Anything Under The Sun

Question: What are you and your family most grateful for this holiday season? Let me share this in three aspects. As my family and I are devout Christians, our shared convictions give rise to gratitude during this festive time. Firstly, JOY: We relish the moments spent together as a family. The sight of everyone reveling in happiness and laughter is truly overwhelming. I cherish the warmth, love, giving, and joy that permeate the season. In our family, this joy is intricately connected with the two subsequent elements I'm about to mention. Next is LOVE: It's not merely about enemies reconciling or temporary ceasefires in various conflicts. Nor is it solely about heightened romanticism during this season. While giving may seem like a traditional gesture, it embodies one of the profound expressions of love. It extends beyond material gifts to include acts of service and the sharing of one's life with others. Our family's love for each other transcends the holiday season, and what underscores this love is the divine example found in John 3:16, depicting God the Father's demonstration of love by giving us His Son. And then, there's Christmas. Lastly, HOPE: I intentionally reserve this for the final part, as I believe in saving the best for last. Although we may not know the exact birthdate of our Lord, this season serves as a poignant reminder of the arrival of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Without Him, our family, along with each one of us, would face a bleak fate. His birth not only marks the beginning but also ensures our redemption through the cross. It instills in us a profound sense of hope. In conclusion, what truly engenders gratitude in my family and me this holiday season is the essence of the season—JESUS CHRIST. It is through Him that we experience joy, love, and hope, each element contributing uniquely to our sense of gratitude (in no particular order).

The Thanksgiving holiday, celebrated in the United States on the fourth Thursday in November, is eagerly anticipated each year, ranking alongside Christmas and New Year as one of the most awaited holidays. Its roots trace back to an annual tradition initiated by President Abraham Lincoln, who declared the national event to be celebrated on Thursday, November 26, in the year 1863. Despite the excitement surrounding this holiday, it is not without its share of controversies. For some, Thanksgiving Day is perceived as commemorating the conquest of Native Americans by European colonists. A professor from UC Berkeley criticizes what he calls the "cultural and political amnesia" among Americans, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging the historical event, not necessarily to instill guilt, but to elicit a thoughtful response. Another professor from the University of Texas at Austin suggests that "One indication of moral progress in the United States would be the replacement of Thanksgiving Day and its self-indulgent family feasting with a National Day of Atonement accompanied by a self-reflective collective fasting." Controversy also arose during an event when hundreds of supporters visited Alcatraz on Thanksgiving Day to commemorate the Occupation of Alcatraz by Indians of All Tribes. However, it's important not to solely focus on the skepticism surrounding Thanksgiving. Beyond the preparation of traditional turkeys, this holiday offers an opportunity to explore trending recipes such as Pecan Pie, Green Bean Casserole, and Sweet Potato dishes. Those interested in mastering these sumptuous meals can find guidance on the web or seek advice from experienced cooks, such as seasoned grandmothers who excel in preparing classic and splendid feasts. Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving!

The recent incident of Michelle Obama being booed at a NASCAR event has become a prominent topic of discussion. Notably, it wasn't just the First Lady who faced disapproval; Jill Biden, the wife of the U.S. Vice President, also encountered taunts during NASCAR's season finale at the Homestead-Miami Speedway last Sunday. Both Michelle Obama and Jill Biden served as grand marshals for the race, extending support to the event. Accompanying them was Sergeant Andrew Berry, a courageous individual who had endured two bullets and eight bomb blasts in Afghanistan and Iraq. However, the moment the announcer introduced Michelle Obama and the Second Lady, the crowd responded with a mix of cheers and boos, particularly directed at Michelle Obama. In response to the incident, Kristina Schake, the communications director for the First Lady, released a statement, saying, "Mrs. Obama was proud to join NASCAR in recognizing our nation's veterans and military families to raise awareness of this important issue for all Americans. As she has always said, she will proudly stand with anyone making a major commitment to serve and honor our military community, and yesterday NASCAR did just that. They paid special tribute to our veterans and military families at the championship race by donating over 5,000 tickets to military families and by honoring Sergeant Berry and his family, true American heroes. Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden enjoyed their visit to the speedway, and are looking forward to working across the country to honor America's veterans and military families." It's worth noting that, before the incident, both the First Lady and the Second Lady received a standing ovation at a pre-race drivers meeting. During this meeting, Michelle Obama expressed her appreciation for NASCAR's consistent support, stating that the organization has been "amazing in terms of its support, not just today but every day, for military families."

Here are the five aspects of school life that bring me joy: Friends/Acquaintances: The prospect of reuniting with school friends and making new acquaintances is something that always excites me. It's an opportunity to learn from others, sharing experiences and influencing each other's lives. Meeting new friends is also a chance to share my faith, considering my school as both my harvest field and my battlefield (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12). Allowance: Anticipating my allowance is a common sentiment among students as the school year begins. Having money in my pocket gives me the freedom to budget and spend responsibly. Wise budgeting enables me to afford what I need and even some things I want, while imprudent spending would undoubtedly lead to challenges (Proverbs 21:20). The Travel/Commutation: The journey to school, though challenging, is an exciting part of the school routine. Waking up early to avoid being late and making smart choices about transportation are essential. What I love most is observing fellow commuters and passengers. This provides a unique opportunity to learn from their conversations, reactions to circumstances, and various behaviors, contributing to my understanding of human dynamics (Proverbs 12:28). The Project: While projects can be daunting, I've learned to find enjoyment in tasks that may initially seem tedious. Every project, big or small, offers valuable lessons. It's not just about academic learning but also about developing a positive attitude and perseverance in completing tasks, including regular assignments (Romans 5:3-4). The Professors: The spectrum of teacher personalities, from friendly to formidable, adds a dynamic element to my school experience. The contrasting feelings of joy with friendly teachers and nervousness with more strict ones both intrigue me. Recognizing teachers as authority figures to whom I submit and from whom I learn emphasizes the collaborative nature of education. After all, a school is incomplete without teachers who impart knowledge and guide students (1 Peter 2:13a).

Show moms that they are loved. Mother's Day is not just a one-time event but should be a day-to-day realization of the worth of every mother in this world. See Mother's Day quotes to inspire each mom as we commemorate their worth... "A mother is the truest friend we have when trials, heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us when troubles thicken around us, still, will she cling to us and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness and cause peace to return to our hearts." - Washington Irving A mother's yearning feels the presence of the cherished child even in the degraded man - George Eliot "All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother." - Abraham Lincoln Whatever else is unsure in this stinking dunghill of a world, a mother's love is not - James Joyce A mother understands what a child does not say - Jewish proverb Let France have good mothers, and she will have good sons - Napoleon Bonaparte That best academy, a mother's knee - James Russell Lowell "When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child." - Sophia Loren "A mother is not a person to lean on but a person to make leaning unnecessary." - Dorothy Canfield Fisher "The mother's heart is the child's schoolroom." - Henry Ward Beecher "Of all the rights of women, the greatest is to be a mother." - Lin Yutang A mother is a person who, seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie - Tenneva Jordan "Only mothers can think of the future because they give birth to it in their children." - Maxim Gorky Most mothers are instinctive philosophers - Harriet Beecher Stowe A mother had a slender, small body, but a large heart - a heart so large that everybody's grief and everybody's joy found welcome in it, and hospitable accommodation - Mark Twain