Julie Gentry's comments

What Do You Like about the Holidays? - Blog Entry

12 Nov 2006 01:48 AM

Can I just say, "Ditto"? lol. I love the business, the deep cleaning of the house, the baking, the crispness in the air, the wrapping of the presents, the surprises on their faces when it's just what they wanted, the sharing of the Christmas story, the special church services, the community Messiah sing.

Christmas is definitely my favorite holiday.

Veterans Day: A Little History - Blog Entry

12 Nov 2006 01:45 AM

Thanks, Sherry! Very nicely put and easily understood. I read it to the kids :-).

How Would You Deal with Polygamy? - Blog Entry

12 Nov 2006 01:37 AM

My husband wouldn't be able to handle a second wife *s*. While it wouldn't be right for us, I don't find anything in Scripture condemning it. And I've looked. lol. I used to have an Internet friend who was a second wife, and they seemed very happy. It's not just Utah that has polygynous marriages. There's a HUGE plural marriage contingent in Eastern Texas, even though it's against the law in the US.

I guess it would depend upon WHY a family was polygynous. It's something that's been practiced from the beginning of time. I can certainly see the pitfalls in it, but talking to Merry, I can see the benefits as well.

P.S. No, I'm not sharing ;-)

Good resource against plural marriage: Polygamy.org Good resource for plural marriage: ChristianPolygamy.com

Things to Discuss Before the Wedding - Blog Entry

12 Nov 2006 01:27 AM

From the Q'uran: Sura 2:222. And marry not idolatrous women until they believe; even a believing bond women is better than an idolatress, although she may please you.

How do the husbands of those of you in mixed marriages reconcile the marriage with this command?

As to Clymestra's points, I'm sure some of it comes from misinformation. But not all of it. What about Q'uran 4:34? "Men are superior to women on account of the qualities with which God has gifted the one above the other, and on account of the outlay they make from their substance for them. Virtuous women are obedient, careful, during the husband's absence, because God has of them been careful. But chide those for whose refractoriness you have cause to fear; remove them into beds apart, and scourge them: but if they are obedient to you, then seek not occasion against them: verily, God is High, Great!"

You're absolutely correct that everything should be discussed before marriage. In ANY cross-cultural or cross-religious marriage, setting the ground rules and agreeing to abide by them are important.

There's an old saying that women marry men hoping they'll change while men marry women hoping they won't ;-).

My Name Is Earl - Blog Entry

12 Nov 2006 01:06 AM

I loved the first season of "Earl". But it seems like they're adding more and more sexual situations to it. A sure sign that ratings must be dropping. One of the more interesting characters on the show is Crabman :-).

Wife Swap: Take A look At How Another Family Lives - Blog Entry

11 Nov 2006 11:51 PM

Fox's Trading Spouses gives $50,000 per family :-). We made it to the final interview, but I guess I'm too boring. lol

Should You Discipline Other People's Children? - Blog Entry

07 Nov 2006 12:24 AM

First, Nicole, a proper spanking is not "striking a child." That's inflammatory language, and purposely worded that way. That aside, I wouldn't spank another person's child. It's usurping their parental authority. I expect other people to reprimand mine when they're out of line. With very few exceptions, I haven't given them the right to spank mine.

We have the house all the kids want to be at. If they don't follow the rules, they go home. Once they know the rules, there are no warnings, no cajoling, no excuses. Follow them or go home. Minor stuff can be handled with a verbal reprimand, but anything against house rules means a trip home.

When they're outside and another child is being unkind, I'll let the offending child know he's lost the privilege to play with mine that day, and mine come inside until he's gone. Households have different rules, and children understand that. Words that we consider inappropriate for children are routinely tossed about by some of the others. Levels of modesty differ, too. As do actions that are considered disrespectful. My neighbor's household rules aren't going to change because I reprimand her children. But they DO need to respect our rules when they're in our house, yard, or playing with my darlings :-).

Boys & Guns - Blog Entry

05 Nov 2006 10:50 PM

Love the way you write, Nicki! What a creative little guy you have :-). It *IS* part of being a boy. One thing my pacifist neighbor did was to change the focus. She started playing WITH him, telling him things like, "I see you have your gun. Are you protecting us from grizzly bears or mountain lions today?" And when his imaginary gun was used pointing at someone else (he was only 3), she'd look at him quizzically and say, "He doesn't LOOK like a grizzly. Why would you be pointing your bear-hunting gun at him?" They catch on quickly, and he quit pointing them at people, only at the bushes or other places he "saw" a bear. I think she is very clever!

Toddler in the House? Get the Gun Out - Blog Entry

05 Nov 2006 10:08 PM

Thanks Heather, it wasn't a threat. My intent was to point out that with the information you've posted, coupled with the fact that you've stated you are unarmed, on a public forum leaves you open to people who might not have your best intentions at heart.

In 2003, 783 children died from drowning in the bathtub. Tragedies all, just as the much smaller number of gun accidents are tragedies. Again, guns are not the problem. Children that are not supervised properly are the problem. Those parents should definitely NOT have a firearm in the house. Neither should those who are afraid of or don't like guns. Or those who fail to abide by safety rules (see gunsafety.org). For the rest of us, shooting is a wonderful activity that the whole family can enjoy, and a wonderful source of familial protection.

Five Things to Consider Before Adding a Gun to Your Emergency Kit - Blog Entry

10 Sep 2006 10:34 PM

Thank you, Miriam, for recognizing that it's a personal choice. I disagree with storing ammo and guns separately, however. Right now, I can get to the keys, get the cabinet open, and the unloaded shotgun loaded and cocked in 22 seconds. That time would more than double if ammo and guns were stored separately. And that additional time could mean the difference between life and death, should the unthinkable happen.

When in a VEHICLE, yes, they should (and must) be stored separately.

If you do choose to put one AWAY in your preparedness kit, it should be taken out, shot, and cleaned periodically.