The News - Time to think about happy things

I am glad that the US government is communicating with the Iraqi government about the horrid things happening there. And, I am glad the my government seems willing to offer some help.

Because we lived in the Middle East for almost 6 years, I still find myself reading news coming out of the region. Being a news junkie, I find it hard not to pick up my phone or my iPad and not check the latest headlines. And right now, it just all feels so terribly depressing.  A good friend of mine is originally from Lebanon. She was concerned about going their for summer holiday to visit family because of things happening in the region.  I just read a news story about a bombing in Beirut. I read this morning that for the first time in 1600 years, no mass was said at church in Nineveh this past Sunday. Just depressing stuff.

So...along that line of thought....here are some happy thoughts....

My cat Max curled up peacefully asleep in a sunbeam.

My dog Jesse rolling on her back in the grass with all four legs in the air as she delights in all the outdoor green-ness

My kids trying to have a fight about who gets the TV but they end up trying to out-do each other with goofy voices thus the 'fight' ends in giggles.

The smell of rain right before the clouds let forth.

The sight of my daughter's hamster coming right up to her with no fear hoping for a hamster treat.

The joy of a cheap but totally delicious snow cone bought from a snow cone shack in a summer rain storm.

The smell of chocolate chip cookies just before they come out of the oven all warm and gooey.

Peace.

Volunteering at Vacation Bible School

Well, to show you my true stripes at the moment, I am ditching VBS. After working with kids through the year (and I do love working with kids), I desperately needed a break. A break for the not so important things in my life like plunking down at my computer and writing on my blog, for instance. And shoveling out my master bathroom. It was really gross. I probably should hire a housekeeper if I'm working full-time. The trash growled at me, and the air intakes on the whirlpool tub were breeding some interesting slimy life forms.

My offspring, on the other hand, are serving at VBS. They both are having fun, but they were both exhausted when I picked them up yesterday from church.  Munchkin #2 got in the car and proclaimed, "The kids - they're crazy."

Here are a few stories I heard from my munchkins about the little VBS students yesterday:
dumping sand down each others shirts
dumping sugar from the shaker in the craft room
chewing on name tags
stuffing entire name tag into mouth
landing on face after jumping from swing and getting a nose full of artificial grass bits

I asked my kids if they were interested in ever becoming teachers. They proclaimed rather quickly in unison, "NO."  I laughed and told them, "Now imagine trying to get those same kids to sit still 45+ minutes at a time and get them to learn math." My youngest actually shuddered. My eldest said, "Mom, there were some who couldn't sit still for even 5 minutes." Yup. I get it.

Both my kids, upon arriving at our home, grabbed a snack and headed off to separate sofas for long 3+ hour naps.

What is interesting to me about this, aside from the fact that I am proud my kids are serving in the community, is that my kids seem to quickly be gaining a deeper respect for the work that I do to help put money into the college savings accounts.

I can't wait to hear their stories today.

Peace.

 

Praying for those in harm's way

 

 

I had to post this picture of my snuggle monster, Max. As soon as I sit down on the sofa, Max moves in for the snuggle. Just needed to post something happy.

 

Well, about to have a lot of opinionated stuff flowing out of my fingertips as I type this. Are you ready?  Well, here goes.

 

 

I have been reading the news coming out of Iraq. Horrible stuff.  The first thing I read was a social networking/website post from Canon Andrew White (aka the Vicar of Baghdad). Here's an official Anglican church link to the latest:

http://cypgulf.org/urgent-prayer-needed-iraqi-christians/  For me, yes I do worry for the Christians since they are a minority, but I also worry for all the innocent people caught in the paths of extremists.

 

Next, here is a link to a Reuter's article that seemed reasonably comprehensive:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/06/13/us-iraq-violence-idUSKBN0EN0RV20140613

 

 

So, reading all this horrible news coming out of Iraq, I can't begin to imagine what goes through the minds of those who were part of the American forces stationed there for so long. So many Americans gave their all there, so much money was spent to teach/train Iraqi military. So many lives were lost - Iraqi and American.

 

I found another article from NBC news talking about this:

http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/iraq-turmoil/iraq-violence-opens-old-wounds-vets-n130161

 

So, now for my opinionated stuff......

 

I have a beautiful blue scarf that was made by women of the Mother's Union at St. George's Church in Baghdad. I gave a pink one to my own mother. For me, when I think of the horror of such a frightening militant group plowing towards the city these mothers live in, it is not just a story on NBC news. I have met some of the people from that church. I have shared a coffee with them, prayed with them, worshipped with them. Frankly, I don't know how the US can keep from getting involved again. I understand that it is not likely to have US 'boots on the ground' there, but if Iraq is willing to take help from 'the other side of the pond' over there, then it seems like diplomatically the US stands a lot to lose from not at the very least offering airstrikes. It just seems that the US should be doing something.

 

Do I feel that it is the job of the US to police the whole world? No, of course not. But, if a government is asking for our help, and we are already involved in that country, then don't we have a responsibility to help? Besides, what is going to happen if this dangerous group with the black flags gets greater support in terms of money and equipment? Can the US afford to take an 'isolationist' stance towards what is happening?

 

Praying for peace.