On this nite after the elections I have some thoughts….

I am so glad it is the nite after the elections…I am also supportive of my president whom ever would have made it or even if it was not the person I voted for. I personally hate reading on fb other people's opinions who express their opinions so hateful and vicious towards the now newly elected President Obama. I won't share here who I voted for but it would not matter either way…I can say that most of my friends that write would call themselves "faithful and devout believers of Jesus Christ". However some of the things I see these "Christians" writing makes me cringe and feel downright embarrassed to be associated with them. To have to read things like, " I may move out of this country to ….. or calling people not a christian because they voted for Obama , or I have never been more ashamed of my fellow americans- calling our country blind and ignorant - My response to those who feel so moved to express themselves in this way is to say why don't you move out of the grand ole USA. We don't need attitudes like this. If you can  not appreciate the democratic process of how we elect our presidents and want to try another country - Why don't you ? We live in the best country there is…I have traveled all over the world and would never trade where I live with any other country. We may not like our president or how things are run but they are way better than any other place I have been to. I wonder really if this is how Jesus would respond…no I don't wonder I know it is not and here is a thought to all of you "christians" out there who choose to express your opinion in not the way I believe Jesus would at all- I am reminded of a song by Casting Crown that asks Christians not to express themselves by the wearing of a shirt or a backpack with Jesus on it unless you can walk the talk….May I suggest that I wish you christians who are upset that President Obama was elected not let people know you believe in Jesus because you may do more harm than good for the cause of Jesus by your words…Please choose them carefully . I for one am tired of hearing all of this negative rhetoric coming from the Christian…take a higher road…the one I believe the Lord would do as well and ultimately as I have been reminded so much today on fb…God is in control.

I love this verse that our yg adult pastor shared with them tonite :

                 Romans 13 :1-2 
Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities , for there is no authority 
except that which GOD HAS  ESTABLISHED . The authorities that exist have been 
ESTABLISHED BY GOD . Consequently , whoever rebels against the authority is 
rebelling against what God has instituted , and those who do so will bring  
judgment on themselves ..

God works through human authority ..!!

Your attitude toward authorities you can see is a reflection of you attitude 
towards God 's authority

We studied how we elect our president and tonite we had a celebration

Tonite we celebrated the election process we have in the USA. We live in a great country and our kids ( most of our kids still at home are from other countries) have learned and appreciate their new country that they are now US citizens. We had 11 voters this election and it was a privilege watching many of them vote for the first time. We made some Rotel dip with chips, pizza, veggies and dip and coke. We also kept our own map of the electoral votes won….Now I am so glad it is all over.

In case you have been wondering where I have been….

We have been watching the bottom 3 so that Mary Kate and Keith could go visit the top 2 . They are coming home tomorrow am…This was the first trip to meet the children and let me just say I love them already. So precious and we are very excited for the day that they come home…..

It is always a fun time with these characters….

This was the group that went trick or treating. Well actually we kept the twin boys home because it was so cold. 

Luke and Isaiah were the sweetest pirates.

I just love these "crocs"

We made these for our dinner…Trick or Treat Turnovers- that were yummy with a salad and applesauce- Had to feed them something healthy as the rest of their nite was gorging on candy and I even had oreo cookies for the crowd at home. 

They always love to carve the pumpkins and I love seeing how goofy they get…..

I mean really look at these "snarkelylooking " kids….

Of course there are always a few princesses in our family with so many girls.

We celebrate the joy of make believe - Happy Halloween from the Briggs Bunch- BOO !

Joy El Jublilee

Paul took the kids to a christian camp called Joy El on Saturday. They were having their Jubilee celebration. The kids had a blast and it was free. This is the camp many of the children have attended in the summer . This past summer we could not because of finances but, it is a wonderful camp where many of our kids have given their life to the Lord. They had a great time.

We have tied everything down and are ready for "Sandy"

Well maybe we went a bit overboard...when we tied all the kids down :)

 I have never in my life heard of such hype about a storm. We have prepared our home outside and in and, yes we did tie down outside toys that could not be moved, taken our trampoline nets down, lowered the b-ball goals, put away bird feeders, bought some extra drinking water and are ready...not sure for what besides lots of rain and wind. Usually we have not lost our power during storms...not even the winter storm of 4 plus ft of snow. If we ever do flushing tolites would be one of our first concerns....but thankfully we have 2 pools full of water to use . Because that would be a major area of concern with 27 of us living here :)

Those of you in a diff. area probably don't see or hear what this is about as much as those of us who live here...but honestly I have never experienced preparedness for a storm like this. Sams Club even opened its doors at 7 am this morning instead of its later Sunday am opening.  They have neverWe got an automated phone call from Comcast directing us what to do and how to reach them in the event we have issues. Going to church and all day on the interstate cherry picker trucks who will help with debris removal having been traveling north. Prayers for us in the path of this storm would be appreciated.

Who would have known ...

I never thought that this past week would have been so full and my days so long . It was a good week but honestly I am exhausted tonite. Two days this week I spent all day in Baltimore. We had a fun late nite with our dear sweet sister, and former intern- Mary on Wed.. I sure wish she lived closer to us…We love her to pieces and never tire of her hanging around us but that was a nite I did not go to bed until 1:30 am. All the things that happened this week were good and some were even great - Gracie had her eye surgery and is doing well. I have been helping Mary Kate get ready to travel with Keith to Ghana and we have gone out at nite shopping. I am also trying to get most of our Christmas shopping done. I am just tired with all the busyness. This picture was taken on Sunday at Cunningham Falls and looking at it gives me a peace…..remembering our day , remembering the Lord's beautiful creation and all of His provision. Thanking Him !