To Our Youth

"Don't let others influence you, be an influence to them"

My drive today

Now a days with gas prices so high, I only go where necessary. But when I do go, I always check out the scenery. Since I was born and able to comprehend things. My parents, grandparents and aunts & uncles have always stressed how important it was to enjoy God's beautiful earth. Where we live, we're surrounded by mountains. Everywhere you look there are mountains. We grew up with stories on how the mountains protect us, but especially how beautiful they are. Everyday we would go out and my family would point out how beautiful everything was. We could look at the same thing every single day, but they always pointed out the beauty. Especially my Mom. She was very persistant that we appreciate what God created.

So of course now, I do the same thing with my kids, cousins, nieces and nephews. Where we live, we have a complete view of the mountains, absolutely breath taking to wake up to. And when we go everyday I make sure the kids look at the beautiful mountains. And it's so amazing that each day the mountains look different. Sometimes they look bigger, smaller, darker, taller, etc. But each day my kids and I take the time to admire what God created, just as I was taught. And I pray that my kids will do the same with their kids.

I can remember on several trips to Florida. I love Florida, I love the beach....but I was so happy to see our mountains when we hit Virginia. And I thank God everyday for giving me the grace to live in our beautiful area. Even if you dont live here....learn to appreciate what God created.

Storms in the Valley

We live in the western part of Rockingham County, Virginia. And over the past few years our thunderstorms and lightning storms have increased dramatically. And just over the past few days we've had storm after storm. Yesterday it started storming around 1:30 P.M. EST and it didn't stop until about 6:P.M. and that was constant rolling thunder and lightning. It took a couple hour break and started again after we had gone to bed. But this time it was worst. I had almost started thinking a tornado might be headed our way. These aren't whimpy storms. These are almost deadly and scary storms.

Today brought the same activity. After church it stormed for about 3 to 4 hours and it stopped. But now as I type this I hear thunder rolling in. I love storms and I love watching them. But for the past few years, we've had storms that have actually scared me. I've always taught my kids to be safe around storms and take cover. They've always been given all the safety instructions for all the weather that may come our way. But also not to be afraid of the storms. Lately that's hard to live by, when they [storms] get scarier each year.

So I'm wondering where are these storms coming from and why are they getting worst? I have a lot of family in Missouri, usually I watch their weather online. If they have storms coming, I know we have storms coming.
What do you think? Some say it's Biblical and some will say it's scientific.

Are we the next big city?

Down here in Rockingham County and Harrisonburg City, Virginia. We're not a real big city, but
we are growing. When the college kids leave for the summer that promotes a sigh of relief if only for a few short months.

I have family all over the United States. When out of town family comes to visit, they're amazed with our area. They love everything about it. They even call our area a "small town". I have to laugh because it's not small to me anymore. It's growing quickly, even when the college kids aren't here. Alot of people in Harrisonburg welcome the growth and then alot of other people criticize the city of Harrisonburg for trying to grow too much too fast. I feel we are growing too fast and too big. I don't want to look or be like Northern Virginia or Richmond. I have family in both places. I know what it's like. My husband drives truck up there, he doesn't enjoy it too much. Don't get me wrong there's plenty of nice people up there in Northern Virginia and down in Richmond. But both areas are congested and too many people. I dont live in the city area, I live out in the country. But I have to deal with the city everyday. It's not fun.

So Harrisonburg please stop the growth. If it's for the money, find other ways to make money. If it's for the honor and glory of being "big"....our area is filled with honor and glory. Check out our history, we don't need help in that area. Check out our mountains, we don't need help in that area. Check out our beautiful towns and our country side. We have so much to offer. Good food, great people and absolute beauty!

Still Undecided?

I have to say, I'm still undecided about who to vote for in November for President. I've been a Republican forever. But the caos that this country is in, even down to a county level. I'm afraid to vote for Republicans. My mind is leading towards one side as of now, but with lots of prayer I'll see where God and my heart leads me.

This year are you gonna vote on the party you always vote for, lean the other way or what are your plans?