Canadians or Caniacs?

McDonald's produced a series of ads in preparation for Canada's run at a gold medal at the Winter Olympics. They can all be checked out at the official site, but Carolina Hurricanes fans should specifically click on the commercial titled "Anticipation." See the swirly Hurricane logos on the shirts those fans are wearing...

Here's the link: www.mcdonalds.ca/olympics/en

Boredom Busters- For a Snow Day or Any Day!!

I recently received a six-page flyer from our MOPS (Mother's of Preschoolers) group entitled "Boredom Busters." It's a great little piece of work that includes places that have Kids Eat Free Nights, things to do in the Triangle with children, and free or nearly free things to do at home with the family. If we do end up having an all-plans-cancelled Saturday, here are a few things you may want to do to keep the kids busy:

*Design a craft box full of things that would have been destined for the trash (pom-poms, thread, yarn, etc.) Allow this to be the creativity box the kids can pick and choose to make their own creations.
*Bake cookies or a cake
*Braid hair
*Paint your face
*Play tag
*Start a club
*Play marbles
*Read a book (huddled under a blanket) with a flashlight
*Produce a talent show
*Search your house for items made in other countries and then learn about those countries through an online search
*Have your kids draw pictures, then you (adult) create a story that incorporates all the drawings


And last but not least.... Make a Valentine for the Hearts for Kids Project! (Don't forget all Valentines must be sent to His Radio by February 4th!)

Enjoy your possibly snowy weekend!!

Decadent Chocolates for 150 calories or less

Swap high calorie chocolate favorites for portion-controlled satisfying sweets. Your chocolate stays BUT your extra padding goes!

Check these out!

Chocolate Tootsie Pops
Chocolate licorice- 4 sticks
1 Fun size chocolate bar (Kit Kat, Milky Way, M&Ms, etc.)
Non-fat pudding
1 ounce dark chocolate
2 Dove dark chocolate miniatures
5 Hershey's Kisses

Adopt a Soldier- Fort Bragg

On a recent show I mentioned the Adopt a Soldier program through Fort Bragg and many of you have requested more information. It's my understanding the primary contact person for the program is Vicky Lee, from Community Relations. Her contact information is vicky.lee@us.army.mil or 910-396-5401. Below is a copy of a letter from Vicky Lee about the program:


Fort Bragg's "Adopt A Soldier" Program gives the civilian community an opportunity to show their support of deployed Soldiers on an individual and personal basis. The "adoption" involves sending letters and care packages for the duration of the Soldier's deployment (usually a year).

The Soldiers who sign up to participate in the program are from units based here at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Although the majority of the Soldiers participating are younger/lower enlisted; any Soldier interested in receiving support/recognition may participate in the program. We do not maintain any personal information on the Soldiers for this program (i.e. age, race, marital status, etc.).

Most people try to send a letter once a week and a care package once a month. It usually takes at least 7-10 days for a letter to reach them; and 10-14 days for packages. You must fill out a customs form for each care package listing the enclosed items, their weight and their cost.You can call the Expedited Package Supply Center at 1-800-610-8734 and ask for a priority mail "Military Kit." They will send you boxes, envelopes, tape, customs forms...everything you need! There should be"special" boxes in the kit with a red circle that have "Flat Rate Box"on them. You put as much as you possibly can into these boxes and regardless of the weight, the post office will send them for a flat rate of $8.10. Some of them can buy snack food and hygiene items at little stores the Army has set up...but others are in too remote of areas.

Thanks again for wanting to show your support of our heroes,

Vicky

Ministering to Others on Thanksgiving Day

Feel the desire to serve this Thanksgiving? Here are just a couple of places in our area that are looking for volunteers on Thanksgiving Day:


On Thanksgiving Day, the Northside Community Church (of Knightdale) prepares and cooks meals for over 500 area individuals and families. If you would like to help, the meals are prepared at the Family Circus Restaurant, which is located on Wake Forest Road in downtown Raleigh, from 8:00a.m. to 2:00p.m. (Contact them at 919-261-8929.)


The Durham Rescue Mission, located on Main St. in Durham, also provides opportunities for volunteers. On Thanksgiving Day, the Mission hosts their Annual Thanksgiving Community Dinner. In addition to serving a free Thanksgiving meal, the Mission gives away free groceries and clothing, including winter coats. Volunteers are needed for a number of activities, including site set-up, meal preparation and clean-up, and the distribution of clothing and groceries. Staff is also needed to operate game booths for the children that will be in attendance. Donations of food and clothing are also welcomed. (Contact them at 919-688-9641.)

Recipe Swap- Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes

The best recipes tend to be "a pinch of this and a dash of that." My personal favorite among the Thanksgiving recipes happens to be on a cherished water-stained yellow Post-it note of chicken scrawls I wrote while on the phone with my mom 13 years ago on my first married Thanksgiving. My mother's sweet potatoes (yams) are all the rage in our family and once my husband tried them, he made sure I called Mom on Thanksgiving to get the recipe. This year I'm in charge of sweet potatoes at the preschool Thanksgiving dinner and will bring them along to Andrew's Aunt Donna's gathering in Virginia Thanksgiving Day. What about you... what's that dish that you love to make and others can't seem to get enough of? Post your favorite Thanksgiving Side Dish so we can all have a tastier Thanksgiving!

Bette Ann's (Brittney's Mom) Famous Sweet Potatoes


*Melt in a saucepan a 1/2 Stick of Margarine
*Add 1/3 C. Orange Juice and 3/4 C. Brown Sugar

(Cook above ingredients until melted together and slight boil)

*In a small bowl combine 2 1/2 Tablespoons of Cornstarch and water until smooth. Add this mixture to the other ingredients in the saucepan to thicken sauce.

*Drain one large can of sweet potatoes (or yams) and put in casserole dish. Cover the sweet potatoes with sauce and cook at 350 degrees until bubbly (approximately 20 minutes.) Enjoy!!

Triangle Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving

One of the funniest and most heart-breaking scenes in holiday movies has to be in Tim Allen's Santa Clause (the original) when Dad burns the turkey, blasts it with the fire extinguisher, and ends up eating at Denny's... where they are all out of egg nog! Thanksgiving and Christmas meals are an intrinsic part of the celebration, so if you are looking to secure just the right resaurant (that does have egg nog, pumpkin pie, and all the other necessities) here is a blog I found that lists the restaurants in the Triangle that will be open on Thanksgiving Day.

http://blogs.newsobserver.com/food/restaurants-open-thanksgiving-day

Enjoy!

Helping Charities When Money is Tight

There are charities on every corner (sometimes literally!) during the holiday season. We want to give to them all, but when finances are tight, what can we do? Why not do what you are already doing... just maybe a little better! Organizations like the Raleigh Rescue Mission are able to help you plan your holiday travel and you can give to your favorite charity every time you shop at the supermarket! Check out this great link for 11 more ideas like these. Plus, don't forget the His Radio Blanket Bundles event (canned food and blanket drive) on Saturday, November 14th!

http://http://www.newsobserver.com/business/local_state/story/155733.html

And the Winners Are...

... The Deep Fried Snickers AND the Deep Fried HoHo! (I can't believe I ate the whole thing.) I thoroughly enjoyed eating the foods that you selected for me to eat at the State Fair. The Deep Fried Snickers and Deep Fried Ho Ho ended up tying as the foods you wanted me to try at the fair, so between the four members of my family we HAPPILY polished them off.

My personal favorite was the Snickers with yummy, melt-y, carmel-y, chocolate, plus the texture the peanuts provided. The HoHo had a nice cake-y structure surrounded by the deep fried batter, however the white filling was MIA. It appeared to have been baked out (or baked in.)

Thanks for your votes and thanks for the fun!

Deep Fried Suggestions- Vote for State Fair Food I Should Eat

If it can be skewered and fried, you'll find it for sale at the North Carolina State Fair. The latest delight on a stick: the deep fried HoHo (to go with its close cousin the deep fried Twinkie.) From deep fried candy bars to deep fried macaroni and cheese there is something for everyone.

I tend to be the funnel cake type, but I'd like to branch out and try something new. I will try the State Fair food that receives the most votes (comments) here prior to Friday's Jeremy Camp concert. (I'll even be sure to get a pic of me eating "His Radio's Best Loved [Fried] State Fair Food.")

Have you been to the State Fair this year? Tell me what fried food you'd recommend.

Confessions of a "No guy"

Earlier today I received an urgent email from an organization whose goal is to unite one million people who will at a moment's notice fight to defend the traditional definition of marriage. I often send my appropriate emails to the right congressmen and hope and pray they make a difference. I receive probably three or four of these types of emails a week from this organization and others desiring my action. Protect babies, defend marriage, stand for strong families. Worthy causes that deserve my time and my money.

I go through times, probably like you, when I am battle weary. I am weary because for as long as I can remember I have fought (losing) battles. Growing up listening to programs which encouraged my parents to "write their congressmen" and "call the White House switchboard" I learned the importance of being an active citizen and defending what is Biblically right with the freedom offered voters in our country.

I'm the "No guy." Saying "no" to everything from "pro-choice" to "sexual freedom" and this language makes me feel like the bad guy in this battle of verbiage. "Defending the faith" is a statement we commonly use, but perhaps the reason we lose so often in the marketplace is because we are on the defense and not on the offense.

It's widely known that Christians in music, books, and media are primarily imitators. We see something that works in the secular world and we simply shift the marketing to suit the Christian public. We are often six months too late and unoriginal. (If you need an example just look at knock offs like the "Sunday School Musical" DVD or "Conservapedia" which is claims to be more Christian-friendly than Wikipedia.) How would the world be different today if a Christian had originated either "High School Musical" or Wikipedia?

Not to downplay the validity of the putting out moral fires as they come, but what if we anticipated fires in advance and assembled an army when there is a moral consensus? Child pornography is a battle Americans who care about children have a general agreement about- it is horribly wrong. Why not mobilize on this issue NOW instead of in 10 years? This is a war where we can win by being on the OFFENSIVE. This beats putting out last minute fires, winning a few battles and losing the war.

So how about becoming Christian innovators and changing the face of technology? How about fighting a winning battle together and celebrating the chance to be "Yes Men!"

The Power of Tears

Back in the day... I mean WAY back in the day, when Jesus walked the Earth, young people just starting out didn't flip signs behind their backs along the roadside (or flip burgers for that matter.) No, an entrepreneurial-type might go into the "crying" business. Since there were always people passing away (and not enough true friends with real tears) they'd send in actors who could work up tears at a moment's notice.

Even today professional mourners call up funeral directors and offer their services, for a price. I understand one professional mourner who garnered a large sum ($50,000!) actually tore out chunks of her hair as she mourned during Marilyn Monroe's funeral.

I know for me when I am at a funeral I find it so refreshing to be with someone who is moved to tears. It is both contagious and freeing. One person's expression seems to give the group permission to let down their guard emotionally.

"Jesus wept." John 11:35

The shortest verse in the Bible struck me in a new way this week. Those two little words tell us that Jesus was willing to be vulnerable, and for a moment "feel" instead of "fix." His friend Lazarus (who he would later raise from the dead!) had just passed away and his emotions welled up. He felt sorry for the crowd and Lazarus's sisters Mary and Martha. He did what the book of Romans calls, "mourning with those who mourn."

A few friends who get probably the worst rap in the Bible are Job's friends who provide him nearly 40 chapters of bad advice. (Not much different than mid-afternoon TV!) Anyway, in Job's friends' defense, when Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar heard that Job had lost his possessions, his children, and was physically sick they "met together by agreement to go and sympathize with him and comfort him. (Job 2:11) The three men wept alound and sat with Job in silence and tears for seven days. Seven days! (How many women could be quiet for seven days?!) These are rare friends!

In our crazy lives it is easy for us each to become too busy to take on each other's pain. The impending divorce... The lost job... The wayward teen... But as Jesus showed us, being a true friend means being willing to shed real tears because of love for the hurting.

When I think about my own funeral someday I don't want plastic, paid-off mourners but true friends who are both thankful for my home-going and heart-sick. Emotion at the end of life begins with emotional investment in others now.

$20 House?

Nearly 4,000 square feet for $20? It sounds too good to be true, but one former North Carolina family is raffling off their dream home because trying to sell it has proven ineffective. After building their home in 2001 the Peterson family took a job in Montana and the real estate market collapsed. They are now selling raffle tickets, with $19 going toward the Grizzly Wolf Discovery Center in Montana. Read more about it (and check out pictures of the house) at
http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/6009013/

"The Flood" Remembered

If you lived in North Carolina 10 years ago, most likely you don't even like to hear the name "Floyd." "Floyd" is more than just the name of somebody's uncle, it conjures up memories you'd rather forget. When our family moved to North Carolina about three years ago we heard plenty of stories from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (Wake Forest) students (and their families) who had to move in with off-campus families because they had no electricity.

Flooded homes and flooded cars...even lost lives. According to www.noaa.gov, "Damages are estimated to be $1.6 billion in Pitt County, North Carolina alone, and total storm damages have surpassed the $6 billion caused by Hurricane Fran in 1996."

But even as Hurricane Floyd brought devastating loss, it also brought North Carolinians together. Looking back at your own experience during Hurricane Floyd, how did someone go above and beyond to reach out to you? I'd love to hear your story!

The New Black... "Layaway" (Or at least a way to stay in the black!)

Have you ever used a store layaway plan? I remember seeing my mom do it several times when I was growing up and I personally put a pair of pin-striped, "ultra-cool" shorts on layaway once when I was in high school. Honestly, I haven't used a layaway plan since that time, but I am considering it.

The basic idea with "layaway" is simply making payments for something, interest free before you actually receive the item… the opposite of a credit card. The idea of delayed gratification that we try to teach our kids is coming back around to us. The layaway plan has had a revival of sorts because credit and cash are both hard to come by. A few stores which have a layaway plan are Kmart, TJMaxx, Marshalls, and Burlington Coat Factory. (Wal-Mart execs are most likely kicking themselves for doing away with their layaway plan a couple of years ago.)

Tracy from Rocky Mount used layaway this past Christmas and she said she also used it to buy school supplies this year.

Do you think you’ll use layaway this Christmas?

Did Jesus Die for Little Green Men?

So did Jesus come to die for aliens as well as Earth dwellers? Here is a link to an interesting scholarly article which discusses the possibility of life elsewhere in the universe, and what that would mean for Christianity. Would Jesus have to die multiple times for multiple planets or have we missed the boat by not advancing civilization to the point we can send missionaries to all other planets? When would the Great Commission really be accomplished if Earth isn't all there is? Interesting thoughts to ponder...

http://www.christianpost.com/article/20090827/did-jesus-die-for-little-green-men/index.html

So What's on Your Reading List?

President Barack Obama released his summer vacation reading list, which includes the following:

*The Way Home, a crime thriller based in Washington, D.C.;*Lush Life, a story of race and class set in New York's Lower East Side;*Tom Friedman's Hot, Flat and Crowded, on the benefits to America of an environmental revolution;*John Adams, and *Plainsong a drama about the life of eight different characters living in a Colorado prairie community.

Some have said President Obama's list is rather boring compared to George W. Bush's lists and not as ambitious as Bill Clinton's lists of a dozen books or more. My own reading list has been fairly short:

*It Takes So Little to Be Above Average, by Florence Littauer

Description: Nobody wants to be average, ordinary, run-of-the-mill. We'd rather be unique, inspiring, above average! Why continue to trudge down the middle lane of life when there's so much more to experience? Florence Littauer shares her formula for a rich life.


*For the Write Reason: 31 Writers, Agents and Editors Share Their Experiences with Christian Publishing, by Marybeth Whalen

Description: Drawing on the wisdom of experienced writers, agents and editors, this book offers writers of all levels a valuable source of encouragement and wisdom. By combining personal stories with an in-depth Bible study, you can delve into God's calling to write in your own life.

(My summer reading list would be much longer if I were to include all the dozens of children's books I read per week. How many kids books does it take to equal a REAL book, anyway?!)


On a regular basis you'll find me reading the following websites:

www.christianpost.com
www.cnn.com
www.foxnews.com
www.CNSNews.com
www.newreleasetuesday.com
www.actsnetwork.com
(and many local news sources)

So what have you had the chance to read this summer? What websites do you frequent and what do they say about you? I'd love to know!

The Shocking Truth of #25

#25 "[Certain items used for birth control] have always been advertised on television."

"The list" is out and reading it this year I don't feel necessarily "old", but I do feel a strong sense of being an alien on my own planet! Every year since 1998 Beloit College in Beloit, WI has put together a list of telling facts about the lives and experiences of incoming college freshmen. Their site receives over 300,000 hits a year, so it's definitely worth the read at http://www.beloit.edu/mindset/.

Did you know, for example:

Most have never seen a TV set with only 13 channels, nor have they seen a black & white TV.

They have always had cable.

There have always been VCRs, but they have no idea what Beta is.

They cannot fathom what it was like not having a remote control.

They were born the year Walkmen were introduced by Sony.

"The Tonight Show" has always been with Jay Leno.

But there was something about that #25 (about the birth control mehod advertisements) that hit me very strangely. Finally realized why... I HAVE MISSED A COLLEGE FRESHMAN'S LIFETIME WORTH OF TV! I have never seen ONE of those commercials in my life. Have I really lived in that much of a cave? (Not that that's necessarily a bad thing, I guess.)

As I entered college in 1992 (okay that dates me!) I didn't have a TV in my dorm room. When Andy and I got married right out of college we decided TV was "too addictive" so we opted to not purchase one. A few years later we bought a DVD player for our computer to watch movies. We have borrowed TVs to watch specials, Christmas movies, the Olympics, for family get-togethers, but it has not been a normal part of our lives. (By the way, I do follow "American Idol", just online instead.) We keep up on culture, movies, politics, and news through the internet, newspapers, and obviously- RADIO! (I do have to add that when I do watch TV and see how old some of the actors, actresses, and news anchors look, it shocks me because some of them I haven't see in over 15 years!)

I honestly appreciate not having a TV because it forces us to find creative activities to do together as a family, and with all the craziness associated with our work and school schedules there really isn't much time to watch anything anyway. There are only 1-2% of Americans who do not have a TV in their homes. The Beloit list gave me a look at what I am "missing", although I am thankful to have my memories of a more wholesome world- even if I am living in a time warp!

Is there anything else you think I might have "missed" by not having a television? I'd love to know your thoughts (and your help in filling in my cultural gaps!)

How to Make Money Without Money

Many out-of-work people are looking for ways to get career counseling and opportunities to "schmooze" with people in their industry... but with no income how can you afford the pay-by-the-hour counselor and the networking steak dinner? Some creatives ideas came out in an article at ThirdAge.com (http://www.thirdage.com/budgeting-bargains/7-ways-to-save-cash-on-a-job-hunt) that make networking and brushing up career skills more affordable.

1. Barter for job assistance. If you have a skill you can offer to a career coach (secretarial skills, administrative skills) see if you can strike a deal.

2. Volunteer. If there is a networking event/conference you think would be important for you to attend, see if you may be able to be a volunteer at the event. You could either receive reduced or free admission.

Also, check with local churches about available networking opportunites. For example, Open Door Baptist Church (N. Raleigh) has a Bible Study/Mentoring/Networking group that has been recently organized to fill this very need for unemployed men. Church Phone Number: (919) 847-6969.

There are many community and state resources dedicated to job placement and career betterment. Here is a link to the North Carolina Career Resource Network. http://www.soicc.state.nc.us/soicc/. This site includes a career interest assessment that you can do right from your computer.

Praying for Mercy Me and Josh Hamilton

News came out this weekend about Mercy Me being involved in a tour bus accident that led to the deaths of two adults and an unborn baby. Also this weekend Christian Josh Hamilton, local guy-turned-pro-baseball player for the Texas Rangers, was discovered intoxicated in some questionable photos. Please join me in prayer for these men who are going through some very difficult situations.

For more about Mercy Me: http://actsnetwork.com/?p=528

For more about Josh Hamilton: http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/52794237.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUnciatkEP7DhUsl