Gracious Homemaking: Hair Cuts, Baking and Voting

are on my agenda today. The haircuts are done (you can look at my last post for before pictures):

I finally conceded that our daughter needs bangs, and boy I don't regret it! She looks absolutely darling to me! The thing is, her hair is so pin-straight, that it just goes forward. Any attempts to brush it to the side, and tuck behind her ear, doesn't last long (not even a minute, seriously). "Pretties" (barrettes or clips) eventually end up on the floor, because her hair is also so thin that they don't stay in well. As its drying, it definitely has that "shocked" look, but I will put a little lotion or something in as it dries to calm it down a bit.

I always used to cut the boys hair. However, at times, I justify paying someone else to do it (at a tune of $12-15 before tip!) because of the tiredness of pregnancy or whatever. But I'd continually be disappointed, knowing I could do an equal job for free. I'm glad I cut it this time - and I admit, its always a good test for my patience, and I saved at least $52 (I averaged it out and then added tip to the end).

I am always amazed how instantly older my children look after a haircut.

I also have baking on the agenda today. I have read, in less than a week, all three volumes of The Tightwad Gazette by Amy Dacyczyn. GREAT books. The money saving tips are amazing and so do-able. One of her strategies that she used for her family was making a batch of Betty Crocker's Refrigerated Dough (which lasts in the refrigerator for 5 days), and taking dough out as needed to bake. Since I love making bread (I went back to making it over the weekend), I'm really looking forward to this.

And of course, did you know today is election day? LOL! Yeah, its pretty hard to forget this time. Each presidential election year seems to get more crazy, and starts earlier and earlier. As our Pastor jokingly said on Sunday, "On Wednesday we'll have about 6-8 hours of peace before the candidating starts for 2012." Isn't that the truth? Today, I received a call from Rudy Giuliani, and I'm sure President Bush or the First Lady will be the next to call ;)

I'd like to share with you some tidbits from Sunday's sermon, as it is so important for us to remember today. (I am summarizing here, and these are not points that he wrote specifically).

Our Pastor preached from the first few verses of Romans 13. In it, it says that every soul is to be subject (obey and submit) to the government, which whether you agree with it or not, is ordained by God. Of course Daniel is an example when it is okay to not obey and submit to government (when the government is asking you to sin against God).

Our Pastor, like me, grew up in what he called the "evangelical bubble." He made some observations from that bubble, and because, as I said, I too grew up in that same bubble (I'm not saying its wrong!), I couldn't agree more, and was comforted by his words.

1. THE CHURCH AND THE UNITED STATES ARE NOT ONE! They should be separate as the ends are VERY different. Because the U.S. has roots founded on Biblical principles, often we think the U.S. is the church. Not so! Not so.

2. THE CHURCH WILL STILL PREVAIL NO MATTER WHO IS ELECTED. Remember, as it says in Romans, "there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God." This is true even if the President doesn't believe in God or His Word.

3. WHOEVER IS IN THE WHITE HOUSE WILL NOT HOLD OFF OR BRING QUICKER THE JUDGMENT OF GOD. God's judgment is coming at HIS (God's) appointed time.

4. GOD'S PURPOSE FOR MANKIND IS BIGGER THAN GOVERNMENT.

5. TO PUT MY TRUST IN GOVERNMENT FOR MY LIFE'S SUSTENANCE, EVEN FREEDOM, IS FALSE IDOLATRY. Our trust for these things should be in God ALONE.

6. Lastly, the right and privilege to vote today, is precious, and we should not take it for granted. High prices were paid for that right. Ironically, it seems the people who chose not to vote for their reasons, are the loudest to complain.

Trust in God today. Don't be afraid. I've heard so many people say they are afraid if so and so is elected in office today (I've heard it said of both candidates). Nothing will happen today that isn't ordained by God. Seriously, the Bible tells us so. So take comfort.

So on that NOT light note, I'll leave you with a nice picture :)