religion and politics

It is Monday night and a very Mondayish Monday it was. I've always liked Mondays as it is a new start to an unwritten week. This week has a very full calendar but no worries, i've got it covered with my new phone. Seriously, what did I do before this? Ah, technology at its finest. Do you ever wonder if we'll laugh at ourselves fifty years from now just as we do at records and the 888 computers? It remains to be seen.
This week is crammed full and while the phone is great it unfortunately cannot teach my children (although I did get a math facts app), cook dinner (although I did use siri to find a recipe for oatmeal this morning), or run errands (although amazon.com is one of my dearest friends). It is also very bad at cuddling sweet babies who need lots of caring for - looks like I am not losing my job to the iphone quite yet. Whew.
I meant to do a run down of our school week last week but here it is already monday and I didn't get it done. Perhaps it is better for me not to remember all the details after all. We took a video of Kaiden expounding on the lessons of the week but as it ended up five minutes long I decided not to bore my kind readers with it. Lets just say the Mongols made quite the impression and even Ellis remembers what we learned about last week.
I feel we are getting in to a groove with lessons and such. We have our "core" work and Tapestry and we alternate days on what we start with. I love the idea of consistency but the truth is if I did the same thing in the same order every day I really would get so bored with it. So we mix it up a little. It usually goes something like this though: God's Names, CC Timeline, FLL, WWE, NAC, PL, SP, MUS, SM, REAL, TOG. Okay, I just had to write it out like that as that's my code language in my lesson plans. Some of you might have gotten some of that. The rest of you - consider yourself blessed with more brain cells than I am currently working with.
Now, politics. They say there are two things never to be discussed at a dinner party and that would be religion and politics. After having had a close relationship with both for a little while now I am fully aware why this would be the rule. Religion I hold near and dear - my heart is fully engaged and I will never belong just to me. I have been bought with a price haven't I? Politics on the other hand - be careful not to hold it too near as you will most likely acquire some damage. Hold it firmly though with a strength given to make a difference in a crooked world.
I am the last person on earth one would expect to be involved in politics and the truth is my involvement flows out of an ever growing love and admiration for Owen. Have I said lately how absolutely amazing he is? I have never met anyone else so naturally gifted with an ability to lead graciously and yet with strength. He recently announced his candidacy for State Rep. here in Colorado and over the past few weeks we have had countless discussions on the way things are, the way things should be, and the way we can create a culture that encourages others to flourish. The powers that be don't seem to support our Divinely inspired decision to take a risk in order to be salt and light. Ah, Republican party, how...funny you are to me. It is mind boggling, baffling, and past my mind's understanding the game that politics is. Even odder is that these people love to play it. I am a simple girl and an outsider in this arena and I will just say here and now that I have every intention of remaining that way.
That being said I have surprised even myself at how strong my thoughts and opinions become when Owen is criticized. Again, I am amazed by how kind and gracious Owen always is in his response towards those who are trying to turn him from this direction. His example of perseverance and determination in pursuing something that really has very little personal gain has inspired and challenged me. He really does love people and wants to see others do well.
There, all that tells you why I am not in politics. It was completely emotional and said very little. Oh wait, maybe I would fit right in right now. Ha! I like what I do and I am thankful Owen is pursuing something that will continue to give me the right to do what I love.
Last year when he ran I was a basket case as I always am when pregnant so it was hopeless to try to keep track of anything. It was survival mode. This year is a new year though and while supposedly I lost another 25% of my brain upon the birth of another child I am going to make an attempt to at least try to make an effort to remember this time in life. Hmm, on the other hand, maybe just as with school documentation perhaps it would be for the best just to have a vague recollection of these days. Ah well, for better or for worse God has called us to great things for His glory and it is a joy to walk in them.
May His Shalom be your's this evening my friend.

pumpkin carving at our friend's Autumn party

of course she would want the baby one