Somebody... Anybody?

This famous quote above is brought to you by my "baby" brother who turns 24 today. Happy Birthday AKM! When he was really little he wandered into my parent's room during the night. My parents were awake but didn't answer as he said "Mom...... Dad....... Somebody...... Anybody?!?"

The quote also accurately describes the feelings regarding my blog lately. I've gone four straight posts with only one comment (thanks Amanda). So, am I boring everyone now or what? I'm not trying to be needy, but just wondering if anyone is still out there. To add to my "blog depression" is the fact that my Cluster Map on the sidebar archived, so now I'm starting over with an world void of red dots. It stinks too because I was only missing dots on two continents, South America and Africa. CDK says I'm just being vain about my blog. Oh well, I guess I am!

I'd love to hear from ya!

Young@Heart *Update*

This video always makes me cry, but today I heard the real story of the man singing it, and it makes me cry harder. Him and his friend were practicing it as a duet, but the friend was sick and in the hospital. The friend checked himself out of the hospital so he could get to rehearsal for his duet. He died two weeks before the performance, so the man in the video, recovering from a heart attack, sang it as a solo.
You may have seen this group,called Young@Heart, of senior citizens sing current "rock" songs on Dateline or some other news show. I absolutely love this video, it's amazing the difference lyrics can make, just based on who is singing the song. There are several videos of their songs on YouTube, so look them up if you want to see more.
There is also a documentary coming out about this group and I can't wait to see it. And hey, there's nothing wrong with a good cry every now and then.

*Update* Here's a link to the Nightline Report about this group: http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=4624199. Enjoy!

Do We Need a "New Earth"?

You may know of Oprah's new book club book, A New Earth, by Eckhart Tolle. When I first heard the name I suspected that it was a new age book, and the more I heard about it the more my thoughts were confirmed. Now my disclaimer is this, I haven't read any parts of the book or participated in any of the online classes, so I admit my knowledge of the book is slim, but what I have seen and heard is disturbing. The video above gives a little insight into the book and its classes. While it might sensationalize the situation a little, the basic issues are of great importance.
I don't view this book as disturbing in itself, I view the way people are grasping onto it and believing it, simply because Oprah does as the disturbing factor. There will always be books, beliefs, and teachings out there that don't line-up with Christian beliefs, so making an argument against the book itself would be fruitless.
My main issue is how we, as Christians, handle a situation where other Christians and such a large part of our society are buying into this system of belief.
If you watch this video you see Oprah denying that Christ is the only way, something she did years ago. Oprah professes to be a Christian, and though we can't judge her heart, we can take the overflow of her heart as evidence to her beliefs. Denying that Christ is the only way is in direct opposition to the Bible ("Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me'” John 8:12). From this and other evidences, we must seriously consider the source this book and these teachings come from.
In our current world full of political correctness and tolerance, we still can't be afraid or ashamed to stand-up and say that Jesus is the only way. As we say this, we must say it in love and know that not all will believe, but it is not our job to make others believe, our job is to proclaim the name of Christ Jesus.
I can see how it might be easy to slip into these teachings. They don't seem bad or harmful, and after all Oprah's a good person and professes to be a Christian. But we must constantly guard our hearts in this world that is constantly seeking to pull us away from the truth of Christ. We must “… hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful,” Hebrews 10:23.
I'm not saying boycott Oprah (I tried that during my senior year of high school, obviously not very successful). She has interesting people on her show and interesting topics, it doesn't hurt to watch her show. In fact it doesn't hurt to read the latest book. What does hurt is when Christians start to accept the teachings of anyone, and I mean anyone from Oprah, to Ghandi, from Billy Graham, to President Bush, over that of the Bible and Christ. We must diligently examine what we hear, read, and study and make sure it lines up with the teachings of Christ.
What am I saying? Guard your hearts, speak in love, and prepare yourself with prayer, scripture, and a community of faith. The Bible says Christians are waging a battle, and the hope is that we know who wins.

I Just Thought That was the Deal of the Century

CDK came home from lunch yesterday and we had this conversation:

CDK: I just got a car.
KLK: What?
CDK: I just got a car.
KLK: What?
CDK: I just got a car.
KLK: What are you talking about? (thoroughly confused considering he already has a car)
CDK: I just got a car. My company called and they're giving me a car.
KLK: What are you serious? Is this a delayed April Fool's joke? You've got to be kidding me.

The conversation proceeded as I tried to figure out what kind of joke he was playing on me. But, no joke, he's getting a company car. We were both in total shock and disbelief. We knew that after working there six months he might be able to negotiate a car allowance, but in no way were we expecting a car, with all maintenance and insurance paid. Woo hoo!!! Praise the Lord, what an unexpected blessing.

So, we're going to sell our second car. If you're looking to buy a 2006 Toyota Corolla, let me know!

The Deal of the Century

If you've known us at all you know we've had hand-me-down couches from both sets of parents since we've been married. And we're thankful that this is one less expense we had to incur after we got married. The couches have been masked by some illustrious khaki slipcovers that don't particularly like to stay in place. We also love to decorate and have always dreamed of getting leather couches.

Since we're planning on buying a house in the next few months, we've started saving for new couches and looking for them. We have always loved a certain set of couches from Pottery Barn - the Manhattan, but for us Pottery Barn is cost-prohibitive, in a big way. We did find out if you work there you can get a 40% discount, but even then, that was pushing it for us. Though we hadn't totally put away the thought of one of us working a part time job there for a short time, we were trying to find other couches that we liked. We've only looked passively, but still nothing was measuring up.

I was visiting my cousin Pam, a decorator, a few weeks ago and told her what we were looking for. I asked for store recommendations and she said she would keep an eye out for us. She called me the other day and said I wasn't going to believe what she had done. She was at an antique furniture auction and they started auctioning off new furniture. She saw a leather sofa and two leather chairs that looked exactly like what we wanted, so she bid and bought it. She told me it was ours if we wanted to buy it from her, and if not, she'd resell it. She was going to send us pictures so we could decide whether or not we liked it, but, she didn't have too. After looking at the couches and the Pottery Barn website, she thinks that it's the exact same couch and chairs. The exact same set we wanted in the exact same color we wanted! And the best part - for the the whole set she only paid the cost of ONE of the chairs, on sale! It's a steal, not only for leather couches, but for any set of couches, especially from Pottery Barn. Needless to say I am out of my mind excited! Way to go cousin Pam!

As soon as we buy the house to put them in, you're all invited over for a test sit!

Four Months = Four Pictures

As I've said before I don't want this blog to become baby-focused, but it's a big part of my life, so she'll definitely creep in occasionally. We visited the doctor last week for the four-month check-up and here are the stats: weight - 13 lbs. 4 oz (75th percentile), height - 25 1/2 inches (95th percentile), head circumference - 17 1/4 inches (off the chart). So she must be getting the big head because we're always telling her how pretty she is. Enjoy the pictures below (that my wonderfully talented husband took) and check out her blog if you want to see more.

(This is my baby jewelry she is wearing in this picture. My mom saved it and gave it to me at the hospital)

Conversations in Wal-Mart - Episode 1

I do my weekly grocery shopping at WalMart and it's now a much more pleasant and less stressful experience since I can go during the week and during less busy hours. This also gives me time to talk to people, which happens often now because the cutest little girl in the world is riding in my cart :) I've had some interesting conversations, so I thought I would share. I call this Episode 1 because I'm sure there will be others. And I must confess this first one isn't a conversation I was involved in, I was eavesdropping.

Male Oil and Lube Employee: Well are you?
Female Seasonal Aisle Product Stocker: (doesn't say anything, looks down and away)
M: Well, are you?
F: What are you going to do if I am?
M: I don't know, have a baby. Are you? (he then proceeds to lift up her shirt a little and look at her stomach) Are you?
F: (she's still looking down and nods yes)
M: Well how far along?
F: I don't know.
M: (seeing a friend of his) Hey Joe, what's up? ( he walks off)

I blog about this for a couple of reasons. At first it's a bit comical, especially the fact that they were having this conversation in the space of a 4 foot wide aisle, with me, a total stranger standing next to them. And then it's a little sad. I'm sure the young lady and young man were both scared to death considering the young lady claims she's pregnant. I sat there and thought "You should say something, she might need help", the other voice said "You're just being silly and nosy, walk away". The first voice won. I asked the girl if she was okay and if the young man was bothering her. She said she was fine and he was her ex. I said I just wanted to make sure she was okay.

So yeah, I was eavesdropping and nosy but I couldn't push aside the thought that maybe she needed someone to talk to and had nowhere to go and maybe a stranger is the safest person for her to talk to. No conversation developed, but I felt like at the very least letting her know someone cared was important. I think this is part of "the kingdom of God is among you" like in Luke 17:21.

What does it look like to be "the kingdom" among the world? Is it acceptable to interfere in a strangers life? Do we step into situations that aren't are business? I know a God who was concerned for everyone and His son stepped into the lives of a lot of strangers.