Ready To Go

Sometimes people ask me for tips on how to efficiently prepare for a trip. One suggestion is to always have your toiletries ready to go.

Years ago I bought a Eagle Creek Pack It Wallaby II. I keep it packed at all times ready to walk out the door for a trip. When I first started doing this, I had problems remembering what needed to be restocked after returning home.

So, I created a list of the toiletry items that I like to have with me on trips. This list was developed over the course of many trips and contains the things that I need to be well prepared. Your list will be different from mine. For a while I kept it on an index card and edited it until I was satisfied it was complete. Then, I printed it in small type and went to Kinkos and had it laminated into a luggage tag. I attached it to a zipper pull on the inside of the toiletry case. During a trip if I use the last of an item, I use the wet erase marker I carry in the kit to circle the item on the list so I know what to replenish when I get home.

This greatly simplifies the packing process when I'm not having to think "Did I pack hair conditioner?"

Keep in mind that if you routinely carry on your luggage, you'll need to arrange to have your liquids in the requisite ziploc bag.

Merry Christmas

Let me make something perfectly clear.

I am a Christian. I celebrate Christmas. I love Jesus. I am nothing more than a sinner saved by grace. I've been a Christian since a very young age, I was raised in a Christian home. I'm pretty conservative politically. I am a regular church attender and have a volunteer position at my church.

That said, I'd really like Christians to stop whining about Christmas.

Recently I got an email asking me to boycott Old Navy because they won't use the word Christmas in their stores or on their winter themed products. I see grumblings on message boards and from people in real life about how everyone is "taking the Christ out of Christmas".

Stop and think for a minute how that must make Christians sound. When did anyone pass a law that at this time of year everyone has to celebrate a holiday just like us?

Is it really appropriate to require retailers to believe the way we do? Should I quiz the manager of the Kroger before I purchase that gallon of milk? Should I have my hairdresser fill out a questionaire about her beliefs before she starts cutting?

If our mission is to draw people to Christ..to be a light in the darkness...wouldn't it make more sense to go about our lives and interact with peace and kindness with the world around us and stop whining when everyone doesn't believe the way we do?

I'd love to hear your comments.

Everyone Has A Story...What's Yours?

Video Chatting with my Brother Last Night

I'm pretty sure almost no one will be interested in seeing this picture. I'm posting it solely to embarrass my brother.

How'd I do?

More School Assignments from the Boy

My seven year old recently brought home this classwork sheet:

At the top it said "Problem/Solution".

The instructions said, "Think of a problem that you have had. Draw a picture of it. Write about how you solved it. Use complete sentences.

In the space below, boy drew a childlike picture intended to represent him standing in his messy room with a frown plastered across his face. In the lined area below he wrote his solution: (his exact words followed by my interpretation)

"Nou we hiyrde a cleninge womin"

(Now we hired a cleaning woman.)