Writing From Home

How Many People Share Your Name?

There are 305,704,433 people in the U.S.
Ever wonder how many of them share your name?

Now you can find out at HowManyofMe.com

Just so you know, there are 3853 Elizabeth Thompsons in the U.S. But there is only one me!

So, how many people share your name? Let me know.

Enjoy,

Beth

Remembering the Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster

 

I remember it well. There was a great deal of media coverage leading up to the Challenger launch on January 28, 1986. It was a tremendously exciting event, heightened by the fact that the first American civilian, an elementary school teacher named Christa McAuliffe, was part of the crew.

Students all across the country were watching the shuttle launch from their classrooms. I was watching from work. That meant I stood between exercise bikes in the health club where I managed the reception desk, my eyes fixed on the large screen TV. I stood among two dozen women who had just completed an aerobics class. I remember we were all very excited.

Official portrait of STS 51-L crewmembers. From left to right in the back row, Ellison S. Onizuka, Sharon Christa McAuliffe, Greg Jarvis and Judy Resnik. From left to right in the front row, Mike Smith, Dick Scobee, and Ron McNair. (Nov. 15, 1985) Picture courtesy the NASA Johnson Space Center (NASA-JSC).

The Space Shuttle Challenger had a beautiful lift-off. The crowd around me applauded. People in the weight room, locker rooms and racquetball courts heard the excitement and gathered to see what was happening.

The Space Shuttle Challenger lifting off at the Kennedy Space Center. (January 28, 1986)Picture courtesy the NASA Kennedy Space Center.

A few seconds later, as the applause faded, the shuttle exploded!

I remember looking around me at the stunned faces. I'm sure my own reflected the shock and disbelief I felt. Immediately, I thought of the schoolchildren who were watching. Christa McAuliffe's school had been featured on the news that morning. I knew they were watching and had just witnessed a beloved teacher's death. My heart broke for them.

At about 76 seconds, fragments of the Orbiter can be seen tumbling against a background of fire, smoke and vaporized propellants from the External Tank. The left Solid Rocket Booster flies rampant. The cloud envelops the disintegrating Orbiter. (1986) Picture courtesy the NASA Johnson Space Center (NASA-JSC).

I remember the silence on the TV as the news anchors struggled to gain their composure and continue reporting the news. They speculated whether anyone could have survived such a catastrophic event. The consensus at the gym was no possible way.

As I watched the news stories in the days following the disaster, I remember thinking that these brave souls left this life wholeheartedly chasing their dreams. They had each worked and studied and prepared for this journey that would change their lives forever. They knew the risks involved and decided the fulfillment of their dreams was worth the risk.

I wonder what your dreams are. What are you willing to risk to make your dreams come true?

If you are like me, your dreams are not so "out of this world" and your risk level much more moderate. And though we don't risk our lives to make our dreams a reality, we certainly admire those who do.

Reflectively,

Beth

Rex Babin's Interpretation of 'Miracle on the Hudson'

This was posted in the Sacramento Bee. Thanks to Sandy B. who sent it to me. I knew you would enjoy it, too!

Gratefully,

Beth

Children a Drain on the Economy?

So, please help me to understand this…

The Democrat party claims to be "for" the lower class, the middle class, the hard working people of America. Yet they insinuate that these people should NOT REPRODUCE because they are a drain on our economy.

 

From Drudge Report:

PELOSI SAYS BIRTH CONTROL WILL HELP ECONOMY
Sun Jan 25 2009 22:13:43 ET

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi boldly defended a move to add birth control funding to the new economic "stimulus" package, claiming "contraception will reduce costs to the states and to the federal government."

Pelosi, the mother of 5 children and 6 grandchildren, who once said, "Nothing in my life will ever, ever compare to being a mom," seemed to imply babies are somehow a burden on the treasury.

The revelation came during an exchange Sunday morning on ABC's THIS WEEK.

STEPHANOPOULOS: Hundreds of millions of dollars to expand family planning services. How is that stimulus?

PELOSI: Well, the family planning services reduce cost. They reduce cost. The states are in terrible fiscal budget crises now and part of what we do for children's health, education and some of those elements are to help the states meet their financial needs. One of those - one of the initiatives you mentioned, the contraception, will reduce costs to the states and to the federal government.

STEPHANOPOULOS: So no apologies for that?

PELOSI: No apologies. No. we have to deal with the consequences of the downturn in our economy.

God has a different view of children.

Psalm 127:3-5

3 Sons are a heritage from the LORD,
       children a reward from him.

 4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
       are sons born in one's youth.

 5 Blessed is the man
       whose quiver is full of them.
       They will not be put to shame
       when they contend with their enemies in the gate.

 

Okay, I'm getting off my soapbox and on my knees. Please join me.

Prayerfully,

Beth

Waiting for Spring

It happens every year at the same time. I hit a wall. Christmas is a memory, the New Year begins and so does everything else: Bible Study, school, Mom's group, sports….

All of a sudden I feel like I wake up Monday morning and step onto a greased slide. The next thing I know it is Friday and I'm wondering where the days went. The weeks pass in rapid succession and I can't seem to catch up.

It must be the shorter days. Or the fact that sipping hot chocolate with the kids turns me into a slug. Or that cold weather makes me want to hibernate.

Whatever the reason, I am overloaded. I look at all I have to do and think, It will still be there tomorrow. And apparently it will, because it didn't get done today.

I know in a week or two, I'll be back up to speed and this January Funk will be over.

Waiting for Spring,

Beth

Krochet Kids International: Fighting Poverty with Opportunity

What happens when you combine several university students, crochet hooks, and a passion to change the world? A fantastic program that enables people in Northern Uganda to rise above poverty. And some pretty cool hats, too!

Read all about Krochet Kids here. By ordering products hand-made by women in Uganda and you can be part of the solution to their poverty.

Gratefully,

Beth

Jessica’s Favorite Beauty Products Giveaway

 

 

Ladies, it is 2009! If your beauty routine needs a little help (or you just love free fabulous beauty products), pop on over to The Russo Corner before January 12 and enter Jessica's Favorite Beauty Products giveaway. This is the best blogging giveaway I have seen. Go check it out.

To the Rescue?

What would you do if a family you knew suddenly became homeless? It is a question requiring some prayer, some thought and some action.

It is a question I was confronted with this past week when Brandilyn Collins posted an urgent prayer request on Facebook for Liz and Katy (a widowed mom and her 16 year old daughter) who had just been evicted from their home and were living in their car. The story captivated my attention. Liz and Katy put names and faces to the fears we have for ourselves and our loved ones in these painful economic times.

I prayed immediately for Liz and Katy while my husband searched the internet for support organizations in their area. They live in Campbell, CA. I forwarded the information, but knew that wasn't enough and continued to pray.

About the same time, Brandilyn began using her PayPal account for donations to help Liz and Katy. Money started to trickle in. I knew that would help, but only until the funds run out. I continued to pray. I know from reading Brandilyn's blog and Facebook page that many, many people are also praying.

Through Brandilyn's PR connections, the media became involved. ABC and NBC both interviewed Liz and Katy. CNN picked up the story and now Good Morning America will interview them next week.

Liz and Katy will get the help they need, but that's still not enough. Many others are teetering on the brink of homelessness. So, I continue to pray.

I believe that as the Body of Christ we are charged with the responsibility and privilege to help those who are in need. We cannot wait for the government to step in, or for someone else to help them. It is our job!

Now back to my original question: What will you do if a family you know suddenly becomes homeless?

I hope we will all follow Brandilyn's example and use our networks, our influence, our finances, and our prayers to help those in need.

We must jump in and take hold of those who are swimming in the dangerous waters of homelessness and help them to shore.

 

If you want to help Liz and Katy or learn more about their story, go to Anywhere but Here. To help others in distress, pray for a sensitive heart and I'm sure God will provide opportunities.

Win Two Tickets to the Inauguration

Hey bloggy friends, here's our chance to attend the inauguration:

The Presidential Inaugural Committee is hosting a 200-word essay contest (with a minimum $5 donation). Ten winners will receive a pair of tickets to the inauguration, transportation and hotel accommodations. More details are available here.

Will you enter the competition?

 

Happy New Year!

Beth