Today, however, I have decided to go a bit of a different direction.

This past Thursday, I walked into the “T.V. room” at my parents…

to the sight of my father sitting before a news station…

with tears coursing freely down his cheeks.

Initially, I was horrified.

Upon inquiring of him as to whether or not he was okay…

he managed to emotionally choke out…

“Give me a few minutes to pull myself together…

and then I would love to tell you what I just saw.”

All of my attention was diverted to him…

as I waited patiently…

to hear what had caused this sudden flood of overwhelming emotion.

By now…

all of America is aware…

of the awful hostage situation…

that occurred this past week…

at The Discovery Channel building.

When the crazed individual entered that building…

security immediately issued a mandate…

for employees to lock their office doors.

Later…

they requested that all employees…

make their way quietly to the fire exit staircase…

which fed the parking structure…

so that they would be assured of exiting safely.

The reason my dad was crying so freely…

was because he had witnessed the interview of a woman…

that was employed by Discovery Channel…

and had…

just recently prior to this attack…

broken her leg.

She was in a cast.

Upon being instructed to open their office doors and exit…

she was met near her door by two young men.

She didn’t know either one of them.

With an understandable urgency…

they requested that she join them in the staircase.

She knew how narrow this staircase was…

and that it had switchback turns…

going down to the place…

where they were supposed to exit.

She also knew…

that although her life was in jeopardy…

she wouldn’t physically make it on her own.

She watched from her doorway…

as these same two young men…

headed down the hall towards their goal.

She said a few seconds later…

they both stopped…

turned around…

and came back.

They urged her to come.

She told them to leave her.

The one young man helped her…

get on to the other man’s back.

This young man…

carried her…

down numerous flights of stairs…

around switchback turns…

where the hall was so narrow…

that together…

they barely fit through.

He came to a point…

where he could go no further.

When the three of them stopped…

they came up with a plan…

where these same two young men…

positioned her arms over their shoulders…

and together…

they carried this woman to freedom.

No wonder my father cried!

It made me pause and reflect…

on a statement that I heard Oliver DeMille express…

while attending one of his seminars.

It went something like this:

“When looking back on times of crisis…

large or small…

the media tends to focus solely on the negative.

But I challenge you to find the heros.

The men and women…

who freely and willingly…

lay themselves down…

so that others will flourish and live.”

So today…

will you take a moment…

and reflect with me…

on these featured young men…

as well as others…

who have practiced…

labors of love on behalf of our freedoms?

How about this hero?…

Todd Beamer…

who circumvented even further disaster…

during 9/11?

Or these heroic individuals?…

You get the idea.

While these two images are from the same crisis…

what about wars…

and other times of stress in history…

when ordinary people…

accomplished extraordinary things?

Because they were independent thinkers.

They looked for the good in others.

They exercised faith.

They did what was right.

Don’t try to convince me that America…

is full of nothing but deadbeat…

selfish…

“capitalism-at-all-costs”…

“me and only me”…

individuals.

That is only propagandized…

over-blown…

exaggeration…

when I ponder…

both past and current events…

and reflect on Labor(s) of Love.

Happy Labor Day!

In it, Dr. DeMille points out, that while both the Harvard and Princeton skills will give you the ability to earn good grades in school and success in a career; they do very little to win happiness.

He then provides a list of items that faculty and students at George Wythe came up with that should not only be considered; but also included as part of your education so that you will be prepared for the future, and ultimately success.

Two things in the Wythe list are the focus of today’s post.

They are…

The ability to establish, maintain and improve lasting relationships…

and…

The ability to keep one’s life in proper balance.

I highly recommend revisiting this chapter, if you haven’t read it in awhile.

This past week…

was such a whirlwind of activity and emotion…

that I was left trying to figure out…

not only what I’ve actually done…

but what I’ve celebrated and accomplished!

This post begins a year ago…

when Symbria Patterson heard Sons #1-#3…

play at another event…

we traveled to Cedar City…

to celebrate.

Symbria asked them then and there…

to return this past Saturday, July 24^th…

to participate in the Pioneer Day event…

that she was in charge of …

where arranging any and all activities and food were concerned.

It was a big job.

Basically…

it is a celebration surrounding the founders of the Mormon faith…

settling in Utah and declaring that this is where they would stay.

Pretty humorous for a lot of folks involved…

because the Helms don’t share the same faith.

In fact…

We were quite possibly…

some of the only people attending and participating in this event…

that aren’t Latter Day Saints!

But you see…

so much of true statesmanship revolves around the fact…

that you know your faith…

your convictions and beliefs…

and you…

then seek to understand and know others.

I love so many people in Cedar City.

Many of them…

and the relationships we’ve built and celebrated…

have served in valuable ways…

to enhance my own understanding…

of Leadership Education…

and my experiences within the community.

Of course…

our boys readily committed.

Lynn and Symbria Patterson…

along with their daughter Sara…

not only always provide people…

with incredible hospitality…

their friendship is to be cherished.

Oh, the things that you experience…

when working alongside them!

Let’s just say….

much of the time…

the events can be likened to hair on fire…

mach speed…

surreal situations…

that always ultimately work out…

but can leave you sweating  profusely…

in the interim.

It always promises to be not only interesting…

but enriching…

challenging…

and a lot of fun as well!

The balance piece alone…

Is precious to us.

As very urban…

often insanely busy…

Southern Californians…

The change invites us…

to take a deep breath…

Experience country life…

and small town living.

It allows you to wake up…

to the persistent yet cheerful greeting of roosters..

to participate in the local home town parade…

to participate in an agrarian life first hand.

It’s a community that’s tight knit…

Proud…

Hard working.

A reminder of all that this great nation was founded on…

and needs to continue to nurture and celebrate…

in order to maintain freedom.

No….

We don’t just choose…

to build lasting relationships…

in our Leadership Education community…

on the local level.

Why….

even here on TommyMom…

this ever growing community…

not only celebrates several states…

but now two countries as well!

Can it be exhausting…

as well as somewhat daunting…

to faithfully build?

Absolutely!

However…

the personal…

as well as the collective rewards…

of relationships and balance gained…

bring growth…

diversity and perspective…

absolutely necessary to the development of you.

We are traveling home happy and rejuvenated…

feeling a measure of success…

regarding what we contributed to this event…

as well as pondering what we learned from others.

How about you?

How are your community building efforts…

and adventures coming along?

Don’t forget….Wednesday is the giveaway of “Gift from the Sea” by Anne Morrow Lindbergh!

Toes courtesy of TommyMom

John Adams wrote:

“The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America.

I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival.

It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.

It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations,

from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.”

So his prediction was off  by a couple of days; but his description of the celebrations couldn’t have been more accurate!

I hope that as you celebrated the anniversary of our country’s independence with family and friends…

you paused to remember the incredible vision that a small group of individuals had…

the sacrifices that they and their families made attaining that vision…

and the sacrifices that continue to be made today on our behalf…

in order to maintain our freedom.

May we each do our part to perpetuate it…

and may it ring down through generations to come!

Happy Belated 4th of July!

I hope you had a great one.

I trust that you had a blessed Easter weekend with family and friends.

Sunday morning, the black shroud cloth is removed, and bursts of beautiful color

are the greeting for the day.

We celebrate with JOY!

Jesus has risen!

New life, new season, new hope!

Again, I hope you celebrated well.

I heard a mind-boggling statistic yesterday.

Google gets 3 billion inquiries a day!

Seriously.

I couldn’t help but think that this is right up there…

with the number that mothers of Core and Love of Learners get nearly daily as well!

In light of this…

I began to ponder the power of questions.

There are at least three types that are integral to a healthy Leadership Education.

Retrospective, Introspective and those involving Circumspect.

Retrospective questions and evaluations involve the past.

They look at time and events and evaluate their merit, the lessons that were learned…

the situations that taught.

Hopefully, it is a time to evaluate things from a healthy perspective and not one of self condemnation…

or the condemnation of others.

Individuals aspiring to good, solid leadership see circumstances as opportunities to become better…

stronger…

more effective.

A second type of question or inquiry would be introspective.

This entails personal examination mentally, emotionally and physically.

It is mainly concerned with one’s own personal thoughts and feelings…

rather than the environment.

This definitely involves some discipline and vision.

So many times, we tend to default to another individual…

person…

group…

to build our leadership communities, our accountability groups, our colloquia venues.

But the reality is…

it is our responsibility.

In order for these to be healthy and to thrive, the introspective piece is so important.

Are you educating yourself…

rather than constantly worrying about others?

This would include your own children.

What are you reading?

Are you instrumental in taking the initiative…

and contributing to the building of community in your area?

Or are you waiting for someone else to do it for you?

Last, but most definitely not least…

we need to consistently keep a pulse on the circumspect.

This action involves analyzing what is going on around you…

which would entail the commitment to actually looking!

Do you choose healthy environments…

where “iron is sharpening iron” in the personal relationships that are cultivated with time and effort?

Are you watchful…

discreet…

and prudent…

where the things concerning your time and efforts are concerned?

Good leaders  or those aspiring to be…

will ask these questions often.

We are blessed to have a family in our area that models excellent stewardship with their resources.

Twice a year, they share of their abundance with community.

These are amazing events to participate in.

Saturday’s, of course, involved Easter.

Beginning with a huge egg hunt.

Accompanied by industrial bounce houses and games…

also brought in for the children.

There are friends…

many of whom you only see at these bi-annual events.

There are “strangers” as well…

lending the opportunity to practice a community atmosphere…

that celebrates the old…

and embraces the new.

And the food…

always the same fare…

is amazing!

When this party gets started, hundreds converge.

Because this family understands that building community…

through sharing and generosity…

be it materially or mentally…

builds relationships.

And those relationships discuss…

ruminate…

question…

and bring about change.

How long has it been since you’ve asked these questions?

These particular ones don’t involve Google.

But when they’re practiced…

they change the world!

I am old.

At least that’s what my lovely Sons tell me quite often!

Funny, isn’t it, how every generation perceives those that go before them?

The fact of the matter is, in some ways, I probably am.

I am “old” enough to remember when Good Friday was an observance in this country, whether you were “religious” or not.

Schools were out for the day.

Businesses closed…

whether for a half day or full.

As our society continues to get busier and busier, there are many observances that just seem to go by the wayside.

Good Friday and the contemplation of Holy Week would be one of them.

I have my dear friend, Beth Lambdin to thank for today’s inspiring post.

She is the product of a Leadership Education…

and is raising the 6 of her 7 children remaining at home in the same fashion.

They are a family that is rich in everything that matters.

They’re leaders.

She and her husband, Dan, founded a Christian high school together in the Stockton area years ago.

They have chosen to home educate their children until high school age…

and then send them to this school.

We will eventually be hearing from her personally here on TommyMom.

However, at the moment, she is up to her eyeballs in an annual fundraiser.

Allow me to “show and tell” some of her family traditions that we have also adopted…

in order to practice observance…

reverence…

honor and respect.

For those that are Christians, this is Good Friday…

The “end” of Holy Week.

Here, on our dining room table, is a simple yet powerful reminder of what this week means for followers of Christ.

Each evening, one of the candles is lit, in order to commemorate a day leading up to the Crucifixion.

Tomorrow morning, we will light a candle in the cross as well.

Then, we will read the account of the Crucifixion from the Bible in Matthew 27…

starting at verse 11 and going through to the end of the chapter.

Once this is completed…

we will discuss and contemplate what we’ve just read.

Then, we will cover the candles in the shape of the Cross…

and the Cross itself with a black cloth.

I want my family to ponder the tenents of our faith…

and the sacrifice that was made for them.

Drawing the blinds and simulating darkness is also very powerful.

It’s hard to ask young children to be still and think for a long period of time.

Beth had many preschoolers at one time and came up with a great solution.

This movie…

Is 3 hours and 30 minutes in length.

It is a poignant depiction of the Crucifixion as well as the culture at the time.

We will watch this together.

Another tradition that the Lambdins have is Maunday Thursday.

They choose to clean their house spotless…

telling their children all the while that “this is part of the celebration”…

and observe a Passover Seder.

Regardless of your faith base…

it is my hope that you will observe…

reflect…

take in the parallels to those that were there at the Crucifixion.

They had placed their faith on something that was seemingly dying…

and eventually dead.

There was huge emotion, angst, and doubt involved.

When it was all over…

I’m quite certain that a feeling of futility enveloped many.

Doubt brought questions like…

Was I wrong to believe?

Am I foolish?

Did I place faith and trust in something or someone that was, indeed, wrong?

We’ve all been there as humans.

We will undoubtedly be there again.

Life is difficult.

No, at times, it is downright hard.

Issues arise and emotions run high.

People betray others and hurt…

both intentionally and unintentionally.

However, standing on truth is what matters.

Even when others don’t…

or simply won’t.

And when you know you’re doing the right thing in this life…

you can always rest on the fact…

that Sunday’s comin’!

I hope that you are happy…

celebrating with family and friends…

while you bond with “Bob and Stephanie” on HGTV…

watching the Rose Parade.

As an aside, look for this kid…

he won’t be hard to spot.

Relatively speaking, that is…

He’s in the above pictured outfit…

along with “several other of his closest friends.”

But he is in the first coronet position this year, which is “always on TV.”

Not that I haven’t seen him in this parade, on TV…

alot.

But I probably don’t get out enough…

So this is exciting for me.

Every year…

What’s more exciting, is that he’s my darling nephew, Nick…

An extremely stellar young man…

Of which his uncle, “Hero Hubby” and I can be proud.

And let me make one thing perfectly clear…

You don’t get the first coronet spot…

in The Salvation Army Band…

by “tooting” out “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.”

Nick would be mortified to learn that I had highlighted him in this  particular fashion…

Because he’s humble to boot.

So here is your “3 Minutes of Fame,” Nick…

I would’ve liked to make it a full 15, but…

You are on TV ( over and over in a continuous loop if it’s HGTV)…

and, I’m concerned about the state of our nation…

and need to address some things…

Dr. Shanon Brooks has written a thought provoking piece for TommyMom…

because he’s fairly nice like that.

It will be featured next week…

when we get back down to business…

and nix the “perpetual party” that’s been going on here…

pretty much since the inception of this blog in  October.

(Hey, it was the holidays…

what’s a girl supposed to do?!)

I do have a New Year’s Resolution, however…

(there are several…I’m actually naming the one…)

I think that next year, I’ll take a couple of weeks off.

Because we went from “Chatty Cathy Forum”…

to “Hello, I’m Standing at an Open Mike, Is Anyone In Here?”…

“Can You Come Out and Play?”

I don’t like this much “alone” time.

So when you leave next year to cleave to family and friends…

So will I.

Back to the infamous nearly famous Dr. Brooks.

I can’t wait for you to read the article…

And then refer back to this.

Okay…I’m somewhat interested…

(After all I do want to “fit in.”)

4 Million people bought tag line #1 in “just 3 months”?!?

If you got one for Christmas or Hanukkah, please forgive me…

I am struggling to understand “the phenomena.”

Apparently these two people do.

(…Is that a classic she’s reading?)

But wait, “the phenomena” gets better!…

Traveling in the car?!

WHAT?  absolutely NO OPTIONS other than steering wheel positions “10 and 2″ in this baby! NO “heel of the one hand swing” like your dad used to do…no siree! And what about road trip rest stops!?!?

What IS a “Night Time Pub Crawl!?!”

I’m going to ask my friends Cherylyn and Dave…

They claim to have participated in everything in their misguided high school years!

If you yourself, are familiar with this activity…

feel free to leave me a comment.

Because I’m open to new and exciting things…

and like to understand where others are coming from…

most of the time.

“Chilly Office Buildings” Where, and for Whom do you work? If you answer anyone other than yourself while sporting this baby, then I suggest you seriously check out the long-term viability of this company…and its 401K!

“Sporting Events” We’ll see you on the news as a victim, is all I can say…

“Cold Movie Theatres” Looking for an entire row to yourself?  This could be the ticket!

“And Much, Much, More!”

People! For the love of God and country!…

Can you tell me, after seeing this…

Why people who choose to educate their children at home or through “alternative” methods…

are labeled “freaks” in this nation?

And why ditching a harlequin romance novel for a classic labels you as “odd?”

And can you imagine…

what the ramifications of 4 million people “buying into”…

and practicing TJEd ( Leadership Education) principles would DO for this ailing country?!?

I, for one, think that Snuggies should come in bubble gum pink…

You should get one, then glue an old tennis shoe to your head…

WAH-LAH!

We’re back to October!…Happy Halloween!

(and it’s a stellar costume suggestion, since a girl in Washington state won “Best Costume” at her local high school for doing just this!)

Do you see how The Four Turnings really do come full cycle?!?

Oh, there’s more alright…much, much more!

p.s. for the relevance of the “slavery” portion of this post’s title, read Dr. Brooks article next week.

May your Christmas be filled with cherished memories, wonderful food, family, friends and the love of Christ.

We have a cat…

He’s a dude with a ‘tude for sure.

Even people that hate cats, love Lucifer…

He’s just one of those animals.

I got tired of being pestered by him for some equal time on this blog…

So here he is, with his helpful eating tips for today, that he found while reading MY e-mail!

Consider yourselves blessed…

CHRISTMAS EATING TIPS

1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet
table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see
carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they’re serving rum
balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. It’s rare. You can’t
find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it
has 10,000 calories in every sip? It’s not as if you’re going to turn
into an eggnog-alcoholic or something. It’s a treat. Enjoy it. Have one
for me. Have two. It’s later than you think. It’s Christmas!

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That’s the whole point of
gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of
your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they’re made with skim milk or
whole milk. If it’s skim, pass. Why bother? It’s like buying a sports
car with an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control
your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat
other people’s food for free. Lots of it. Hello?

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New
Year’s. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do.
This is the time for long naps, which you’ll need after circling the
buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of
eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like
frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position
yourself near them and don’t budge. Have as many as you can before
becoming the center of attention. They’re like a beautiful pair of
shoes. If you leave them behind, you’re never going to see them again.

8. Same for pies …. Apple-Pumpkin-Mincemeat, have a slice of each. Or
if you don’t like mince meat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always
have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor
Day?  I don’t think so!

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it’s loaded with the
mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost... I mean, have
some standards.

10.  One final tip: If you don’t feel terrible when you leave the party
or get up from the table, you haven’t been paying attention. Re-read
tips: start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner…

Please e-mail me with your address, and we will get your soaps in the mail. However, there is a slight proviso to this particular contest. Hero Hubby and the Family have agreed that Tammie Lewis, Miss Early Bird…Miss OverAchiever…got right in there with all of the answers and they were correct, except #7 which is partially correct( thus doing the bulk of the work for those of you that apparently copied your way through school), so she and her princess will be receiving one bar on us for being such a wealth of information! ;0)

Thank you again to Lauren at SunBasilGarden on Etsy.com for her generosity to Tommymom.com Please consider our generous supporters when you have gift giving needs.

Here are the answers: 1.William Booth, and his wife Catherine 2. England 3. Oakland Ferry Landing, California 4. December 1891 5. Captain Joseph McFee 6. To provide dinner for the destitute and poverty stricken, and now dinner is also served at Thanksgiving as well 7. Coffee, donuts and blankets were provided during WWII at no charge. This was huge, as many charitable organizations charge during a time of crisis.  The Salvation Army never has and never will. 8. False 9. False 10. It is a part of the Universal Christian Church 11. “Blood and Fire” is the motto of the Salvation Army 12. 90 years, making them the longest running entry in the Rose Parade.

We will have one more giveaway for this calendar year, to be announced and begin play, next Wednesday, December 30, 2009.

I am in love…

with “another man.”

It’s a love that is deep and constantly abiding…

Has been…

ever since I was a little girl.

And tuned in with millions of my closest fellow Americans…

first, once a week for the show…

and then annually for the Christmas program.

My mother has shared the same adoration complex with me…

So imagine our shock, then surprise, then absolute anticipatory joy…

(Geez, Teri, get a grip, will you?)

When Son #1 and Hero Hubby presented the two of us

with an early Christmas present.

Box seat tickets to…

The Andy Williams Christmas Show.

It was Sunday evening…

At the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert.

I’d like to tell you that my love affair with this man has dwindled…

After his spectacular performance, that would be a blatant lie.

He opened with “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”…

the Christmas song that I have personally adopted as my annual theme for jest and sarcasm…

but dearly love.

He closed the evening with “Moon River”.

He even brought back the dancing bear from his television program.

I was prepared to hurl myself over the banister of my private box and onto the stage…

then thought better of it.

It is an action absolutely lacking in proper decorum and personal self-governance.

I did, however, come home with an autographed copy of his memoirs…

and a beautiful souvenir program of the Christmas tour.

SIGH.

My life could very possibly be complete.

p.s.  Son #1 very casually inquired as to whether or not he had mentioned to me…

that one of his co-workers has a high school friend…

that is married to Andy.

I think I know who I am going to be “getting to know better” in the new year!

Kidding…

No really.

I am kidding…

Do I look to be the stalker type?!

What iconic Christmas album/singer/or entertainer can YOU not live without…

at “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year?”

In 1976, my family lived in a rural community filled with farms, cattle, and friendly people…

My father was the pastor of a small country church and we lived in the parsonage next door…

I had a best friend…

And a “cool” young teacher couple in our congregation.

They had summers off,

and worked 7 miles up the road at this camp as the program directors.

The Cliff Notes version ends up with my best friend DeDe and me working at the camp..

DeDe with campers and other responsible counselors…

me, on the coveted award that I received at the end-of-the-summer-staff banquet…

“Most Likely to be Out After Curfew”

We both returned for a second summer…

with one of us being the more desirable employee.

Lifelong friendships built on camp experiences

have been one of many benefits in being introduced to The Salvation Army.

I also acquired a husband out of the deal!

Not that particular summer…

I was 16.

I’m talking “down the road a piece.”

More on that later…

“The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” in America

gravitates toward self focus.

What I will give and receive…

which party invitations I accept or decline…

Many people undoubtedly practice charitable giving and benevolence…

especially during the holiday season.

The Salvation Army, however,

consistently lives them out.

When I did finally marry,

It was into a family with quite a legacy in this organization.

Here, you can see my father-in-law, age 8, attempting mastery on a band instrument

while a friend encourages him.

(Looks exactly like Son #5.)

This legacy is multigenerational on my husband’s side…

Clear back to the founding.

Here is my nephew, Nick…

It’s safe to say that he has mastered his horn…

It is a joy to listen to him play.

My brother-in-law, Derek…

Who is up to his eyeballs in kettles, concerts, and counting right about now…

And my sister-in-law, Nancy, (Nick’s mom, but not Derek’s wife)

who is just so darn cute in her uniform that I can hardly stand it!

I’ve learned a lot of things from the stellar people in this organization over the years…

It would take a year of posts to list them all…

but then again, we do have a new one coming up.

I have learned that people often lose their way…

but choices today don’t necessarily have to be your legacy tomorrow.

That while much of society focuses on itself…

there are just as many people focusing on serving others.

Your community, my community, most communities in our country…

Cannot fully function without the work of The Salvation Army…

On both simple and complex levels.

They care for the homeless, the needy, the addicted, the lost.

They help repair broken lives, broken dreams and broken hearts.

Their hearts are dedicated to God…

Their hands, to mankind.

Hands that help, heal, and encourage…

Hands that because of lifestyle and priorities lived,

are squeaky clean.