Election Day 2010

This was my third election where I was able to actually work at the polls.  A poll worker.  Not a person handing out literature, combs or nail files, but a real poll worker.  My job was to take the voter's name and check to see if there was any request from the county election board for ID and have the voter sign their name, checking their signature, of course.

It was a most interesting day.  There was a line outside before the polls even opened at 7 am. and there was a steady stream of folks most of the day.  We had a few times where there was a line, but it just seemed to be steady.

There were several things that I observed throughout the day that were very interesting to me.  The first being the number of voters.  Our precinct have a 60% voter turnout!  Second, were the number of folks who had not voted for some time.  Those who had not voted since the card system/touch screens had been introduced.  We had to rescue folks who correctly signed in on our side of the room, ( there are two precincts in one room--granted, it is confusing) but tried to go to the other side across the "chain fence" , of sorts, that divides the precincts to vote.  Many needed instruction on using the machines.  There were even three people who were listed as "inactive" who came to vote.  I think you have to have not voted for a over ten years (I don't really know, but it is a long time) to be considered "inactive".  This signals to me that folks were very interested in this election!  Third, there were a number of parents who brought their children to purposely show them the entire procedure.  One mom proudly dressed her boys in red and wore a red "Don't Tread On Me" sweatshirt!  She told me, "We all wore red today!"  All I could do was smile--I have to remain neutral.  I wanted to cheer all these parents who were educating their kids on our freedoms.

Working the polls is a long day.  One needs to be at the polls by 6 am to get things set up and check for any "bugs".  The machines all need to be run to make sure there are all zeros.  There are a lot of things going on in the background.  Folks who are at the wrong polling place, name changes, cards not working correctly, handicap folks who need assistance and snacks...can't forget the snacks!

By 8 pm everyone is beat and it is time to tear things down.  The machines are run to tally the votes and the information is all gathered to take to the courthouse.  (Did you know that a copy of the tally of votes from each machine is posted at the polling place before we leave the building?)  The machines are folded up and placed in the car along with all the paper work.  It takes almost an hour to get everything in order.  Then, the judge of elections and I (since I'm the majority inspector) take everything to the courthouse.

So, home by 9:30 p.m. and ready for a shower and off to bed.

Even though I am new to the area (six years is still new around here), I am starting to see folks I've met and they will say "hello"!  Both of my physical therapists and my surgeon said "hello" as well as a couple of neighbors.  Everyone else at the table has lived in the county all their lives, so it is a great time for them to see old friends.  I am happy that my number is expanding just a bit.

No matter who folks were voting for, it was a good day.  People exercised their freedom in large numbers.

O Holy Father, thou hast freely given thy Son,
O Divine Son, thou hast freely paid my debt,
O Eternal Spirit, thou doest freely bid me come,
O Triune God, thou dost freely grace me with salvation.
...To enjoy thee is life eternal, and to enjoy is to know.
Keep me in the freedom of experiencing thy salvation continually.

More Reformation Day Information

Ligonier Ministries has some great stuff!  Today their blog post included the article entitled, What is Reformation Day All About?

I trust your Reformation Day was a grand one!

Reformation Day

WHAT IS REFORMATION DAY?
Reformation Day is an important liturgical festival that is celebrated by Lutherans and Christians of many Protestant denominations. It commemorates Dr. Martin Luther's posting of his Ninety-five Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany on October 31, 1517. This act triggered the movement in world history known as the Reformation. While the historical date for the observance of Reformation is October 31st, most churches celebrate it on the last Sunday in October.


WHAT WAS THE REFORMATION?
While it had profound and lasting impacts on the political, economic, social, literary, and artistic aspects of modern society, the Reformation was at its heart a religious movement. The Reformation was the great rediscovery of the doctrine of justification, that is, the good news of salvation by grace through faith for Christ's sake.

Check out more information on the Reformation and its history here.

Enjoy A Mighty Fortress is our God written by Luther based on Psalm 46.
John Calvin, another reformer, wrote this song, I Greet Thee Who My Sure Redeemer Art.

Happy Reformation Day!

Busy Fall Day

O LORD OF GRACE,

The world is before me this day,

   and I am weak and fearful,

   but I look to thee for strength;...

Be thou my arm to support,
   my strength to stand, my light to see,
   my feet to run, my shield to protect,
   my sword to repel, my sun to warm
--an excerpt from God All-Sufficient, from The Valley of Vision

Usually I sign off with something from Valley of Vision or something similar, but today was very busy with cleaning and laundry and cutting grass.  I overdid it a bit.  My legs were pretty wobbly and I was just having a rough time late this afternoon.  This really spoke to me and I wanted to share it with you.

More Thoughts on Sabbath Keeping

This was posted by Lee Wishing, who has a regular column with WORLD Magazine (for whom my son-in-law worked for several years),  on the Grove City College Vision and Values site.

Entitled, Sabbath Wrestling, the piece certainly is aptly named.  When you read the comment section, you'll understand.


Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.  Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God.  On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, not your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates.  For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day.  Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.  Exodus 20: 8-11 (NIV)

"Of all the commandments, which is the most important?"
"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'  The second is this:  'Love your neighbor as yourself.'  There is no commandment greater than these."  Mark 12: 28c-31.  (NIV)

Inversion Update

It is going to be a busy day today.  Sheets are in the washing machine as we "speak" and there is more to wash.  I've also been invited to a Quilt Show this afternoon.  It has been quite some time since I've been to a show, so this will be a treat.  Along with spending time with a new friend.

The Inversion Table that we bought has been very helpful.  I'm trying to use it twice a day for about 3-5 minutes.  The last few days it has only been once a day for about 5 minutes.  The days have been slipping by quickly.  It seems I wake up behind schedule!  Anyway, it seems to give my hip some relief and I am seeing improvement in my ability to walk longer distances.  I hope this helps.  It was beginning to look like I needed an handicap sign for the car!

O LORD GOD,
There is no blessing we implore but thou art able to give,
   hast promised to give,
   hast given already to countless multitudes,
   all unworthy and guilty like ourselves;...
Let us be at thy disposal for the duties and events of life,
   submit our preferences to thy wisdom and will,
   resign our enjoyments if thou shouldest require it
      as our absolute proprietor and best friend....
Help us to be in the Spirit on the Lord's Day,
   to enter upon the sabbath mindful of its solemnities, duties,
   privileges,
    setting all things worldly aside while we worship thee.
--an excerpt from FUTURE BLESSINGS, Seventh Day Evening, from The Valley of Vision

Rejecting the Kingdoms of this World

This was on the Ligonier blog the other day.  I just am now getting around to reading it.

Augustine had great perspective.