6/30/2008

An Award From a Friend



I am accepting this "sharing the love" award from my friend Pinky. Without being all hold-hands-and-sing-Kum-bay-ah-ish I'd like to say that the friends I have made through this blog are some of the nicest group of people that I have never met. And my friend Pinky is certainly one of the nicest. Of course this being the internet and all it may turn out that she is really an axe-wielding villainous murderer that is just drawing us into her evil snare with niceness only to later on convince us to come to Texas and see her where she will dismember us with her axe blade and turn us into little sausages and sell us at the local farmer's market. But hey, that's the chance we all take in making friends!!!

6/26/2008

A Red Letter Day


"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."

I am ecstatically thankful that at least 5 of our Supreme Court Justices have mustered the common sense that the common man has had for over 200 years. Thank you!!!

6/24/2008

Some Views From Michigan

The Wildlife



Tahquamenon Falls


The Mackinac Bridge


Cherries in my Grandmother's Orchard


We had the privilege of celebrating my Grandma's 90th birthday wile we were there. She is a strong woman of God and a dedicated prayer warrior for our family. Her and my Grandpa made their living by peddling fruit from their orchard. They had the most wonderful cherries, apples, pears, plums, apricots, peaches, honey, and maple syrup that would ever pass your lips. My Grandpa use to tell me that you needed rotten weather for good apples and that's why they stuck with the cold winters of Michigan. I miss my Grandpa and I know that Grandma does too. They were a great example of people sticking together through thick and thin and have passed on a legacy of long and loving marriages to my family. They were together for more than 60 years and their children have all been married for over 40 years and are going strong. None of their kids' kids have been divorced and we are all keepin' on keepin' on. My wife and I will celebrate our 13th anniversary next month.

The Best Thing About Vacation




The best thing about vacation is getting to have a whole week with the ones who mean the most to you. These photos here should serve well to introduce you to them. Please meet my wife Kimberly and our girls Jessica Amari and Arianwyn Grace.

6/23/2008

Frank Family Vacation



Hello there friends!!! We returned last night from the wonderful state of Michigan. We spent the last week in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan with the Yoopers. My entire family spent the week in a couple of cabins along Lake Superior in a little town named Paradise. It was good to get to see everyone and spend a little time with kin. I'll write more later and have some pictures. The lighthouse here is the lighthouse at Whitefish Point. We're glad to have gotten back to Missouri safely with all the flooding between there and here. Please keep the good people of Iowa and Missouri in your prayers.

6/12/2008

From The Mouths of Children


"Dear God please help the people in the storms and for the people who had the tornado break their house that they would get a brand new one. Please keep us all safe."

These were the words of one of my 5-year-olds as she prayed before going to bed. I am so grateful to God for giving me girls with a soft and tender heart that genuinely care about other people. Even people that we don't even know. Even now the thunder is booming and the rain is beating down on our windows as the lightning flashes through the panes and the hail bombards the side of our home. But my girls gently and quietly sleep confident in the One who brings us our weather and still under the magic illusion that nothing bad can happen to them when their daddy is home. My heart is full with seeing their faith. And their magical illusion calls to me undeniably, like a siren's song, to be a better dad and a better husband and a better man. It is they who are my strength and my encouragement.

6/10/2008

The Real Lesson Taught by Feminism


She's revered as a trail-blazing feminist and author Alice Walker (The Color Purple) touched the lives of a generation of women. A champion of women's rights, she has always argued that motherhood is a form of servitude. But one woman didn't buy in to Alice's beliefs - her daughter, Rebecca, 38.

Here the writer describes what it was like to grow up as the daughter of a cultural icon, and why she feels so blessed to be the sort of woman 64-year-old Alice despises - a mother.

The other day I was vacuuming when my son came bounding into the room. 'Mummy, Mummy, let me help,' he cried. His little hands were grabbing me around the knees and his huge brown eyes were looking up at me. I was overwhelmed by a huge surge of happiness. I love the way his head nestles in the crook of my neck. I love the way his face falls into a mask of eager concentration when I help him learn the alphabet. But most of all, I simply love hearing his little voice calling: 'Mummy, Mummy.'
It reminds me of just how blessed I am. The truth is that I very nearly missed out on becoming a mother - thanks to being brought up by a rabid feminist who thought motherhood was about the worst thing that could happen to a woman.

You see, my mum taught me that children enslave women. I grew up believing that children are millstones around your neck, and the idea that motherhood can make you blissfully happy is a complete fairytale.

In fact, having a child has been the most rewarding experience of my life. Far from 'enslaving' me, three-and-a-half-year-old Tenzin has opened my world. My only regret is that I discovered the joys of motherhood so late - I have been trying for a second child for two years, but so far with no luck.

I was raised to believe that women need men like a fish needs a bicycle. But I strongly feel children need two parents and the thought of raising Tenzin without my partner, Glen, 52, would be terrifying.

As the child of divorced parents, I know only too well the painful consequences of being brought up in those circumstances. Feminism has much to answer for denigrating men and encouraging women to seek independence whatever the cost to their families.

** For the whole article click HERE

6/06/2008

Robert F. Kennedy


It's been 40 years since we lost the best and brightest of the Kennedy family. Though I would certainly have disagreed with Robert on many issues I honor this man and think of him as a good person of strong conviction. He was a champion of civil rights in a real and practical way. He was the most powerful Attorney General to date and this made him many enemies. In the end it was his quest to end corruption and crime and his support for Israel that killed him. I raise my glass and remember a man of passion and conviction. Rest in peace Robert.

6/04/2008

Michelle Obama and Mother Khadijah Farrakhan


If you're known by the company you keep then what does this say to you about Michelle Obama?