Seaside Tales

Haiti: Buckets of Hope

Mon, 8 Feb 2010 20:41:22 -0500

Southern Baptists across the country are collecting Buckets of Hope for the people of Haiti. The following is a list of what you need for each bucket:

1 ~ 5 gallon plastic bucket with handle and form-fitting lid
2 ~ 5 pound bags long grain enriched rice
1 ~ 48 ounce plastic bottle cooking oil
2 ~ 2 pound bags dry black beans (can substitute with red beans)
1 ~ 5 pound bag of all-purpose flour (not self-rising)
1 ~ 20 ounce cylinder container of granulated white sugar (coffee service size)
2 ~ 1 pound boxes of spaghetti noodles
1 ~ 2 pound 8 ounce (40 oz) plastic jar of smooth peanut butter
1 ~ 2 gallon plastic ziplock storage bag (used to wrap the bottle of cooking oil)

Please DO NOT substitute any items on the list. These items can be purchased at your local grocer for less than $30 and will feed a Haitian family for a week!

It would also be very appreciated if you would add $10 to the bucket to help pay for shipping costs.

Watch a video about the Buckets of Hope here.

Download Buckets of Hope pdf flyer with instructions/photos for packing your buckets here.

If you are in North Carolina, and want to find out more about the drop off points, you can check this list for your local Associations phone number. Each Baptist Association will be able to confirm their own deadlines for the Buckets of Hope ministry.

Fort Macon: a field trip

Mon, 8 Feb 2010 12:38:41 -0500

Our family took a trip to visit Fort Macon in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina this past weekend. Mike and the boys had been previously but Victoria and I had not.

My favorite areas were the kitchen (wondering if I should try the recipes for 50 men for a Wednesday night supper one week...LOL), and the arched doorways in the barracks rooms. I also loved the texture of the old bricks and stucco. I have to admit to being a bit freaked out by the Commander's Quarters but I won't ruin the surprise and tell you why ;-)

You can learn more about Fort Macon at the North Carolina State Parks website: http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/foma/main.php

Please enjoy the pics at our family photo album:
http://www.mikeandsallie.com/fort_macon_nc/

Flowers on the Coatrack

Wed, 3 Feb 2010 11:15:22 -0500

Flowers brighten up any space you put them in, even all the dark nooks and crannies of your home! We trimmed the stems off of these lovely roses and put them in a pint jar (hung up by a simply crafted wire hanger) on our coat rack immediately inside our front door. You passed by them while coming in the door, going out the door, and even going upstairs. I worried a bit at first about water from the jar splashing out but it never did. And I smiled a lot when this jar of flowers was hanging by our front door; I think I'll go buy some more today!!

The Sweetest Gift!

Tue, 2 Feb 2010 10:58:51 -0500

February is always a special month for my husband and I. We first met 20 years ago and he moved more than 900 miles to live close to me on Valentines Day of 1991 (and we were married by May, in case you were wondering). He gave me a yellow rose then and they are now my favorite color rose and a tradition for us. I almost always know what I'm getting for Valentines and I wouldn't have it any other way :-) One of these days, when we own our own home, I plan to have bush after bush of them!

We've also developed another tradition over the almost 19 years we've been married: letter-writing. It wasn't one we planned to develop but with as many deployments as Mike has had, as well as having lived in separate cities when we first became "a couple", it became a natural thing for us to do! I literally have letters and cards spanning 5 or more years worth of deployments packed up in boxes. I also have over a year of emails from deployments saved. I just can't seem to let go of them because their words mean so much to me. I enjoy getting the stacks of envelopes out, untying the strings, and reading through so many endearing words. They remind me of how strong our love really is. For one deployment, Mike even left notes hidden around our house for me to find. I found them in my Bible at church, in the bottom of the flour bin, in the dresser drawer, under the coffee filters, and so many other places. Love notes have always been a part of our life!

Knowing how much his written words have meant to me over the years, Mike recently bought me a new journal. This is a different kind of journal though. It is for me but he is the one doing all the writing! Mike is writing small love notes in it for me daily. This is one of the sweetest gifts I have ever been given!! I find myself on pins and needles every evening waiting for him to finish up his thoughts for the day. I also find myself needing to find two quiet times a day -- one for God and Bible study, and one for sweet written words from my husband :-)

Do you have any specials gifts that mean more to you than others? What made them so special? I'd love for you to share in the comments!

Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda....

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 10:01:27 -0500

I shoulda been putting a picture up today for Wordless Wednesday, and I coulda put up a great one of our neighborhood Marine kids at play with their line-up of bright yellow nerf guns on a cloudy day, and I woulda except that someone *whom shall rename nameless* has misplaced my camera cord needed to get said picture from camera to computer to blog. Like I said, shoulda, coulda, woulda...

Instead, I guess I'll share some favorite blogs/posts with you. They've all made me smile exactly when I needed it... like after being frustrated for not finding the aforementioned cord...but, I digress...

Completely Coastal: Stunning Shadow Box Displays -- BTW, I'm making one of these with my printer tray shadow box and oodles of shells today!! http://www.completely-coastal.com/2010/01/stunning-shadow-display-boxes.html

The Shabby Chic Cottage: Ticket to Paris -- easy stamped burlap tag to add to your decor: http://www.theshabbychiccottage.net/2010/01/transformation-thursday-ticket-to-paris.html

A Soft Place to Land: Decorating w/ Children -- been there... done that...oh, wait, I'm still doing that...and still like this, too :-) http://asoftplace.net/2010/01/decorating-with-children/

Little Red House: Mosaic Monday -- she does a Mosaic photo meme every Monday and with all our blustery, rainy days lately I was happy to see all these beautiful flowers this week: http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/2010/01/mosaic-monday-its-my-birthday.html

Miss Mustard Seed's Creative Blog -- sometimes after reading/watching her easy tutorials I think I might actually be able to do that... or at least Victoria could do it for me... LOL: http://www.missmustardseed.blogspot.com/

Stuff Christians Like -- this blog always makes me think! http://stuffchristianslike.net/

Muthering Heights: When Enough is Enough...a great list of questions to ask ourselves when (or before) facing over-commitment: http://www.mutheringheights.com/2010/01/when-enough-is-enough.html

I will do my best to find my computer camera cord sometime today so I can share my fun photo with ya soon. Until then, I hope you find as much enjoyment at the above sites as I have. Be blessed!!

sometimes you want to cry but only laughter escapes your lips...

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 17:29:20 -0500

When I get nervous, I laugh. I did it throughout our whole 20 minutes at the Justice of the Peace. I did it through the whole hour at the wedding in front on my parents. I did it in childbirth. I've laughed at pretty much any place you really wouldn't think laughter was appropriate. It's just my way of coping, I guess.

The more and more I find out about things happening with my parents, I find myself laughing. I would really LOVE to cry! But its as if I can't control the laughter that escapes my lips as I shake my head in disbelief. I think some people might think I'm actually on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Maybe I am. If not, maybe I should be.

One verse has always been at the forefront on my mind when troubles come my way. It is 2 Corinthians 1:3-4. I ran across this quote from Spurgeon this afternoon when I was having another one of my "disbelief moments" and it seemed entirely fitting for the day. I thought I'd share it with you in hopes that if things aren't going quite right that maybe you would find a bit of encouragement as well!

"I would go to the deeps a hundred times to cheer a downcast spirit. It is good for me to have been afflicted, that I might know how to speak a word in season to one that is weary." ~ C.H. Spurgeon

It is a true quote (from my own experience, I know that it TRULY is), and I am thankful for the opportunities I've had in sharing grief and healing with others. It isn't always easy to walk through the fire, so to speak, but I wouldn't want to give up any of the blessings I've received along the way either. They've grown me as much as the tribulations themselves!

Doers, or Talkers Only?

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 13:43:55 -0500

"At the day of Doom men shall be judged according to their fruits. It will not be said then, Did you believe? But, were you doers, or talkers only?" ~ John Bunyan

Someone recently told my husband that she believes my husband and I are two of the most compassionate people she knows. Believe it or not, this was one of the hardest compliments I've ever had to swallow.

As I said in one of my recent posts, I'm someone who likes to fade into the background. I don't really like it when people notice the "good" things I do, or even compliment me on them, because I don't do these things for praise. I do them because I feel like God has led me to live this lifestyle.

Scratch that.

I believe God has called all Christians to live this lifestyle of sacrificial living/giving.

I know in the past I have let it bother me when people have told my husband and I that we have a works theology and that makes us not really Christians. We have tried to explain we don't do things we do because we are earning credit with God but because God has called us to do works to express our faith in a tangible fashion. I have cried streams of tears over those conversations. Statements like that, and lost relationships in the process, cut like a knife. I have learned though, that I can't live my life to meet other peoples low expectations.

I have to live my life to meet God's high expectations.

God knows my heart even better than I know it. He has placed the convictions in my heart about giving and working in His kingdom. I can't ignore the action that is required of me in fulfilling my duties to my Lord.

It would be an un-fulfilling Christian life to simply talk the talk without walking the walk as well!

Taking a Moment To Catch Up

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 14:06:25 -0500

First, let me say that I appreciate all of our friends and family (real life and blog/twitter/facebook world) who have been praying for my dad, Victoria's college interview, and our travels. Your prayers have been felt, and are deeply appreciated!

Victoria and I left out of here on Friday afternoon and arrived in KY very early Saturday morning. My dad had been released from the hospital after his surgery at about 9 o'clock Friday evening. He was back at the ER within a few hours of our arrival. That seemed to set the standard for our trip -- he was back and forth between the ER and doctors appointments 4 or 5 different times in a few short days. He has appointments with another specialist this Friday, and a visiting nurse will be at the house twice tomorrow (Thursday). Please continue to keep him in your prayers!

Victoria's interview and tour of Berea went well. We really enjoyed our time at the campus and everyone we met was very helpful and informative. We could not have asked for a better planned event! We will not know if she is accepted for another month or so but we continue to leave it in God's hands. Berea is the school Victoria really wants to go to, but God knows what is best and we trust Him to open and close the doors that are appropriate for her life.

I'm not sure how long I will be back home for. I think mainly it will depend on how Dad's appointment on Friday goes, and what information they find out. I feel more comfortable knowing at least that they have a wonderful church family watching over them and offering guidance and wisdom.

Special thanks to Leslie and Richard who fed Mike and the boys on Sunday afternoon after church and got them out of the house on Monday to go to the Aquarium and Fort Macon. They really enjoyed themselves and I so appreciate your friendship :-)

I think that is about as good a blog catch-up I can do for now. I got in at about 8:30 this morning after driving all night and I'm only surviving on about 3 hours of sleep but I have lots of stuff to catch up on. I'm pretty sure I'll sleep like a baby tonight!

Praying you all have a blessed week!

Be Passionate for Haiti but Don't be Swindled!

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 17:05:08 -0500

Everyone is emotionally touched by the news and images coming out of Haiti. We want to do something besides just sitting. But God has called us to be good stewards in all we do. It is hard to keep our emotions out of our finances in cases like this but let me put it this way:

Wanting to help the people of Haiti: GOOD

Being swindled while doing so: BAD

I was flipping through the twitter hashtag #Haiti last night and I was really surprised at the amount of tweets that were re-tweeted multiple times for people to text such and such to such and such to donate such and such amount of money. There were no links to verify who these texts were going to or anything. I'm not saying any or all of these text numbers were bad but how can we know if we aren't provided a way to check out their legitimacy?

I'm a Christian. I know my denomination (Southern Baptist Convention) does great work with disaster relief. I would rather donate through them because I know where my money is going.

Most denominational charities are better to give to for disaster relief efforts because more of the money goes toward the actual effort instead of overhead costs. I know NC Baptist Men are already coordinating efforts for our area to help. All of the people who go will pay their own way and are volunteers so there isn't much overhead costs in efforts like this. As nationally recognized and great of an organization as it might be, the Red Cross has lots of overhead. They are your best bet for donating blood at your local blood bank. They might not, however, be your best choice IF you want the highest percent of your dollar amount donated to go specifically to a relief effort. I have nothing against the Red Cross. They do great work! Please don't send me hate mail because you think I'm insulting them... I'm NOT! I just choose to give money elsewhere in times like this. You might consider giving elsewhere as well.

The following is a list that I've put together after checking out Christian denominational related websites. I will try to update this post as I get more information.

Also, you can check out specific charity organizations with the Better Business Bureau before donating: http://www.bbb.org/us/charity/

Denomination Specific Relief Organizations:

Southern Baptist Disaster Relief: https://www.kintera.org/site/c.9qKILUOzEpH/b.238330/k.942/Disaster_Relief_Fund/apps/ka/sd/donor.asp?c=9qKILUOzEpH&b=238330&en=lqKMLONAKiIIIPOzEfJHIWNELjKZL1NAJfJKLVMxFbIQL6PQH

Reform Church of America: http://www.rca.org/Page.aspx?pid=2225

Catholic Relief Services: https://secure.crs.org/site/Donation2?df_id=3181&3181.donation=form1

North America Baptists: http://www.nabconference.org/pages.asp?pageid=737

Episcopal Relief And Development: http://www.er-d.org/index.php

United Methodist Church: http://www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=2433457&ct=7800627

Evangelical Lutheran Church: http://www.elca.org/Our-Faith-In-Action/Responding-to-the-World/Disaster-Response.aspx

Baptist Haiti Mission: http://www.bhm.org/bhm/index.php

Christian Relief Organizations not related to specific denominations:

Samaritan's Purse (Franklin Graham ministry): http://www.samaritanspurse.org/

Salvation Army: http://www.salvationarmy.org/ihq/www_sa.nsf

World Vision: http://www.worldvision.org/home.nsf/pages/home.htm?Open

***Edited to add the following organizations:***

Bright Hope: http://www.brighthope.org/

Compassion International: https://www.compassion.com/contribution/giving/disasterrelief.htm?referer=105910

If you know of a specific Christian organization that I can add to this list, please send me an email at salmander_son@yahoo.com

Individualism, Bandwagons, and Discerning Your Own Way

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 10:35:53 -0500

Generally speaking, I am a person who usually goes with the flow of things but I try not to be too faddish or cultural. My style in wardrobe is probably pretty classical/feminine. My make-up, as discussed in this post, is fairly natural. I'm not a person who likes to stand out in a crowd. I don't need to be Joe Cool! Frankly, I'd much rather blend into the background!

However, I do like to usually pick one small thing to have different than other folks.

For instance, about 13 years ago I started wearing a toe ring. A special friend had given it to me and not many people were wearing toe rings back then (at least not where we lived) so it was my little thing that was unusual and special just for me. Then, about 7 years ago I noticed everyone and her sister was wearing a toe ring. Actually, it was all my sisters-in-law. We were all together one day after my family had moved back from Japan and when I looked down while we were all standing around chatting, I realized four pair of feet had on a toe ring. I went back to my mother in laws house, took my toe ring off, and never put it back on. My little bit of individualism wasn't so individual anymore.

The same thing happened with my favorite O.P.I. toenail polish. The bright blue Azure for Sure that had once been unique to me and my toes all of sudden was showing up on lots of peoples toenails. I quit wearing it almost completely, with the exception of special occasions when I want to still be a bit funky underneath all the frilliness, like when I was getting ready for this.

I'm not vocal about what I choose to be individual about. If I was, then everyone would start doing it. And I'd have to find something new. Again.

But, I'm also not one to jump on the bandwagon really quickly just because everyone else is doing it.

When I was a young girl I refused to make a public profession of faith in Jesus Christ at the same time all the other tweens and teens around me were making theirs. I wanted to make sure what I felt and thought I believed was real and not just a go with the flow feel good experience.

I have never tried illegal drugs. I know lots of people who have. Not just in high school either. My neighbors, when I was in the Air Force, were heavily into smoking pot every chance they got. I never saw the point of jumping on that bandwagon.

I don't believe homeschooling my kids is the only real way to be in obedience to God regarding Deuteronomy 6:7. I did those things even before we home-schooled.

I didn't jump on the vaccines-cause-autism bandwagon, even though we have an autistic child, because I don't believe vaccines alone are the problem. I do believe they are a trigger, but not an all encompassing reason for the existence of autism. For us, though, there is a much simpler reason we no longer vaccinate our children: several of the boys have had allergic reactions in the past and we just don't know which ones will cause allergic reactions in the future.

And sometimes, when I don't agree with/understand all those around me, I just create my own bandwagon. Or something like that.

I don't feed my family lots of organic and homemade/semi-homemade food because its cool to do so. I feed my family this way because I grew up in a family that grew 80% of what we ate, bartered/traded for 10%, and got the final 10% for as cheap as we could. My mom made nearly everything from scratch and still gives me the royal I-can't-believe-you-fed-your-family-that talk if I even suggest that I popped a tv dinner in the microwave. No matter how busy we are. Truth is, I'll be a "foodie" when being one isn't just a new fangled cool word to call myself.

I don't recycle, repurpose, and re-use every stinking think I can because Al Gore told me to, or because I'm afraid of my carbon footprint, or global warming. I do it because I think God called us to be good stewards of the earth and everything in it. I do think we should plant trees, quit building strip malls, and use less chemicals. Simply put: It's the christian thing to do!

You won't find me on the list of folks reading my bible in 90 days. Not because I don't think it can't be done but because I don't think it should be done. The Bible is historical Truth. It is God's gift to mankind to guide us on a straight and narrow path. It is not a novel, and reading it as if it was one doesn't do it justice. I will study my Bible deeply and with every bit of my being...just not on a 90 day time frame. Gathering hold of its underlying Truths is more important to my soul than just being able to say "I've read it."

You won't find me wearing a headband and call it a covering for my head. I have taken up the habit of covering my head fully with a shawl when I am in prayer in my home by myself. You can not convince me that an inch wide band is a covering, but, by the same token, I also won't be trying to convince every other woman around me that they are in sin if they don't cover at all. Because I don't believe they are. I have chosen to cover in my home, in my private prayer time, when I am alone with God, because it is my mark of a covenant to be faithful and true to Him always. Kinda like the mark of the rainbow. It isn't something you see at all times...just appointed times as a reminder of faithfulness. I also know that I am someone who is not always praying without ceasing, and so I will not wear a cover at all times. To do so, in my opinion, would be to slap the face of God, with my impertinence and self-righteousness.

All in all, I guess I just don't want to only be a follower. Sometimes its good to follow. Other times it leads you down a path of false understanding. I like to search things out for myself, keep what I find is good but above all accurate, and toss the rest to the side. Isn't that what discernment is all about?!