Where is God when bad things happen?

I interview Justin Taylor,
co-editor of Suffering and the Sovereignty of God

The headlines are full of tragic and unsettling news, from the events of 9/11, to an Asian tsunami, to Hurricane Katrina, to the senseless killings of innocent little Amish girls.

Where is God when these things happen? Can we have confidence that he is in control of all of it?

A new book, Suffering and the Sovereignty of God (Crossway), addresses just such questions. The book is edited by John Piper and Justin Taylor, and I was delighted to interview Justin today.

The book arose out of a conference on the subject, and the conference's speakers ended up being contributors to the book. Besides John Piper, they include Mark Talbot, Steve Saint, Carl F. Ellis Jr., David Powlison, Dustin Shramek and Joni Eareckson Tada.

Several of the contributors have gone through deep personal tragedy themselves, as Justin speaks about in this (1 min. 23 sec.) clip from our interview:



Among the ideas challenged in the book is that of "open theism." Justin explains the notion in this (:51) clip:



In this (1 min. 4 sec.) clip, Justin talks about who he'd like to read the book and how he'd like to see them approach it.



And on a lighter note...

This week's Cindy Swanson, CyberSnoop: The Case of the Morbid Mural.



Go here to see the actual photo.

Are you into "Lost"?

Matthew Fox, who plays Jack Shepherd

Tonight is the much-anticipated Season Three opener of "Lost."

I will DVR it, because we attend a midweek prayer meeting at our church. But I'm definitely one who is anticipating it. Yep, I'm a fan.

Honestly, the first season rolled by without me paying much attention to it. The thought of a group of plane crash victims stranded on an island just didn't do much for me. What? a fictional version of "Survivor"?

Then, my son Jonathan gave my husband the DVD set of Season One for his birthday. My husband had never had any desire to see it either, but he figured it would be rude not to watch the DVDs since they were, after all, a gift.

It captured me from the very first episode. The story is intriguing, the writing excellent, the acting exceptional. It makes you care about the characters, as you see their individual stories in flashbacks. And there's always the questions--what exactly IS going on on that island, and will the survivors ever be rescued?

USA Today has a feature story about "Lost" today, along with a review of tonight's season opener, which critic Robert Bianco gives three-and-a-half stars. Bianco calls the five-minute opening segment of tonight's show "astounding," and the show's producers apparently want it to be a "Holy Mackerel!" moment for viewers.

Since I watched both of the first seasons on DVD, I didn't have to deal with commercials and cliffhangers. Now that I've chosen to watch it week-by-week, I'll have to endure both, and I know I'm not going to like that. But frankly, I can't do as I did last season and ignore the show so I could watch it on DVD later. My curiosity is just too strong!

Do you like "Lost"? Why, or why not? Who are your favorite characters? Let me know in my comments!

Such devoted sisters

Left: Lisa, Beverly and me, 2002

The relationship of sisters is the subject of an article in today's USA Today. It grabbed my attention immediately, because I adore my two sisters and can't imagine life without them.

Montreal family therapist Vikki Stark "has spent three years doing interviews or surveys with 400 women, teens and girls with sisters."

The result? A new book titled My Sister, My Self: Understanding the Sibling Relationship That Shapes Our Lives, Our Loves and Ourselves .

Says Stark: "The relationship is very important to women. It cuts very deeply to a women's identity." She says she has often been struck by the intensity of the sisterly bond.

I totally relate. My sisters know me on a level that no one else does. Our bond goes back so far, and is so powerful, it is one of the most wonderful constants in my life.

Of course, we've had disagreements and all-out fights. But in the end, the sisterly bond is not broken. My sisters are truly my best friends.

Stark says some of the women in the interviews expressed how "blessed" they felt. "They feel it was a gift to be given a sister who brings so much joy and pleasure to their lives."

Amen. And I have two!

How about you? Are you close to our sister or sisters? I'd love to hear your comments.

Listen to Tilly Cryar very charmingly sing "Sisters."

I SO need a Friday!

Sharathon 2006 is over, and I'm EXHAUSTED. So rather than come up with anything meaningful myself, I'll refer you to some other bloggers, how 'bout it?

...Pecadillo of I Drank What? and Pyromaniacs made me laugh with this and this today.

...Dena Dyer of Amazing Grace-land doesn't waste any words in giving us her reviews of recent family movies.

...Debra of As I See It Now and I share a love of houses; here she takes a look at how houses are described in books. Cool.

...Rodney Olsen of The Journey wonders if it's no longer considered rude to chat during performances. If he didn't get the memo, neither did I!

Happy Friday, everyone!

13 Things About My Family

1. My husband Doug is a gifted teacher and administrator.
2. My husband sounds like Gene Kelly when he sings.
3. My daughter Elizabeth plays the guitar beautifully.
4. My son Jonathan and his wife Daylyn are going to be parents--their son due to arrive in February!
5. My daughter-in-law, Daylyn, plays the harp like an angel.
6. My son Justin loves to play golf, and I hear he's pretty good.
7. My daughter Elizabeth can do impressions--for example, she does a great Christopher Walken!
8. My husband Doug hates to fly. OK, make that he WON'T fly.
9. My son Jonathan has very naturally curly hair, just like me.
10. My husband and sons are huge Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears fans.
11. My son Justin has the cutest dimples.
12. My sons are both good in math--something they did NOT get from me.
13. My children, like me, all love music passionately and couldn't get through a day without it.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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We're streaming live!

Yep, you can now listen to 101QFL wherever you are. If you are online, you can listen live!

If you listen right now, what you'll hear won't be typical. Right now, we're in the middle of our three-day Sharathon fundraiser, in which we ask listeners to call in and pledge donations. On Friday, September 29th, we'll be back to our regular programming.

Give us a listen!

Monday Mania

Thoughts and observations on this gorgeous autumn day...

You are the devil and the devil is bad...

No, I'm not channeling The W's. :)

It seems Jerry Falwell is in hot water now, after telling the Values Voter Summit that (according to AP), "if Hillary Rodham Clinton is the Democrats' 2008 presidential nominee, it would motivate conservative Christians to oppose her more than if the devil himself were running."

This on the heels of Venezuelan President's Hugo Chavez notoriously referring to President Bush as the devil in a recent speech.

Falwell insists the remark was tongue-in-cheek and aimed at getting laughs, which it did.

Mel doesn't mince words...

Add Mel Gibson to the list of celebrities railing against the war in Iraq.

This from the guy who has never shied away from the realities of warfare in movies like Braveheart (which actually happens to be one of my favorites) and The Patriot.

Maybe it's just me, but Gibson's Apocalypto movie does not appeal to me at all.

On my nightstand right now...

Do you ever wonder how a gracious and loving God can allow suffering and tragedy? It's a question that has been asked for centuries, and there are no quick, easy answers.

However, a book that I'm currently reading delves deeply into such troubling questions.

It's unusual for me to read a nonfiction book; rarer still for me to tackle a theological book. But I was intrigued enough to read Suffering and the Sovereignty of God, edited by John Piper and Justin Taylor, and I'll be interviewing Taylor for my radio interview show next week.

The book makes for deep but fascinating reading. During tragic times, both in my personal life and on the world scene, I've clung to the sovereignty of God...the knowledge that nothing takes Him by surprise, and that He has it all under control. But what scriptural basis is there for that belief?

The contributors to this book believe there is plenty of scriptural basis. Most of them have experienced tragedy in their own lives, such as paralyzation or the loss of a child. Yet they have emerged with their faith intact and even stronger.

What makes an Elie Wiesel go through the Holocaust and completely abandon his faith, while a Corrie Ten Boom comes through the same horrific tragedy still believing in and glorifying God?

From Crossway Books' website: "In Suffering and the Sovereignty of God, contributors John Piper, Joni Eareckson Tada, Steve Saint, Carl Ellis, David Powlison, Dustin Shramek, and Mark Talbot explore the many categories of God’s sovereignty as evidenced in his Word. They urge readers to look to Christ, even in suffering, to find the greatest confidence, deepest comfort, and sweetest fellowship they have ever known."

I'm not even halfway through it yet...I'm having to slow down and digest stronger meat than I usually ingest...but I have a feeling it will be well worth it.

Related Tags: Jerry Falwell, Hillary Rodham Clinton, The W's, Mel Gibson, Apocalypto, Iraq War, John Piper, Justin Taylor, faith, God's sovereignty, movies, entertainment, nonfiction, theology

Happy Friday!

I do the Friday Feast meme...

Join me, here or on your own blog, and go here to let them know you played!

Appetizer
Measured in minutes or hours, how much exercise have you had in the last week?--I'm so embarrassed (hanging my head in shame). 20 minutes. I did Winsor Pilates last night. But I promise I'll do better next week!

Soup
If you had to change your blog title to something else, what would it be?--Something with my name in the title...the way La Shawn Barber has La Shawn Barber's Corner.

Salad
Name one show you watched when you were 9-12 years old.--"That Girl," with Marlo Thomas. I just loved her personality, her clothes and the way she looked...I wanted to look just like her, and would have killed for her trademark "flip." (hairstyle, for those of you too young to remember it!)


Main Course
If someone gave you $50 to spend with the one condition that it had to be educational, what would you purchase?--Hmm...maybe a history book, or a CD to learn to speak Spanish or French.

Dessert
Do you tend to prefer dark colors, neutral shades, or lighter/pastel hues--I tend to prefer jewel tones--rich plums, burgundies, turquoises, purples. But I also like soft baby pink.

Have a blessed weekend, everyone!

Thirteen Grandparent-related things

With my grandmother, Imogene Garrett--I am the one with with the weird hair, standing far left--1967

1)The reason grandchildren and grandparents get along so well is that they have a common enemy. ~Sam Levenson

2)Grandmas are moms with lots of frosting. ~Author Unknown

3) What a bargain grandchildren are! I give them my loose change, and they give me a million dollars' worth of pleasure. ~Gene Perret

4) Grandmothers are just "antique" little girls. ~Author Unknown

5) Perfect love sometimes does not come until the first grandchild. ~Welsh Proverb


6) A child needs a grandparent, anybody's grandparent, to grow a little more securely into an unfamiliar world. ~Charles and Ann Morse

7) What children need most are the essentials that grandparents provide in abundance. They give unconditional love, kindness, patience, humor, comfort, lessons in life. And, most importantly, cookies. ~Rudolph Giuliani


8) A house needs a grandma in it. ~Louisa May Alcott

9) Our grandchildren accept us for ourselves, without rebuke or effort to change us, as no one in our entire lives has ever done, not our parents, siblings, spouses, friends - and hardly ever our own grown children. ~Ruth Goode

10)A grandmother is a babysitter who watches the kids instead of the television. ~Author Unknown

11) When a child is born, so are grandmothers. ~Judith Levy


12) A grandchild will add a new dimension of love to your life. ~my mom, Cynthia Garrett

13) And a note from me: I found out yesterday that my first grandchild, to be born in February, IS A BOY!!!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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Family-friendly movies?

That's what FoxFaith is promising
...Plus, the trailer for "The Last Sin Eater" movie

AP reports: "The home-video division of Twentieth Century Fox says it will acquire as many as a dozen family-friendly movies a year and market them to Christians under the FoxFaith banner.

"Fox has developed a network of 90-thousand churches to help market its FoxFaith films."

The report goes on to say that the first theatrical release will be "Love's Abiding Joy," based on the fourth installment in the Jeannette Oke book series.

According to another report: "The box office power of the faithful became more apparent this year with The Chronicles of Narnia. Other studios moved to cash in, with New Line Cinema scheduled to release The Nativity Story this December, and a forthcoming film version of Milton's Paradise Lost."

I like this idea very much. FoxHome Video Vice President Steve Feldstein is quoted as saying, "All of this programming is entertainment first. We're not in the business of proselytizing or preaching," and that's fine with me. Families need fun and entertainment, and there is a terrible dearth of the kind of movies that the entire family can gather 'round, break out the popcorn and enjoy together.

If this helps fill that need, and as long as FoxFaith respects the message and the spirit of the stories, I'm all for it.

Based on Christian novels?

One of my favorite authors, Angela Hunt, blogged about this yesterday and had some great comments. Angela reports that the movies will be based on Christian bestsellers, and again, terrific idea. I've read many Christian novels, including Angie's, and thought, "What a great movie this would make!"

A book by another of my favorite authors, Francine Rivers, has been made into a movie and is now in post-production. The Last Sin Eater was a very intriguing book, and hopefully it will make a terrific movie as well.

If you'd like to see a trailer for the movie, head over to The View from Her.

Related Tags: movies, entertainment, FoxFaith, faith, family, Francine Rivers, Jeannette Oke, Angela Hunt, The Last Sin Eater

I have pirate blood in my veins!

How much do you know about your ancestry?

Today is, believe it or not, Talk Like a Pirate Day. My co-host Darren Marlar and I had some fun with that on the radio today, especially after he found out that I am supposedly descended from the pirate Jean Lafitte.

I don't know--maybe a lot of people with families from South Louisiana claim to be descended from Jean Lafitte. Who knows, maybe they'd be right.

But, thanks to a distant cousin who actively researched the Garrett family history and an aunt who made sure to obtain said research, I do know a lot about my family background.

I know that the Garretts were Scots-Irish before immigrating to America, which likely means that they originated in Scotland and ended up in northern Ireland.

I know that my great grandfather, "Papa" Will Garrett, married a French-Spanish woman from southern Louisiana named Orelia DeSoto. And I know that Papa Will's mother was Irish, and her name was Emma Boyd.

So I know I have a very strong Celtic streak in my veins. It's even possible that my great grandfather on my mother's side, whose name was Charlie Carroll, may have been Irish-American. By the way, he was a Texas Ranger. How cool is that?

I know that all my life I've been irresistably drawn to all things Irish, and I can't think of any other reason than what some call "national memory"--that heredity and the Irish in my blood is still calling me home.

I also know that my grandfather on my mother's side was full-blooded Greek; his last name was Zarafonetis. Not a very common name. And I know that his parents came over from Greece, and I saw their names on a wall of immigrant's names at Ellis Island.

I'm sure that in many ways, I am the sum total of all the people whose genes were passed on to me.

Oh, and the only way I can explain that I have a Greek grandfather and a great-grandmother who was a DeSoto, and I am white as a sheet, is perhaps the strong Irish streak in my ancestry. You'd think I'd at least be able to get a decent tan!

My husband (whose grandparents immigrated from Sweden) is pretty much bored by all this talk of geneology, but I'm completely fascinated by it. I'd love to be able to go back in time (as long as I was guaranteed I could come back!) and talk with my ancestors and find out what life was like for them.

And I'd love to know if I really am related to Jean Lafitte, and if so, exactly how. Avast, me hearties! :)

How about you? Do you know anything about your ancestry? Do you care? Comments, please!

Related Tags: Talk Like a Pirate Day, pirates, Jean Lafitte, ancestry, geneology

Thanks so much for your feedback!

plus, new research on "vegetative states"...tossing out your spinach?...and I do the Monday Madness meme

Ladies, I can't thank you enough for your feedback to the survey I posted Friday. I had some terrific participation, and it's really going to help me prepare a report on what women are doing, buying, enjoying, etc. Look for this to pop up about once a month.

I did find that the e-mail responses were somehow easier to facilitate for my research purposes, so I may ask that you do that next time as opposed to answering it in the comments section.

Now, on to some assorted thoughts this Monday...

Some very interesting research on those "vegetative states"

From the Life Advocacy Resource Project's Briefing: "Dramatic findings by doctors in Britain studying brainwave responses of a comotose woman have some medical personnel rethinking the status of human beings who are unconscious and questioning the 'vegetative state' diagnosis which has doomed all too many to death-for-convenience.'

"A team of Cambridge University researches have published in the journal Science the results of their study of a wowan who was living is a 'persistent vegetative state' (PVS) that her 'brain responded to commands in the same brain centers and in the same way normally associated with consciousness,' reports Hilary White for LifeSiteNews.com.

"The woman's brain scans measured after verbal stimuli, such as asking her to imagine herself 'playing tennis or walking through her house,' reports LifeSite, matched those of 12 conscious volunteers upon the same promptings."

The story quotes lead researcher Dr. Adrian Owen as being "absolutely stunned" by the results.

Hmmm...does the name "Terri Schiavo" come to mind?

Have you thrown out your bagged spinach?

I stopped using bagged salads a few months ago, after one of my "Cindy Swanson, CyberSnoop" editions made me afraid of the possibility of e coli.

Interestingly enough, one of my favorite buys was bagged baby spinach, because it adds such interest and texture--not to mention health benefits--to an otherwise boring salad.

I loved the bagged salads, because they are SO convenient and actually economical for me--whereas a head of lettuce might go to waste in my refrigerator, the bagged salads got eaten.

In case you're interested, here's the (2 min. 9 sec.) CyberSnoop that talked about the dangers of bagged salads.

It's dated 6/8/06:



So how about you? Are you back to buying heads of lettuce yet?

And just for fun...Monday Madness!

1. How do you eat an oreo cookie? --Well, I don't unscrew 'em. My preferred method would be to dunk them in milk, but I almost never buy Oreos. I have what doctors call a little bit of a weight problem. :)

2. How long does it take you to eat lunch?--Not long enough. I'm trying to retrain myself to eat more slowly.


3. Caffeine or decaf?--Caffeine in the morning--my goodness, I'm a morning radio show co-host!!! But after noon, I try to limit or eliminate the caffeine. I've taken a shine to decaffeinated green tea for iced tea, and enjoy a cup of decaffeinated Constant Comment of an evening.

4. Chicken or beef?--I eat chicken most often, but enjoy beef in various forms. I plan to make beef stew this week.

5. Pen or pencil?--Oh, pen, definitely!!! I HATE pencils...I don't even do crosswords with pencils. And not just any pen, either. It has to feel just right. I favor the UniBall Vision Elite.

6. Autumn or spring?--It's a toss-up. I love autumn, but I also love an end to the long winter and everything coming to life again. Fortunately, autumn and spring are equally beautiful here in Northern Illinois.

7. Baseball or basketball?--Basketball! Much more fast-paced and exciting. But my husband would say baseball.

8. 'Survivor' or 'The Amazing Race?'--"Survivor," although it's been a while since I've watched it, and I think their dividing up the races thing is ridiculous.

9. Come up with one question I can ask our Monday Madness participants in the weeks to come. How about this one: "Lost," "24," or both? (I can't decide who I like most--Jack Shepherd or Jack Bauer!

Related Tags: PVS, Vegetative states, Terri Schiavo, spinach, e coli, Monday Madness

Ladies, would you help me out?

If you are a woman, I would GREATLY appreciate it if you would fill out the following questionnaire which I'll use as part of some research for my radio job. You can either copy-n-paste and answer the questions in my comments section, or e-mail your answers to me at cindy.swanson@gmail.com. THANKS so much!

***NOTE: *** For the multiple choice questions, bold-face or use asterisks for any item that applies. (There is no one answer--all of them or some of them may apply.)

Another NOTE: No names, e-mail addresses or the like will be used in my project, so don't worry about being contacted or singled out, etc. I simply need your answers.

1. How old are you?

a) 25 or younger
b) between 25 and 55
c) older than 55

2. How many chidren do you have, and what are their ages?

3. What activities will you be taking part in during October?
a) kids' sports activities
b) fall or Halloween parties or events
c) other ___________________________

4. What seasonal products will you be buying during October?

a) fall decorations for your home
b) seasonal or Halloween candy or snacks
c) Halloween costumes
d) other_____________________________

5. What seasonal clothing will you be buying in October, for yourself and/or members of your family?

a) coats or jackets
b) tights or warm socks
c) boots or other footwear
d) other____________________________________

6) Have you started Christmas shopping yet?

a) Yes
b) No

6) What kinds of things will you be cooking in October?

a) pumpkin bread or treats
b) soups or stews
c) chli
d) apple treats
e) other __________________________________-

7) Will you be doing anything in October aimed at winterizing your car and/or home?

a) Yes
b) No

8) What's your favorite household product right now?

9) What's your favorite beauty product right now?

10) What's your favorite magazine right now?

11) What kind of music do you listen to most?

12) Will you concern yourself with any elections this fall?

a) Yes
b) No
c) Somewhat

Thanks so much for your help! I'll probably run this again sometime next week, as I'm using it to help prepare a report for work and I need all the response I can get.

Happy Friday, everyone!

Thirteen Books I've Read Recently

Hey, I'm BAAAACK after being felled for several days with a sinus infection! Whilte home from work, I actually read three books (the first three on this list), and thought I'd post 13 books I've read in recent months. I'm providing links for the authors if you want to check them out.

1) The Brushstroke Legacy, by Lauraine Snelling

2) Straight Up, by Lisa Samson

3) The Wind Harp, by BJ Hoff

4) Mercy, by Jodi Picoult

5) Pawley's Island, by Dorothea Benton Frank

6) Tregaron's Daughter, by Madeleine Brent

7) The Long Masquerade, by Madeleine Brent

8) Uncharted, by Angela Hunt

9) The Novelist, by Angela Hunt

10) Rolling Thunder, by Mark Mynheir

11) From the Belly of the Dragon, by Mark Mynheir

12) The Preacher's Daughter, by Beverly Lewis

13) The Englisher, by Beverly Lewis


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My 9/11 Tribute to Jean Hoadley Peterson

I Remember Jean Hoadley Peterson

When I signed up recently to commemorate a 9/11 victim as part of the 2,996 project, I had no idea that the woman whose name was randomly given to me would have been a Christian--a woman who, just weeks before her death on Flight 93, said, "I don't know why, but I feel so ready to meet the Lord!"

Here I was thinking that I could somehow be a blessing by memorializing Jean Hoadley Peterson, but just reading about her has ended up blessing me.

Today I commemorate Jean Hoadley Peterson, who died along with her husband Don Peterson in the crash of Flight 93, the only terrorist-infiltrated flight on 9/11/2001 that didn't reach its intended target.

Her husband's Bible found

Several days ago I posted about the fact that I had been assigned Jean's name as part of the 2,996 project. I was amazed to get this response from Donna-Jean, a fellow blogger from New Jersey:

"Cindy, I know about Jean Hoadley Peterson. She and her husband Don were believers in Jesus Christ. They supported my uncle's evangelistic ministry here in New Jersey, that's how I first heard about them. They were very generous and supportive.

"Don and Jean were a retired couple, involved with Community Bible Study in their Jersey shore home; Don was a Teaching Director. They were the only married couple on Flight 93; they left behind six grown children and one grandchild.

"Don's dog-eared NIV Bible was one of two Bibles found at the crash site in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. In the Bible was his Community Bible Study lesson from Luke, with his answers written in."

She then referred me to this article about the Petersons, which includes a picture of Don's Bible. I encourage you to follow that link as well and learn more about Jean and her husband.

I was amazed. Out of all the names I could have been assigned, I was given the name of a fellow believer...a woman who, like me, believed in a hope beyond the grave. A woman who was a follower of Christ and a believer and lover of His Word.

So who was Jean Hoadley Peterson?

Jean was 55 years old when she died in the crash of Flight 93. She was a wife, a mom, a grandmother, a registered nurse.

According to the Wall of Americans website: "Mrs. Peterson was born in Evanston, Ill., and grew up in Lancaster, Pa. She received a nursing degree from the University of Rochester, and a master's degree in education from Columbia University. She, too, was deeply involved in church ministries and was a member of Community Bible Study in Spring Lake [New Jersey].

"'She did everything in a very quiet way, never expecting anything in return,' said her daughter, Jennifer Price. 'She was a devoted mother, and after we grew up she devoted her life to helping other people's children.'"

"The couple married in 1984 and are survived by six children. David, Hamilton and Royster Peterson, and Jennifer, Grace and Catherine Price.

"Mrs. Peterson is also survived by her parents, Walter and Virginia Hoadley; her brother, Richard Hoadley; and granddaughter, Charlotte."

Along with leading Bible studies, Don and Jean traveled with church friends to help a mission in Santa Lucia, and Jean volunteered at the Helping Hands Pregnancy Center in Shrewsbury, New Jersey.

According to this article, "On Sept. 11, they'd planned to take a later flight to a family reunion at Yosemite National Park, but at the airport seized a chance to switch to less-crowded Flight 93. Their memorial service drew nearly 1,000 people they'd worked with, helped or counseled and had to be moved to a larger sanctuary nearby."

I regret deeply that the earthly lives of Jean Hoadley Peterson and her husband were cut short by the tragedy of 9/11. But I celebrate the 55 years that she lived on this planet, and how she blessed and influenced those around her.

And I rejoice that I will meet her someday in heaven.


*******

The 2,996 tribute to Don Peterson can be found here.

More on Don and Jean Peterson

Listen to my radio piece about 9/11--This was recorded a few months after 9/11. There are a couple of small glitches in the audio, but it has a sense of immediacy about it that I think brings back the emotions we were all experiencing at that time. Includes sound bites from that day.

Many thanks to Donna-Jean Breckenridge for her invaluable direction in this tribute

Thursday 13: Thirteen More Stars of Old Hollywood

I did this last week, but had to leave out several major stars during Hollywood's Golden Age, so here is Part Two.



Since many of you youngsters had no idea who most of the stars were, I'm going to make it a little easier for you. You can have fun matching the star to the photo, if you're so inclined. :)

Here they are:

Henry Fonda
Ava Gardner
Natalie Wood
Spencer Tracy
Katharine Hepburn
Ronald Reagan
Jane Wyman
Lana Turner
Frank Sinatra
Clark Gable
James Dean
John Wayne
Ingrid Bergman

Happy Thursday, everyone!





Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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9/11 survivor shares his testimony

Recently, a man named Sujo John was in our area giving his testimony to local college students. Sujo and his wife, who was pregnant at the time, both survived the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center.

I was able to interview Sujo prior to his speaking engagements. Although he didn't share his story in detail because he was going to be sharing it later that day, you can really get the gist of Sujo's testimony in this interview. And if you'd like to read the whole story, you can go here.

Listen to my 7-minute interview with Sujo John:




By the way, this postcript to Sujo's appearances locally:

Tim Sales is the local director of InterVarsity Fellowship, which brought Sujo to Rockford. Sales tells me, "God was faithful to use Sujo's story to impact students again. Almost 300 students came and heard Sujo John's story. Thirty-six made a commitment to follow Christ. Another 17 sign up to meet with an InterVarsity student and study the gospel of Mark, looking at who Jesus is and how He wants to be involved in our lives. Fifty-five more said they wanted to get involved and make a difference with their peers on campus."

My world is a flood...

well, not really, but close!

My city of Rockford was hit with torrential rains yesterday! It's being called the worst flooding in Rockford in 30 years. The Rockford Register Star has some amazing pictures of people being rescued from their homes and cars. Some 45 people had to be evacuated to an emergency shelter--miniscule compared to hurricane-prone areas, but major news for our midwestern town.

We didn't experience any flooding personally. Of course we were aware of the heavy rains--we were at a Swanson family Labor Day gathering, and the rain drove us indoors--but we were oblivious to just how bad it was until after the fact. There was even a tornado warning for Rockford that lasted all of half an hour.

Anyway, kudos to the everyday heroes who helped those in need.

And now for a quiz!

Via A Chelsea Morning, with a hat tip to Life is Made Of... Feel free to play here or on your own blog!

1. If you make sweet tea, or your favorite style, do you use Luzianne, Lipton or _______ whatever your brand is)? Well, I didn't use to have a preference, but based on what Barb said ("It never gets cloudy"), I may be switching to Luzianne!

2. What brand of toilet paper do you buy, and is it the larger rolls or regular? (What is it about toilet paper?) I've always used Scott Tissue because it's so economical, but now I'm favoring their softer version


3. Which brand of bath soap do you use? Is it body wash or bar style??--I love Oil of Olay, Dove and Caress (will get whatever's on sale), but I also sometimes get a great big thing of Dove Nutrium body wash. Love that stuff!

4. Which cereal do you buy for yourself? Usually Grape Nuts, Grape Nuts flakes or Multi-Bran Chex. However, I often get Kashi GoLean Crunch, and I just bought the Honey Almond with Flax version. It's so good for you! It even has Omega 3 in it. And it tastes good too.


5. What brand of dishwasher detergent do you use and is it liquid or tablets? I'm so glad to even be able to answer this question, because I didn't have a dishwasher for the first 26 or so years of my married life! I use liquid--whatever's on sale.


6. What is your favorite fruit to eat? I guess I'd have to say bananas--I have a banana every day. But I love all fruit.

7. Which brand of clothes detergent do you use? Gain, with a touch of softness

8. Do you like chocolate? Uh, DUH! :) I wish I didn't.

9. Are you right-handed or left-handed? Right

10. Do you still write checks or use a debit card? It depends...usually debit

I'm off for the Labor Day weekend!

Going to luxuriate in a rare 3-day weekend. Should be back in business on Tuesday, September 4th.

Have a blessed weekend, everyone!

Thursday 13: Thirteen Stars of Old Hollywood

Here are pictures of 13 stars of Hollywood's Golden Age. How many of them can you identify?

I'm participating in the Thursday 13 meme! Go here to participate.

Answers:

Glenn Ford, Grace Kelly, Humphrey Bogart, June Allyson, Judy Garland, Elizabeth Taylor, Cary Grant, Jimmy Stewart, Gary Cooper, Ginger Rogers, Gregory Peck, Barbara Stanwyck, Fred Astaire

I do the Four Things Meme

Barbara H of Stray Thoughts tagged me with this a couple of weeks ago, and I'm just now getting around to it! Sorry, Barbara! Well, here goes:


Four jobs I have had in my life:

1. A reading monitor at an ACE (Accelerated Christian Education) school (don't ask!)in Houston, TX
2. Re-filling coffee and tea and bussing tables at a Furr's Cafeteria in Hobbs, NM
3. News reporter at KWFC Radio in Springfield, Missouri
4. News director/morning show co-host on 101QFL/Radio 91 in Rockford, Illinois

Four movies I could watch over and over:

1. It's a Wonderful Life
2. The Princess Bride
3. You've Got Mail
4. The Phantom of the Opera


Four Places I have lived:

1. Springfield, Missouri
2. Odessa, Texas
3. Hobbs, New Mexico
4. Beirut, Lebanon

Four things I like to do:

1. Read
2. Listen to music
3. Do crosswords and cryptoquotes
4. Dine out with family and friends

Four websites I visit daily:

1. The Drudge Report
2. La Shawn Barber's Corner
3. Pyromaniacs
4. Sitemeter
Four of my favorite foods:

1. Tex-Mex anything
2. Chocolate anything
3. Pizza
4. Steak

Four places I would like to be right now:

1. Round Rock, TX
2. Casper, WY
3. Ireland
4. Here, where I am


Four places I have been on vacation:

1. Round Rock, TX
2. Casper, WY
3. San Diego, CA
4. Lake Norfork, Arkansas

I'll pass on tagging anyone, but feel free to play along in my comments section or on your own blog!

The latest edition of The Christian Carnival is up:

Go here for links to some great reading!

Some things need to be remembered...

...Like Hurricane Katrina and September 11th

President Bush has declared today a Day of Remembrance of Hurricane Katrina.

For those of us far away from the affected areas, this is a good reminder. It's easy to assume that things are fine now...after all, they've had an entire year to clean up and rebuild, right?

A closer look at the progress since Katrina hit should be a good splash of reality in the face of our naivete. The devastation is such that it will take years--many years in some cases--to rebuild.

As I blogged about last week, I was able to interview Don Elbourne, the pastor of Lakeshore Baptist Church in Lakeshore, Mississippi. I had heard and read that there is still much to be done, not only in New Orleans but in the hard-hit Mississippi Gulf Coast region, but my interview with Don really brought it home.

If you haven't already read the post, which includes sound clips from the interview, I urge you to do so:

Katrina One Year Later: A Mississippi church continues to rebuild

What better way to remember, on this day of remembrance, than to hear the story of one church and to be reminded of the needs that remain?

Remembering 9/11

You may have noticed this new graphic on my sidebar:

I Remember
Jean Hoadley Peterson
United Airlines Flight 93

That message is there because I'm one of 2,996 bloggers who have signed up to observe September 11th by memorializing one its victims.

The project is called, simply, 2,996. From the site: "2,996 is a tribute to the victims of 9/11.

"On September 11, 2006, 2,996 volunteer bloggers
will join together for a tribute to the victims of 9/11.
Each person will pay tribute to a single victim.

"We will honor them by remembering their lives,
and not by remembering their murderers."

On Monday, the 2.996th name was assigned, but if you didn't sign up, check the site for other ways that you can remember the victims on 9/11.

Because some things need to be remembered.

What inspired your blog name?

I recently discovered, and have since been continually delighted by, Barb's A Chelsea Morning blog.

Well, Barb has come up with a terrific idea. She wants you to post about what inspired your blog's name. Writes Barb: "Does it have some special meaning to you? Is it just a clever play on words? Do you think when people arrive at your place your blog name tells them something about you that you want them to know right away?"

She suggests you post about your blog's name, then go back to her blog and link it.

My blog's name is based loosely on a Stevie Wonder album that was popular when I was a young woman, called "Songs in the Key of Life." I always thought that was such a clever title. I knew I wanted my blog to be about, and celebrate life. The "Notes" is a play on words--it could mean musical notes or the notes I'm writing in my blog.

Truth be told, if I were doing it all over again, I would probably name my blog something more identifiable with me, as La Shawn Barber has done with her "La Shawn Barber's Corner." But I still like "Notes in the Key of Life," and it'll do.

How about you? What inspired your blog name?

Hey! I'm a blogging chick!

and this week's Cindy Swanson, CyberSnoop

Yep, I'm officially a Blogging Chick now. I know, you're probably thinking "Just how many blogrolls are you aiming to join?" I'm not really going for any kind of a record. But I've always held to the concept that if I'm going to go to the trouble of maintaining a blog, I would like for it to have readers.

You can now see the Blogging Chicks blogroll on my sidebar. Again, the caveat: I don't agree with or approve of everything written on the blogs on my sidebar. But you will find some really terrific blogs that are well worth reading.

Read my post about one church's journey since Katrina

All you need to do is scroll down a bit. I interviewed Pastor Don Elbourne yesterday, and I found the interview very moving and timely, with the first anniversary of Katrina just around the corner. Please take a few minutes to read the post, and listen to the soundclips if you can.

And now, Cindy Swanson, CyberSnoop...

Does microwaving food in plastic containers really release deadly chemicals?

Find out by listening to Cindy Swanson, CyberSnoop (2 minutes 37 seconds)



Have a blessed weekend, everyone!

Thirteen Thoughts and Questions

Completely random, but perhaps of interest?

1. We need RAIN. I thought we were going to get some today, but after some insignicant drops. it pretty much bypassed us.

2. I really like the biblical word loving-kindness.

3. Do you think Wellesley would make a cute name for a girl, or is it a bit much? I kind of like it. I've heard of little girls named Paisley, Ainsley and Sinclair. My own adorable little niece is Channing. (Feel free to share cool names in my comments section.)

4. Do you drink your tap water, or do you buy bottled? I buy bottled.

5. I love romantic comedies, like "You've Got Mail." Why don't they make more movies like that?

6. What's the best movie you've seen lately, and why did you like it?

7. Big prayer request: my son Justin needs a job.

8. My husband is just as attractive to me--even more so--than when we got married 28 years ago.

9. I could be wrong, but I'm leaning toward thinking John Mark Karr is full of it.

10. This is the part of summer where I'm actually kind of looking forward to fall.

11. This is one of the most enjoyable blogs I read on a regular basis. It's refreshingly honest and often delightfully humorous.

12. Please give me your very best diet tip.

13. And please, when you have a moment, read my post below about Mississippi pastor Don Elbourne and how his small church has fared in the year since Katrina destroyed its facilities and the homes of all its members. Can you believe it's been a year?

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Katrina: One year later, a Mississippi church continues to rebuild

"The one thing that has sustained us through this is a strong reliance on God's sovereignty and His control over all things....The ultimate, over-arching purpose is that He be glorified, and we're starting to see those thousands of purposes that are underneath that canopy...I'm saying from first hand, if I didn't have the assurance that God was in control of this, I could not have made it."--Don Elbourne, pastor of Lakeshore Baptist Church in Lakeshore, Mississippi

Don Elbourne posted this on his blog on August 31st of last year: "I am alive. My wife and two kids are alive. My family survived Hurricane Katrina. Still numb from the devastation around us, I can’t help but praise God for the safety of my family and the assurance that God’s providence works all things together for our good and his glory."

That was only the beginning.

It's been almost a year since Hurricane Katrina slammed the Gulf Coast. Lakeshore, Mississippi, bore the brunt of her fury. Don Elbourne has pastored the church, situated between New Orleans and Biloxi, Mississippi, for 12 years.

Today, Don is looking back on a year of rebuilding efforts. It's been a year of devastation and trauma, but it's also been a year of incredible faith and amazing grace.

I was able to interview Don this morning. He spoke on his cell phone as he watched people line up to receive food at the church's food distribution center, still going strong and serving some 500 people a day.


After the Storm

Don and his family, whose actual home was in New Orleans, had headed to his parents' home in Baton Rouge in advance of the storm. When he was finally able to get back to Lakeshore, he was heartsick at what he saw. There was literally nothing left of what had been three small buildings built in the early 1950's.

Don describes his first visit back the church in this (2 min 14 sec) soundbite:


After the first overwhelming days, church members had to decide what to do next. Their first order of business? Days after the storm, they set up folding chairs on the church property and, well, had church.



Don describes that first church service in this (1 min 8 sec) soundbite:


Help arrives

A year later, Don looks back on a steady stream of church groups who have come to Lakeshore to help clean up and rebuild, calling it "overwhelming in the best possible way."

The church is still meeting in temporary buildings, having made a decision to hold off on re-building its own facility until church members had places to live. Says Don, "We've learned a very important lesson that we've always given lip service to before, that 'the church is not the building.'"

Everyone lost their homes, and Don says it's going to take years to rebuild. Many people still live in cramped FEMA campers. Workers are building houses from the ground up; some 50 have been built so far. Crews are still welcome, especially skilled plumbers, electricians and the like. "The job is far, far from over, and we still need all the help we can get," says Don.

Lessons learned

What has God taught Pastor Don Elbourne and the people of Lakeshore Baptist Church through Hurricane Katrina? Don's reply: that God is sovereign, and that His purposes will be fulfilled through the storm and its after-effects. Without that conviction and assurance, Don says he would not have made it.

Don describes what God has taught him through the storm in this (1 min 17 sec) soundclip:


If you'd like to help Lakeshore Baptist Church, the best way is to give them a call at (228) 469-0110. If you can't personally help with rebuilding efforts or financial needs, prayer is greatly appreciated.

(Pictures are courtesy of Don Elbourne's website, Locusts and Wild Honey, where you can find the entire story of what has happened in the past year, and what continues to happen for Don and for Lakeshore Baptist Church.)

The easiest, most delicious banana pudding ever

While visiting Texas, I was blessed enough to be at Faith Baptist Church in Round Rock for a classic, traditional Baptist potluck--yep, a "dinner on the grounds."
You haven't lived until you've tasted the things that good Baptist women can cook up!

I was busy sampling the tasty morsels that crowded my heaping plate, when I noticed that the dessert I had been eying was quickly getting eaten up. I had seen the banana pudding while going through the line, but thought I would come back for it later.

Well, my cousin Tommy (the Family Reunion was still going strong) sent his son David to the line to get us generous bowls of the pudding. It was so delicious, I truly thought I was blowing any semblance of healthy eating. But when I got the recipe from Pam Pike, I found out that the banana pudding really isn't that sinful...and you can even make it low-fat and it's STILL delicious.

I've made it twice with the low-fat ingredients, and it's amazing. My grown kids who live with me, and are always trying to lose weight, give it a hearty thumbs-up. So, without further ado, here it is:

Pam Pike's Easy and Delicious Banana Pudding

3 cups cold milk--use skim milk to cut fat and calories

2 boxes banana cream pudding-- or use sugar-free, fat-free banana cream pudding

1 to 1-and-a-half boxes Nilla Vanilla Wafers, depending on how much cookie you like in your pudding--set aside about a half box to crush for top of pudding--I used reduced-fat Nilla wafers

4 good-sized bananas, sliced

2 cartons Cool Whip--I used Lite Cool Whip

Whisk the pudding with the 3 cups milk; set aside. Slice 4 bananas and fold into pudding mixture. Fold in 1 carton Cool Whip and vanilla wafers. Smooth another carton of Cool Whip on top; top with crushed vanilla wafers. Refrigerate overnight to give cookies time to soften.

Your kid's college: stone cold sober or partying hearty?

The Princeton Review has come out with its lists of colleges that are either the most "Stone Cold Sober" or the ones that have the biggest rep as party schools.

Topping the party-hearty list is the University of Texas at Austin; the Mormons' Brigham University is at the top of the sober list, followed by the evangelical Wheaton College. (I would imagine that famous Wheaton alumni, like Billy Graham and Elisabeth Elliot, would approve.)

Why does this matter?

Well, even if you personally have no problem with the imbibing of what Rush Limbaugh calls "adult beverages," there's no doubt that drinking is a HUGE problem on college campuses.

According to this article: "Despite the best efforts of college administrators, the pressure to drink is enormous. The results can be serious. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, college drinking contributes to an estimated 1,400 student deaths (mostly automobile related), 500,000 injuries, and 70,000 cases of sexual assault each year. Male college drinkers may have 12 or more drinks on 20 percent of the occasions when they drink."

We've all heard of tragedies resulting from binge drinking, from alcohol poisoning to traffic fatalities to sexual assaults to hazing deaths.

If you talk to the students on the "stone cold sober" list, I doubt if you'll find they're a sad and boring bunch. The fact is, hard as it may be for some to fathom, it's completely possible to have a good time and enjoy yourself without drinking. Amazing concept, huh?

You can see the complete list of colleges here.

The joy of re-reading

Do you ever re-visit a book that you read years ago? I did that over the weekend.

I checked out Madeleine Brent's Tregaron's Daughter from the library, remembering little about it except that I had greatly enjoyed it years ago.

Upon re-reading, I realized that I remembered VERY little about the plot--so much so, that it was almost like reading a brand-new book. And it was terrific.

I think I've read all of Brent's books, and enjoyed every one of them. It came as a shock when I found out, not too long ago, that "Madeleine Brent" is actually a pseudonym for...a MAN! Yes, Brent was actually author Peter O'Donnell. Read more here.

I think I've mentioned in this blog that I read "Jane Eyre" probably at least once a year.

How about you? Do you ever re-read old favorites?


Related Tags: college, alcohol, binge drinking, University of Texas, Brigham Young University, Wheaton College, fiction, books, Madeleine Brent, Peter O'Donnell

Monday Madness

You know the drill. Answer the Monday Madness questions here or on your own blog (and happy Monday, by the way :)):



1. Would you shave your head for any amount of money? If yes, how much? My knee-jerk response was an unequivocal "no." My hair is so much a part of who I am, I would hate to lose it for any reason. Then I thought: hey, hair grows back. And wigs nowadays look pretty good. And I could certainly use the money for college tuitions and a host of other things. So, OK. For 1-million bucks, I'd go the Demi-Moore-in-GI-Jane-route. :)

2. What "whacky" thing might you do for a large sum of money?Well, I've just said I'd shave my head for a million bucks. That's probably as "whacky" as I'm willing to go.

3. What do you think is a "large sum of money?"--I know a million dollars isn't nearly as much as it used to be, but it's still "a large sum of money" to me. So, a cool mill.

4. Do you watch "reality" tv shows?--I'm totally over the ones where people sit around in houses together acting ridiculous or just being inanely boring. But I admit to loving "American Idol" and "The Apprentice."

5. If so, which do you watch and in what order do you prefer them? If not, are there any you may consider watching?--See #4.

6. Which reality show have you thought about participating in? Why? None.

7. Share one thing you would like to do in life but have not yet done..... think about why you haven't done it and share if you wish. I'd like to write a fiction book and have it published. That's always been a dream of mine, but interestingly enough, the more I communicate with some of my favorite authors (and the internet has made that wonderfully possible), the more I doubt that I have what it takes to do that.

Writing top-notch fiction books is not for the lazy or easily discouraged--both of which I have a tendency to be. Good writers put a great deal of time and work into their craft. They also face rejection on a regular basis.

The more I think about it, the more I think maybe I'm like the sportswriter who wanted to be an NFL player but couldn't make the grade. So instead of playing sports, he writes or talks about them. Maybe I'm destined to point people to the wonderful fiction writers, not write wonderful fiction.

But I haven't ruled it out.

My other great dream: to go to Ireland. The only thing standing in my way is a lack of money. So, does anyone want me to shave my head?

Oh, the places I've been!

create your own visited states map
or check out these Google Hacks.

The red states in the map above have nothing to do with politics. They are the states that I've visited.

You can create such a map of your own here. (Hat tip to A Chelsea Morning.)

Several of the states I've visited, I've actually just passed through on the way to other places. I would love to spend more time in, say, the Carolinas, and Georgia. My mom has always talked about how beautiful Savannah is, and I used to be hooked on Eugenia Price books. And I love, love, love Colorado, especially the western Rockies, and would love to spend more time there.

And of those I've never visited? I would dearly love to go to Maine, Vermont, Washington, Oregon and Massachusetts.

We're blessed to have such a varied, beauiful country!

So...are there any US places you really want to see, or that you think I should see? Let me know in my comments section!

Is this picture for real?

Cindy Swanson, CyberSnoop; Bad Poetry Day; the Left Behind computer game; and some Thurday Thirteeners that tickled my funny bone

The stunning picture above is circulating the internet via e-mails right now, with the claim that it was taken during a spate of tornadoes in Sedalia, Missouri in March of this year. Is it for real? Find out by listening to this ( :58) Cindy Swanson, CyberSnoop:



And stuff...

Did you know that this is Bad Poetry Day?

And what constitutes bad poetry? I found this poem on a website for writers a couple of years ago:

"How To Spot Bad Poetry

A page despoiled with thee’s and thines
To hide the vacuum of the lines
Cryptic phrase and twisted verse
Trite filagree agrandized dearth

Derivative style and poorly thought
Hackneyed image baneful wrought
Playing obvious slave to insipid rhyme
Like I did in these last four lines

Word stumbles on top of word
Myriad follow the pointless first
Saying nothing new in no new way
Bowed below unearn’ed bay."

Wow, that sums it up pretty well.

The Left Behind Computer Game

I must admit, I dropped out of the popular apocalyptic "Left Behind" series after the first couple of books. I guess I just lost interest, although I'm happy for any good the books have done for the Kingdom.

However, I have a problem with what I've heard about the new "Left Behind: Eternal Forces" computer game soon being shipped to churches nationwide.

AP's Religion Roundup reports that the game is set in New York City after the world's Christians have disappeared in the Rapture. "The player, who's been left behind, must either convert or kill unbelievers."

I have to agree with Miami attorney Jack Thompson, who is a Christian and is quoted as being dismayed that "the game is about killing people for their lack of faith in Jesus."

UPDATE: See my comments section, where Jonny has a link to a different take on the game.

Funny Thirteeners

First of all, a question. I've been participating in the Thursday Thirteen meme for several weeks now, and I try to visit quite a few of the other participating blogs and leave my "calling card" there. But HOW in the world do some of the Thirteeners garner 45 or 50 comments to their list? I think my personal best has been, well, 13.
Just curious.

Anyway,in the course of participating, I've been introduced to some great blogs (and some not so great, which I find personally offensive and I won't be visiting again.)

Here are a couple that made me laugh out loud yesterday:

Bloggin' Outloud's Thirteen Ice Breakers Not to Use in your next small group meeting

A Chelsea Morning's You Might Be a Blogaholic If...

These are instant classics, in my book!

Wish me Happy Anniversary...

Tomorrow is my 28th wedding anniversary, but I probably won't be blogging tomorrow. Happy anniversary, Wugs. I love you!

Related Tags: Bad Poetry Day, poetry, Thursday Thirteen, Left Behind, computer games, fiction

Thirteen Pics from the Family Reunion

Thought I'd share 13 pics from the 1st Annual Garrett Family Reunion--Round Rock, TX, August 2006! Just click on each photo to see a caption.

Just a note: Lisa and Bev are my sisters; Elizabeth is my daughter; Jon is my son and Daylyn is my daughter-in-law. Few of my pics turned out well, so there are none there of my gorgeous husband Doug or my handsome son Justin. Also, my beautiful mom shows up in only one pic--the "Women Be Shoppin'" one. I took these with a disposable camera...next time I'll make sure to use a digital one. Live and learn!

Anyway, the Family Reunion was awesome.

UPDATE 8/23/06:The slide show has been removed, but the pics can be viewed here.


Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Wednesday Stuff

Just a few random things to pass along:

The Beauty of the Philippines

Some of you may be familiar with Ganns Deen's blogs, Superblessed and Ganns Deen Online. Ganns lives in the Philippines, and he happened to mention on his blog that he is taking his wife Cathy on a birthday trip to the island of Palawan. I expressed my congrats on the trip and said something about hearing that the Philippines is a lovely country.

Ganns e-mailed me a reply that was so cool, I felt I should share it: "The Philippines is a beautiful, God-blessed place. Like any other nation, it has its pros and its cons, but there is no denying that my homeland is a breathtaking archipelago of indescribable wonder. I remember being 23 on a blustery day in Tagaytay City, looking down on Taal Volcano, a spectacular volcano within a lake, the fog gathering around the volcano's mouth, the cloudy sky above, and the still lake waters below, miles and miles of rainforest around me... I thought to myself, "Lord, I KNOW You exist. But now I BELIEVE it." That was the start of my journey to salvation. :)"

Beautiful, Ganns.

I missed Lefty Day

My left-handed friend Randy missed the official Left Handers Day on Monday...and I forgot to mention it to my left-handed son, Jonathan. Randy has some interesting thoughts on left-handedness.

(By the way, Randy's blog, Reflections in Life, is well worth checking out on a regular basis. He just started blogging recently, and his posts are always an interesting and engaging read.)

I was amazed when, at a very early age, Jon started showing a definite preference for using his left hand. No one in my family had been left-handed,although there are a few lefties scattered throughout the Swanson clan. In fact, it's said that Grandpa Gust Swanson (who died at the age of 103) was ambidexterous.

If you're a southpaw (that's a funny word, isn't it?!), any thoughts on how it's affected you? Is it a pain, or do you wear your lefthandedness proudly?

Strange Sign

My daughter and I were driving in our city the other day when we were puzzled by a sign that looked like it was hastily thrown up on a pole in a residential neighborhood. (I infer the hastiness because it was rather sloppily written.)

Anyway, the sign reads something to the effect of "The Bible says it is a sin to mark your body with tattoes."

Oh-kay. As my daughter observed, "Why, if you were going to put up a sign proclaiming a message from the Bible, would that be the message you chose? Why not something like, 'The Bible says God loves you and wants you to be saved?'"

Good question.

Quote o' The Day

Author B.J. Hoff on the literary trend of "stories without hope": "I can handle unhappy endings, even tragedy. I don’t read a novel expecting a stereotypical happy ending. Unhappiness and tragedy are all too realistic, too true to life. But the flatline character who senses no desire for connection with the world around him, who shows no awareness of the need for at least a touch of redemption–woven through a novel that’s more consumed by the author’s need to reflect his 'art,' his own brilliance, than a writer’s integrity to the story–why give it valuable hours when, having become all too accustomed to the format by now, you know you’re simply facing the same familiar emptiness at the end?"

(I couldn't agree more.)

Monday Madness

Blogging on the fly today, so just enough time for Monday Madness. Answer the questions in my comments section or on your own blog!

1. How many "people" pictures do you have displayed in your house?
About 15, not counting my daughter's room where she has several, and not counting a big collage of family pics. I plan to add at least one more collage. I love pictures of my friends and family, but don't have a lot of surfaces to put them on on areas to hang them!

2. How many times a month/year do you rearrange your furniture?--I used to rearrange frequently in my old house, but don't do it much at all in my new house. The exception: I moved the livingroom furniture around at Christmas to make room for the tree.

3. Do you check your email every day? If so, how many times a day?
Many times while at work, since much of my work revolves around e-mail. Maybe once a day at home.

4. How often do you generally look at a clock/watch on any given day?--Too often to count! My radio job is run by the clock, and away from work I often need or want to know what time it is.

5. How do you handle telemarketer phone calls?--I haven't gotten one in ages. I signed up for the do-not-call list, plus we only use cell phones now. I answered a couple for my mom while in Texas, and I was really annoyed at them, especially the ones who try to sound real but they're pre-recorded. Instant hang-up!

Dealing with those air travel restrictions

...and other thoughts floating through my brain today, plus "Cindy Swanson, CyberSnoop"

I flew from Austin, Texas to Chicago's O'Hare airport Tuesday. I had no carry-on luggage, but I did have a bag containing a bottle of water (for some reason I get a little panicky if I don't have water on hand), a small bottle of contact solution, and some hand lotion. My purse contained liquid makeup (Estee Lauder Double Wear, 34.00 a pop!), lipsticks and cream blush, among other nonliquid items.

I was also toting a cup of Coke on ice from Schlotsky's.

Had I traveled two days later, I couldn't have taken any of those things on board, thanks to the plans of terrorists that were, thank God, foiled by British authorities.

I fly at least a couple of times a year, sometimes more. I know that's not nearly as often as my friend Teri...she works for Microsoft and flies almost every week on business.

If the restrictions continue indefinitely, those of us who fly at all will have to live with some real inconvenience. I usually fall asleep in flight, and when I wake up, contact lenses have to be refreshed. Usually someone is picking me up who hasn't seen me in a while; I don't want to look like a haggard mess, so while we're descending I'm touching up my make-up. Fairly impossible with the current restrictions...unless pencil lipliner is OK? Still...

I realize these restrictions are for our own good, and believe me, I'm grateful for security measures aimed at keeping me alive. I'm not whining. I'm just trying to get my head around what someone referred to as a "new paradigm" when it comes to flying.

Still thinking about Texas...

One of my favorite things about visiting Texas is the Cherry Limeade from Sonic. Is there any beverage more refreshing? Alas, the nearest Sonic is 158 miles away, in Champaign, Illinois. Why no Sonic in Rockford? Come on!!!

Cindy Swanson, CyberSnoop: Can you really remove a tick with liquid soap?

Find out here:

Thirteen Things about "Copwriter" Mark Mynheir and his "Truth Chasers" Series

"Cop Writer" Mark Mynheir

I had the pleasure of interviewing Mark Mynheir, author of Rolling Thunder and From the Belly of the Dragon. The books combine realistic, fast-paced action scenes, suspense and law enforcement situations with spiritual truth.

Here are 13 interesting things about Mark and his "Truth Chasers" series:

1. Mark is a former US Marine who says a career in law enforcement seemed to be a natural transition from the military.

2. Mark didn't become a Christian until five years into his police career, when he says a health crisis involving his son caused him to reflect on his life and "drove him to his knees."

3. Mark has dealt with learning disabilities such as dyslexia and never thought he would be capable of writing a book.

4. Mark's wife encouraged him to go back to school to help deal with his learning problems and upgrade his education.

5. Mark has been a SWAT team member and worked as a homicide detective and undercover narcotics agent, and is still a working police officer.

6. Mark encourages aspiring writers to go to writer's conferences. He credits the Florida Writer's Conference with helping him find an agent and an editor, and eventually get his books published.

7. Mark's book Rolling Thunder deals with John Russell, who has to deal with the issue of forgiveness while investigating the case of a missing child.

8. Mark got the idea for Rolling Thunder while listening to a Focus on the Family radio show about a man in his 40s who was traumatized by childhood abuse.

9. In From the Belly of the Dragon, the story focuses on John Russell's partner, Tim Porter, and his daughter's involvement in a cult--as well as a case John and Tim are investigating concerning a young man missing from the cult's compound.

10. Mark has written several articles for Focus on the Family's magazine for teen boys, Breakaway.

11. Mark says technology has played a big part in overcoming his learning disabilities: "Using computers and typing have been a tremendous help in compensating for my learning disabilities. I still have to be careful because I will always struggle in this area, and I rely heavily on spell-check, but, hey, I’m writing. That’s all that counts."

12. You can find out more about Mark and his books by going to his website.

13. You can listen to a an approximately one-minute excerpt from my interview with Mark (you may need to click twice):



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A fabulous family reunion

In the photo: the grandchildren of Tommy and Imogene Garrett, minus a few

Back from Texas! And what a wonderful visit it was, and what an awesome family reunion.

The older I get, the more I yearn to reach out and draw closer to my family members. The Garrett Family Reunion was such a fulfillment of that yearning. I was amazed at how much I have in common with my cousins and their families. There really is a strong bond among people who share the same blood lines.

One of the most common traits appears to be musical talent. We had a talent show in which the cousins and cousins' kids showed off their vocal, piano and guitar skills, and it was wonderful. Several times I found myself wiping away tears. The sense of family, and the resemblance of several of my cousins to loved ones who have gone on before, often tugged at my emotions.

We ate together. We sang together. We shopped together. We worshipped together. We even took part in a Garrett Family Trivia Quiz that prompted lots of laughter.

My dear, sweet Aunt Jean was the only representative of the original five Garrett siblings of which my dad was the third. Aunt Billie, who lives in Tennessee, couldn't make it. The other three--my dad Pepper, Uncle Malcolm and Aunt Sandra have all gone one to be with the Lord.

Aunt Sandra passed away recently with a suddenness that left us all in shock. She had been one of the major movers behind the Family Reunion, and one of its biggest supporters. She had so looked forward to it.

However, the family reunion she is experiencing is no doubt more incredibly amazing that we can even begin to imagine.

Sadly, Uncle Malcolm's three kids didn't show up for the reunion, and my brother who is in Iraq just missed it.

Other Texas notes....

Yes indeed, it was HOT. Over 100 some days. I did spend some time in my son's pool.

I got to spend some quality time with my mom, my sister and her family, my brother's family, and my son and daughter-in-law.

I had incredible Tex Mex food at Chuy's and Pappasito's. And no visit to Round Rock, Texas, would be complete without Round Rock Donuts! Oh my goodness.

Anyway...it's good to be back...I think. :)