Forced Contentment

Okay, call it financial backsliding... we've hit the wall! After doing very well on Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University plan for over a year this has been one bad month. We've had not a few "not right now" and "no" conversations with the kids about things we would have said "yes" to a couple of months ago. So now we're learning, or re-learning what contentment means. This time it's "forced contentment" because we don't want to be here and we really do want to buy new stuff and go out to eat!

It all started with a couple of incredibly good online deals. We had money budgeted for the blow-up swimming pool (but not for the chemicals that go with it.) We also found a whiz bang deal on a flight to see grandma. But then the new-to-us car needed tires and headlights... Next thing you know it's back on the credit card.

I wish I were the Apostle Paul and could say with all sincerity that "I have learned to be content in whatever situation I am in" but to be honest I can only say, "I have learned..." I have learned that things you buy nearly always entail extra expenses. Even a child's toy that requires batteries has extra baggage. I have learned that money goes into envelopes for a reason. It's to show me that my money for going out to eat and school clothes does come from some concrete place in the budget. I have also learned that contentment is a discipline. And it's a discipline the Lord is not done teaching me. I want to be a better student so I can pass this lesson onto my kids well.

Camping for Non-Campers this Saturday!

Ready for the "Great American Backyard Campout?" It's a nationally sponsored cool, free/inexpensive staycation. If you're thinking, "What do I do for hours in my yard with the kids?" http://www.backyardcampout.org/ has lots of creative suggestions. Information below is from their press release:

High gas prices keeping you at home? You’re not alone. This spring America witnessed the steepest decline in driving since 1942. Instead of packing up and hitting the road, here’s an idea for family fun, no further than your backdoor. The National Wildlife Federation encourages parents and kids alike to trade their website for a campsite, turning off computers, TVs, iPods, Wiis, MP3 players, cell phones and all things high tech, to experience a night with Mother Nature, listen for nocturnal wildlife (maybe even see a few), star-gaze, cook outdoors, tell stories about Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster, and explore a whole other world right in their own backyard.

Last year tens of thousands of people from around the country participated in the Great American Backyard Campout, www.backyardcampout.org. You don’t need to go to Yosemite National Park to experience the great outdoors and the wonders it has to offer. Just open up your backdoor!

Where: Backyards across America

When: Saturday night, June 27, 2009

Why: This initiative is part of a National Wildlife Federation campaign to rescue our nation’s kids from what famed author Richard Louv calls “nature deficit disorder.” Research now shows that kids spend an average of 44 hours per week staring at electronic screens, TV, video games and computers -- for the first time in our country’s history; we have an entire generation that is growing up disconnected from nature.

Getting Started:
The National Wildlife Federation is providing everything you need to head out into the great outdoors called your backyard. The web site has packing lists, recipes, nocturnal wildlife guides, exploration activities, nature guides. Check it out at www.backyardcampout.org.

Experiencing the "Free Movie" w/ Kids

A number of local theaters are hosting free family movies on Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout the summer. Regal Theatres are hosting their "Free Family Film Festival" while

Marquee Cinemas are having the Kids' Summer Movie Series (which starts this week.)

Last Wednesday my three-year-old, Micah, and I went to the Regal Theatre at North Hills to see "Horton Hears a Who." We arrived about 15 minutes early and followed the crowd of other moms with (mostly) preschoolers in tow into the theatre. The line for refreshments was tremendous, but we were able to slip through and find our way straight into the movie with no problem. We saw a sprinkling of all ages (even a group of teenagers in the front row.) The theatre was approximately 90 percent full, which was less packed than I had expected. We were not uncomfortably smooshed, and thankfully Micah did not have to go to the bathroom! The movie was enjoyable, but as you can expect it was a loud crowd. Not necessarily the kind of loud that comes from an appreciative crowd that laughs at the right times... it was more of a "Outside Voiced Toddler vs. The Movie" kind of noise. The crowd noise wasn't overbearing, but noticeable.

After I visited the Regal Theatre in North Hills a friend told me about the Wakefield Marquee's free movies. Because of the driving hassle and cost of gas, for me, I probably would not have gone again to North Hills. Now knowing there is another theater close-by I'm looking forward to taking both of my kids when my daughter is tracked-out.

If you're planning to go this week, Regal's movies are at 10:00 a.m. and Marquee's are at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Follow this link for more information on other free or inexpensive movies for families in our area:

http://http://www.newsobserver.com/midtownraleighnews/story/1539034.html

Local Father's Day Activities

Does Dad love the outdoors and getting dirty? Perhaps it the sound of motors or cracking of a bat that gets his blood pumping... Whatever your dad enjoys there are activities (many of them free for dads) happening this weekend. From Marbles Museum to the Durham Bulls, check out the list of activities through "Out and About":

http://www.wral.com/entertainment/out_and_about/page/4853892/?keywords=father%27s+day+&location=&categories=&date=&page_number=1&x=0&y=0

From all of us at His Radio, Happy Father's Day!

Heaven-American Citizen

Imagine you were born in America, but lived your life in another country. You'd hear stories about great Americans, perhaps watch the Olympics and root for the U.S. with pride, follow the movers and shakers of American politics and culture- all without ever having a memory of stepping on American soil. You're heart is American and the paper says you're American- that's what matters.

The same is true of our Heavenly Citizenship. We read about the "streets of gold" and gates made out of a single pearl- stuff that sounds amazing and crazy to us... yet that is home! If our names have been written in the Lamb's Book of Life we are (present tense) citizens of Heaven who are simply awaiting our final destination.

The [Christian] Flavor of the Week

Every square inch... The only part of my too cool room that was not covered with posters was my ceiling. New Kids on the Block, or NKOTB as they were known, was my band. My "fav guy"- Jonathan Knight. It seems crazy to me now the obsession I had with a band during my teen years. They were just a few clean guys who could harmonize with a great marketing machine.

As a mom (and as someone in Christian radio) I now find myself in the position of following news stories about celebrities who claim faith in Jesus Christ. I get excited when I hear about role models my daughter can look up to... to a point.

A few months prior to the Miley Cyrus photo scandals I remember having a conversation with a couple of friends about my daughter going to Miley's movie with a friend, a too-short skirt Miley wore on a TV, and Miley's claim of faith in Jesus Christ. As the conversation turned a corner I said I felt compelled to warn my daughter, Lindsey, that even though Miley says she is a Christian she may make some bad choices in her life.. "so don't get all wrapped up in her!" My friends told me I shouldn't bring it up until "something" actually happened in Miley's life to indicate a concern. Well let's just say- it didn't take long.

A few weeks ago the hot-Christian-of-the-moment was Carrie Prejean the now former Miss California. Her story has been a see-saw I'm glad I decided not to even bring up with my daughter. She's a pro-marriage advocate, but her modeling choices have indicated otherwise. Talk about a walking a tightrope. If teen girls are/were excited about Carrie's bold choice of standing up for traditional marriage they had to walk across an internet minefield of photos to read her story. That's just messy.

American Idol has been an exciting place to look for Christians in the spotlight with Kris Allen and Danny Gokey both shining as great singers and followers of Jesus. Kris's win gave me hope again that sometimes "the good guys" still win in America.

A little good... A little bad... A little disappointment... A little hope... Each of these stars are role models, but we as parents do have some power as to whether they become "idols" in our kids lives. (I'm still trying to figure out when a few posters turn into a shrine?!) We know that Jesus should be our kids' ultimate role model, but it sure is nice to have someone to look up to "with skin on."

Finally, as much as I hate to say it, female stars have a particulary lousy track record. How many stars are there who started out with squeaky clean Disney movies only to shed that image the moment they turned (barely) legal age? Britney Spears, Jessica Simpson and Miley Cyrus have all claimed faith in Jesus but have each disappointed as role models for pre-teen/teen girls. What the world needs now is more females in the spotlight who make a claim of faith and live in purity. Until then buy a Kris Allen poster- he's the "Christian Flavor of the Week."

The Bargain Hunter's Secret Weapon- "The Price Book"

Like you, I surf the web, clip coupons and search for good deals to stretch the family budget. One thing I have not found the discipline to do is create a "Price Book" so many ladies swear by. The idea of the "Price Book" is keeping a log of the price of items your family uses at all the local stores. By keeping a log you have a record of what prices are available at various stores and actually know a good deal when you see it. Stores obviously change their prices from week to week, so keeping a long-term record will help you discover an average price for the item and learn the sales cycles of each store. Love the idea- just not the spreadsheets that go with it.

Now there is a place for people who love a deal to look over the shoulder of those who've already done the work. If you live in the Triangle, there is a composite Triangle Price Book that is being created that we can all read and contribute to online at:

http://www.newsobserver.com/business/pricebook/

Remembering the 65th Anniversary of D-Day

Saturday marks the 65th anniversary of D-Day. The National D-Day Memorial is in Bedford, VA- about 20 minutes west of Lynchburg, VA (or 3hours north of Durham.) The Memorial was built in Bedford because it suffered among the nation's highest per-capita losses on D-Day. Unfortunately, because of its out-of-the-way location and struggling economy, the memorial is on the brink of financial ruin. If you've thought about going to the Memorial (or are perhaps thinking, "Wow, I didn't even know we had one of those!") Now would be a great time to go before it's gone!

I think there is truth to the notion that people don't remember D-Day or the sacrifices of our World War II veterans as much as they did a few years ago. Many World War II veterans who had helped fund the Memorial have passed away. That seems like all the more reason to take our kids to the Memorial or talk to our children about D-Day, so the memory of their grea-grandparents stays alive.

The National D-Day Memorial will have special concerts, speakers, and appearances by WWII veterans on D-Day this Saturday. The facility itself is an outdoor museum that tells the story of the Normandy invasion in sculptures of soldiers and their leaders. Air jets shoot mini-geysers of water to mimic enemy gunfire as bronze figures of soldiers struggle for shore in a reflecting pool. Some 10,000 Allied troops were killed or wounded in the costly landing.

For more information on the National D-Day Memorial or this weekend's activities go to: http://www.dday.org/. (Photo courtesy of www.dday.org.)