america

I Didn’t Stay Up For the Returns

by oh amanda on November 5, 2008

Last night I watched The Amazing Race with Kristen and Les in between the returns of the election. After Terrence didn’t get kicked off, we stayed up to watch the news. But, once I heard they were projecting Ohio for Obama, I went to bed. (Plus, it was time to feed the pirate.) Finally, Les came to bed and said two words: “President Obama.”

Every time I woke up in the middle of the night (there were several times…), I prayed for the President Elect. I just imagined him digesting the news that he was indeed the PRESIDENT of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

This morning I checked out the news blogs, my messageboards and even twitter to see what everyone was thinking about the results. Some sentiments were “Ugh, it wasn’t a nightmare”, some were, “Well, my guy didn’t win, but let’s pray for Obama anyway” and the rest were “Yes, we did!!”.

Yesterday when I voted and actually saw the section that said Barack Obama/Joe Biden or John McCain/Sarah Palin, I got tears in my eyes. The magnitude of this vote just overwhelmed me. Even if it wasn’t for the huge issues at stake, we had the first black man and the potential of the first woman in the White House! That’s history!

I don’t really have a point, I’ve just *felt* the news all day. I’ve felt the collective sigh of relief and the simultaneous sigh of disappointment from the country today. I think I’ve mentioned before that politics and politicians don’t do much for me. I don’t think a man (or a woman) can actually do much to turn the course of an entire country. Of course, I do think it’s important to get the most qualified and the best person for the job. I want a President that actually represents ME. And I’m sad to say that is not the case now.

However, I’ve been thinking of this verse all day:

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. Psalm 20:7

Or my version:

Some trust in Presidents and some in government, but I trust in the name of the Lord my God.

True change and true hope come from God alone.

{ 11 comments }

My Write In Vote

by oh amanda on November 4, 2008

in america,me

This morning Asa decided to wake up at 5:30 to eat. I have to admit I had a bad attitude. What is he thinking? Doesn’t he know I need more sleep? *sigh* Anyway, in my delirium, I had the fleeting thought to take a shower and go camp out at the voting location so I could be first in line. We had early voting in Georgia and I heard that some people were waiting up to six hours to vote! My dad voted on Monday and waited an hour.

I was just imagining how terrible it would be to stand in line with a 2.5 year old and a 7 week old. Of course, if I decided NOT to feed Asa before we left and got both of them crying, someone might have let me cut in line…

Anyway, sleep got the better of me and I decided to go back to bed and brave the crowds at a more reasonable hour. After Asa’s second feeding (8:30am, if you’re interested), all four of us hopped in the car and got to the polling place at 9:20. And the grand total of people there was about 10. An older lady on a motorcycle listening to Lenny Kravitz’ “American Woman”, one lady fresh from the gym sporting shorts and a sweaty hairdo, about 5 senior citizens (one wearing his Marine’s hat) and one college aged kid. And the four of us. We were in and out. Crisis averted and my sleep intact!

While we were in line, I showed Lydia the sample ballot and tried to explain what “vote” was. I showed her the little bubbles beside each candidates’ name. I told her I was going to write down who I wanted to be in charge. She said, “I want to write down ‘Papa’!”

Out of the mouth of babes.

Papa 08!

***

How long was the line you waited in to vote?

{ 7 comments }

The Price of Freedom

by oh amanda on July 4, 2008

in america,holiday,me

It’s so random how I can remember exactly what I posted a year ago on my blog. I woke up this morning thinking about what I posted last 4th of July and was thinking, “Too bad! I’d like to post that again!” Well, since Independence Day comes along every year, I figured this post could, too. In fact, to be truly redundant, I’m going to post a picture I’ve posted before, too.

This is one of several makeshift cemeteries for fallen soldiers in the Korean War. My great uncle took this picture. Doesn’t that just make it more chilling? And just looking at those white tombstones…it’s exactly how war heroes are honored here. They just wanted it to look the same? Honor them as much as possible? It literally brings tears to my eyes thinking about it. (more family pictures of Korean War here)

[abrupt change of pace]

And now, here’s what I posted last year—a link to Adventures In Odyssey. These radio dramas are completely family friendly, not to mention totally high quality and extremely fun! Click here and you’ll see FIVE complete episodes about exciting events in our country’s history. Including my very favorite, “The Day Independence Came”, when a young boy goes back in time to the Revolutionary War!

Each episode is only about 20-30 minutes long, I promise your family will love to listen. And I’m sure that it will add to the meaning of your holiday experience–I’m trying to figure how to get them on my ipod before we go anywhere today!

Thank you, God for the men and women who have given the ultimate price for our freedom! Thank you for the unbelievable gift of living in this country!

Happy Independence Day!

{ 4 comments }

This Wednesday Needs Words

September 12, 2007 america

“Dick Ogle, Bob Rushford (killed in Korean War)” -my grandmother’s handwriting on back of picture This picture is thought-provoking with no words. But those 8 little words written on the back make this picture truly wordless. Yesterday got me thinking about those who give their lives for our benefit. What were these 2 men boys [...]

Read the full article →

911

September 12, 2007 9/11

I don’t pay close attention to the calendar. When you’re a sahm, dates are irrelevant. Is it naptime or bedtime? Now, those are the things I pay attention to! So, this morning I forgot it was September 11. I clicked through to someone’s blog and read the date: SEPTEMBER 11, 2007. It still gives me [...]

Read the full article →