Socialism

We interupt our regular posts for this important lesson:

An economics professor at Texas Tech said he had never failed a single student before but, had once failed an entire class. The students in that class had insisted that socialism worked--that under socialism no one would be poor and no one would be rich--that socialsm is a great equalizer.

The professor then said, "OK, we will have an experiment in this class on socialism. All grades will be averaged and everyone will receive the same grade so that no one will fail and no one will receive an A."

After the first test the grades were averaged and everyone got a B. The students who studied hard were upset and the students who studied little were happy.

But, as the second test rolled around, the students who'd studied little had studied even less and the ones who'd studied hard decided they wanted a free ride too, so they studied little. The average for the second test was a D.
No one was happy!

When the 3rd test rolled around the average was an F!

The scores never increased because bickering, blame and name calling all resulted in hard feelings and, no one would study for the benefit of anyone else.

To their great surprise, all the students failed. The professor told them that socialism would also ultimately fail because when the reward is great, the effort to succeed is great. But, when the government takes all the honestly-earned rewards away, no one will want or try to succeed.

There could not be any simpler explanation of socialism versus capitalism than this!

OK, back to our regular post writing.

Giveaway Reminder

Don't forget my giveaway ($25 gift card of your choice) on April 15th. If you haven't already done so, go read this post and leave me a comment. That will automatically enter you as a contestant. I hope you win!

Not Your Ordinary Love Story, Part Two

From: Amazing Journey, Amazing Grace

As the reality of singleness set in, I became acutely aware of how many things I was now responsible for. I needed to earn enough money to keep a roof over my head; I needed to keep that roof, and everything below it, clean, maintained and repaired; and, I needed to keep all the inhabitants under that roof well-fed and healthy. Wow! How could I ever manage all of these responsibilities as a single mom?! As a single homestay mom?! I needed superhuman strength--and wisdom, too.

One day I felt particularly overwhelmed by the enormity of my responsibility and my inability to get everything done. How could I keep up? I was sooo tired. All I could do was pray and wait for the answer. It came soon enough.

Have you ever read something that really resonated with you? That while you were reading, you just knew those words were meant for you? That while you were reading, the words were almost popping off the page at you?

Well, that’s what happened to me one morning as I sat reading my Bible. I had a strong sense that God was telling me to take particular notice of the words:
“Fear not; you will no longer live in shame. The shame of your youth and the sorrows of widowhood will be remembered no more, for your Creator will be your ‘husband. The LORD Almighty is his name! He is your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, the God of all the earth. For the LORD has called you back from your grief—a young wife abandoned by her husband.” (Living Bible)

Wow! The message couldn’t have been plainer!

In the past God had repeatedly told me not to worry about anything. Now as I read and re-read those verses in Isaiah, it slowly dawned on me that here was the reason why! It was because HE would fill the role of a ‘husband’ in my life. HE would be my protector, my provider and my comforter. HE would make sure there was help when I needed it. I would not be doing everything alone! Once this realization sank in, I was in awe of how freeing is God's love.

First of all, His love frees me to be the real me that He created me to be. I no longer have to ‘walk on eggshells.’ With God I can just relax and be myself. When I pray to Him, I don’t fear he will reject what I'm feeling and saying. He will be patient with me. If I'm wrong, he will gently correct me.

Secondly, His love frees me to be the new me that He is helping me to become. Less insecure, less self-centered, less worried, more loving, more accepting, more patient, more tactful and definitely a lot calmer. Don't get me wrong. I'm no saint, and never will be this side of Heaven. But, at least I'm heading in the right direction.

From that day until the present, as I have looked for answers through daily Bible reading and prayer, God has never gone back on the promise to be my Creator-'husband.' Numerous times, help came in at just the right time for house cleaning, repairs, painting, etc. When I've needed extra money to pay for unexpected expenses, it has always come in--sometimes from the most unexpected sources. In future chapters I will write in more detail about specific incidences.

God has never left me, nor has he ever given up on me. He has always exercised patience and kindness toward me. He has never quit loving me. What an awesome God! I know this is not your ordinary love story, but, I hope it gives you a glimpse into why I love God with all my heart, my soul and my mind!

Now, sometimes God does allow times of testing. But when bad things happen I know He is allowing it for a reason, although that reason might not be clear for awhile. For example, one Saturday afternoon in February 1994, I was relaxing on the sofa when my eyes suddenly focused on a telltale “brown” ring on the ceiling above me. My heart sank. The roof over my head had sprung a leak!

To be continued.

Chapter 6: Not Your Ordinary Love Story, Part One

From: Amazing Journey, Amazing Grace

Before I contine writing about my experiences as a homestay mama, I want to backtrack to June 8, 1985. My marriage was teetering on the brink of collapse. Marriage counseling was not working. I didn’t know what else to do or where to turn. As I crawled into bed that evening in June, I felt helpless and hopeless. I couldn’t sleep and just laid there staring at the ceiling. My feelings were a jumbled mess. My mind refused to think--refused to deal with the problem any longer. I was at the end of my rope.

Then I saw Jesus. His arms were outstretched toward me, palms up--inviting me to come. It wasn't a distinct image, yet it was intense and powerful just the same. I knew it was Him. I could feel His presence in the room--a presence that emanated the most amazing love I have ever felt. Even though this experience was most unusual, I felt no fear. The love I felt from Him was so peaceful, so comforting, so compelling that I wanted to surrender. But, there was a barrier between us!

My sins.

They had to be dealt with once and for all!

Some sins are obvious, but the worst kind lurk just beneath the surface of one’s spiritual heart. One by one as God brought my arrogance, critical spirit, self-righteousness and a host of other sins to the surface, I saw how ugly they were in His eyes. Especially my pride! That seemed to be the major problem in everything He was bringing before me!

I had grown up in a Christian home. I had been a relatively obedient child. I believed in God. I went to church every Sunday. I didn’t do those obviously ‘bad sins,’ which other people did. I tried to live and work ethically, honestly and in harmony with those around me! I gave to the poor and tried to help the less fortunate. Surely all of that counted for something!

But in God’s eyes my goodness counted for nothing. In front of Him the playing field is level. I was no better than the worst of sinners! Seeing myself as God saw me, reduced me to broken humbleness. All pretense was stripped away. There was no place to go but down on my knees, and so I slipped out from under the covers and knelt down beside the bed.

As God brought first one sin after another to the surface, I asked Him to forgive me and remove it from my heart. I don't know how long I was there on my knees, but it seemed like a very long time. When He was finished, I felt like my heart must surely resemble a block of Swiss cheese—full of holes from all the sins He’d carved out! “Oh, Lord,” I prayed. “Don’t leave me like this! Please fill all those holes with your love!”

And He did!

Oh, what a difference! I felt clean inside! I felt peace and joy. But most of all, I felt love--pure love--for the first time in my life! And, I had renewed hope because I knew I now had God's love and his Spirit living inside me. I desired reading the Bible like I'd never desired it before and so I read, and read, and read some more. I felt like a parched desert after a drenching rain! It was wonderful!

Now fast-forward to 1992. Even though I had fervently prayed for God to heal my marriage, my husband left. At that point I could have become bitter, thrown in the towel and turned my back on God. But, I chose to hang on. And, I’m so glad I did!

Tomorrow: Not Your Ordinary Love Story, Part Two.

Melodramatic!

I'M BACK!
MY TAXES ARE DONE! HOORAY!

And, I feel like kicking up my heels and celebrating with a contest! (More on that below.)

Some of my local friends (who read my blog) suggested that my temporary 'goodbye post' last week was leaning a bit toward the melodramatic. So, I'm sorry! Okay?

But, I HATE doing taxes! And last year was a real doozy because of losing my job, going back to school to retrain for a new career, breaking my wrist, having surgery to restore that wrist, having to repair the leaking/molding shower in the bathroom downstairs and finally deciding to quit looking for work and signing up for social security, instead! All of these incidents had to be figured into the equation because every single one of them affected my taxes. So, I was dreading taxes 'worser' (yeah, I know! ) than if I were facing a root canal! So, I hope you can forgive me for succumbing to a little melodrama (and bad English) just this once. OK?

BTW, all that 'grief' from last year added up to a refund from the IRS! So, I'll say it again, "HOORAY, HOORAY, HOORAY!"

So now, because all of you were so patient with me while I ventured into that little melodrama last week, and because I'm feeling so happy right now, here are the rules for the contest:

Just leave me a short comment (or a long one if you'd rather) and tell me whether or not you figure your own taxes, or take them to a tax preparer, or any other comment you'd rather leave.

If you do not live in the USA, you can still enter the contest. Just tell me something about the taxes in your country, or any other comment you'd rather leave.

Then on April 15th (that's tax-reckoning day here in the USA), I'll put all your names into a basket and have one of my homestay students draw out a winning name. I'll announce the winner by 10:00 p.m. PDST (Pacific Daylight Savings Time). The winner will receive a $25 gift certificate to Office Depot, or Office Max, or Staples, or Amazon--the choice is theirs.

HOORAY! Let the celebration begin!

Goodbye, My Friends!

I'm sorry to have to break the sad news, but I'm leaving. You have all become such good friends, which makes leaving all the more difficult. I have enjoyed getting to know each and every one of you--to have laughed with you, cried with you, and even e-mailed some of you. But the truth is I just can't stay any longer.

I don't want to worry you, but life is a little tough right now. No, I'm not dying or anything morbid like that. But the fact is I have responsibilities that are not being met! And being the responsibile person that I am, I can't continue slacking off any longer. I cannot continue shirking my duties. I can't allow myself to be addicted to your blogs any longer!

I'm sorry it had to come down to this--to a face off! But, it's either you or them and, unfortunately, I've got to choose them! My parents taught me to be a woman of honor--to do the right thing. And so, that's why I have to leave.

If I don't look my duty square in the face and leave now, then I am in danger of ending up here! Shudder!



So I must choose the path of responsibility. I can't take this path lightly. It is serious business.

I know all of you would do the same thing if you were in my shoes. Heck, maybe some of you have already been there and you understand exactly what I'm facing!

So, goodbye, dear friends. I'm going to miss you, but I have to go now.

But I'll be back....



....after they're finished with me.



What?!
Did you think I would leave you all forever?
Not in a heartbeat!


Hoping you won't forget me while I'm gone.

Love,

Homestay Mama


...if only it were that simple!

I Love Your Blog Award!

It's been more than a month, and I'm ashamed of myself for taking so long to follow up on an award that my dear bloggy friend, Robynn, at Robynn's Ravings gave to me. She said such sweet things about me that I blushed like a school girl! She called me wise and caring and added a bunch of other thoughtful compliments. She also said, "I want a mama like her only she's too young to be my mama." (If only I really were 'too young!' But, alas, my son turned 40 this year and I was no child bride!)

I hate to spoil Robynn's image of me, but you've got to know the ugly truth! I am no angel! My blog is not witty, or clever or even *noteworthy like hers, but, thank you Robynn for thinking otherwise and for giving me this wonderful award. *Noteworthy as in having The Pioneer Woman read and make a comment on her post!

And, now I'm passing this award on to other blogs that are much more deserving:

1. To Tatersmama at Tatersmama's Take on Things. This lady keeps me bursting with health from her daily posts that evoke deep belly laughter, the best medicine in the whole world! It takes real talent to write about simple topics and turn them into a ROFL post! But, Tatersmama does it all the time! I'm glad I got in on the ground floor--so to speak--before she becomes famous. Because I've come to know how sweet, helpful, kind and encouraging she really is! Once she has the huge following that is bound to come, she'll have no time left to read and leave her witty comments on other people's posts.

2. To Christine at Smiles And Trials who truly inspires me with her posts about her life with 11 children--soon to be 12. Some of their children were born right in their home, while others (some with special needs) have come from as far away as Russia and Ukraine, and have joined them through the miracle of adoption. My hat is off to Christine for sharing her family's smiles and trials with the rest of us! Reading her past posts have brought both laughter and tears to my eyes and I'm in awe of this remarkable family.

3. To Mandy at The Old Dairy for her gardening and sewing skills and her pictures that have inspired me to try gardening again. I actually bought vegetable seeds the other day and am waiting for the weather to warm up! She also inspires me with her ability to get so much done in a day plus take care of seven children, a handful of international exchange students and a husband who is battling cancer. And, still squeeze in time to write interesting posts with neat pictures. How does she do it?!

Wishing everyone a wonderful day,

Love,

Homestay Mama