Bomb Them To Hell!

With all the news out of Iraq, how can the United States NOT act and act strongly & decisive with the Terrorist group ISIS?  This is a group that not only targets Christian and other non Muslims but even targets Muslims!  It's so bad that al-Qaeda cut all ties with the group, reportedly for its brutality and "notorious intractability".  OMG al-Qaeda doesn't want to be associated with them-that should tell us something.  Of course that could be the "pot calling the kettle black" so to speak!

They were started by and supported by a variety of Sunni insurgent groups.  The Sunnis and the Shiites/Shias have fought in Iraq for years.  In fact the beginnings of this particular group goes back to around 2004 when small Sunni groups merged.  "ISIS follows an extreme anti-Western interpretation of Islam, promotes religious violence and regards those who do not agree with its interpretations as infidels and apostates"   Their first goal seems to be the purification of all Muslim countries BEFFORE they can actually undertake  jihad and go after the rest of the world.  For example  ISIS  "regards the Palestinian Sunni group Hamas as apostates who have no legitimate authority to lead jihad, it regards fighting Hamas as the first step toward confrontation with Israel." 

Steve asked us to explain all this to him and the closest way I could was to say that there are all kinds of Muslims just like there are all kinds of Christians. In the Christian faith, there are different denominations but most believe the basic elements of Christianity like Jesus was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died an atoning death, was raised from the dead the 3rd day, ascended to the Father and is coming back.  Ok the Pentecostals, Baptist, Methodists, Presbyterian, Most Independent churches, all Evangelicals, etc have that as a base.  BUT then the Methodist believe in Free Will while the Presbyterians believe in pre destination.....  The Pentecostals believe that the gifts of the Holy Spirit is for today but most Baptist believe they ceased when the last Apostle died.  Most everyone thinks that everyone else is still a Christian even if they don't agree completely with each other doctrinally.  They just figure they are right and the others are wrong!

The DIFFERENCE is we don't kill each other over the differences!!!!

While the radical Muslims kill other Muslims in their quest to be the "right ones" 

So what is the answer for this problem?

So many people are worried about "winning the hearts" of the radical Muslims.....OMG that is an oxymoron if I've ever heard one!  It's almost comical if there was not so much at stake!

Listen think about to WW II.  The Japanese were in a war that they believed in 100%.    There was no "winning their hearts"  They were committed to fight to the death men, women, children.  Our president had to make a decision to drop an atomic bomb on them to prevent many million American deaths that would have occurred if they would have had to fight on the mainland of Japan.   It took TWO atomic bombs before they would concede to the end of the war.   THEN after that massive show of force, Japan did change.  They were a defeated nation that grew into a strong nation.  Now we can not really understand how our grandparents and most of the Eastern world were so afraid of the Japanese.  Little Japan was a HUGE threat to BIG China.  Today can you imagine Japan being a threat to China?  The war and their defeat changed Japan in a huge way.  It brought stability to that area of the world as far as the Japanese menace was concerned.   ( Interesting fact the area of China that Shad is from had heavy fighting during WW II between the Chinese and the Japanese) 

Now I am not saying to send an atomic bomb but I hope that the USA and our president will have the backbone to do what needs to be done.  ISIS even has said one day they will hang their flag from the White House.  Now you may think that is a lot of talk but if you look at what they have done in just the past year and how much money has poured into their organization you will see that it is their goal to take over the world. 

That was Hitler's goal too and he started small in a devastated  country and by working together with Japan and Italy, he came close to his goal.

This world is like a ticking bomb right now.  Between Russia and Radical Muslims,  America and the rest of the world is facing a time where we better stand strong! 

One of the videos I saw on TV a few months ago when ISIS was first really starting to try and take over Iraq was two Muslims men who were truckers were stopped by ISIS.  They could not recite the Muslim prayers like the Sunni group so they were taken to the side of the road and shot.  It was unreal how even the other Muslim groups were targeted.  No mercy shown.

Now with all the horrible reports of the Christians being killed, children and women being beheaded...obviously they are shown no mercy by ISIS so I say let's show ISIS NO mercy and bomb them!!!

From what I'm understanding on the news, the limited air strikes are in rather isolated areas I say the USA go in and bomb them to hell.  There is too much restraint being shown by this White House and if this menace can be stopped now, maybe we won't have to deal with it in 10 years on the White House lawn!!!!  

just my opinion......

Again if you want to help the refugees in Iraqi
 https://giving.ag.org/Give/Details/1a1a0e13-612e-4d3d-94b2-80b231a7fac4?CookieCheck=1
select "46" in the pull down related to "class,"
 and type "Christian Refugee Assistance" in the Comments section.

Thank you!!!

Giving & 160 pills!

Here is how you can give to Iraqi Christian refugees
https://giving.ag.org/Give/Details/1a1a0e13-612e-4d3d-94b2-80b231a7fac4
This is a secure site ran by the Assemblies of God.  Our church gave $400 yesterday and I sent it in today.  I'm telling you that because it is a secure site that I trust. 
DIRECTIONS
Go to the site
select "46" in the pulldown related to "class,"
 type "Christian Refugee Assistance" in the Comments section.

this is what our personal friend who works in the region wrote...

Hello Friends...Many of you have been following and praying for God to intervene in the terrible situation in Iraq related to the Christian refugees who have been driven from their homes. We have 200 of these refugees living in one of our churches just outside the northern Iraqi city of Irbil. The church is housing and feeding them. Many of you have also asked how you can give to help meet the ...needs of these suffering refugees.

So if you are praying and concerned, this is a way you can help.  One thing I do love about the Assembly of God is that when money comes in for projects such as this 100% goes towards the need.  So please help, even if it is $5...everything helps!!!!



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Yesterday after church we went and visited the property!

 

the land is cleared

 

 

 

 

 

 

Steve standing somewhere near where his room will be LOL

 

 

 

 

ok the black pantyhose seemed like a good idea at the time and maybe looked better when I had the black jacket on but......YIKES that looks awful!!!  LOL  

 

 

Then later the boys and I went to a friends house.  This is the scene we saw as we were leaving.  Just beautiful, the picture snapped with my phone does not do it justice at all! 

Yesterday I finally started treatment for the H Pylori bugs I picked up in Ukraine. Jon and I both tested positive a few months ago & he took meds like a good boy. Me on the other hand called the doc when I realized how many pills were involved and begged for a shot or an IV LOL. Since there were  neither, I kept putting it off as I have a hard time swallowing monster pills AND have issues with taking antibodics, I generally have a reaction to them. So I'm now taking 160 pills over the next 10 days. Yesterday I got violently ill for about an hour after the first dose but since then just a vague feeling of nausea. I made it through this morning and now I'm dreading the lunch dose! 

This morning I only got in a little more than a mile before the rain hit.  As soon as I got on the road and could really see the skyline (cuz around my house you can only see trees and right above us) I realized I might not get my 2.5 miles in.  I went ahead and hit the "hill" and did some jogging to even get in the one mile.  But it was beautiful out if I hadn't been worrying about lightening!!!!  

Hope you all are having a great start to the week!!!!

Iraqi Christians

Listening to the news today is so very hard as we hear the reports coming out of Iraqi of the vicious killing of Christians and other minorities.   We had been hearing some reports from friends who work in that area of the world, for some time.  Now mainstream media is reporting and our government is showing some action but not enough in my opinion.  Some friends of ours are involved in humanitarian work and are reaching out to the refugees.  Hopefully by tomorrow I will have some info on how you can be a part of helping these Iraqi Christians. 

The bible teaches us to "weep with those who weep" and also to regard those who are in prison for the gospel's sake as if it were happening to us!  We have to remember this as various trials happen to  Christians and others around the world.  We are living in some very dark times indeed.  We need to stand with others who are in a situation that we have never been in.  Who knows if there might not come a time when we in America face persecution?  Kudos to France for offering them shelter, I hope our country will open its borders for people who are facing real persecution. 

Please pray and think about what you can give to help these in need!  Our church will be taking up an offering tomorrow morning to help the Iraqis who are now refugees!!   We can not always go to a place to help someone in need but we can pray and we can give.  I believe strongly in doing that and this past year has been a year where there have been opportunities to do that. 

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Jon and I have had a quiet day at home with the little ones while Steve & Shad are working at Habitat for Humanity. Never before today have I called there for Steve but I had a question for one of the other workers.  So I called and pretended to be a difficult customer.  Steve handed the phone off to another worker LOL  I couldn't believe he didn't recognize me!    Monday we have a big meeting to go over the whole plan for the house.  Work should be starting in less than TWO months!  Seems unreal:) 

Last week I actually bought something for the house.  I bought Jon & me a new bedspread set.  I love the "beds in a bag"  This one is white....I have probably lost my ever living mind but it was on clearance, I had a 20% off coupon and it is so soft.  The bedspread we have now, BOTHERS me.  Some textures I can not deal with, it's like finger's on a chalkboard to me.  The white will look beautiful but I'm very glad it was on clearance!  I also got a huge rug for Sarah's room  The house will have wood floors and she does not care for wood.  Sarah spends a lot of time on the floor and she likes a rug.  I found a huge piece of cut carpet for her room for $30.  It should cover most of the exposed floor and when it is too dirty, it can be tossed!   Sarah seems to have lots of accidents due to the fact of eating pureed foods and because she is so active.  There have been a few times she has somehow gotten her diaper off.....   Oh speaking of diapers...she is still having some diaper rash.  One of my college friends just sent me some homemade cream and it seems to be helping.  The problem is everything seems to be helping for a little bit but then the rash will flare up.  The dermatologist has sent in two prescriptions but honestly the OTC stuff has done just as well.  I was hoping that something would be THE magic cream for her but we may have to go in to see the doctor.  It never gets past a point and it seems to come and go in intensity.  We use the same diapers, wipes, laundry detergents and soaps as we always have.   When Sarah first got home we had to use organic diapers on her because she seemed allergic to all the diapers we had tried.   Then she became eligible for a program through insurance for diapers and they've been great.  She has used them for over a year with no problem but I'm wondering if the diaper maker is using something new in them.  She is too big for the organic diapers we used to use on her and they are so expensive.  I'm hoping that we will find a solution for her.  I'm glad the bumps don't seem to bother her, they are only on her hips and never grow from the same little area, sometimes they are less and almost gone and then they come back.  I've never ever dealt with any diaper rash till Sarah.  But I tell her all the time I love her diaper rash and all:) 

We have one more week then Shad starts back to school and the teachers begin coming more often for the three little ones.  Steve has two weeks before college starts.  I feel like I'm on the top of a rollercoaster, ready to be hurled down as we try and figure out all of our schedules and who gets what car when.....LOL   It will all work out. 

By the way two friends sent me this link
http://www.wfla.com/story/26233568/police-large-snake-feasting-on-cats-in-port-st-lucie
go read it!  It's about a huge snake that has been killing cats in a town not so far away from us!  That is what I think is happening to the cats.  I've been bringing in the one that is house trained at night although I hate to have a litter box.  So far she has had no accidents.  But I'm still hoping someone would like to foster her. 

Hope you all are having a good weekend.  Remember to pray for the Iraqi Christians!!!!  And give to help them.  Possibly your church or denomination have a way to give towards aid workers in that area.  If not hopefully I'll have some info by tomorrow of how we can partner together. 

Working Hard!

Whew another work day at Habitat for Humanity.  Steve. Shad and I worked 24 hours today between the three of us and feel like we got a lot done.  Shad helped me and we moved the luggage section, the boys' clothes, the curtain/rugs/bath things and we went through all the clothes and took out the stained ones.  Then we shelved all the books that had come in, and put up some carts of donated items.  We organized the hangers and all the glassware.  Steve ran the cash register.  Shad and me worked harder LOL!!!

No Shad did not grow overnight he is standing on a stool!  I'm beat but we had a really good time working as always.  We volunteer with some great folks who show love to our family.  

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I want you to read the article below that tells the story of one of Sam's doctors and a friend of mine.  His son contacted Primary Amoebic Meningitis, and died from it.  It happened suddenly.  His parents did not wallow in their grief, although God knows they could have.  They are telling their story to help protect others!!!  Please read this!  It might save a life!

http://www.tampabay.com/news/health/parents-on-a-mission-to-raise-awareness-of-deadly-amoeba/2192009


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My heart is with the Iraqi Christians and so are my prayers.  So thankful the USA is doing something to help them even if it only to protect our interest in the region.  Truly wish this country would do more.  Please pray that God will sustain these saints as they are facing death and martyrdom.  As I read news reports and watch tv, I wonder if I would stand for Jesus like these people are being asked to do?     God be with them and deliver them!

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Odd Day!

Some days I don't even know how to share what happens to us....  yesterday I was approached by a lady while I was walking that obviously had some issues.  Then later somehow she ended up at my house.  It was just a very odd occurrence to say the least.  We just took it in stride, when I was telling my husband all the details, he just said "the story of our life "What about Bob?" (our favorite movie) "  He was quite nonchalant about the whole thing LOL  I was hoping I wouldn't run into her this morning!

Yesterday we noticed that three of our outdoor cats are missing.  Two of them never really left the yard.  Every summer we have something take our cats.  We have a few neighbors and we all look out for each other.  We are the only ones who have outdoor cats.  One guy has some chickens but he puts them in a pen at night and he has several loud dogs.  The others have indoor pets.  This started happening two years ago.  I really think that someone let loose a python in the swamp behind our house.  We never find fur, bones, blood or anything.  The dog never barks nor do we hear fighting sounds. 

We have two cats that are people friendly.  Both spayed females and we are looking for a home for them or at least someone to foster them until we move in December.  Both have been indoor cats.  If you are interested in them contact me at  theclanton5@aol.com.    THANKS!

Last night I had gone out with some friends and Steve went to youth group.  We came back home together around midnight and when we got out of the car, we heard an alligator bellowing very loudly.  It was either looking for a mate or really ticked off about something!  We got inside quick!!  (And no we never have gators come up, we have a double fence.  and no I don't think they got the cats as two of the cats never really left the yard.)  We are not afraid at all about gators, in 8 years only have seen two out of the woods.  But it was just the fitting ending to the day. 

It was just an odd day all around.......  What can I say?

TROLLS & School

Sometimes I have no idea of what I'm going to write about when I start a blog (can't you tell?).  Other times it just flows.  Right now I could just flow....but I am showing restraint, which is hard for me.  Folks just continue to keep the Mussers in your prayers.  The trolls are busy being nasty.  I never go on any sites just read what some friends sent me, I know those nasty people love to see hits on their blogs so I will not add to their blogs!!!  And yes we were included in their discussion and compared to the Mussers.

Wonder how many orphans those trolls have adopted?  Some of them say they are adoptive parents but I doubt it and since they don't even give their names, there is no way to really know the truth.   Can't help but wonder how many orphan projects they help fund?  I would imagine ZERO adoptions and ZERO giving to any type of project that might make some child's life a little better. 

When people give a false name or no name you have to take EVERYTHING they write with a huge grain of salt.  Let me tell you I have no problem stating my opinions and I have NO problem signing my name to those statements. I'm a real person.  I don't hide behind silly made up names or anonymous.   If I have a problem with something in the adoption community I have no issue saying where I stand and I don't try to completely tear down the other side either. 

If you have noticed, I've distanced myself from many in the adoption community because of the inner fighting.  Honestly I think most people really want to do the best they can for orphan care and I don't think anyone is the devil (except for the trolls) .  I just don't care to be involved in any way!  I'm in NO groups nor do I plan to be.  As I learn of situations and opportunities to be involved in various projects I will raise money for those situations but I do not care to know anything behind the scenes  At one point I was in two different groups, both groups believing the other was the devil.....LOL  it was like a train wreck to watch and quite entertaining.  

Back to the trolls...what spineless hateful people.  They say whatever they want but again have no balls to put their names to it.  How juvenile.  How can anyone take something a person like that says seriously??  I sure do not!

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Today I had an IEP meeting for all three little ones to discuss their schooling for this coming year.  Not all areas were discussed as not everyone was there.  Overall it was a good meeting.  There was discussion regarding the three teachers I let go because of various reasons.  One told a nurse and my son that she'd lost custody of her small children due to charges of abuse!  One was very nasty acting towards Sarah and our regular teacher and another one yelled at Sam in front of me.   Since I won't allow these teachers/therapists to work with the kids they don't have anyone else who can do home bound education for the three of them in the various areas.  Thankfully they have a vision and academic teacher that has worked with Sam for 7 years that does the majority of their education.   Anyhow the school board is out of compliance because they can't get a teacher that I'm comfortable with for the other areas.  So they are sending me a letter to detail this and I informed them I'd be sending them a letter detailing WHY those teachers were let go!   Also one of them I had asked to have removed, sent in a recommendation saying that the kids were "not ready" for her specific skill to be taught.  That was such a crock!  Before the incident happened when I asked that she be removed, she had upped the time she spent with them as she was seeing progress so we dealt with that too.   Either the folks I deal with are nicer than they used to be or I'm just so resigned to fighting for the kids, I don't even get mad anymore LOL  We can have an all out discussion and when it's over, we just carry on a conversation about whatever LOL!   

One good thing that came out of this meeting is Sam will have a behavioral therapist to help us with some of his behaviors.  Sam has bit his right pointer finger for years.  It has a corn on it.  Occasionally he will pinch himself.  These are called "self injuring" behaviors.  We deal with them by often taking him outside or doing something physical with him like play on the big ball.  That may be reinforcing his behavior since he gets something good out of the behavior we do not want to see.   I'm excited to work with someone who can give us some pointers on dealing with this as we worry about it getting worse.   With Sam it goes in cycles.  Right now he is in a good place, still biting his finger but that's been about it except for one day he pinched himself.   We have tried meds but they didn't seem to make a difference except one makes him sleepy.  I think I shared on here about our quest...we've tried two different ones that we stopped and now he has an anti anxiety med to take as needed.  We'd like to learn other ways of dealing with this!


Yesterday I was able to get Shad's "Step Up For Students" scholarship finished.  It's a scholarship that pays for a child to go to private school in Florida.  he has gotten it for years but this year the program was not satisfied with the paperwork I'd submitted so I redid it and I think he'll have it for next school year, starting in just weeks!

Steve is registered and got his classes set for the fall at the college.  He was happy to find that his best friend and him have a class together without even trying to work it out:)  He is taking just one hour under a full load but I thought that was fine for his first semester and he'll be working close to full time.   He want to work, I would have been happy with him just going to school but he is so excited about working at Habitat for Humanity

So everyone is pretty set for the school year to begin. 

So this is a post that is totally about two different topics! 

Hope you all are having a good week!


PS...just heard that the Torez Orphanage is being moved.  I have no idea HOW they will move 400 special needs people through a war zone.  God be with them!!!  Please pray that everyone is moved safely!

Back to the Future and Puree Foods

Have you ever heard of the book "Deceptively Delicious" by Jessica Seinfeld?  I've had it for years and used it some.  It's a cookbook that uses vegetable and fruit puree as part of recipes to ensure the family gets more veggies & fruits.  There was a time when I added puree` to most of our meals but it does take more time and I'd gotten away from it.

Well this morning I began working on those purees!  I steamed carrots, cauliflower and green peas, then pureed all of them (separately) and put them in baggies to freeze.  Then I scooped out an avocado and some previously cooked sweet potatoes and pureed them and froze them.  Then I made a big salad and cut up some tomatoes to put separate.  I also chopped up an onion to have ready to add to anything I need to.  I also have green pepper and celery chopped up.  It seems easier to do it all at once and then be ready for the week.

 

this is what they look like.  Then they are frozen and I use one bag at all time.  All are 1/2 cup sizes. 

 

the apples cooking.  They will get pureed in the mixer and be ready for Sarah!

Then I cut and scooped out a watermelon, washed grapes and cut up apples and put them in the crock pot for homemade applesauce. 

So we are set for purees and fresh veggies/fruits all week.  I've found if things are ready to eat, kids will tend to eat them much better than if they have to do it themselves!!!   I'm TIRED!

It's a great book, I think there is actually two of them by Jessica Seinfeld (yes Jerry's wife)  It can really help if you have picky eaters (or if YOU are a picky eater!  LOL  like me!)  

Tonight I'm making Shrimp Jambalaya, one of the easiest and most loved meals in our home!

 Recently I've discovered organic pureed baby/toddler food for Sarah.  Some times what we eat for a meal just will not puree, like a sandwich or even tonight's meal so these food packets are great for nights like that!   I love the organic ingredients and the fact we can take them with us and just squeeze the meal out into a bowl.  Yesterday at the grocery store I got a bit carried away and bought about $50 of them!!  But it is so nice for me, when we go places, it is a constant concern if they will have food that I can feed her.  This discovery has made me really happy!  Makes life easier for me!!  And she loves them!!   They have a great taste, cuz you know I had to try them!!   She really loves the fruit ones, all kinds of different flavors.

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I shared all the above since that's been the focus of my day but I'm thinking about something altogether different.

We've been watching the movie trilogy of "Back to the Future"  We've seen I and II and I guess we will finish up with III tonight.   Of course I watched it some years ago BUT not in the theater cause I was in Bible college in 1985 and we were not allowed to go to movies!   So I must have seen it on video.  One thing I didn't remember was all the unnecessary cussing!!!

But it took us back in time to the 80's.  What a decade for me, I graduated from high school and from college and got married.....  I love the hair, the clothes style, the WHITE Nikes with the colored symbol, the music.....the 80's were great! 

So the movie made me think of time travel.  What if it were actually possible???  Of course I know it's not but IF I could go back to 1985 I'd tell my 20 year old self some things!!!

I'd tell myself to first of all TRUST God more, have more fun, relax a little, ( I was a pretty up tight young person-really busy working, going to school, being in ministry)   I'd also tell myself to leave a few guys the HECK alone.....that would have solved some problems for me BIG times LOL!!!!! 

AND I would have told my younger self to TALK to that cute guy that I'd meet in a class in 1986 instead of giving him the cold shoulder!!!!   Then we might would have been married THREE years sooner!!!!!  And we both would miss out on some heartaches!

I'd have so much advice and I'd have a whole list of things for myself to avoid....if I could go "back to the future"

But we can't go back......

We are only 11 days from our two year anniversary of the accident.  Oh if I could only go back to about 10:30 am that day.  Instead of Jon and the little ones going walking, I'd just ask him to stay with me.  If I hadn't had foot surgery the Thursday before, we would have probably gone to Letchworth State Park where we usually go when we are up in Rochester.  If only I'd put off the foot surgery till AFTER our trip but I did it before because school was starting the Monday after we got back.  (the accident happened on Wednesday, we had expected to leave NY on Thursday after meeting with the doctor, we would have been home Saturday and School was starting on that Monday) 

Anyhow this year is easier than last but it hurts.  This year I can truly say despite everything that has happened, I'm so relieved my girls are with us.  The orphans are getting bombed, shot at and going without.  Our little girls are safe and well taken care of.   Every need is met for them.  I read somewhere where some troll who of course didn't have the balls to put his/her name mocked me for thinking Selah was better off with her since "we let the accident happen"   But I know Selah and Sarah are better off with us than in an orphanage  being bombed.   

Anyway....just some thoughts I am having. 

Please continue to keep the Musser family in your prayers.