Beware of Strangers!

This is the wreath from a couple of days back. It will take some time to dry and I know now about how much honeysuckle I will need. This wreath actually took a laundry basket full. I’m going to play with it a little more and I’ll let you know how things are going.

*I’ve been asked, btw, if they still smell like honey suckle. Alas, they do not. I wish they did. My son said that they actually have a slight smell of cooked pumpkin! That’s just as good to me but I’m sure some of you wouldn’t find it quite as appealing. It’s really not enough to smell at all now!

Angie was nice enough to email me the book information from yesterday’s post. It is:

Home Safe Home by Debra Lynn Dadd

“Protecting Yourself and Your Family from Everyday Toxics and Harmful Household Products.

Inside you’ll find:

Learn About the Health Effects of and Safe Alternatives To:
-Tap water and processed foods
-Home and garden pesticides
-Over-the-counter medications
-Synthetic fibers and fabrics
-Carpeting and furniture
-Cleaning products
-Beauty products
-Home office products

Plus Hundreds of inexpensive do-it-yourself formulas and mail order sources”

It sounds like a resource everyone should have for their home…I’m going to be looking for mine.

On my soap box today, I have to mention that I read an article in the Scouting magazine that I receive (my hubby is a scout leader), it is called “Stranger Danger: Dangerously Overstated?”.

I was horrified to read this writer encouraging parents to keep danger from strangers in “perspective”. He quotes a Richard Louv as saying “Is our growing cultural agoraphobia making kids safer? Or sicker?” because he feels that parents over protecting (this is my paraphrase, not his exact wording) is going to turn out a generation of diminished “mental and physical health and well as an inablility to make indepedent judgements and the practiced use of senses.”

O.K., I’m just a parent…I’m not a Dr., I don’t hold any special credentials …just a mom.

Is it just me or am I missing something? Children really don’t have the ability to make independent judgement and ummm, they don’t have the practiced use of senses….that’s why they have PARENTS!

He rattles off some statistic saying that parents really shouldn’t be overly concerned with strangers due to the fact that in 1999, only 115 children were abducted. I’m wondering if any of the parents of the 115 children that were snatched were asked what they thought of continuing to teach children about the dangers that lurk.

He goes on to say that America is safer from the threat of abductions from strangers for children now than it was in 1975…did it ever occur to this man that is because parents are more educated and they are now actively teaching their children to be cautious!?!

UGH!!! The bottom line is, love your kiddos! Protect them! Watch over them! Do what you can to keep them safe! I think most of us are smart enough to know that this doesn’t mean that you lock them away in a tower somewhere where nothing can ever harm them or they can’t ever learn what life has to offer.

At the same time, we all need to wake up and realize that we don’t need to just let life happen to our little ones. We should be actively teaching and nurturing them so that they will grow up with the values, respect, and wisdom that they need.

I’m stepping back down now.

O.K., Maybe not.

This article and many like it are a great example of “experts” telling parents how children should be raised. Does anyone ever stop to ask, “how many children has this person raised themselves?”, and “if they even have children, how are they turning out?”! Are they productive members of society or are they the same thing that it seems many are turning out these days….self centered, immature adults who think that the world owes them?

The Bible is really the only reliable resource that parents have! What does it say about protecting your children? What does it say about training and nurturing your children?

Prayer Requests:

My little Emma has had an upset tummy for the last few days. I think that it’s just teething but we could use the prayer just the same.

I’m trying to think of ways to make the outside of my home look nicer, please pray that the Lord will show me inexpensive ways that I can beautify my home. I know that this sounds frivolous but I really feel like not just me but my home as well is supposed to be a witness to those who live around us. I want it to welcome people who are passing by.

Paul has been working *very* long hours this week. Please pray that the Lord would direct his path and give him strength and endurance during this time.

The Martin Family…we’re still praying for you! 🙂

Today, I’m Thankful For:

The craft ideas that I’ve been finding for my Mother’s Day gift.

Our first Concierge machine is finally installed in a local hotel….we haven’t had any issues and we’re finally in a hotel! PTL!

My children who are always willing to help…I don’t even have to ask!

Our sunflowers that are ready to be transplanted into the yard.

This one is silly but true! My bubble gum pink T-shirt. I feel so feminine when I wear it…it just makes me happy.

Tracy’s Task:

Today, we’re going through our medicine cabinet to dispose of expired meds and make note of things that we need.

*If you have children, it would be well worth your money to invest in a $30 otoscope so that you can check for ear infections on your own. I know so many people who spend hundreds of dollars a year going to the Dr. and being sent back home. They are easily found at nursing supply stores (check your local yellow pages!).

What I’m Learning:

A soap sack is a good thing! For all you knitters out there…you can knit one, throw in all your little soap pieces, tie shut and use it to get a good lather. My knit along group is making these for mother’s day…I think I might make one for my mom and for myself!

Today’s Scripture Meditation:

Who will protect your children?

Ps 37:26-31
“They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed. Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever. For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. They will be protected forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off; the righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever. The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks what is just. The law of his God is in his heart; his feet do not slip.”
(NIV)


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