Trip to Gatlinburg, TN

It's beautiful country and the weather was perfect.

Om Namah Shivaya

Om Namah Shivaya is Sanskrit, the most ancient of languages. It is used as a chant in the practice of yoga meditation. There is no exact translation for these words but it is universally understood to mean something like “I honor the divinity within myself” or “I honor that which I am capable of becoming.”

As someone who was raised in a traditional Christian household, I admit that there was a time in my life when I would have felt this mantra was inconsistent with Christian teaching. After several years of intensive Bible study, however, I now understand that these words directly relate to the relationship of the believer to the Holy Spirit.

The Bible tells us that when a person accepts Christ, they are “Indwelt” by the Holy Spirit. The most famous and visible instance of this is illustrated in Acts 1-2 which describes the Holy Spirit coming at Pentecost. This was the first time believers were “Baptized with Fire” and given accessibility to God through the Holy Spirit.

So, while many people confuse “Om Namah Shivaya” as a form of worshipping self, if you read the words again, it is really about accessing God from within the self, which is very different. 1 Corinthians 6:19 tells us “Do you not know that that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?”

As we approach Easter, I find myself dwelling on “Om Namah Shivaya”, this ancient message and reminder of God’s most intimate relationship with us. Understanding it changes my perception of the principle of “Fear of God”. In Old Testament times, people feared the retribution by God: fire and brimstone, Hell and damnation.

But now that we have Christ, everything changes. John 15:15 states “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”

Once you experience God within you, and feel the peace, purpose and belonging of being connected to God through Christ, “Fear of God” becomes losing that connection. People who are “In Christ” change their behaviors not out of fear but out of a desire to be and remain close to God.

John 13:20 “I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.”

Om Namah Shivaya – I honor the divinity within myself.

Destination Imagination

Hannah competed in Destination Imagination last weekend. It is a state wide competition where grade school children (3rd grade and up) are given an ambiguous set of instructions and must produce a play that fits the criteria.

This year they did "Courage in the round". The girls had to write a script that had a hero who had to show courage when they were afraid. There had to be two side trips from the main story and a piece of the set that changed from one thing to another. They also had to perform it "in the round" - so the audience was all around them.

That's all the direction they are given and adults can NOT help at all. The girls write their own script, make their own props and work together to decide who does what. My neighbor is the "Coach" and can facilitate the girls but can not actually do anything for them or give them ideas. (hard job!!!)
So, the girls decided on a story called "Santa's vacation". Hannah played Mrs. Clause and the other girls were elves. Santa was on vacation and wanted them to join him but the sleigh was broken and the one reindeer that remained in the North Pole was missing. The little elf had to find the reindeer and save the day.

It was very cute and as you can see from the pictures, the girls did a great job on the set. One of the girls got inside this box and when the little elf went to the field to find the reindeer, they flipped a painted sheet over the sides to change the set. There were also birds that came out of it to deliver mail from Santa and a trap door that delivered the reindeer.

They did a terrific job and won 2nd place. Not bad considering they were competing against 5th graders.

Hannah's PE Program

Last week was Hannah's PE program. Her class did a dance with "Wands". Other classes did parachute, tumbling, basketball, jump rope and line dancing. The theme was "Covering all the bases" and each class touched on a different aspect of physical fitness and nutrition. It was really cute and Hannah did a great job. She even had a speaking part.

I was frustrated with my camera. The first and last picture are taken with the flash on "Auto" - so dark! The middle one is with the flash off - no wand. Anything in motion doesn't come out at all. I also tried to video her speach only to have the camera shut itself off in the middle of it because of a low battery (light wasn't on before I left home). Then, I turned it back on and continued to take about 20 pictures and video on said low battery.

So, I am thinking this means the camera is on its last lense. Either that or it is possessed by an evil spirit. I'll try an exorcism and some new batteries and see if it can't last a few more months.

WE ARE ALIVE!

Judging by the number of family members who have called this week (which was very nice by the way), I thought our lack of posting may have worried a few. We are doing great just not a whole lot going on in this very cold weather.

I joined a virtual writing community call Zeotrope which allows you to post short fiction. For every 1 you post, you review 5 submissions. I posted a story titled "The Stairs" and then worked my *ss off carefully reviewing other peoples work so that I could read my reviews. I've gotten some feedback but not as much yet as I was hoping for. If any of you are interesting in reading and providing honest feedback on my first attempt at short fiction, (app. 7,000 words)please let me know.

Haven't heard back yet on my poetry submissions but did learn my first article is being picked up by two more magazines in Southern Florida. I know I should get busy with more non-fiction queries but I've kind of been obsessed with the fiction work lately and I haven't had loads of time with sick kids, snow days and school holidays. Also, have another book fair coming up.

Someday, I might get to editing that book I've had on the back burner too. Hmmm.

Here's a recent picture of Madi painting.