Babies, Babies, Everywhere
No, I am not pregnant…yet. But I feel as though we are in a baby boom. 2 of my friends had babies this week, and I know of at least 5 others who will give birth within the next month. It’s insane. I’m asking that you pray for them today.
Dustin and Lindsey Hughes were friends of ours from Greenville. Dustin was on staff with us at CRCC. Lindsey gave birth to their son, Cooper, on the 26th. Apparently he is healthy as can be and has a head full of hair. Everyone is well. They also have a 3 year old, Kade, so they are certainly going to have their hands full. Would you pray that they would transition well into life at home with a newborn and a very active 3 year old!
And Hal’s best friend and his wife, Christof and Emily Hamm, gave birth to their son Elijah on Saturday. He was born 3 months early, weighs 1 lb and 5 oz. Elijah will be in the NICU until May. This is Christof and Emily’s first child so I know this is a hard and wonderful time in their lives. Would you pray that little Elijah’s body would grow and be healthy? Would you pray for Christof and Emily to have the strength to persevere through the next couple months as babies in the NICU go through good days and bad days.
And finally, would you also pray for Lauren B, Lauren W, Stefanie W, JoAnna B, Shanah K, as they are all set to deliver their little ones in the next couple weeks. Would you also continue to pray that it would be my turn soon?
Freedom of Choice Act
I’m not one for politics on this blog, but I’m about to dive straight into a topic on which at least some of you will disagree with me. I’m okay with that, and I even welcome your comments here (as long as they are respectful in nature). But please, please read on. As a pro-lifer, this topic is of great importance to me. Tricia put it best so I am using most of her text. (She’s better at getting to the point than I am…yes, I can be long-winded).
This is not about whether you support or did not support Barack Obama...many supporters of our President still do not support this act. This is something that I feel, at the very least, we women and all Americans should be informed about and that is why I choose to post about it, although my own opinion will be quite clear.
I’m talking about the Freedom of Choice Act which Obama has promised to sign, in fact stating that it would be the first thing he would do as president.
Here is what this act, referred to as FOCA, entails:
- wiping away every restriction on abortion nationwide, eradicating state and federal laws that a majority of Americans support and that protect the safety of women undergoing such a procedure including:
- eliminates bans on all kinds of abortion including partial birth abortion and also allows for babies who are born alive due to botched-up late term abortions to be set aside without any medical care or nourishment and left to die
- eliminates the requirement that women be given information about the risks of getting an abortion
- eliminates the requirement that only licensed physicians be allowed to perform an abortion
- eliminates the requirement that parents of underage children be informed
FOCA also compels the use of taxpayer funding of abortions
FOCA will also force faith-based hospitals and health-care facilities to perform abortions even against their religious convictions
To me, abortion is heartbreaking. However, aside from my own view on this procedure, I find this act to be irresponsible and disturbing. As a woman who struggles with infertility, I abhor the notion that people who find a baby inconvenient (in any sense) can get rid of it (no matter what the damage is to the child or the mother). There are so many people out there that would love an opportunity to parent a child. Not only that, I find the idea of allowing partial birth abortions to be evil and cruel.
The notion that we can excuse our children from vaccinations or public schooling because of our personal religious convictions, but that doctors and nurses of certain faith would be forced to perform a procedure that they wholeheartedly believe to be wrong or lose their job is ridiculous. In fact, because the Catholic church holds strong view against abortion, there have been statements made to the effect that should this act be passed, there would be no choice but to close EVERY catholic hospital or health-care facility. This obviously would be a great loss.
If you don’t have a clear understanding of what a partial birth abortion is, please go read about it. I can’t bear to go into detail here because it makes me sick.
Finally, that my tax dollars would support the things I have just covered, just pisses me off!
Please read more about FOCA. If you feel as I do, that this act is severe and irresponsible, you may wish to sign the petition here. At the very least, please help everyone to be informed.
To Those That Don’t Deserve It
I read these lines on a blog I follow and thought it was a really amazing idea. Jay set forth this challenge for the members in his church, and I certainly think it is worth trying! We could all use a little grace.
“Our challenge for the week: bless 3 people and make sure 1 person doesn’t deserve it. We did nothing to deserve the highest blessing from God, His grace, so why do we expect others to earn our blessing? Can you imagine the multiplied impact of all of us living out that challenge? A big part of the reason why we gather… is and will be hearing stories of how the Kingdom is breaking out as we live to bless people. “
Seriously, what would happen if Christians actually did this on the regular basis? What if I actually did this? So, starting tomorrow (Wednesday) this is my goal for the week. To show grace and bless someone who doesn’t deserve it won’t be easy. Especially for me, perhaps I have unrealistic expectations for others and for myself. And besides, I am sure that I am often in the category of the undeserving.
Snow in Myrtle Beach?
That’s right, folks, there is snow in Myrtle Beach. Not much, but it’s sticking, and I am shocked!!! I woke up this morning hearing what I thought was rain hitting my window. I was definitely not happy because I had to be over at one of my CFA locations to lug 109 boxes of cups to my storage unit a couple miles away. Having to do this in the rain was not something I looked forward to. However, I took a peek out my window and I bought had a heart attack! Snow, in Myrtle Beach! It was coming down pretty good the whole time we were unloading boxes (took about 30 minutes), but stopped as soon as we finished. So, to commemorate the snow in Myrtle Beach, here are the pictures I snapped of my house. Look hard and you’ll see it, I promise.
This is the back side of my house. You can see the snow clinging to our screen on the porch and just up against the side of the house
Here is the front of the house, see the light dusting of snow. These are the days I wish I still lived in Greenville so I could have more snow. Oh well.
Also, please continue praying for me. There are a lot of things that have me really stressed out, frustrated, and discouraged. I’m just trying to plug through, but it feels like every time I catch a break something else happens….and that’s hard. I’m continuing to stand on the promise that the Lord will see me through each trial, no matter how insignificant it may seem. Thanks!
I Don’t Understand
I’m having a rough day. A day filled with both extreme sorrow and happiness. I didn’t realize that those two emotions could go hand-in-hand, and yet, they do. Would you pray for my heart today? The Lord reminded me of this song by Aaron Keyes and I have to keep singing it to keep from crying. Enjoy, click on link to listen.
Where are you now that I’m crying again
Where are you now that I’m hurting
Where are you now that I need you my friend
Where are you now that I’m searching
Why do you seem to be so far away
Why is it always so quiet
Why does it seem that you’re distant today
Why am I trying to hide it
I am broken, worn out, barren
You are sovreign
But I don’t understand
When will it all be the way that you dreamed
How should I feel in the mean time
When will my faith be a burden no more
When will I not have to hope anymore
How long….waiting
Hope seems…..fading
Tell me….answer
I don’t understand
You say you’ll come down to bind up our wounds
You say you’ll bottle our tears
You say you’ll mend our broken hearts too
You say your love can eradicate the fear
I’ve heard all the answers and hollow advice
I know what they’re all going to say
I’m tired of cliches and I’m tired of the lies
I need to feel you today
I am broken, worn out, barren
You are sovreign.
2009
I’m not someone who makes resolutions…namely because I rarely keep them. A resolution implies action, but does not require action. However, each year I do spend some time processing what growth I’d like to see the following year and analyze how I’m going to get there. If you know me at all you know that my Type-A personality lends itself to being analytical and processing every little detail half to death! 
I have found that there is always one word that can summarize my goal for the year.
Last year’s word was STEP. I wanted to live each moment to the fullest, to stop asking “What if…”, to learn to live by faith, and to be purposed in everything I did. No easy task for someone who struggles with faith. According to Hebrews 11, faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of that which we don’t see. I like to believe in those things that are tangible…because those things are easier for me to grasp. So 2008 was a one day at a time, one step at a time, journey of faith. And surely my faith was tested in ways that I couldn’t have planned for or imagined. But all those tests became moments of tremendous growth, so I am thankful for them. Although, I must admit, that the thanksfulness often came much later.
So for 2009, my word is STAND. I have the tools to live out faith now in a new way because of my experiences in 2008. I’m ready to take those tools to the next level. To take a stand implies that the initial fears (which can cripple a person) have been pushed aside or conquered, the risks weighed, and finally, a decision made to take a stand. Initially it’s a transformation of character that begins in the heat of battle. Over the long term taking a stand will mean that I am a person that is ever-changing, a person that is driven by faith to stand in the midst of whatever I am placed in, to stand firm for integrity and that which is right and true, to stand up for those who struggle, to persevere and endure. And finally, to stand not on my own strength or on my own “foundation”, but of that which comes from my relationship with Jesus Christ.
When I look at my goals to STAND in 2009, I am excited to see how the Lord will choose to grow me and the places He’ll lead me. And I am more excited to see me actually choosing to live by faith, to be strong enough to stand (even when it’s tough). So there you have it…my goal for 2009. May God bless you as you discover your own journeys for this year.
