Where is the Change?

Winter 1865 was cold and blustery. The town of Molespeck had not changed with the coming of winter. All the filth and the vileness had hidden its way indoors that was all. Wretchedness was still lurking at every door. When the visiting minister came into town it was as if the whole town laughed at him. No one could see any good from such a man. But amazingly things started to happen. The drunk shed his drunkenness. The thief abandoned his profession. The loose women became respectable. There was a general change in the small town that was noted far and wide. God had visited Molespeck and left his signature on the lives of many men and women that winter.

It was the winter of 2005 the wind was blowing a cold bitterness and light snow as we again visit the city of Molespeck. Evil, hatred, murder, complete wretchedness has again over taken the city. Neighbors don't speak to each other. Friends find their enjoyment in getting drunk together. Fornication, adultry and sexual perversion can be evidenced in almost every home. Evilness was running in the streets. Who should plan a visit to this great city but a traveling crusade. The whole town begins planing this major event. There is so much wickedness many need a touch from God. The day finally comes, the doors are opened and thousands pour into the arena. When the time comes to declare whose side you are on, many come down to meet the evangelist and acknowledge their need for God.

The doors shut and everyone has gone home. Will there be a change in Molespeck? Will people see that their lives have been touched by God? Did God put his signature on this event? We look, we notice, we see. Over the winter evil, hatred, and murderhave been recorded on an all time high. Wretcheness and wickedness is still evident in almost every household. God did not visit Molespeck, His signature of personal and communal change was not seen. All are still wallowing in their sins. There is no change.

Snow Storm

The snow had been blowing against the window all night. The blowing and whooshing of the wind blew against the window keeping me awake. How much snow would I need to shovel in the morning? The barn was only a short distance away from the back door but I knew it was going to be a long job to just get to the barns corner.

Finally I woke and saw the snow was more than a snow storm, we had slept through a heavy blizzard. The depths of the snow and the drifts were almost impassable. There was no way I could dig the first shovel full of snow. I did not know how I was going to get out of the door.

Then my mom suggested I jump out the window and start shoveling from there. I am not sure this sounded fun or not. Finally I got up the nerve. I opened the window and felt the cool air rushing in the room. I slammed the window down again. I was not ready for this. I needed more clothes, another scarf, heavier mittens, something.

Now mom began putting more pressure on me. I could not wait any longer, it was time to make a dent in the snow. I needed to get to the barn before dark. I opened the window. Again the wind was bitter cold on my face. I swung my feet out and sat on the window sill for only a moment. With my eyes closed tight I jumped. The fall wasn't very far, only the snow rose above my head after the fall. I looked up and saw the sky around the hole in the snow. This was deep snow. I stood up and the snow came to my chest. This was going to be a long day.

The Doors Were Closed

I had walked by the church every morning for the last 2 years and every morning the doors were wide open. They seemed to be inviting people to stop. They seemed to be saying, "I love you and always will." ...... But this morning and the last few mornings the doors were closed. Who closed the doors of the church? Why had they not been opened all week? Curiosity was getting the better of me, but I did not want to ask anyone. I had not gone to church for years. After finishing school I had been enlightened and did not feel that there was anything to the church thing.

But now that the doors were closed. It was almost like a hope had been shattered. I realized I really wanted to go back to the truths of my youth..sometime. I realized that there was an ache in my heart a cry that was pounding out of my very chest. "Don't close me out! I really do want God" Everyday I pass the church and the doors are closed the pounding gets louder and harder to bear.

I never get up early on Sunday morning. I never go out but today, I need to take a walk. Today I just want to enjoy the spring air. Why am I turning down this street I wonder. It must be habit from my daily rituals. Why am I slowing down, It is just the church building I pass it every day. My mind is now running I want to know...Are the doors opened today? Will they open the doors on Sunday? Will they open the doors for me?

Kimber's Thoughts

Once upon a time there lived one lady and little girl. The lady was 46 and the little girl was 8. There names were Denise and Kimber. Denise made a blog and Kimber had a website with American Girls on it. She doesn't get to play on it because her mom doesn't let her play on the internet. She does get to play her e-pet. Her Dad had to work second shift probably till December third. She had three girls and one of them was dating. The one who was dating got married and they all lived happily ever after. The end

How a Fourth Grader Sees the Election

School began about as usual, Math, spelling etc. But today the teacher, Mrs. Awd discussed the election of the President of the United States. Next week the people of America were going to vote as to who they wanted to be the president. She told the children who wanted to be the president. In the corner of the room Mrs. Awd had set up a pretend voting booth. Many of the children had seen them before. Each child was given an opportunity to place his or her vote for the one they wanted to be elected President of the United States of America. The results were tallied and it was not surprising that a great majority followed the opinions of their parents. In their discussion, after the voting, Mrs. Awd was not surprised to hear them defend their parents opinions.

When school was out a number of the children went to the after school program. In the middle of the afternoon Miss Armstrong called the children to the tables and had a talk with them about the upcoming election. It was an exciting conversation. She gave them the opportunity of writing what they would do if they were President. One had said lower taxes, another said lower mortgages, then their was the child who wanted to give everyone free ice cream.

The next day the children were so focused on the election that they began taking impromptu questionnaires. they asked all the children and teachers to vote. Who was the nicest child care provider? Who was the most liked child? Who was going to get the best grades in school?

Voting day was coming up. When Mrs. Awd asked what they thought of the day she was amazed by some of the responses. The most common response was that they were all glad they did not have to come to school. But one little girl said she was excited because she was going to be able to stay up very, very late. When asked why she could stay up late she didn't know but she was happy to stay up late anyway.

A Childs View of Foreclosures

The three boys meet on the sidewalk before the bell rang only long enough for Jimmy to tell the others he needed to talk to them at lunch. They all quickly went to their room and began the morning schedule. Math, english, today was gym, library there was really no time to talk much. Both Sam and Jared could see that something was really bothering Jimmy. As they looked across the room at him they frequently saw his face in his hands or his head on his desk. This was not normal for Jimmy. He looked like he wasn't paying attention or even apart of the gym class. There was usually heavy competition between the boys, but today Jimmy was laying out with the slower boys. It was really odd.

Lunch finally came, Sam and Jared almost ran to their spots in the cafeteria. They saw Jimmy coming very slowly. They both burst out at the same time. "What is the matter with you?"

Jimmy blurted out, "This is my last day at school here."

We were both shocked and speechless. What could we say but, "Why?"

Jimmy began to explain slowly and picked up the pace as he continued. "My mom and dad have been fighting now for months. It has been awful. I thought for sure that they were going to divorce like Jake's parents. they kept on saying they didn't have the money for this. they didn't have the money for that. I did not get the point. We always had money for everything we wanted...forever. Now we don't have it. All I hear is money, money, money.

Yesterday evening my Dad blew up and said we just could not do it another month. I was sure that this was it. He stormed out of the house before dinner and did not come home till after I was in bed. Then it happened again, two fights in one day. This time my mom was quiet. I was surprised when I began hearing things clanking and rattling. It was too late for this noise. I peaked out of my room. I was that curious. Was Dad leaving? Was Mom leaving? What was happening?

Mom found me and took me into my room and put me back to bed. She was the nice calm mother I had always known. She told me that we were going to be moving. She told me that we could not take our time but had to be out by he end of today. I would go to school and they would move while I was gone. When I came home we would go to a new house. The only thing I am happy about is that the whole family is moving not just part of us Like Jake's family. Mom said they were not divorcing but that there were some tough times. It was all about money.

"When I grow up" Jimmy said, "I am going to have so much money that no one will ever tell me I have to leave my house. I'm going to buy me a house for my mom and dad too. That way they will never have to move either."

My Very First Post

What can I say? Another blog, another blogger, another possibility. Everything must have a beginning. Every walk takes a first step. These sentences, this paragraph will be the first of many. Where are we going and how are we getting there? These are interesting questions which will take many posts to fully determine.

My purpose for beginning a blog was as an outlet for writing. There is so much to share. So many stories to tell. So much information to pass on. The blog community was calling my name. Dragging me into the web of bloggers who are shooting words onto the internet at ever increasing rates of speed. Words with many motives and directions.

We will disclose our purpose and motivation in further blogs. Tonight let us be at rest to know that we have begun. And with excitement we anticipate and exciting ride.