It's a world of hope, it's a world of FEARS!

What a scary world it is to raise our children in! I've been hearing so much lately that just scares the heck out of me and makes me want to lock myself and my kids in the house forever.

First off, war. Sure, past generations have had to deal with this, and I'm sure it was equally scary for them. But now the technology these "bad guys" have is far superior to that of the 1950's. The thought of "dirty bombs" is terribly frightening, and though we haven't been hearing as much of it recently, Anthrax.

Second, lead-tainted toys. This is one that really bothers me. We give toys to our kids with the assumption that they are safe. To find out that they are not safe is troubling to say the least. Now I don't even know what I should let my children play with anymore. I would expect it out of cheap toys from a claw machine, or even dollar store toys, but certainly not the Thomas the Train toys which are not cheap. Or the Fisher-Price toys, that surely seems like a well-known brand that we should be able to trust.

Next, we've got all kinds of germs and diseases to worry about. One that I've heard a lot about lately and has me freaked out is MRSA or "the super-bug". Kids fall and cut themselves, that's just a part of life. These cuts can get infected sometimes even if they are properly treated. Now we have to worry about that cut getting infected with something that is resistant to medication and could potentially kill them? Scary! There have been several students in the area that have had this lately, at least two at the school where my mother-in-law works, fortunately to my knowledge all these kids are recovering from it well. Also, there's things like salmonella and e. coli which seems likes it's becoming more and more common. I mean, how do we know anymore if our kids (or ourselves) have your run-of-the-mill stomach flu or when it's something more? Shouldn't we be confident that the food we are eating is not going to make us sick? I've been lucky to have two healthy boys who really haven't ever had much more than the common cold, but there is so much out there to worry about.

Another thing, perhaps the worst of all, are sexual offenders and murderers. Just last week, a young girl was murdered in the nearby town of Constantine. Things like this just don't happen around here. Especially Constantine, a small town of I think around 2,000 people. I have a few friends that live over there and have small children, I would be very frightened if I were them, I am a little nervous, and we're not even in the same town. Along that note, they suspect someone that has been driving around the area soliciting young children at bus-stops, which is absolutely disgusting! Thankfully, my kids are young and are never really out of my sight except for when they are at school (which I trust completely) or with another trusted family member.

There are many, many frightening things out there. I could stay in my house forever, but really, there are frightening things that could happen in here as well, which I think I've said enough already, so I won't get into! Anyway, I think I've made my point. But there are people to thank who try to help keep us safe. First and foremost, God. I believe He is looking after me and my family and will protect us. Also, the brave men and women of the military who protect us and keep us safe, and the police who keep us safe as well. Also, the doctor's who try to keep us healthy and help us fight these terrible diseases. I just pray that there aren't more frightening things in store for this country and this community, but unfortunately, I'm sure there will be. I will just keep my faith that God will protect my family as well as yours! God bless.

P.S. Sorry to sound like such a Debbie-Downer, and possibly get you worried, that was not my intention. There is definately hope in my message, that God watches over us, and that is what I want you to come away with from reading this more than anything.