Hi Friends of Mindsay!

Sometime 'you think' you don't have time to keep in touch with friends, so I guess I have been rude and I truly appologize.

I even wanted to come on here and brag about our Pittsburgh Penguins winning the Stanley Cup last season!  And about the City of Pittsburgh being voted once again as 'Most Liveable City' (the only city voted twice in receiving that honor).  And there's that  G20 Summit in Pittsburgh!  WOW!   Then... there's the (6) Superbowl Rings that adorns our most winning NFL football team, there's reason for our 'Steeler Nation' that even goes beyond our own country! 

You guys really do need to take a tour of Pittsburgh ~ it truly is a wonderful city.  I grew up Mt. Washington with the two inclines on the hill.  This is one of our most memorible views that overlooks our three rivers, bridges, point (park w/fountain), stadiums and our entire downtown.  And if you do come, I want to personally give you a tour of the City (friends only).

So what have I been up to that took up all my time?  Well there's that (6) kids thing that I deal with all the time.  I have been running my husband's construction business for the past 19 years.  I seem to be involved in almost everything my children are into, which leads me to be either a sitting member of a Booster Board or being a Chair of major fundraisers, not to mention attending all their games or stage productions. 

Having 'conservative values', keeps me involved in politics and defending the unborn children.  I attend a wonderful church called New Life Fellowship (been there for 20 years), so I am actively involved in worshipping and learning more about who our God is; of course spreading the good news of that through Jesus Christ is well worth my time!  Getting to know our Creator and His plans is what life is really about ~ it's the most important part of life itself!  If you missed that, well you missed everything worth living for and the part of where you'll end up when you die.

I went from working F/T (20 years ago), to being a stay-home mom and homemaker; along with starting up and running my husband's successful construction business for 19 years, to P/T work (while children are in school ~ here and there) to now working F/T at Apria Healthcare in customer service.  My six children are all teenagers now with (2) in college and (4) in high school.

Well that's it in a nutshell!  My life has always been busy and that's the way I like it!  I guess I will see soon enough when all my children are through college and on their own...I am sure I will find something to do like run for politics, or setting up a 'Christian Shelter of Change for Women' for those who need a helping hand getting back on their feet again.  Then there's travel, weddings, grandchildren, more souls to speak to about the 'after-life'.  I guess the list could go on, I just don't know what all life has in store for me.  I do like to accomplish what is important. 

I hope to come around and see how you are doing!  Love ya!

This is a true story by Rick Mathes, is an author and well-known leader in prison ministry.  Last month he attended an annual training session that's required for maintaining a state prison security clearance. During the training session there was a presentation by three speakers representing the Roman Catholic, Protestant and Muslim faiths, who explained each of their beliefs.

Rick Mathes was particularly interested in what the Islamic Imam had to say. The Imam gave a great presentation of the basics of Islam, complete with a video. After the presentations, time was provided for questions and answers. Rick Mates directed his question to the Imam and asked: 'Please, correct me if I'm wrong, but I understand that most Imams and clerics of Islam have declared a holy jihad [Holy war] against the infidels of the world and, that by killing an infidel, (which is a command to all Muslims) they are assured of a place in heaven. If that's the case, can you give me the definition of an infidel?' There was no disagreement with my statements and, without hesitation, he replied, 'Non-believers!'

Rick responded, 'So, let me make sure I have this straight. All followers of Allah have been commanded to kill everyone who is not of your faith so they can have a place in heaven. Is that correct?' The expression on his face changed from one of authority and command to that of a little boy who had just been caught with his hand in the cookie jar.' He sheepishly replied, 'Yes.'

He then stated, 'Well, sir, I have a real problem trying to imagine Pope John Paul commanding all Catholics to kill those of your faith or Dr. Stanley ordering all Protestants to do the same in order to guarantee them a place in heaven!' The Imam was speechless! I continued, 'I also have a problem with being your friend when you and your brother clerics are telling your followers to kill me!

Let me ask you a question: Would you rather have your Allah, who tells you to kill me in order for you to go to heaven, or my Jesus who tells me to love you because I am going to heaven and He wants you to be there with me?' You could have heard a pin drop as the Imam hung his head in shame.

Recently someone asked this little girl what she wanted to be when she grows up. She said she wanted to be President some day. Both of her parents, liberal Democrats, were standing there, so I asked her, 'If you were President what would be the first thing you would do? ' She replied, 'I'd give food and houses to all the homeless people.' Her parents beamed. 'Wow...what a worthy goal.'

I told her, 'But you don't have to wait until you're President to do that. You can come over to my house and mow the lawn, pull weeds, and sweep my yard, and I'll pay you $50. Then I'll take you over to the grocery store where the homeless guy hangs out, and you can give him the $50 to use toward food and a new house.'

She thought that over for a few seconds, then she looked me straight in the eye and asked, ' Why doesn't the homeless guy come over and do the work, and you can just pay him the $50? I said, 'Welcome to the Republican Party.'