Huckabee's Numbers

Gov. Huckabee has won poll after poll recently and now with yesterday's poll he really stands out. Palin's numbers are really falling. It could be that some are gravitating to him. I don' know the reason he is pulling ahead. Even some liberal press are beginning to say you can't beat these poll numbers. Huckabee has built a pretty strong coalition under him through HuchPac. "Huck" as some people call him, including myself, is a pretty smart man and he learned a lot of hard lessonss from 2008. #1 Get a lot of money #2 Don't lose your base. With HuckPac this group of people are passionately behind him. It has been interesting watching him this past year building on this foundation that now goes from coast to coast. One thing about his following they are faithful to their man. How can I know I have become one of them.
Last year at the end of November I met him at a book signing and then read his book. Many of the younger years of marriage in the book were very similar to ours. We both, couples, almost starved to death trying to get though Biblle College. I read many of the passages to my husband and we laughed. It brought back some hard but wonderful years. And Huck did pastor before becoming a Governor.
At times I find him almost too honest but I like that and something we desperately need to bring back to the presidency. He is  his own man and does take a stand similar to Bush and I liked that very much in Bush.
I am hoping to see him run but first and foremost I want him and his wife to know they are doing what God wants.

Obamas New Tactics

Merry Christmas and a hopefully better new year for all of us. I truly mean that, I have never seen people so discouraged and tired of the economy. You do really wonder how much can the people take. Another 430,000 laid off last week and it seems like there is nothing to stop it. I still wonder were are the hope messages that he talked about during his election? Could he not deliver some messages of hope and things are really going to change. I mean that seriously this is when we need those kind of messages from a leader. That is what Roosevelt did during hard times. He got on the air and encouraged the people.
As you can see they are now putting things in the heath care bill by regulation including the death panels. This is stirring up the whole controversy again. How much should the Drs. control our deaths. Of course we need their wisdom and advice. But after we hear the choices they really are our choices of how to we want to die. We don't need the Drs. after that decision except to prescribe medicine to help with pain and other needs, but after that they really should get out of the picture. We do not need the government to make any decisions for us. We do not need a panel that makes these decisions for us. All Americans should rise up against this!
This is the new Obama administration. Use any means to get things through including regulation. Such as using the EPA to get some climate change rules through making the EPA make the rules. It's coming and it is going to be frustrating for us.

December 18th-my Brothers Birthday

Today is a special day for me, my little brother came into the world. It is hard to believe he came into the world and now is gone. It is even harder to believe one year and three months later my husband passed. I thought I would never get over losing my little brother. I think a sibling is hard because you played with them and all those memories come back. I especially remember that Dad drove all of us to the hospital. They took my mother in and left me in the car. I was 41/2 years old. It was scary waiting in the car by myself. Those days were different and the children did not go into the maternity section. We pulled up to St. Anthony's Hospital in Denver. Soon my father came out and told me soon we would have a baby. I waited a long time this time. Finally he came out and told me I had a little brother and we drove home. I remember going back to the hospital and getting Mom and the baby. The baby cried a lot and I wasn't as important. At least that is how I felt. Once Randy started walking he followed me everywhere and did so the rest of his young life. I couldn't go anywhere without him coming along. We were very close. We did everything young kids could do. My parents were pretty free on letting us go. We probably did things most other kids never did. Once we got to bicycles we rode everywhere.  We lived up in the mountains for a while. Dad was going to build a house up coal creek canyon. He drove 23 miles every day to Sunstrand. Sunstrand was part of the first rocket program and it was secret. Finally one day Dad took us to his work and we saw the space capsule. I am not sure which project he worked on but it was not the first or second capsule that went up. We had two acres of land and believe it or not Dad paid $1,000 dollars for each lot. There was a huge pile of rocks on the back of the land and you could look down in the canyon and see the train from Denver to California come  through. Last summer I went and looked at the land. I wanted to go up to their door and ask them if I could go and stand on those rocks once more. Dad built a huge swing from a fir tree. We stood on the rock and swung and could go way out. Parents today would have a fit if they saw that. We also sat in the truck bed and traveled up and down the canyon. The land was very near where my grandfather had his first fur farm. He raised foxes for coats during the war and the government bought the fur from him. I often think that is why Dad bought the land there. We had to catch the school bus at Wonderveiw and go 26 miles to school in Central City. If you have ever been there you know there  are hairpin curves going down to Pinecliff. It is hard to believe our parents let us ride this older bus to school. Randy and I would find different ways to walk  home. It was easier to cut through the yards and go almost straight up the mountain. There was one lady who didn't like us and would yell to get off her land. We called her the witch. All these memories come back and some day I will share them with you. We had an unusual childhood. But I learned a lot through it. Mom and Dad moved 26 times in their marriage. Randy I miss you and hope you think of me down here. I wish you were here so I could call you on the phone and share these old times together. Happy Birthday. Marna

Social Security Will Be Cut 33%-President Obama

The President announced at the beginning of this week payroll taxes for social security will be cut 6.2 to 4.2 percent. The President says not to worry because it is temporary for just one year. And it will not lose any money because it will be replaced by the federal government. The feds have no money so this will have to be borrowed. It will cost us $112 billion in general revenue funds. The reason, to stimulate the economy. If a person makes $50,000 they will receive $1,000. If they make over $100,000 they will receive $2,000.
Questioning the impact to the economy, Rep. Dan Lipinsky {my representative} said "The average person isn't even going to notice the 2 percent decrease in his payroll check. It is not like we are handing people payroll checks for $500 or $1,000 and saying 'spend it '. This is going to be a trickle of money into each persons wallet; and I don't think they are going to rush out to the stores and start spending."
Next year when it comes to restoring the cut some will say payroll tax will increase 50%. Any politician who refuses to extend the tax looks like he is taking from the middle class.Washington Post poll says 57% of American people oppose the Social Security tax cut. So what happens when it comes to next year? The fear is that it will not be increased back to 6.2 %. Congress is playing a dangerous game. The tax cuts are in a package of bills and most members will vote for it as the extension of unemployment benefits are in the package. We need for Congress to leave Social Security alone as this could destabilize Social Security. Social Security is at risk

Omnibus Legislation-1,924 Pages Is Too Large To Read Before Christmas

This legislation has 6,488 earmarks totaling 8.3 billion. Dems are embracing the bill as they feel in the 112th congress Republicans will put a stop to their spending. Harry Reid, unsurprisingly supports the bill which totals 1.1 trillion and calls it "a very good piece of legislation."
Dems obviously did not get the message on Nov. 2nd and few have or will have read the bill before Christmas.There are actually 12 bills rolled into one. This gives the legislators very little time to go through and cut unnecessary funding.
The bill also has $1,000,000 to fund the health care bill, which many now consider unconstitutional after Mondays ruling and making many lawmakers very angry.
If Republicans block the bill they will be accused of trying to stop the funding to the federal government.
Senator DeMint is calling for a reading of the bill to try a filibuster before passage.
This bill costs more than the tax rate extension.
Here are some examples in the bill
$500,00 for Blue Fin Tuna tagging and research in Calif.
A tie-$300,000 for the Iowa Orchestra and $106,000 for the Utah Symphony
$235,000 for noxious weed management
$522,000 for cranberry and blueberry disease and breeding
$849,000 Swine waste management in North Carolina
$413,000 Peanut research in Alabama
Move Nevada to the "Pacific Coast States"  letting Harry direct funds to his state.Which part of Nevada borders the Pacific Ocean?"
It also includes FDA Food Safety Bill. 1.4 billion for the federal government to control our diets. Feds who know little about forming guidelines on temperature, what soil we use, how much water to use and what kind of animals to put on  our land.

We'll Give You The Waiver Since You Donated To Our Party

The formula is simple-Vote for Obama and you will get a waiver from the health care law. Now 222 companies are exempted for one year to be part of the for this to work everyone must belong club. At least that was the message given as to how the health care law would work that no one be excluded.
Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) said   "more than a million Americans wake up and go to work everyday thinking they have health insurance. But they don't."
There are also several unions who have received government approval for exemptions.
Now a full investigation into the Health Care Law needs to be done before any other factors are implemented. Also hearings will be likely in the House next year because Republicans want to know why Democrats pushed so hard for health reform, and then issue several hundred waivers from the law.

Thanksgiving Thoughts

Well, this is our first thanksgiving without our Dad and husband. I was thinking this morning  just how much I would wish he could come back for just a little while. I am not saying this to make you sad for us. But I want you to really take time today and tomorrow to think about those special people in your lives and to be thankful you have the time over the holidays to be with them. Put family problems aside and dwell on the fact that you have each other. I think about all the silly things we quibbled about that mean absolutely nothing to me now. They seem trivial in light of losing our special person who was the light of our family. Oh, he wasn't perfect and he did things that aggravated all of us. But none of that mattes now. What matters was that he loved his family and sacrificed for us. Like the new coat he bought me last Christmas we didn't really have the money for. Now it is a treasure to me. In fact the last few years he bought rather extravagant gifts for all of us and we think he probably knew he wasn't going to be here much longer. I can look back at it and see it now. I would give anything for him to walk in the house and just sit and talk even for a few minutes. One day someone walked up the front stairs of our house and I actually thought it was him coming home. And I am just saying this. Take time this thanksgiving with your family. Listen to Grandpa tell his stories. Listen to your mom with her problems and put up with those relatives that simply drive you nuts. Listen to your brother  or sister and try to understand what they are going though right now. And take time to hug the kids and maybe play a game with them. Who knows? Maybe someone in your family will not be there next year. Be thankful for the family God has given you. And be thankful for our freedom some soldier gave his or her life for this year. God Bless America

Are We Living In A Police Sate?

Some believe we are approaching the era of living in a police state. Obama though that when he came back from his back to back foreign trips he would be facing  fights over tax cuts, spending and the deficit. Instead he is entwined with a growing concern over the Thanksgiving holiday travel and the new TSA procedures. Some airports are thinking of doing away with the TSA and putting in their own security teams. Now foremost on Americans minds and the main headlines for several days are the pat downs and screenings Americans are very much concerned about. And the calloused TSA has no compassion or care about how we feel about it.
Obama has tried to explain much to his dismay why the new pat downs are necessary. Many believe these procedures don't even detect the elements that the Christmas day bomber and other terrorist were carrying to stop an explosion in the first place.
But, the pat downs are causing so much grievance the administration is starting to think of backing down, especially with the extra time it is going to take to get through the lines for holiday traffic in the first place.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton admits she herself would not care to go through such a procedure. She said she would prefer not to have to submit to an invasive pat down. " Not if I could avoid it" Ms Clinton said " No, I mean, who would."
Bruce Huffman an a expert on terrorism said he would like to consider an Israeli-style approach to identifying passengers who are a risk which is based on advance intelligence.
Not to add the story of the 61 year old man, a cancer survivor, who wears a bag to collect urine. He was patted down so ruffly his bag burst and left him in tears as he boarded his flight. "I was absolutely humiliated." He told MSNBC.com

House Democrats Keep Nancy As Their Leader

Despite all our efforts we still did not get rid of Nancy and Harry. And they are going to push for some more items on their agenda through this lame duck session. There is no end to their devious tactics. They take advantage of every door they can get their foot in. So heads up, especially they know we are busy with holiday season. Folks the battle is far from over.
Nancy defeated Heath Schuler of North Carolina in a vote 150-43. It was a long closed door session and it was contentious to say the least. Many of the party argued they needed a new leadership. The party to say the least is not well connected and a sharp division could occur. Nancy is going to have trouble keeping everyone in line as many of the Dems now have their eyes and ears opened. Rep. Alley Boyd said  "The truth is she is the face that defeated us in this election."
Others say it was the bad economy and high unemployment.
Although her power is diminished she is still carrying the banner for the liberal Dems and I don't see any change in her stands. I doubt President Obama will change much either even though he is trying to meet with the Republicans. I am not sure how far the olive branch will be extended. I don't see him changing much on the Bush tax cuts. Of course he has to pay for his stimulus package somehow. Taking the turkey off our table and replacing it with chicken.
In one interview she showed "no" remorse for the Dems who lost their seats. She said "coldly and defiantly" it was worth it to get the Health Care Bill through. She is one tough bird. You wouldn't want her on your thanksgiving table.

Ryan Graves, 27 Year Old Seeks Help Running For Chicago Mayor

Ryan Graves,  a 27 year old  from Mount Greenwood, where I live, wants to run for mayor. He is single and lives with his parents. He is a Democratic precinct captain in the 19th ward of Chicago. Ryan is going door to door 8-10 hours a day trying to get 12,500 signatures to get on the ballot. Why am I, a conservative writing about this? Because I am vitally concerned our young people becoming involved in the political process no matter what side they are on. Without their interest in politics our country will not survive. Secondly he is running against Rham Emanuel. the last person I want as Mayor of Chicago. With him in office we would only be continuing the chain of command from the unions on down. Now is our chance to try too remove this curse on Chicago.
Emanuel plans to spend 8 million dollars running for mayor. Graves has so far spent $10,000 of his own money. He didn't even tell his own parents for fear they would think he was crazy.
Graves said after Sheriff Tom Dart dropped out Ryan could see no one to vote for. He has been standing at the Metra station collecting signatures.
I like this guy. He has guts. His friends say he has no hidden agenda. More than we can say for our current President. He is interested in making a difference.These are the kind of young people we need to make a change in politics. "He says he is running as someone who understands the working man and the average guy and what the economy is like for him. Exactly near to something I said in a recent article in the SouthTown. How can a rich man like Daley understand the average man on the south side of Chicago trying to raise a family? He is totally out of sink with what is happening down here at our level.
People say he has no chance against the heavy hitters who would run against him. Ryan says " Give me a chance." "Let me get on the ballot. I think the people of the south side deserve a voice."

Extending Bush Tax Cuts Crucial to the Economy Moving Forward

With the lame duck session will they get the Bush tax cuts through. Lingering and not willing to reach an agreement will only hurt the economy further as we come to the Christmas Season.  President  Obama wants to tax higher income people while Republicans and many Democrats want all tax cuts to continue. Some analysts believe there are two leading theories - either all of them will be extended or nothing will happen.
Passing the tax-cut extension would be harder to accomplish in a lame duck session. The Democrats would fall short of 60 needed to extend only the middle class tax cuts.
The bad thing for us as consumers is that letting the tax cuts linger into the new year will drag down the current  economic uncertainty and stunt economic growth.
The best scenario for us as tax payers is a clear extension of all tax cuts, at least for one year, and to do it before Thanksgiving.
Can both parties put aside their partisan ways and put the American people and their businesses first? That is the imminent question before us.

My Angel Kicked In Again

Some of you might be wondering if I finally got my transmission fixed. You might remember I was on my way to see Newt  in Wisconsin and then travel over to Wisconsin Dells where we have a timeshare at Christmas Mountain. I have been wanting to go there and get some rest and be by myself for a few days. My husband and I usually go up there in the fall. This area reminds me a little on Colorado, especially with the pine trees. and it has a fantastic whirlpool which is outside and you go in it even in the winter. It helps my fibromyalgia a lot. Ever since my husband passed my angel has been working triple. It probably wants a rest too. So many needs have been met in many ways. But the transmission was a big problem. It really scared me one day when it shifted into first gear going 65 on I-80. I realized it needed to be fixed right away. I was really wondering how in  the world was I going to do this.
Then last Sunday I drove to church and it was really acting up. By the time I got to church, I was a nervous wreck. Many asked me what was I going to do?  They wished they could help me. When church was over and everyone was leaving a church member came up to me and handed me an envelope. It had come to the church addressed to me. I took it and really didn't think too much of it. I got in the car and decided to open it just to see what it could be. And there it was, my angel kicked in again. It was a check far more than the transmission would cost. I just sat there in amazement and disbelief.
Then I realized no matter what, God was going to help me through this time. I have shared this story many times. I still can't believe it happened. So my transmission is fixed and the car is running great again, and maybe I will make it to the Dells after all.

Are Riches The True Test Of Success?

Recently I was listening to a person on a talk show telling about the women candidates who are extremely successful. I knew this person was mainly talking about women successful making large amounts of money because she was referring to two Republican candidates who had contributed a lot of money to their own campaign. But, this led me thinking about a sermon my husband had once delivered on what really is success. Is a person successful only because they make a lot of money?
We have known many rich people in the ministry. We have been in their homes and on a few occasions they have remarked to my husband, "I would give anything to have kids like yours."
I was once envious of a friend who had no children and  a career. I sometimes would go shopping with her and was amazed how much money she spent on clothes. I remember coming home one time and complaining to him about his salary. I feel bad about that now. I was recently with this friend and to my amazement she said she had always been envious of me as pastor's wife and our three children. I had no idea she even looked at me this way.
What is success? If you had listened to my husband he would have given this illustration of true success. A successful  person is one who raises adult children who are responsible adults raising their children. A successful person is a person who teaches their children family values, and to try to live right obeying laws. A successful person is one whose adult children follow your example and take their children to church, a  place of worship, or synagogue.
What is success? It is how you measure it. Money the bible says, "Thy money perishes with you." Acts8:20 KJV  It is temporal and I like to think something God gives you to get you from here to heaven. Yes, we need it, but I feel American's spent far too much time thinking how to get it and what to do with it once they get it. But children go on from generation to generation. What kind of successful person are you?

Somehow We Need To Get Unions Out Of Politics

Why do the unions give millions and millions of dollars to Democrats out of members dues? 60% of union workers want this practise to stop. Take this money and apply it to the workers pension funds. They deserve it, it comes out of their sweat, blood and tears. Why do the unions give this money to the Dems when they are falling into unfunded debt. According to the Chicago Booth School of Business of all the 50 states the total unfunded liability is 3 Trillion dollars. In Illinois where I live we have unfunded pension obligations of 80 billion dollars. Also we have unfunded retiree obligations of 40 billion more. Also according to another report by Northwestern and Rochester university, Chicago unions have pension assets that can pay only through 2020. These problems have increase with the recession as more and more people are being laid off from state and local governments. Leaving less people putting into the funds. Also the problems will increase as state and local officials will spend more money on pension and retiree funds instead of programs like police, schools, infrastructure , etc.
The reason they will pay more as they give promises by politicians during elections the government unions will receive more monies building grand expectations with other peoples money. An expectation that Obama used during the election to build false hope that he can now not deliver. Somehow we need to get the unions out of elections.

Talk At The Breakfast Diner

Well, a lot happened yesterday, my car went into the shop for the  transmission, my lawyer wanted me to come downtown immediately to talk to him. So here is how it went. I went of course over to vote. Surprisingly we actually had Republican signs at the voting place. You say, what's so great about that? Rarely are there Republican signs in Chicago. Most of you don't understand the Dems machine going on here. Then I went to take the car over and the mechanic took me to the train stop. At the train stop I had time to reflect on how good it felt to vote. Be it Dem or Rep, there is just something that feels good inside that you had a little say in this great country of ours. On the way to downtown I saw more Republican signs, some were twisted and dented and torn, but they were still standing. As I arrived downtown there were people with Dems stickers stuck on their coats, I felt like I was Dems heaven. I asked the cab driver. Did you vote, he said no I am not a citizen yet, but I pay my taxes. Then I got to the lawyers office and we talked a little and found out he was a conservative and that he had lived in London for 11 years. He did ask me if I was a Bronco fan, since I came from Denver. Then we got down to business. It has something to do with the papers I filed a while back with Lisa Madison, Chicago police and FBI. I told him so far it took the Chicago police to call me 28 days after I filed. And so far I received one post card from Lisa Madison, state attorney general. The incident happened the end of August. We supposed that maybe Lisa was busy running for office. People aren't very happy with her either and her signs were crinkled too. Fortunately for me the lawyer was around the corner from Macy's so my day wasn't completely wrecked. And it made my day worth the trip. I came home and was completely worn out, but of course it was a very interesting night, if you were a Republican.
This morning I went over  for some coffee at the diner and of course the election was the talk of the town. I was surprised so many were very unhappy about Harry Reid, and me too. And of course talk of Sarah Palin. The Gov. race so far undecided. This happens a lot here. Neither is giving up at this point. It is a pivotal point in our country's history. Most decidedly Americans do not like Obama's agenda. Of course economy the main concern, one in four homes in Chicago nearing forecloser. They talk of fear this could harm the banking and financial business. You think how President Obama doesn't think the American people are that smart. He needs to walk over to the corner diner and listen to these people talk.  They are a lot smarter than he thinks and they know what is going on. God Bless America.

That Darn George Bush

The following article is quite surprising coming from a more Liberal paper and writer !!


That Darn George Bush!!



Here's an opinion piece by Chuck Green who writes "Greener Pastures" for the Denver Post Aurora Sentinel... one of the more liberal papers in the country. Additionally, Mr. Green is a life long Democrat... so this is rather a stunning piece.





Obama is victim of Bush's failed promises

Greener Pastures Column -- 5/ 15/10







Barack Obama is setting a record-setting number of records during his first year in office.

Largest budget ever. Largest deficit ever. Largest number of broken promises ever. Most self-serving speeches ever. Largest number of agenda-setting failures ever. Fastest dive in popularity ever.



Wow! Talk about change.



Just one year ago, fresh from his inauguration celebrations, President Obama was flying high. After one of the nation's most inspiring political campaigns, the election of America 's first black president had captured the hopes and dreams of millions. To his devout followers, it was inconceivable that a year later his administration would be gripped in self-imposed crisis.



Of course, they don't see it as self-imposed. It's all George Bush's fault.



George Bush, who doesn't have a vote in congress and who no longer occupies the White House, is to blame for it all.



He broke Obama's promise to put all bills on the White House web site for five days before signing them.



He broke Obama's promise to have the congressional health care negotiations broadcast live on C-SPAN.



He broke Obama's promise to end earmarks. (Political payoffs with your tax money.)



He broke Obama's promise to keep unemployment from rising above 8 percent.



He broke Obama's promise to close the detention center at Guantanamo in the first year.



He broke Obama's promise to make peace with direct, no precondition talks with America 's most hate-filled enemies during his first year in office, ushering in a new era of global cooperation.



He broke Obama's promise to end the hiring of former lobbyists into high White House jobs.



He broke Obama's promise to end no-compete contracts with the government.



He broke Obama's promise to disclose the names of all attendees at closed White House meetings.



He broke Obama's promise for a new era of bipartisan cooperation in all matters.



He broke Obama's promise to have chosen a home church to attend Sunday services with his family by Easter of last year.



Yes, it's all George Bush's fault. President Obama is nothing more than a puppet in the never-ending failed Bush administration.

If only George Bush wasn't still in charge, all of President Obama's problems would be solved. His promises would have been kept, the economy would be back on track, Iran would have stopped its work on developing a nuclear bomb and would be negotiating a peace treaty with Israel . North Korea would have ended its tyrannical regime, and integrity would have been restored to the federal government.



Oh, and did I mention what it would be like if the Democrats, under the leadership of Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, didn't have the heavy yoke of George Bush around their necks? There would be no ear marks, no closed-door drafting of bills, no increase in deficit spending, no special-interest influence (unions), no vote buying (Nebraska, Louisiana).



If only George Bush wasn't still in charge, we'd have real change by now.



All the broken promises, all the failed legislation and delay (health care reform, immigration reform) is not President Obama's fault or the fault of the Democrat-controlled Congress. It's all George Bush's fault.



Take for example the decision of Eric Holder, the president's attorney general, to hold terrorists' trials in New York City . Or his decision to try the Christmas Day underpants bomber as a civilian.



Two disastrous decisions.



Certainly those were bad judgments based on poor advice from George Bush.



Need more proof?



You might recall that when Scott Brown won the election to the U.S. Senate from Massachusetts , capturing "the Ted Kennedy seat", President Obama said that Brown's victory was the result of the same voter anger that propelled Obama into office in 2008. People were still angry about George Bush and the policies of the past 10 years. And they wanted change.



Yes, according to the president, the voter rebellion in Massachusetts was George Bush's fault.



Therefore, in retaliation, they elected a Republican to the Ted Kennedy seat, ending a half-century of domination by Democrats. It is all George Bush's fault.



Will the failed administration of George Bush ever end, and the time for hope and change ever arrive?



Will President Obama ever accept responsibility for something... anything?



(Chuck Green is a veteran Colorado journalist and former editor-in-chief of The Denver Post.)

A Letter To My Husband

     Dear Husband, There are so many things I want to share with you since you graduated to glory.  First, I rather would be with you, but I must remain here for a while longer and be with our children. We are all well and safe.We ask our ourselves, now that you no longer have prosthetic legs, if you are golfing on greens of gold up there. Now you are free to do the things you could no longer do down here. Many have asked how I feel. I feel good. You are freed from a terrible disease. I really should say we have been freed. I no longer have to worry about you daily. I have complete peace with what happened. Some people can not understand this. Some who have had an ill mate do understand it. I still feel one with you. So many things have happened since you left us. Many decisions I have had to make on my own, but I always try to think how you would have handled this. I always remember how quickly you were able to forgive others, almost to my dismay. That you were truly a man with no guile towards others who were unkind to you. You were slow to react and always thought through why something happened. You always gave others the benefit of doubt. You would try to reason with me to calm me down, I was the one who wanted to quickly react. We were good for each other as we would come to a pretty good conclusion in the end. You were the steady one, I the impulsive.We were a good team together.We worked well together in the ministry. We were usually on the same wave length. You taught me not to get in the flesh. but try to handle it in a spiritual manner. Sometimes that would frustrate me,  but I would try to follow your lead. You always understood my illness and did not push me beyond what I could not do. Even when others criticized because I could not make it to church. You would understand and mention that I suffered much pain and sometimes not able to attend.
I want you back, but understand more and more you are not coming back, I must come to you. Russ wrote a Poem "Wait For Us". You should be so proud of him. He handled this like a man. All the children are doing well and are going on as they should. We all have our times and wonder how we are going to make it through Christmas. I didn't realize what strong children we raised. Others have commented on it. I miss you. Marna

Brady to Pat Quinn-Blago Was Your Partner

Bill Brady was strong in the debate last night. It was not called a debate but a forum. However it sounded like a debate to me. Brady came in and clobbered Quinn on his increased spending and bad decisions he has made. Of course Quinn blamed his predecessor Blago, and the previous predecessor and the previous predecessor. Republicans Ryan and even Thompson are to blame for his increased spending evidently. He should have never used the word Blago, which started another round from Brady on Quinn making remarks that Blago was his partner and Quinn had said was an honorable and a decent man who was according to Brady under investigation at the time.  Both agreed that the former Gov. Ryan should remain in prison for the rest of his term  for the six children of the Willis's that died in an van fire from a piece that fell off a truck ahead of them. In a side, we know the Willis's and have worked together with them in the ministry. I totally agree Ryan should serve his full term. I am sill not over their loss either. This was about the only thing they agreed on. Quinn said Brady did not speak out about Ryan during the time of Ryan's troubles which inflamed Brady who said he was the first to come out and speak against Ryan. Quinn in many respects seemed unprepared. How can you defend a bad record for the last two years and wanted at one time to increase taxes 33%? As he could see no other way out, and quickly criticized other Republicans who's are severely cutting spending. It was lively and interesting to say the least.  Although Carol Moran slants to liberal I feel she tried to keep the playing field even. The event was spirited and I enjoyed it very much. Right now the polls stand at 43.3% for Brady and 39% for Pat Quinn. I shutter to think what would happen if Pat Quinn were allowed to continue to rule Illinois. We have greater problems than our own Governor creating them himself. I appreciate the fact that Bill Brady takes a stand on life. As he put it, as governor he is concerned for every person in Illinois. Yes, the unborn are people!! He is not for criminalizing women who have abortions if Roe-vrs. Wade is overturned. He was also clear he did no see this happening. On rape and incest he believes that is individual. I like this man and his stand especially that he wants to BALANCE THE BUDGET, which Quinn says you can't do it.

No Other Election Like This One

This election is unlike any other election we have ever had. This election is for the soul of our country. If we fail this will no longer be the America we once had. There will be a chance if we win to save America. But even if we win, and we will, the battle will not be over. We will still be in a fight to keep America, "America". Because the far left liberals are going to fight to the death. Even democrats are beginning to pull  away from the far left. But not soon enough and not fast enough. The far left has a tangle hold and are not going to quit. Recently Sarah Palin said, even if w get rid of Pelosi and Reid the problem will still be here. She is right. Our future is in this vote. If you have ever voted before it is now. Many have asked who I am voting for. For the state of Illinois I am standing strongly behind Bill Brady for Governor and and I would vote for Mark Kirk.. In Illinois we are in a battle with the unions. You say are they that strong? How has Mayor Daley been put in office four times? Yes. Why the strong unions here? If you watched Karl Rove on CBS Sunday with Bob Schieffer you heard the 222 million dollars for elections from four unions. They put Obama in office. Bob Schieffer said, "I can't speak for the unions this morning" and Karl responded, "I wouldn't defend them either." I know about the unions because I live in Chicago. Right now I have neighbors who want to put up a Bill Brady sign on their front yard. But they are afraid of repercussions if they do. That is intimidation. No one should be afraid to put up signs on their front lawn. I have had friends in the Chicago area who had conservative signs up and people have knocked on their doors telling them to take them down or else. They left them up. We are going to beak this hold of the unions on the vote in Chicago. It will take time, but we are going to do it. Marna

Why Is It When Everything Seems To Get Better There Comes Another Twist?.

Life has so many twists and turns, at least my life has. It seems like when everything is getting better you get zonked with another problem. I know people say the Lord doesn't give you  more than you can handle. But sometimes doesn't it feel like there is overload going on? But then I think of someone else's life, like 23% of the sales of homes are from mortgages failing and people loosing their homes and my trials seem small.  And just today I visited a friend who's grandfather is very ill and they are determined not to put him in a nursing home. They are going to do it themselves.  Then I think, maybe a transmission in the car really isn't all that much considering I am in the same house and most of my bills are paid. So you see if you look at other's sometimes your trials really aren't that big. I don't have to pick up everything and leave my home. There is always someone much worse off than you are.  Like the old saying I felt sorry for myself because I had no shoes until I met someone who had no feet. It's all really pretty much how you look at it isn't it. Just something I was thinking about and thought I would share it with you.

If You Can't Say Anything Good Just Don't Say It.

Sometimes we give our life to other's and all we get is a slap in the face. That's how I feel today. Just because we are the Lord's servants doesn't give the right for others to hurt us. Now that my husband is gone other's are lifting him up and picking at me. I am part of him too. I am part of his work. So when you stab me you stab his spirit too. He is still with us. Ministry is not an easy work. Paul said, It is a light thing that you should criticize me. Yes the apostle Paul suffered hits by others too.  And yet the servant of the Lord is not to retaliate, we are to be above the harm others are saying about us.  I am a Pastor's wife and have been for 42 years. I have that title and I earned it. I did not seek it, it was thrust on me the day I married my husband. So if you thought highly of my husband you should think the same for me. I am the one who put him through Bible college, made the sacrifices and am still making the sacrifices. I am the one who lived through the long hours. I am the one who shared in his triumphs and his loses. Leave me alone if you can't say anything nice. I do not need your remarks. I am following the Lord the same as you. I am still  Dr. Meyer's wife and I am one with him. Marna

The Miracle of the Miners

Shortly after midnight last night Florencio Avalos arrived at the top in the Phoenix, the name of the capsule that saved his life. Meeting his wife and family after 69 days in an abyss of fear and anxiety he was safe at last. What a miracle!! Awakening this morning I soon learned  the11th man was being rescued. One third of the miners were now safe.  It takes 13 - 14 minutes average to bring them to the top. Many men carrying a flag that was sent down to them during the ordeal.  The President of Bolivia is now with the President of Chile. The miners are in amazing good shape coming up. Why? Because the President of Chile showed LEADERSHIP. He accepted help from foreign countries, he TOOK THE REIGNS and organised people who were professions in their fields and he LISTENED to them. He did not get MAD at the MINE and tell them off. He WORKED with them. This is LEADERSHIP. 
The men have lost an average of 22 pounds. All miners were given aspirin in case of blood clots. A Chilean cheer goes up each time a miner arrives. Something only done at their soccer games. A tribute to the men if you will.
Aug. 5th was the start for their ordeal. There was a landslide and many were able to escape out the front of the mine  but these miners were far down below. They were eating in a safe room. An accident, not really when you think about the one who protects us. Many are speaking of the strong faith of the Chilean people. Is this what really saved them? I think so. The miracle of them ending up in this safe room can only be classified as a miracle, something truly of God, His protection.
How Chile has handled  this is the key to their success. They reached out to other countries and worked together to solve the problems. And for the the Chilean President he has high marks from his people. From what I have seen of him from my living room, he cares about his people.
Men talk of the mental battle these men went though to overcome the ordeal. The men worked together in the mine, not against each other. What a good example of those that helped them from outside and their desire to stay together inside. They could also be an example to us. Would to God we could work together to solve the serious problems this country is facing right now.
The Phoenix is 21 inches wide and painted in colors of the Chilean flag. Rollers are on the capsule because the grade is on a slant coming up. Continue prayer for the rescue and may you all come home safely.
Our praise to the Chilean President for his leadership.

Harry Reid on Course for Early Retirement

Harry Reid on course for early retirement. He said at the beginning it couldn't be done, but Harry may be going into early retirement  Sharon Angle, his opponent, is up 3 points. Harry has thrown everything including the kitchen sink at Angle, including millions of dollars in attack ads. Which proves money isn't everything. Even Republicans weren't siding with her in the beginning because they said she was too conservative to beat him.  The reason she is winning, her campaign has been generously supported.  Angle is clearly listening to the people while Reid hangs on to his Washington ideas which are completely out of touch with the American people. A report out today Washington's spending is trillions ahead of the what was spent last year. Sen. Boyner said yesterday, instead of Ohioans getting pink slips they should go to Obama's economic's team. Dems are beginning to look shaky in seats that were once though safe. 75 congressional seats are up for grabs. This could be the swell we have been predicting for so long. Another race that could give us the Senate and a must watch is Linda McMahon and Richard Blumenthal where he made a terrible response to the question
"How are jobs created?"    She answered the question in 19 seconds, She is now 4 points behind and climbing.
It also doesn't look good for the President for 2012. New poll out on key states you need to win for presidency        Ohio -57% disapproval rating -  38% approval rating
Florida 56% disapproval rating - 40% approval rating
Pennsylvania 52% disapproval rating  - 42% approval rating
All states he won in 2008 by 10 points.
Poll also says a generic Republican could beat him at this point.
My question, might you possibly consider not running in 2012 and do us all a favor?

"Who is to Blame?" - Ross Perot

These are the words of a modern age prophet who made some alarming statements during the 1992 election. Hitting hard on the deficit and the 4 billion dollar debt the country was in an angry Ross Perot tried to persuade the American electorate that we were in desperate straights with our mounting debt.. 4 trillion dollars. His warning was heard for a while but then seemed to fall on deaf ears. But his statements come back to haunt us today as we face a parallel situation only with much more alarming and frightening numbers. 1.3 Billion dollars. He warned of many of the things we  see going on now, as though he was writing a modern day financial prophecy for today.
He said it was us not the politicians who did this. but us who voted them in and continually keep voting them in for their rewards they would give us with their Federal moneys.
Many of the arguments he made in the book follow today. Accusing us of taking our tax dollars and racking them up for our children to pay off, only now it is our grandchildren.
He even has on the front cover a forewarning statement "how we can take our country back." What a familiar ring.
As you go on in the book, many other statements repeat themselves of the avalanche of spending our country is going through. About the raising of funds for elections, 18 years ago this prophet foretold that if we continued this spending we would rival the Great Depression.
He talked about the shaky banks and money institutions he termed  were on the edge of a cliff.
If we had heeded his warnings and reined in our spending, we would not be where we are right now.
This modern day prophet was preaching, but who was listening? It fell on deaf ears.
He spoke of how we were adding to our deficit every 24 hours, and would double the deficit by 2000. How we were impoverishing our nation. But America continued on in her blindness.
He even touched on the elites and the broken system. He spoke of congressmen being out of touch and unable to reach. This was 1992. Think how much worse off today, when we send thousands of petitions and they still vote against the will of the people.
Had we listened, had we heeded his warnings this prophet could have saved this nation. Can it still be saved? Yes, but now how much more we need to rein things in. It will not be a fun time for America. We have come to the place were we must pay the price. Oh, how different if we had only listened  to this man, who stuck his neck out and said, we have a problem.
Reflexions from Ross Perot's Book United We Stand written in 1992.

Kagan Did Not Tell The Truth

This is only the beginning of the problems we are going to suffer from Obama's mismanagement.  Kagan did not tell the truth, and the Senators did not listen to us. And because of this the high court is going to suffer.  Kagan said at her hearing that she had 11 cases she could not hear, and would have to recluse herself from. This is because she was U.S. solicitor general. Now she says there are 12 more cases.
This will leave the court with many possibilities of deadlock. It could also impact the court for many years. Some attorneys are considering holding their cases for later because with her missing the outcome of their cases could be impacted.
Arizona bill SB1070 could be one of the cases that could be effected. Lower court ruling will also hold as these cases come to the supreme court reach a 4-4- deadlock split. Then the lower court ruling would stand.
Oh, how I wish the Senators would have listened to us, instead of shoeing her in. This was only one of the concerns about her.There were so many concerning questions about her but they just blindly put her in.
Another boondoggle of a mess Obama has left us in. His legacy of ineptness will continue for a long time. Many say he is the worst President ever. I am begining to think about that considerably. How much more are we going to suffer from his lack of maturity and inability to think things through.  This could have been seen a long time ago.

Faith

Many people have tried to help me through this time of loss of my husband. Many have called me, e-mailed me, written me and stopped by. But none of them have done what a little note sent to me by my Aunt Kay, my father's sister did. She sent something that finally reached my heart. And it helped me to feel like going on. Oh yes, I am human and wonder at times why I must go on without my husband. Each day gets a little better, each day gets a little worse. It starts getting better because you start healing, and it gets worse because you realize they are not coming back. Like a roller coaster ride up and down. But through all of this my Aunt sent a little note and a little ray of light started shining through my tunnel. We all have tunnel times in our lives. This verse simple yet effective in it's message reached me and helped me to see clearer. We must at times walk by faith. God taught Abraham to walk by faith and it pleased God. And God blessed him immeasurably beyond anything he had ever dreamed because he followed in the darkness. Maybe you are walking in darkness right now too, with your business, your marriage or some other trial. May this little verse reach your darkness also.

                                                                   FAITH

"When you walk to the edge of all the light you have and take that first step into the darkness of the unknown, you must believe that one of two things will happen.

There will be something for you stand upon- or you will be taught to Fly."

Obama's White House

Seems like only yesterday, the year has been so much fun, that we were trying to stop Obamacare, Don't Ask Don't Tell, military abortions and all the other nonsense coming down the Obama pike. But the change Obama claimed isn't happening, and the change we want to happen is happening. Obama's administration is imploding inside itself. It seems many are thinking, I want out.
Nobody likes a looser. Some say he is the worst President ever. I say it's close. He has created a firestorm of controversy. No one is better at this than he himself. But for right now he is kind of self contained. The problem everyone is candidating trying to save their own neck. Good for us as it temporarily stops his agenda. This will not derail him. He will re-establish his front and try to move forward, driven with the desire to put in place his plan. He does not feel defeated, in his own mind he is calculating how to come back, and he is crafty. He feels the conservative goal will destroy this country. I believe he is instilled with this thinking and it can not be changed. He will not give up.this battle, it is not over with one little election. In ways he has only begun to fight. Giving him time time to restructure his White House Staff, he will attempt to come back stronger. Some of you think this will all end  with this election. It will not, the progressives are only going to press harder. Like Satan who knows his time is short before the return in Christ, in many ways Obama has only begun. There is much hatred in his heart. You can see it from afar. He is not through.

He Is Still With Us

So many have asked, "what are you doing now that your husband is gone?"  I reply, "he is not gone, he is still with us." I have told many, I feel like he is with me. I can't explain it. I don't feel alone - I feel like he is with me.The other day I talked to him down the stairs. My computer is upstairs and his is downstairs. We often talked through the stairwell. I actually started talking to him the other day, and then I remembered he isn't down there. That is how much I feel he is with me.  He also supported my blog and often gave me articles he thought I would be interested in. He often laughed at my growing interest in politics. I have grown a lot this year writing the blog and getting information for it.I am convinced conservatism is the only answer to get us out of this deep recession. And he is still with us. Marna

Wait For Us Poem - by Russ Meyer

Wait for us

Wait  for  us  there

Until  one  day

Until  one day  we  can  share

Everything  we  had

Everything we had before

                                                                              

Then  we  will

Then  we  will  have  some  more

Never  forgotten the rest of  our  lives

Wait  for  us  there

We will see  you again  in  paradise

RIP

Robert Edward Meyer Sr.

January 29, 1948  -  September 9,  2010

                                                                                

Congressman Lipinski Helps Pass Small Business Jobs Act.

Here is a bill that will actually help small businesses. If only we had started here 18 months ago and worked from this way of cutting taxes and giving relief to small business we would  be in much better stead than where we are. I realize just cutting taxes is not all the answer, but muzzling the small business man during this time has not helped. Congressman Lipinski said "Small business form the backbone of the Third District's Economy, create nearly two-thirds of new jobs nationally, and are key to the recovery. But with this economy still stalled and loans hard to come by even for those with good track records, action is needed to remove barriers  to growth. That's why I voted to lower the tax burden for small businesses and help them obtain the credit they need to expand their operations, invest in new equipment, and hire new workers."
 The bill  is fully paid for and will not add to the deficit., allows businesses to write off half the cost of capital expenditures for 2010. Also adds up to $30 billion available to community banks and local lending institutions to spur them to boost lending to small businesses. It's a good bill and a
 small start to the recovery. This is the trend we need to follow to get our nation going again and on the road to recovery.
I wrote a small e-mail to Congressman Lipinski {D} and thanked him for voting for H.R. 5297. He also did not vote for Healthcare reform bill as he stated it would harm seniors. And I might add we are finding more and more it is going to harm everyone.
I like this congressman and I have met him personally and thanked him for his voting.

Axelrod, a True "Chicagoan"

Axelrod says he is  true "Chicagoan". What is that, I never heard that before. He misses Chicago, but does Chicago miss him?  He is a few steps from the Oval office. I wonder if it is Karl Rove's old office? Well seems like he is the one who plans his speeches, and probably orders the teleprompters. And  he is his campaign strategist. He also helps keep Obama on the straight and narrow following his campaign promises. Before going to the White House he worked for the Chicago Tribune. There have been rumors at times other players on the White House staff are not that keen with him, although he is popular in the White House. Well, it will be interesting what Obama will run on. Will he continue to try to resale his ever decreasing unpopular healthcare bill?  Our the finance bill that has 10,000 new rules?  He can't say too much about the oil spill except that it spilled on and on for many months. Cash for clunkers that we spent thousands of dollars for each clunker. And everything else he can't explain was George Bush's fault anyway. It should be an interesting election, as I for one am obviously not high on his record. Not to mention the near double digit unemployment rate he has driven us into. If I were him I would think a little bit about running in the first place. Marna

Article Written For My Husband by Marna Meyer Mokena Messenger Sept. 23, 2010

A Tribute to My Husband Pastor Robert Meyer


My husband was born on the south side of Chicago. He was raised near the corner of 63rd and Mozart. His parents were Richard and Dorothy Meyer. Called Dick, he was an locomotive engineer. After graduating from Harper High School he went to Denver Baptist Bible College. After two years attending the college we met. We met on a blind date, and as they say I've been blind ever since. During his lifetime he pastored five churches. Mokena Baptist church was his last church.

Our first church was in Silt, Colo. About twenty miles west of Glenwood Springs, Colo. He pastored there for five years, 1974 to1979. Then he received a call to a church in Chicago. It was always his dream to pastor in Chicago. We came here in Sept,1979. He pastored the first Baptist Church of Palos Hills for 81/2 wonderful years. After that we pastored in Wichita, Kansas for a short time. Then we returned to Mokena were we ministered at the Mokena Baptist Church for the last nine years.

Pastor loved baseball, especially the Sox. He also loved the Bears. We have enjoyed our time here in Mokena. We especially like Denny's and Steak and Shake.

I am glad we chose to serve in the ministry.We have been alble to help a lot of people and lead them to know Christ better. My father once said it is the only thing worth wile, and now that I am older I understand what he meant. I hope you have enjoyed the Pastor's column. He enjoyed writing them. My husband was a special person and he will be missed by many. God Bless You. Marna Meyer

Our Second Sunday Without Him

Sunday was a good day, but it is still hard to look at his pulpit and realize he is not there. He has been  my husband and my Pastor for 42 years. We had a potluck dinner after church. The Baptist third ordinance. Everyone had a good time visiting and no one wanted to leave. I guess we just need each other. So far we have had quest speakers my husband lined up for September. After that we are on our own.The man we had who filled the pulpit said to me, they still need to heal. I said, and so do I. I realize I have to go on, but it is hard. Keeping busy is important, but I still have my times. I don't know what I would do without my faith, and good friends who are supporting me. "Now unto him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. Eph. 3:20 KJV
My oldest son walked in his Dad's office. He is really shaken with his Dad's loss. We don't touch anything. We don't have the heart to. Will it ever stop hurting? A great man is gone.  The Meyer's

The Second Day of the Best Two Days of My Life.

The next day I awoke even more tired than before. I dressed and drank some coffee and headed for the church. I was amazed how many people were already there. A pastor's fellowship was scheduled for this morning, but had been cancelled for the funeral. When I walked in many of the pastor's came up to me. The support from his peers was overwhelming. There were a few more decisions to be made and I visited a little more. Then Dick, the funeral director came to me and escorted me to my seat. We had been at this church for 81/2 years in the eighties. I was very close to where I had sat for many years. This is when it hits you. He really is gone.
There were to be three speakers, their time cut shorter to get each one in, and a pastor friend was the singer.We basically kept it simple. All three pastor's were my husbands closest friends. Each speaker shared something personal they had with my husband. The first speaker was friends with him in high school. The messages were clear and uplifting. As the service continued it became better and better.The congregation sang "It will be worth it all when we see Christ." My husbands signature song he sang at many occasions. Now we were singing it back to him. Sometimes I could sing, sometimes I was overwhelmed. Our pastor friend sang "My Tribute" and then the second speaker. He spoke of my husbands column in a local newspaper. He said my husband was a good writer, and read several of his favorite sections. The second song "Sheltered in the Arms of Jesus." The third speaker read a piece my husband had written on Christmas morning when we were still sleeping. He had e-mailed it to his friends. I never knew about it.
Then the climax, the surprise.The third pastor friend went and pushed a button and sat down. The congregation was wondering what was happening. Then music played and my husband started singing. Yes. the children and I had decided for him to sing at his own funeral. The auditorium was silent as my husband sang his last song. Many were quiet, some were crying, all were deeply moved. It was a great moment for him.
I really don't know how you get over something like this. It just takes time I guess.We had a good life together and served God together. Rest now my husband, your last battle with this dreadful disease is over. I have complete peace. This was the best way for him. The Meyer's

The Best Days of My Life

I mentioned before that the next two days were the best two days of my life.
We awoke the next morning even more tired than we were the day before. Why is it after endless days in the hospital and wrangling with the Dr's you now have a funeral on your hands? Doesn't seem fair does it? But that is the way it is. I still did not have a plot for my husband. I spent Sunday evening trying to get one of our relatives to sign over the plot. It is connected to a will. I won't go into details. It is in the family plot. You would think this would be easy. But nothing in life ever is. It wasn't until 2:30, one half hour before the wake I finally bought a plot. It would take an act of Congress to get the other plot. The woman at the cemetery says it goes on all the time.
Anyway a woman at the cemetery had been working all morning to find us a place in the family plot. When it was done she showed me the way they made it work. She asked would he mind being by a Florence M and a Charles M. Well, you know how my angel jumps in sometimes. I said that is his favorite aunt and uncle who supported him all his life. She said tomorrow their heads would be sleeping together. I cried. All the problems and irritation over this plot, and here was another plot near his two favorite people in the world. Only God could do that. I said I'll take it. And that was that. I was going to the funeral home a few minutes later and telling the children on the phone, Dad finally had a place to rest. And I would be right next to him. Only God could have straightened out this mess.
I reached the funeral home and went downstairs. We have been in this funeral home many times with our church. I knew Dick, the funeral director always had treats for the wake. I needed something to eat. I am not sure weather I have really eaten the last few weeks. Someone came down and said they are coming in and it is going to be crazy. And it did. People came from all over. There was a steady stream of people form three to closing. They came in groves and it was never ending.I never realized how many people he had reached. And everyone telling me something he had done in their life. I realized this was his life's work before my eyes. There was a lot of laughter amongst the tears. It was one of the most incredible days of my life. The stories, the tears, the hugs, it was really quite unbelievable. And I thought, why didn't they say these things to him when he was alive? Well, never mind he is in glory now, and that is all that really matters.We went home even more tired than we were before, but amazed at what had just happened. I layed awake for several hours pondering and thinking. Maybe this isn't the end of his ministry, maybe it is just the beginning.

What This Blog Is About-

This blog is about a recession, a very liberal president, and how a family faces it.  I had no idea we would loose our father and husband in the middle of it. Sometimes I write politics, sometimes I write personal. Today I write  personal. One week ago we lost or Dad. It seems more like a month. The first few days were filled with phone calls and e-mails from from everywhere. I never really realized how many people he influenced, how many lives he touched. But when you think of 42 years and most of it in ministry you can understand we know a lot of people. Sunday, of course, we went to church. Not only did we loose a father, our people lost their Pastor. When I entered the church their faces said it all. Amazingly I went and sat down at the piano and wondered to myself if I could play. We have no other pianist. Don't ask me how, I was able to play. My husband and I had already made plans for speakers as he was to go to rehab and get strong enough for bypass surgery. We never made it that far. Amazingly we had a good service. Our friend said all the right things and the Word of God helped too.  The people left happier than when they came. The support they have given us is unbelievable. The speaker took me to lunch.  We went where my husband and I usually go. No, not a fancy place, we like to eat quickly and go on. Usually Sunday is a pretty busy day for us.
When we walked in the servers new almost immediately something was wrong. I told them. Several left teary eyed to go in the back. People really loved my husband. After lunch I went home to more endless phone calls. Each one was very important to me. I knew they wanted to talk just to me.  I felt totally exhausted with all the preparations. We knew it would be a big funeral.  The next two days became the most wonderful days of my life. One of my husbands favorite verses: "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith." Heb.12:1&2 KJV

Harry Reid Back at it Again

Harry Reid  is fired up one more time to pass amnesty bill by next week. This is his pet bill to get passed for younger illegal aliens. He is pulling one of his favorite tricks to get it attached to another bill that is popular to pass. He is attaching it to Defense Authorization Bill.
He must get 60 votes to overcome a filibuster. He says he has a chance of getting the 60 votes he needs. There are 17 pro amnesty Senators- Republicans and Democrats who are retiring.
Reid himself is barely hanging by a thread to be re-elected. His only hope? Hispanics showing up to vote.

You Never Know What a Day May Bring Forth

We thought we had it licked. Yesterday my husband and I had a little celebration dinner in the hospital room. Things were looking better. We were looking forward to going to the rehab unit together, after six days in the intensive care unit. We decided to go ourselves instead of a medi-car. My husband was a little uncomfortable but we got there about 8:30PM. They put him in his room and we put the Sox game on and I gave him his paper. He seemed OK and I put some things away. I left and said I will see you tomorrow. I went home happy and glad we were out of the hospital. I came home and rested. Morning came with chores and getting some clothes for him. I saw the rehab was calling. I called them back. The person on the phone said he wasn't in his bed. I said he really wasn't quite that well to be up and around. His nurse came on the phone and said they had taken him back to the hospital. He had taken a turn for the worse. He was declining quickly. I ran to the car and went to the hospital. I called all three kids as I drove. Entering the emergency room they said he was there, they would get his nurse. This did not sound good to me. His male nurse came and said "I'm sorry, he passed away in the ambulance." I was stunned. I just wanted to find him and be with him. I just wanted to tell him I always loved him. But he was gone. Yes, our father and grandfather was gone and the church's Pastor. The day turned into a myriad of phone calls and e-mails. People crying on the phone. I never realized how much they loved their Pastor. Here I was hurting and yet I was trying to comfort them. This is how our 42 year marriage ended. He is with God, out of pain, no more prosthetics, no more battle with diabetes. He's free. I am at peace. I know this is better for him. Where did the years go? I am glad we chose ministry for our lives. I am glad the path we took. We did the right thing, we made the right decisions and we served five churches. You never know what a day may bring forth. The Meyer's

I Finally Did It. I Made the Papers

Yesterday was another struggle in our on going journey to my husband's recovery. I went to the hospital to take him to the rehab center. We decided to do the transfer ourselves. When I entered the room, the wife of my husbands roommate said " You made the paper." She had a copy to hand me. I had forgotten the day before when a reporter and a photographer saw me watering my plants and came over. "Did you hear Mayor Daley is not going to run again?" No I had not heard, TV is not a priority right now, but was I happy about the news. It was my little day of fame and I had fun with it. When I reached home my neighbors had also seen it. They said we agree 100% with you. It was time for him to go. He now has a mixed legacy. Taxes upon taxes. When will people learn, taxes are all a Democrat really knows to do. Obama is really just another tax and spent democrat, out of control, but none the less that is what he is.
But where Daley really lost his support is selling the parking meters. What happened there you ask? He sold them to a Foreign Country. Yes, we are paying a foreign country with our parking fines. Then he turned around and sold the Chicago Skyway.  After this last payment, Daley really has a serious short fall. Wonder why he's quitting? Leave it to the next guy, and good luck to him.
There were five of us with our quotes, here's mine, "He has taxed this town to death." Another said what I said yesterday they go out of the city to shop. She said I don't even buy a bottle of water. Yes folks, he has a tax on a bottle of water!! Another said " the Dailey's have been corrupt and in charge for so long." Daley is also another one where everyone around him falls, but he is always left standing.  Amazingly he never knows any of it is going on??
Did he do some good things? Yes, he renovated Navy Pier and it does bring in a lot of money and a fun place to go. He renewed McCormick Place and it is a leading convention center. He has also been praised for his efforts with the schools. Although the Chicago Public School System has a long way to go.
Everyone here is shaking in their boots with talk of Rham Emanuel. No one I have talked to wants him, but Chicago is a heavily democratic city. It is a possibility. I'm scared.

My Visitors From The Southown Star

Well, yesterday was an interesting day. I was working in the yard and two men from the Southtown Star came by. It's a small paper but a lot of people read it because it has more local news. I use it for craft shows. Anyway, they came by and said "have you heard the news? Mayor Daily is not running." They asked my response, Happy, Happy I said. Why? Because we have tax upon tax. When I moved here my gas bill was higher. Same gas company, same size house, why higher? An extra tax for city of Chicago. I mention this to those who live here and they don't even know it. The gas for your car is always higher in Chicago. Why? He gets you again. I live on the edge of the city I just drive a few blocks and get it cheaper. People who live further in never think about it. There's a head tax. Why? Because you work in the city of Chicago. Folks the list goes on and on. And we all knew someday it had to end. Will we get a Republican in in? I doubt it, the unions control the city of Chicago. That is why you need to fight this large union bill the President wants to get in.Why? Then he will control all cities across the country. Some states like ours and California are paying a great price for the control of our cities by the unions. We are going broke. We can not afford the union prices to pay workers. I am sorry for Mrs. Daily. She is quite ill and wish her well. But Mayor Daily, I am glad to see you go. They asked me who would you like and believe it or not I said, I would like to see a black come in. My reasoning how in the world does a rich white guy relate to a black family trying to make it on the south side. Mayor Daily is totally out of reach when it come to relating to that. For that reason we need someone who has been there and done that. Hopefully someone more conservative. Blago has no chance in **** the people here hate him. And don't hope for Rham Emmanuel he is done in politics.

Written on 2/8/10 but my opinion still has not changed. In 2010 two men from the Southtown Star came by and published me as saying that I felt a black should be the next mayor of Chicago. My reasoning  is the same. I feel no one can know what it is to live in the city and try to raise a family more than someone who battles it day after day. And it has only gotten worse under Rahm Emmanuls's leadership or lack therewith. He cannot relate. More people have died including children and even a baby was shot in it's own crib. It's cries cannot be heard except for us to speak of it. Tomorrow is another election and hopefully a good man and one who understands the problems of Chicago. My hopes and prayers for the city and a hopeful tomorrow where children can run and play, ride their bicycles and walk to the candy store without fear. This is my hope for Chicago. Only you can make the change. Go out and vote.

God's Timing is Amazing!

Right now our family is going through a difficult time. With running back and forth to the hospital  there isn't much time for anything. The first night I left the Intensive Care Unit there was a new CD in the car playing. A pastor friend of ours just made this CD and gave it to us a few weeks ago at a pastor's meeting. When I got into the car going home late in the evening it started playing a familiar hymn, "It Will Be Worth It All When We See Christ". This is a song my husband has sang many times at christian functions. It really calmed my nerves and I drove home safely. A coincidence? I don't think so. It was just what I needed and I have continued to play the CD as I am driving back and forth to the hospital. I know somehow God is working everything  according to his will, not mine. Today my husband is going to a Rehab center as he is too weak to receive the next round of treatment for his heart. There have been highs and lows throughout the last week. But God's love remains constant and sure. Thank all of you who are praying for us. The Meyer's

On Day Five of the Cardial Vascular Intensive Care Floor

When I awakened yesterday I was near exhaustion and literally crashing from the stress of the last four days. The Dr.s call this a 3 day heart attack. Diabetics don't feel pain like we do so the attack carried on for three days. There is much damage because of this. At first I really did not think we would make it this far, but my husband is a fighter. I went to the hospital later than usual but he was having a very bad day. The problem that his blood pressure is low. I have learned this is common for heart attacks. The thing that scared me is his pressure would go up and then drop suddenly. It would make me shake in my boots when it came up and then drop. So I stopped watching the monitor. He has several other problems going on also. Some long time friends came up and he rallied a little with their visit and prayer. Then he would fall listless again and sleep. I left shortly after our friends pretty down.  Of course most patients go through this much faster, but we are on the slow path. This was our most discouraging day and beginning to think maybe we wouldn't climb out of this.
I went to the hospital even later today. The stress is wearing on me as I have physical problems my self. I have to pace myself, no need for both of us to be in there. My friend said jokingly we could be in the same room together. I said if that were to happen I would want my own room, as I would be climbing out of bed to take care of him. It's just a joke.
Today when I walked in it was like a different day. He was actually sitting up in a chair eating and actually keeping down what he was eating. This was a vast improvement. A real turning point and we needed one. We're still not out of the woods, but looking better. I bought him a news paper and we watched the Sox game {3-1}. We actually had some normal conversation. I went home and actually slept. We have a long way to go, but this was a turning point. Even the nurses were smiling. It was a better day. The Meyer's

Another Twist In Our Ongoing Battle With Diabetes

Wednesday turned into on of our worst days, as my husband was very ill. It started on Monday when he went to the Dr. and came home with pneumonia. I asked him then, why didn't the Dr. admit him? He had no answer. Tuesday didn't get much better and I said tomorrow if you are the same we are going to the hospital. He half way agreed. We all know men hate the hospitals. We have been in a 31 year battle with diabetes. We now have a wing at the hospital fully funded by our family alone. He has two prosthetic legs and myriad other problems I'm not going into and I understand his hatred for the hospital. Wednesday it was worse no better. He also doesn't like paramedics or ambulances either. By noon he finally conceded. It took a neighbor and I to get him into the car. I knew it was serious, but still thought it was pneumonia gone worse.
Entering he mentioned chest pain. This is the first he mentioned this to me, although he had e-mailed it to our church members. I found this out later. The wife is always the last to know.
They took an EKG and immediately we were surrounded with cardiologists and many people. Within 30 minutes he was having an angiogram, and I am in a waiting room. He was having a heart attack. I called my son and tried to tell him, but I could not complete the call. I could not believe what was happening. I called him back and the other two. My daughter nearly drove off the road when I called, she told me later.
Eventually we were all there, It did feel better to have them with me. They came in and said there is a blockage and the Dr. is going to put in a stint. Everything should be OK. They should not have said that. We were relieved, but a few minutes later they came back in and said they could not get the stint in. I knew then we were in pretty deep trouble. I am a pastor's wife. I've been in many hospitals with church members having the same procedure and knew this was not good.  I said to the kids this is not good.
The Dr. came out and it was worse than not good.
I won't go into details but there are a lot of problems. So right now we are in limbo. If he stays the way he is he will eventually die. In essence right now it will take a miracle to keep him
I know God will guide us, he always has. We say Dad has nine lives. He actually thought we would go home and he could preach on Sunday. We have made it clear that isn't going to happen.
By night friends were calling from all over, word goes out fast. It did help to hear other's say it will be OK. I'm still not sure of that but it helps to hear it anyway.
The last two days have been worse with more tests and more Dr.s now added. I really don't know which Dr. I am talking to or what he actually does, but I guess they know more than I do.
In some ways it has been a precious time with our children. Adult children get very busy with their own lives.
We thank God for our beautiful children, and grandchildren. We don't know how much time we will have him, nor yet what the Dr's are planning to do. One thing I know with or without him we have a wonderful family God has given us.
God does give us more grace. Many say I am a strong woman, I don know. It is only the strength God has given me. We are still praying for a miracle and some of the Dr's are more hopeful than a few days ago, which is encouraging. We ask your prayers. The Meyer's

Unusual Victory Speech

The tone was dull, and almost seemed uncaring. After seven years of our military battling out on the front lines you would think there would be a victory march. This is the oddest ending to a war I have ever seen. Almost similar to Vietnam but there was celebration that we were finally out, but no victory marches either.
Of course it has been an unusual war, fighting against people who do not dress in military garb, and go home to eat after their days battles. Almost at times impossible to know where or who the enemy is. Was this a victory speech? Not really. Was there praise for the soldiers, of course. But there could have been a little more enthusiasm for what our military has done. They did what many said was impossible to do. Some said we would fail. Some said we made a mistake going in. I personally did not think it was a mistake, but much necessary. Because I feel as many do that eventually we would have had to go in. President Obama may face this same situation in Iran. Then he will see a different perspective. And find himself on the other side of the fence.
It will take time to see if we came out too soon, of course there are 50,000 or so still there. Attacks in Iraq have greatly increased and almost to levels of two years ago. They are sizing up the new security forces of Iraq. Can Iraq do it? I think they can, but it will still take some time. July had highest death rate in two years
Second problem , no real government to turn the keys over to. Not good. This wasn't really a victory speech and many believe it was done for political gain. God help his soul if he did it for his own gain. Our precious jewels are in the heat of the battle. We can only stay here and support and pray for them. They are the ones who are bearing the burden of the battle for our freedom. God Bless America

Reflections on Glenn Beck Rally

I am not sure where our country is going. We will either follow evil or good. Evil comes in different disguises. It can look good and appealing. It can look like an answer to America's problems. We can fall into the rhetoric and not fully understand the consequences. It's easy to put things in pretty words and made it sound so good. But what is really being said?
Glenn Beck had a non-political rally, peaceful, anyone invited, an open invitation to all. It was about truth, integrity, principles and leading a right kind of life. And yet he still had criticism. It is amazing that there are those who find fault in everything. Here was their complaint. America is a country of non -believers, atheists, agnostics and other faiths other than judeo-christian beliefs. Therefore we should not thrust our ideals of  christian principles and ethics on others. I beg to take difference, I know some agnostics, I have talked with atheists and the such, funny thing even though they have their beliefs they still believe in virtue, integrity, morality, and ethics. Be you christian nor not, we fail to realize we have these ethical beliefs  from God. We don't know what is right and wrong. We know what is right and wrong because God tells us these things are wrong. You can not separate right and wrong teaching from politics. Without right teaching politics will fail. With out right teaching society will fail.
It is OK to have a rally on living and being a moral country.  Which way will America walk? Will she be a nation that continues on with Judeo-christian values or will she fall into the hands of no decency, loss of honor and integrity? These are the moral values that are at stake. If we loose our morals we will not be a great nation that leads others to democracy and freedom. We will fall from our standing in the world.
A few years ago we went as a family to Washington D.C.. I saw the White House for the first time. I stood there in awe. Why? Because it was so white, glistening in the sun like a lighthouse in the world. I actually had tears in my eyes and started to cry. I felt silly, why am I crying? And it hit me, because of this beautiful building and all it stands for.White the color of purity and honor, cleanness and uprightness. May America remain the bright hope in the world to show others the way of democracy, freedom and hope.

ICE Refuses to Deport "Non-Violent" Illegal Aliens

Did not President Obama say clearly it is the federal governments job to handle immigration, but there is a back door to this. Homeland Security is reviewing thousands of immigration cases. Many will be for dismissal if they do not have serious criminal records. Many attorney's who were coming to court for their client's deportations found that their cases were being dismissed. They claim because of the massive back log of cases they are releasing defendants who have been in the country for more than two years and have no felony convictions.
In a major policy shift, Immigration and Customs Enforcement has issued new rules concerning deportation cases: if they are not convicted of a serious crime, or a terrorist threat, the case should be dropped. This will clear the back log of cases but also create a de facto amnesty for arrested illegal aliens.
All of this came from a leaking internal memo from the Obama Administration which outlined ways of legalizing illegal aliens without congress approval.
Senator Chuck Grassey said "Actions like this demoralize ICE agents who are trying to do their job."
Mark Krekorian said "They've made it clear that they have no interest in enforcing immigration laws against people who are not convicted criminals."
Sen. John Coryn said "This situation is just another side effect of President's Obama's failure to deliver on his campaign promise to make immigration reform a priority in his first year.
Actually it leaves the immigrants in limbo because they are not legal, they don't have work permits, and they have no social security numbers.

"My Grace is Sufficient" II Corinthians 12:9

Does it seem as though everything you try to do just doesn't make a dent in your problems? I was thinking the other day, no matter what we do we just cannot get ahead financially. They say there is a worker stress going on right now. The feeling that even if you are one of the lucky ones working, you really aren't going anywhere. People need to know that they have the feeling they are accomplishing something and that they are going forward. One man told me who is working three jobs to make up for the one he lost, he is physically and emotionally drained not to mention frustrated.
And the financial numbers are worsening unfortunately, the Summer of Recovery, just really didn't happen. Ceo's are saying the Obamacare, financial reform, and moratorium on offshore drilling are bad policies and are deterring business investment. The CEO'S are saying Obama has taken a stand against business. CEO'S are saying they were displeased with oil spill reaction. Or I would say next to nothing reaction. CEO'S say there is a fundamental lack of confidence, and not taking the right steps as a nation to show growth.
You really sometimes wonder how much more people can endure. There is a verse that came to me yesterday evening, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." KJV There is a spiritual side. There is a power in prayer, you can pray for increased strength, but this is a strength that comes from God, not yourself. His Strength. And the verse teaches us that this strength comes at a time of weakness. When we are at our end, when we have no more strength left inside of ourselves. In fact, this is where he wants us, to be relying on his strenghth, not our own. The arm of  flesh will fail us, our humanness will fail us. It is hard to give up and say I can't do it anymore. And you can't, not of yourself. That is were he wants you, completely trusting and resting in him to supply your needs and your strength. There is a spiritual side of life. And without it we would all wither like the flower that fades in the heat of the day. But renews itself in the cool of the evening from the strength it gains from the moisture around it. He will renew your strength and give you grace to go on. He will make us to fly as Wings of Eagles. Trust in him today and ask him to renew your strength.

6 Million Dollars for Restoring Islamic Historic Mosques

Why when Americans are struggling to barely keep a roof over their heads, and many have even lost their roof, are we dumping nearly 6 Million American Hard Earned Tax Dollars into restoration of historical and cultural sites which include Islamic mosques and minarets, in 55 nations? This clearly shows the disconnect with the White House and main street. They really do not understand what the American people are going through.
And there have been those who have pointed out if this was spent on restoring Christian Churches, we would not hear the end of it, and of separation of church and state.
Here is some of the spending, $76,000 for a 16th century mosque in China. $67,000 for a mosque in Pakistan, $77,000 to restore a minaret in Nigeria, and $50,000 for an Islamic Monument in India.
Hillary says the US program to retore Islamic and other cultural sites in other countries is tax payer money well spent.
They just don't get the drift. Maybe they need  to come down here and live with the rest of us, and maybe they would get the picture.
How do we stop this rampage of reckless spending? Vote Nov.2nd.

Two Big Wins Yesterday, Sen. John McCain and Marco Rubio

Senator John McCain wins after a hard battle and should have no problems for making a win in Nov. However he says he still will fight to win. I am happy because he has been a strong force for Republicans and has attempted to battle Obama at almost every level. If nothing else he is a thorn in his side and will continue to be as long as he has breath to speak up. He is especially fervent about Obama making an announcement for withdrawing troops from Afghanistan on a time table. To me it is ridiculous to tell the enemy when you are leaving, even almost childish. And also to have a policy that we are an umbrella and if some one bombs we will bomb back. In a nuke filled world this is not reliable because there will be no one left to bomb. One nuke could wipe out the small country of Israel. There are also reports that the Iranians are much closer than we think to having nuclear weapons.  We have really no idea what is going on between them and the Russians
There will be three way race for Kendrick Meeks , Charlie Christ, and Marco Rubio. A quote from Rubio "I always knew I'd have to run against two people who support the Barak Obama agenda. I just didn't know I would have to run against them at the same time".. Marco
Rubio 8/22/10.  Rubio had raised $45,000 online by Monday and said they would reach $70,000 goal and exceed it. 400 million more republicans are voting this year than in previous years.

Obama Declares Victory and War Ended, but Violence Continues

Much spin was given by President Obama that the Iraq War was over and as promised on schedule on Monday
Praising himself for a success for his administration and not even mentioning President Bush. Nor the fact that this agreement was made under President Bush in 2008, and for all troops to be gone from Iraq by the end of next year.
Obama did say that we have not heard the end of American sacrifice in Iraq. Remember he said on the campaign that we could leave and we could always come back in. Just as yesterday on Iran he said if they shoot off a bomb then we will attack. This is the kind of military we have now. With this policy nothing really could be done yesterday. Leaving us with an Iran that will now have nukes. He is the one responsible for this. By not standing behind Israel and helping them to put a stop to the reactor being fueled,  he opened the door for a can of worms. Iran will now become a festering, uncontrollable, place for terrorist to hide. And with Iran wanting to put in 20 more of these reactors it is going to now become a real mess to handle.
I am not sure Iraq will be much better, as it has a long way to go before becoming stable. It is highly fragile, when on the same day as declaring victory, two bombings and a drive by shooting killed eight people on Monday.
These attacks are daily, even in Baghdad. Will Iraq's forces be fully capable of controlling such occurrences? Especially when July was deadliest month in two years.
Iraq's leaders are still trying to form a government. Many fear that Obama's announcement of withdrawal could cause more violence.
There was an attack late Friday and continued through the weekend when 24 people were killed and tortured in a village south of Baghdad. 5 women and the rest men were tied up and brutally beaten, even though we have declared victory. So we see although we have declared victory it will remain to be seen if violence will actually decrease or will it increase?
For now Welcome Home Troops and lets give President Bush his due!!!

Defiant Iran Sends Up Missile One Day Before Nuclear Reactor Fueling

A defiant and aggressive Iran wants to show it's strength by saying to the world we are one step closer to a nuclear weapon. Clearly the Obama administration is trying to play this down. They made a statement that they think we are one year dash time before Iran has nuclear weapons. They say one year is a long time. Not long enough in my mind as it could even come before then. And clearly Russia is trying to aid them in this. And how much is going on between them behind the scenes we don't know. This is coming down to bombing Iran or be bombed by Iran.
Here is Obama administration policy- we will extend an umbrella- in other words we will attack if they send off a  bomb. One bomb could wipe Israel off the map. This in my mind also shows clearly Obama does not want to face this. You cannot soft peddle this problem. He said recently that he would be OK with realizing that Iran would have nukes. This will send off an arms race in the middle east, as all the counties would feel they need to protect themselves.
I get the feeling they are trying to down play a serious situation. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is not worried about what Pres. Obama thinks. Right now his primary concern is to protect his own country. We got a little upset over some missiles aimed at us one time and why should Israel be any different.
I wonder how the previous administration would handle this. I kind of know by the stand a certain President took after 911.  Clearly this administration has different goals, but are they going to stand up in a serious situation like this. Is Obama willing to accept a nuclear Iran? Will Israel stand for it? Those are the two questions facing us today.