Once again some thoughts on Martin Luther King Jr. (i know im a day late)

A couple of years ago I was introduced to a speech given by Dr Martin Luther King Jr. during the Vietnam war (here), which in my heart became a comparison to the current war we are in (yes folks we are at war!, i think i a lot of the time we forget). Today I am once again looking (un-biastly, which I know is hard for a lot of you) at a speech given by Dr King, this one is entitled "Paul's Letter to American Christians" .

There is a 1900 year gap between Paul and Martin Luther King, and now a 55 year gap between Dr King and us now, in this moment of 2011. Goodness how the times have changed, and just as King says in his speech, we have made many advances, though where has it left us morally as a country? Has our moral and spiritual developments kept pace with everything else?

He speaks of our technological advancements, capitalism, segregation in the church both racially and denominationally. He brings these things to the table to be seen in a eternal perspective. These things that in 1956 were at the heart of the speaker, the eyes of the nation, and the pulpits of the church.

The speech is ended in an exhortation to LOVE; and before I loose you because the first thing that comes to mind is SEX, let me bring back a lesson in Greek that many of us learned in Jr High youth group (but have not been able to truly comprehend until now that our hormones aren't crazy!) the LOVE he is speaking of is not EROS love, but AGAPE love, love unconditionally, love in spite of our failures, love that makes us do crazy things even though we have thought them through logically, love that builds, love that endures. Love for those who do not deserve or have earned it. This is what we are called to.

Oh! Christian, that you would take up your cross, bring forth the life that you have been called to. Let not your burdens hold you back, let not your failures intimidate you, stop over thinking and analyzing and start DOING.

Link to Martin Luther King Jr's speech "Paul's Letters to American Christians"

and then we begin a new year

I was ready for 2010 to be over. Usually at the end of the year i make a picture montage to show what the year was like, this year, i was just ready to be done with it, no looking back, only looking forward.
I don't know what 2011 have in store, and that is a glorious feeling. It almost feels like a new book is starting, not just a new chapter, but a whole new book.
I do have a list of "fun" things i am hoping to accomplish this year. Things like camping, seeing the grand canyon, traveling to a new city, going home and visiting old friends, climb a considerable mountain.
Another big goal for 2011 is to develop my Etsy store more. I need to get some creative juices flowing for valentines day things. There are also other holidays that needs some advanced though.
This is all for now, we still have 348 of the year left, lets make good use of them.

Beginning to look a lot like Christmas

well. thanksgiving has passed, and its time to get the Christmas stuff out.

I decorated the livingrooms yesterday. and also finished the first of my presents. with only 5 more to go (though i have no idea what these other five will be)

The "stark" coat. I need to add the name on the tag. so its not 100% percent finished, but enough that i just had to share pictures.

the buttons are recycled from an old pair of jeans.

rarely do my sewing projects come out as well as this one

Costumes

As I prepared for Halloween this year. I realized that I have had lost of costumes these last few years.

I never got to dress up as a kid, my parents didn't support the whole notion of Halloween. But now as an adult, I have had several non-Halloween dress up opportunities and some actual Halloweens as well.

Here are some pictures,

Enjoy

Getting to dress in some traditional Japanese outfit thanks to the International Students at MSSU.
The international club's Halloween dance, this year i was Cinderella.

The first International Club Halloween dance. I was dresses as a gypsy, this is actually one of the costumes I could not find tonight. I wonder were its at.

This is my 1920's Flapper out fit that I made for the swing dance party at a College Age retreat.

This 1980's bridesmaid/prom dress has been worn on two occasions. First, Amanda wore it to her prom. Second, i wore it to the 1980's dance party with the College Age.

Though Ive never worn this one in public. Its what i like to call my India Maria outfit. Its a traditional dress that dad brought back for me from Mexico. The shoes are ones that Bev brought back from Guatemala.

This one is a really dark picture that makes it really hard to tell the colors. But its Erica's Renaissance out fit. I like it, I'm prepared if I ever need to dress for a Renaissance fair.

Last but not least. This is my costume for this year's trick or treat. Its a Native American/Pocahontas. I plan to wear this one to go trick or treating with Karen and Brenda.
For the college age "monster mash" has other plans, but they are a secret.

I made jam. Or is it jelly...

Well ill have to wikipedia it to find out which of the two it technacally is.

Untill then, i get to enjoy this. I know its a bit late in the season to be making stuff from strawberries, but better late than never.

Making jelly is just another thing off my list. im liking my list. i still have to spots to fill in and some things listed to complete.