Mother was 5' 1-3/4".

As a little kid I never thought anything about my name -- everybody called me Gerrie.  Yes, it's with a G and an i-e.   G, because it's short for Geraldine, and the "ie" ending is to "be more feminine" (so Mother told me).

Until First Grade.  The very first day of school I remember meeting my teacher, and she asked my name.  Of course I told her, "Gerrie".  Then my mother whispered something into her ear.  And the teacher said, "ok Geraldine, here is your desk".  And on my desk was a name tag with the name Geraldine written on it.  I felt SO betrayed!!!!  

All my life I've always hated my name -- I wanted to have a cool name, like my little sister Penny.  I wished my mother had not caved in to other peoples' wishes and called me that cool name she had in mind, Kim!

When I looked in one of those baby-name-books I found out what Geraldine means, and hated my name even more -- of course it's the feminine derivative of "Gerald" -- and it means "spear bearer".  One book I looked in said Geraldine means "Spear Woman".  I was shocked --it was just a STUPID idea to name me that -- it was long and ugly, I'd have to always spell it for people, and I associated its meaning with that tribe of warrior-women called Amazons -- I'm a short, wimpy, and geeky bookworm -- it just was NOT the right name for me!

Flip Wilson inventing a character named Geraldine didn't help at all.

When I got to college I still hated my name but it didn't occur to me till my sophomore year that I could have changed it by introducing myself by my middle name Carol.

So my sophomore year I told people I was now going by my middle name... it didn't work. Only 2 people changed over.  Sigh. So I got married with the name Geraldine.  Later, however, with my divorce, I legally made it Gerrie.

Over the last few years, however, my spiritual life has created a side-effect of changing my view of my name. For example, in Ephesians 6 it describes the spiritual armor we are to wear daily, including a SWORD.  Our God-given assignment is to stand firm and wield the Sword of the Word, which is described in Hebrews 4:12 like this: "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword,  piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (KJV)

In God's eyes, size doesn't matter.  He gave us His spirit and therefore His power, to further His Kingdom and stand for good.  So my name isn't as much of a misfit as I thought:) Now my quest is to live it and BE it!