My choice, His life

I Love This Boy

2007-07-28T06:45:00.001-07:00

What I Did on My Summer Vacation Pt. 1

2007-07-26T04:00:00.000-07:00

Holden found a girlfriend...his Aunt Addy. He took her around the 'hood in his sweet ride. He was pretty upset to find out that she was an independent woman who preferred to drive herself!

This is my brother Brandon. He's 14. Need I say more?

This is my little sister Maddy. She's got the same band of freckles I had at her age. Now I see why everyone thought they were so cute!

This is my lovely sister Christie. Isn't she pretty? It's strange how similar we are.

Here's 5 of the 6 of us. My step sister Nate lie lives in Las Vegas. She's a buyer for Saks. Isn't that snazzy? Anyways, these are my half siblings that I didn't grow up with. They're fabulous. I am so glad I got to spend time with them!

My Family

2007-07-25T20:09:00.000-07:00

Abortion Makes Women Believe They are God

2007-07-25T19:08:00.001-07:00

I have often said that abortion is so "sacred" because it gives women a false sense of control. This is often written off as "crazy religious wacko talk", and I am often assured that abortion does nothing but get rid of a "problem pregnancy".

I found an interesting post at culturekitchen entitled "The Late Term Abortion I never Had". The story talks about a woman's false positive triple screen and how the experience strengthened her pro-choice convictions. The part I found most telling was her discussion about the "life" of her unborn child.

She wrote-

Because, let me be clear : I did not decide to become a mother because I was told I had a baby.

I am woman and as an autonomous being, I decide [when it] is a fetus becomes my baby.

This is not the job of any god.

This is not the job of any man.

This is not the job of any law.

I am woman : Life begins when I make the choice. (emphasis mine)
I had already chosen this baby as mine. I had already called myself a mother. Not to be, but made. My son's face was all that I awaited. Not motherhood, not 'life' because that already had arrived with my choice.

Thus, mystically, the choice of a woman is purported to have the power to create life. Unfortunately, this is not the case. I could not choose for my dead children to live, nor my body to magically "choose" new life. I know and accept this. To follow pro-choice rhetoric is to deny truth. By clinging to "choice", one need not face the cruel realities of reproduction. From this angle it is much easier to see why "choice" is so easily embraced.

I'm Home

2007-07-18T07:45:00.000-07:00

I'm home! I'll upload some pics later today!

Gone Fishin'

2007-07-08T06:07:00.000-07:00

We're going on vacation this week. I'll be back around Friday. Have a good week everyone!

Remember What Happens When You Assume?

2007-07-05T12:08:00.001-07:00

I have horrific generalized anxiety disorder. I can turn a one word phrase into a death sentance. Somewhere in my deep, dark mind I believe that if I address someone too much, not enough, or too far inbetween they will hate me and run away. After they run away they will probably be hit by a car. Of course, they will die. I will have effectively killed someone due to my lack of eye contact. Or so my mind would have me believe.

With that in mind, I'd like to tell you a story about why I will never go to my bank again. Ever.

It all started innocently enough. I walked into our diserted neighboorhood branch and smiled approvingly as the banker welcomed me to wachovia. That is (in my mind at least) where things started to go wrong. See, I have this compulsive need to tell a male stranger immediately that I am married in some sly, creative way. It's not like I think all the males in the world are attracted to me, I just don't want to have any illusion of attraction.

Anyways, much to my dismay, there was no good time to sneak in a "and my husband did X" type comment into the discussion. I think perhaps I was overly anxious about the situation, and let my anxiety turn my brain into a pile of mush. Judge for yourselves...

Young Male Banker- "Hi, welcome to wachovia! What can I help you with today?"

Me- "I need a money Order"

Young Male Banker- "Do you have you ID?"

Me- "Yes"

Young Male Banker- (Looks at ID and checks against system) "Which address is correct?" (Yes, I'm one of *those* people who moves and doesn't update my DL)

Me- "Er, the one in your system"

Young Male Banker- Laughs "That's Ok I didn't update mine either"

Me- "Uh huh" (In my mind thinking "It would be a good time to make a "so my husband comment...")

Young Male Banker- "Who Do I make the money order to?"

Me- "X Real Estate"

Young Male Banker- "Will you write that out for me, I have terrible spelling"

Me- "Sure, it's hard to spell anyways" (I proceed to write out the name)

Young Male Banker- "Whoa, what's that on your finger? (Points to his LEFT RING FINGER)

Me- "Haha, um I'm married..." (Thinking "What the heck? This can't be happening, people don't just hit on married women like this do they?")

Young Male Banker- "No! Your *other finger* (points to right hand)"

Me- (Wants to die now. Instantly. Someone please bury me...now.) "Oh...I err..didn't realize I had anything on my hand...er...its pasta sause. It wasn't very good (ramble ramble ramble)"

Young Male Banker- "Oh"

Me- (Thinking "GET ME OUT OF HERE!") *stares at tv*

Young Male Banker- "Well let me go get your money order"

Me- *keeps looking at tv*

Young Male Banker- "Well, here you go" "So, how long have you been married?"

Me- *keeps looking at tv* "2 1/2 years"

Young Male Banker- "Oh, wow. You got married early. Well good luck on the marriage"

Me- "Thanks" (At that point he gave me the money order and I tried my hardest not to RUN out of the store)

Do you See why I can never go back? What would you have done in the same situation? I mean, I'm sure you aren't all as paranoid as I am, but I'm sure you'd all have some reaction if you thought that some guy was so brazenly hitting on a married woman. Right? ...RIGHT?

At least he wasn't *actually* hitting on me. I don't know what I would have done in that situation. Probably something very similar to what I did, but with more indignation and less stammering.

As I write this I realize that it probably doesn't seem so horrible to anyone but me. Just more evidence of my extreme anxiety, I suppose. Regardless, I hope you all got a good laugh and will understand if I don't cash a check for a while.

The Thing About Me Is...

2007-07-05T10:51:00.000-07:00

L. over at homesick home tagged me for a mem. I've never been memtagged before, so I thought it would be fun to do.

Each player lists 8 facts/habits about themselves. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning before those facts/habits are listed. At the end of the post, the player then tags 8 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

...And Away We Go!

1) I graduated Highschool at 16 with honors.

2) I went to a women's college until I realized that I wanted to be a nurse and they didn't have a program. There were other reasons I left, but let's just leave it at that.

3) I am really sickly. I've had 4 surgeries in the past 5 years. No one seems to know what the underlying cause for all of this might be.

4) I'm infertile. (Right as I said that my 2 year old son came running out of his room with a plastic swoard as if to say "what do you call me, chopped liver?!") My theory is that the general sickliness is tied to the infertility, but unfortunately my doctor seems much more concerned with getting me pregnant than figuring out why I can't get that way on my own.

5) I'll never tell you how old I am. That goes for everyone. If you figure it out (eh...not that hard) keep it to yourself! The reason for this is that I *am* young and I don't particularlly want to deal with the assumptions that come along with being married and having a baby at my age.

6) I didn't start out this way, but I am a conservative Pentecostal. That's one assumption I don't mind people making!

7) We're not upc, but sometimes I wish we were. I'm strangely drawn to their lifestyle. In case you didn't know, the upc has "standards" of holiness. These include not cutting your hair, wearing only long skirts and dresses, no make up, no short sleaves, ect. I don't know why I'm drawn to this, but I am.

8) I am a terrible housewife. I've struggled my entire life with clutter. I'm using FlyLady to try to help. Thus far I have a sparkling sink

I tag...anyone who wants to do this. The whole "tagging" thing is too much pressure!

Wisdom

2007-07-05T10:28:00.000-07:00

My e-friend Bethany answered a question regarding miscarraige at her site. I thought it was really good so I'm reposting it here.

From Bethany @ http://bethany.preciousinfants.com/

Louise, thank you for your kind words, and I am so sorry that you are going through a possible miscarriage. I do not know enough about levels to know whether your miscarriage is inevitable or not, but I do hope and pray that whatever happens, you will have a peace throughout your soul. I know this is a difficult time for you.

I took a look at the site you gave me. While I feel that many of the things said do hold much truth, something about the site bothers me. I feel that they place blame on mothers for their miscarriages. I do not feel that this is right.

I am not a Biblical scholar, but I have read the Bible much over the years. This site mentions many of the promises given by God to the Isrealites when they were given the promised land. I believe that the "promised land" for them in that time was literal. God gave the Isrealites these promises.

However, for us, I do not believe these promises apply in the literal sense, as in, a literal land of milk and honey on the earth. The "promised land", in my opinion (for us) is an analogy for Heaven. When we are in Heaven, no one will die, or be sick, and all tears will be wiped away. This is our promise from God. We have a promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ.

I feel that most of the Old Testament stories, while literally true, are analogies which help us to understand God's covenant for us today. For instance, Moses held up the bronze serpant on a stick (Numbers 21:4-9), so that the people could look on it to escape punishment and to be healed of their sickness. Today, we look to Christ to escape punishment and to live eternal life.

14And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

15That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
I don't think that we should take promises that God gave others, and apply them literally to ourselves. We must look at who God is speaking to and understand how it applies to us today. Of course, like I said, I am no Biblical scholar and I could be wrong.

When Job went through all of his suffering, did he lose his family, his possessions, everything he ever held dear to himself, through any sin of his own?

God told Satan:
"Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?"

Satan replied (I'm paraphrasing), "Well the only reason he fears you is because you have built a hedge around him and made him safe. You have increased his goods and he is comfortable with you. If all of this was taken away, he would curse you."

God told Satan that he had the power to do whatever he would to Job, except take his life.

When Satan took all of Job's family, all of Job's livestock, Job's home, Job's land, Job's possessions, what did Job do? He said, "The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away, BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD."

This story, I believe, was given to us to show us an example of how we can go through suffering, even losing the lives of the people we love dearly, for a purpose. This is not always the result of sin.

God rewarded Job after his suffering had ended, and I know that Job also was able to meet his family again in Heaven after he died (and I am absolutely certain that when he went to Heaven, he understood what the purpose was for losing them- God wipes all tears from our eyes). Our life is temporary here. We live here temporarily, and if we are saved, we go to Heaven. That is our hope. Our children when they die, they are in Heaven. We will meet them again, and I believe firmly that when we see them in Heaven, we will understand the reasons that they had to die. Their death is not their end!

When the disciples asked Jesus, "Who sinned, this blind man or his parents, that he was born blind?", what did Jesus tell them?

Jesus told them, "Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him."

I believe that the trials and the sufferings that we endure in this life are here for a purpose...we do not always understand what the purpose is. But I assure you that if you are a believer, all the suffering that you endure will be for God's glory, and will work together for your eventual good, and most likely, the good of others. "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

For what purpose was Joseph thrown into a well by his own brothers? And then sold into slavery?
At the time, I am sure he could have doubted God's love for him, and could have wondered why God would have allowed him to endure such suffering. After all, what kind of purpose could God have for him to be sold into slavery? We do not always understand God's reasonings.

I'm sure you remember what ended up happening. Joseph ended up being second in command to the Pharoah, and he ended up preventing thousands and thousands of people from starving when the famine came.

There are so many examples of people suffering, and losing their loved ones in the Bible...and many times, it was not a direct result of their own sins. Yes, death is a result of sin...the sin that we are all born with.
But I am talking about the direct result of a particular sin that you committed, or a sin that your husband committed, etc. I do not believe that this is the reason that you might be miscarrying. Do you see what I am saying?

I would hate for any woman to blame herself for the death of her child. If a woman loses her born children, due to cancer, or a car wreck, or any other cause, we do not try to find and place blame on her for this...why are people trying to find blame in a woman for a miscarriage? What a woman needs when she is miscarrying is comfort and peace and love, not blame.
Blaming a woman for her miscarriage brings about unnecessary confusion, sorrow, worry, and fear.

Does God ever promise us that we will not have troubles on this earth?

No, there are multitudes of verses in the old and new testament which deal with God's comfort through our trials. If our life was meant to be without trials, then there would be no need for these verses.

"He is the source of every mercy and the God who comforts us. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4. "

(it occurs to me through the above verse that perhaps one reason for my miscarriage was to give me the wisdom and understanding to acknowledge other women's pain through miscarriage, so that I will have the ability to comfort them, where without having the experience, I would have not had the ability).

"My grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9 "

"Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians4:16-18"

"But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. Romans 8:28"

"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Romans 8:18"

And God shall wipe away ALL tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Revelation 21:4

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into various trials; knowing this, that the trial of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. James 1:2-4

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. Ecc. 3: 1-8

Psalm 23
The LORD is my shepherd,I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,He restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

"Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4"
******************************************

There are many more verses like these, but I hope that they will give you some comfort and peace as you go through your trial.

(Right now, I'm sure you know that I am going through a trial as well. I know I posted that the doctor told me I am pregnant, but I am still bleeding, and it's very difficult for me to know for sure whether I'm carrying a baby, whether I'm not carrying a baby, or whether I'm carrying two babies....or if I even miscarried one and have another. I won't know until I get the ultrasound and even then I won't be absolutely certain. It's so hard waiting and not knowing. I completely understand how you feel.)

(I want to add that I do agree with them that you can pray in faith and that miracles can happen. This is Biblical. I simply want to make sure that if the answer to your prayer is not "yes", that you do not blame yourself.)

As for your question, what is the baby's purpose....I hope this has helped to answer. I do not think we will always know right away what our babies' purposes are on this earth. I know that our days are numbered from the time we are conceived.... God knows exactly how long each of us will live, even from the very beginning. I don't know what every baby's purpose is (just as I don't know what any other person's purpose is, grown or in the womb), but I do know that God promises that everything happens for a specific purpose, and that we must trust that He knows what He is doing.

"'My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,' says the Lord. 'For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9

If you are wondering if your baby will definitely meet you in Heaven:

Read 2 Samuel Chapter 12. Remember when David and Bathsheba had a baby out of adultery? The baby became sick...while the baby was sick, David prayed to God to spare the baby's life, and would not eat or sleep. As soon as the child was known to have died, David got up, washed his face, and worshipped God. When he was asked why he wasn't mourning the baby anymore, David answered, ". . .I will go to him one day, but he cannot return to me."
Based on this verse, and others which confirm the life and soul of unborn children, I believe that babies do go to Heaven.
I hope that perhaps this has been of some comfort to you. Please let me know if there is anything else I can do....I will pray for you.... please keep me updated on your situation. ((((hugs))))

My Husband's Site

2007-07-03T12:44:00.000-07:00

Here's a link to my husband's site. He's yet to make a first post, but that should happen sometime today. If you were around during the "good 'ol days" of this blog when I posted philosophical musings and debates, you're going to feel right at home at Oliver's.

This site will continue to be staunchly pro-life, but I think it will continue to trend more twoards family and religion. Don't get me wrong, I am here first and foremost to raise awareness of the autrocity of abortion. It's just that I'm starting to lose steam as far as new and relivent posts go in that area. I think it will be good for me to have add Oliver's philosophy back in the mix!

Anyways add Oli to your blogrolls, you'll be glad you did!

http://liverpop.wordpress.com/

Book Give Away!

2007-06-28T14:56:00.000-07:00

Life in a Shoe is hosting a giveaway of Vision Forum's exciting new adventure series, Ballantyne books.

These books look great! Just hop over to inashoe and leave a comment to enter!

A Good Day

2007-06-22T01:51:00.000-07:00

Today I'm going to close the laptop, and spend the day enjoying life. I've gotten too attached to my debates, and need to focus on spending time with my family. I'll be back, but with a bit more discretion.

Blessings

2007-06-18T07:22:00.000-07:00

Waking up in pain has got to be one of the most miserable experiences of life. Today I woke up in pain that not only startled me with its intensity, but also served as a blatant reminder that I did, indeed, miscarry.

After popping a few Advil I whimperd back to bed to surf the web. I read some stories of death and destruction and reminded myself not to turn on the news.

Then something amazing happened. My little boy came bounding from his room and jumped up into bed. Sure he's not supposed to leave his room in the morning until I get him, but today that didn't matter. He snuggled up to me, lay his little blonde head on my shoulder and gave me a kiss.

What more could a mommy want?

I realized how wonderfully blessed we are to have Holden. God has given us the most precious gift imaginable and for that I am thankful.

Happy Father's Day

2007-06-17T08:47:00.000-07:00

What Do We Want? To Save Babies. When Do We Want It? NOW!

2007-06-14T14:26:00.000-07:00

So everyone is famaliar with the pro-life feud. I don't even know a non-biased site to link to. We all know the problem. Abortion has been around since polyester shirts, and it doesn't despite our best efforts, it seems it's determined to stay.

We see babies dying everyday. Some for 33 years. It's easy to understand why people have thrown their hands up in the air and declared "enough!".

Enough incrementalism, enough waiting periods, enough parental consent. Ban abortion now! Only, the ban didn't pass. Not even in the most conservative state in the union.

So what do we do?

Do we attack each other and spend money that could save babies on hate ads? Do we cut ties and burn bridges? No! We celebrate our victories, even if only symbolic, and move forward.

For the first time in a long time we have momentum. A specific type of abortion has been banned! NARAL is scrambling. Why are we stopping dead in our tracks?

We are beating ourselves. We must end this battle and focus on what all must do to end abortion in this country. Together we can make a difference.

A New Standard of "Clean"

2007-06-10T15:39:00.000-07:00

So sewage is backing up into every toilet, tub, and shower in the house. Yuck

I'm having the city plumber over to access the situation.

This presents a small problem because I haven't exactly been able/willing to clean in the past week. I couldn't do clothes/dishes due to the water problem. Nor could I bathe my self or my son (don't worry we went to the in-laws for that!) I couldn't cook, so there are approximately 15 take out "left overs" in the fridge.

Why didn't I take care of this sooner you ask? Because apparently this particular issue is one that the city deals with, not warranty. Who knew.

Anyways, today I developed a new standard of "clean". "Clean enough for the plumber".
Dishes- In the dishwasher (though obviously, not washed)
Clothes-A mixture between in the washer (though obviously, not washed) and in the
closet.
Trash-Taken out! New bags in!
Clutter-Thrown in the Closet/Thrown Away.
Carpet-Swifter "vacuumed"
Tile-Wiped up with a paper towel
Child-Wiped up with a (different) paper towel.

I doubt Martha Stewart would approve.

Oh yeah, one last thing. Fabreeze sprayed throughout to mask "brown sewage" smell. And a word to the wise, never try to clean the sewage in the shower before the problem is fixed...just trust me on this.

Thank you everyone.

2007-06-07T19:19:00.000-07:00

Thank you everyone for your support. You have helped me more than I could say. You are all such blessings.

How I'm Really Doing...

2007-06-06T08:36:00.000-07:00

When ever I read of someone going through a personal tragedy I'm always amazed by their grace. Christians especially amaze me with the strenth of their faith. Perhaps it is just me, but I know that I have not been as strong as I portray.

I didn't lie about anything. I KNOW that this was God's will and that it will bring glory to Him. But it hurts.

I find my self irritable for no reason. I don't want to play with Holden or talk to Oliver. I just want to crawl into a hole and not think about anything. Of course, I don't...and I don't allow Oliver to either. Instead I nag and complain and am all around horrible.

It's not how I want to be, but what I want doesn't seem to carry much weight anymore. So please, pray that my heart will be changed and that I can begin to see God's magisty in this. My flesh is railing against my soul, and I fear that the flesh is winning.

God bless you all.

What Pro-Choicers Think About A Pro-Life Split.

2007-06-04T13:20:00.000-07:00

We've heard alot lately about the split opinions prolifers have regarding the PBA Ban. It has honestly gotten a bit ugly. I was looking at some feminist blogs today and found this over at feministing.

Anti-Choicers Beefing over SCOTUS decision.

Sweet.

A number of Evangelical Protestant and Roman Catholic groups are brawling with Focus on the Family founder James Dobson for praising the Supreme Court's Federal Abortion Ban. Some are even accusing Dobson and other anti-choice leaders of building a "pro-life industry" of misleading information and "relentless fundraising."

Dobson has been declaring the ban a victory while other anti-choice groups are saying it's more of a disappointment, claiming it serves merely as a "manual" of late-term abortions and condones them "as long as you follow its guidelines." A group even released a letter in a full-page ad to Dobson saying that he's giving inaccurate information to other anti-choicers and should be called out for it. In response, Focus on the Family's Vice President Tom Minnery commented that they celebrated the ban "because we, and most pro-lifers, are sophisticated enough to know we're not going to win a total victory all at once. We're going to win piece by piece."

Oh, so you're the sophisticated pro-lifers, huh? Where does that leave the rest of y'all? You're just going to let them call you classless like that? Fight! Fight! Fight!

Between the fact that a quarter of a billion dollars has been raised towards the ban and Dobson's perpetual shmoozing with SCOTUS judges makes it apparent that the "true" pro-life agenda may not necessarily be Dobson's priority anymore (or never was, for that matter). And it's not like this is anything new for right-wing politics, but the difference now is that the anti-choice masses are catching on; some say it could be the biggest split in the anti-choice movement in over a decade. And we like this.

We must stand together!

I Miscarried.

2007-06-04T09:16:00.000-07:00

I really am not sure how to write this post. I first want to say that in all of this I give glory to God. I know that Satan was bound, and that this was within the will of God.

Though we are hurting, I know that God is always to be praised. We do not understand why, but God knew all the days of the life of our child and knew that they would be short.

We praise God for allowing us to know this child, even if only in my womb. This experience has brought us closer to God, and reinforced our faith. We have grown as parents and as children. We have been shown where we need improvement, and strive to rectify those areas.

Most importantly, we have been forced back down on our knees, and have been brought back into the presence of God. For that we are thankful.

We will never forget our baby bee. We pray that we will meet all of our lost children in Heaven where we will rejoice with the Lord.

Thank you for all of your prayers. Though this is not the outcome we had hoped for, we know that the will of God was done.

Doctors Appt. Today

2007-05-31T06:09:00.001-07:00

Just a quick post to let everyone know I have an appointment with my OB today to get an HcG draw. Prayers would be appreciated.

Where Does Your Church Stand on Abortion? Part II

2007-05-25T10:31:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I showcased denominations that are "pro-choice". Today I will showcase "pro-life" churches.

New Apostolic Church International

Termination of pregnancy

The New Apostolic Church is a proponent of life. According to the Church’s understanding, life begins with the union of the egg cell and the sperm cell. The fructified egg cell is already an individual life, which has a fundamental right to protection.

The New Apostolic Church fundamentally disapproves of terminating a pregnancy. In special cases, for example if the life of the mother is in serious jeopardy, the advice of the doctors and the apostle should be sought.

A Statement of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops -- November 12, 1997

The twentieth century will not end without one more anniversary to remind us that this era of extraordinary progress is also darkened by the shadows of unimaginable tragedy. January 22, 1998 marks the 25th anniversary of our Supreme Court's rulings in Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton. Because of those decisions, more than 35 million children have been killed, and reasons used to justify abortion are now extended to excuse infanticide. Today babies are being killed in the very process of delivery by a procedure called partial-birth abortion. Many mothers have lost their lives in abortion clinics, and countless others survive with physical, emotional or spiritual scars. Fathers and grandparents also suffer grief for a child they never met.

What was once seen as an act of desperation--the killing of one's own child--is now fiercely defended as a good and promoted as a right. Even worse, a deadly blindness has come over our land, preventing many persons of good will from recognizing the right of innocent human lives to respect, acceptance and help. Claims of privacy and an ethic of unlimited individualism have been used to undermine government's responsibility to protect life. Legalized violence has spread through our society like a cancer. The powerless of all ages are threatened.

We look upon this panorama with shame, and also with immense sympathy for all its victims. At the end of the Second Vatican Council, pope Paul VI said the "spirituality of the Good Samaritan" would guide the Church's encounter with the world of today. So often an "outsider" in a world blinded to the transcendent value of human life, the Church--like the outsider Samaritan--wishes to come to the aid of the victims of this eclipse of the spirit. It is in this spirit that we make our appeal on this tragic anniversary.

To all our fellow citizens we say: Abortion is an assault on human dignity, an act of violence against both mother and child and the whole human family. Legal protection for unborn human life must be restored in our nation. As the Second Vatican Council also reminded us: "Whatever is opposed to life itself, such as any type of murder, genocide, abortion, euthanasia, or willful self-destruction ... all these things and others of their like are infamies indeed. They poison human society but they do more harm to those who practice them than those who suffer from the injury. Moreover, they are a supreme dishonor to the Creator" (Gaudium et spes, 27).

We recall what is best in our common national heritage: Human beings, simply because they are human, must be recognized as persons with fundamental human rights. Our nation fought a terrible civil war because the practice of slavery was finally recognized to be inconsistent with our national ethos enunciated in the Declaration of Independence: All are endowed by their Creator with the inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Slavery is repugnant because it treats human beings as property to be disposed of at the will of another. It was morally absurd then to say: "I am personally opposed to owning slaves and would never own any myself, but I can't force my moral views on others. It is not the government's task to legislate morality. It is a personal choice." It is just as morally repugnant to say the same about abortion today. Our nation stands in judgment now, as it did more than a century ago: are we to be a nation that honors its commitments to the right to life, or not? And if not, then just what does our nation stand for?

No one has spoken more eloquently about the sacred value of human life than has our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II. It is he who reminds us that all who are "open to truth and goodness can, by the light of reason and the hidden action of grace, come to recognize in the natural law written in the heart (cf. Rom. 2:14-15) the sacred value of human life from its very beginning until its end, and can affirm the right of every human being to have this primary good respected to the highest degree. Upon the recognition of this right, every human community and the political community itself are founded" (Evangelium vitae, 2).

We see in our culture an ongoing conflict between good and evil, a conflict between life and death. As we strive to assure peace and justice, too often it is forgotten that the common good can only be served when the right to life, the right on which all other inalienable rights of the individual rest and from which they develop, is acknowledged and defended (cf. Evangelium vitae, 101).

In spite of the relentless propaganda in favor of abortion, most Americans have not become fully insensitive to the killing of children so weak that they cannot cry for help. Indeed, the 1973 abortion decisions set in motion the broadest grassroots movement this nation has ever seen. Our debt to those who serve the pro-life cause is immeasurable. The are the witnesses and bearers of our nation's most noble aspirations. In a special way, through the national debate on partial-birth abortion, they have focused the attention of Americans on the plight of the child.

Perhaps the most uplifting sign of hope is the witness of those teenagers and young adults who have come of age with legal abortion, but who are not seduced by its empty promises. They participate in the annual March for Life, fill our National Prayer Vigil for Life, organize supporters in their schools and campuses, run baby showers, and write to us asking what they can do to end abortion.

We especially honor the work of more than 3000 pregnancy centers, as well as those hospitals, agencies and medical centers in radical solidarity with women in need of counseling, pre- and post natal care, housing, material support and adoption services. And for those women who have had abortions and seek help to deal with its aftermath, Project Rachel and other post-abortion healing programs are available throughout the country. We pledge continuing support of these programs. Our condemnation of abortion is accompanied by an unswerving commitment to provide alternative solutions and compassionate care in respect for the dignity of all wounded by its violence. Such is the "spirituality of the Good Samaritan."

To our fellow Catholics, we ask you to do even more for life. Reach out to women who are pregnant and in need of help, to families struggling with financial or emotional difficulties. Stand by those who wish to choose life with the witness of solidarity, hope, and service. Catholic families should be living symbols of our conviction that life is always, always a gift from God. Teach your children to respect human life from conception to natural death. Pray as a family for an end to this evil that destroys the weakest of the weak, the poorest of the poor.

May God strengthen us in our effort to bring about a culture of life and solidarity for the true good of the whole of human society (cf. Evangelium vitae, 101)

Resolution #8: On Thirty Years of Roe V. Wade, adopted at the SBC (Southern Baptist) convention, June 2003:

WHEREAS, Scripture reveals that all human life is created in the image of God, and therefore sacred to our Creator (Genesis 1:27; Genesis 9:6); and
WHEREAS, The Bible affirms that the unborn baby is a person bearing the image of God from the moment of conception (Psalm 139:13Ð16; Luke 1:44); and
WHEREAS, Scripture further commands the people of God to plead for protection for the innocent and justice for the fatherless (Psalm 72:12Ð14; Psalm 82:3; James 1:27); and
WHEREAS, January 2003 marked thirty years since the 1973 United States Supreme Court Roe v. Wade decision, which legalized abortion in all fifty states; and
WHEREAS, Resolutions passed by the Southern Baptist Convention in 1971 and 1974 accepted unbiblical premises of the abortion rights movement, forfeiting the opportunity to advocate the protection of defenseless women and children; and
WHEREAS, During the early years of the post-Roe era, some of those then in leadership positions within the denomination endorsed and furthered the "pro-choice" abortion rights agenda outlined in Roe v. Wade; and
WHEREAS, Some political leaders have referenced 1970s-era Southern Baptist Convention resolutions and statements by former Southern Baptist Convention leaders to oppose legislative efforts to protect women and children from abortion; and
WHEREAS, Southern Baptist churches have effected a renewal of biblical orthodoxy and confessional integrity in our denomination, beginning with the Southern Baptist Convention presidential election of 1979; and
WHEREAS, The Southern Baptist Convention has maintained a robust commitment to the sanctity of all human life, including that of the unborn, beginning with a landmark pro-life resolution in 1982; and
WHEREAS, Our confessional statement, The Baptist Faith and Message, affirms that children "from the moment of conception, are a blessing and heritage from the Lord"; and further affirms that Southern Baptists are mandated by Scripture to "speak on behalf of the unborn and contend for the sanctity of all human life from conception to natural death"; and
WHEREAS, The legacy of Roe v. Wade has grown to include ongoing assaults on human life such as euthanasia, the harvesting of human embryos for the purposes of medical experimentation, and an accelerating move toward human cloning; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in Phoenix, Arizona, June 17Ð18, 2003, reiterate our conviction that the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision was based on a fundamentally flawed understanding of the United States Constitution, human embryology, and the basic principles of human rights; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we reaffirm our belief that the Roe v. Wade decision was an act of injustice against innocent unborn children as well as against vulnerable women in crisis pregnancy situations, both of which have been victimized by a "sexual revolution" that empowers predatory and irresponsible men and by a lucrative abortion industry that has fought against even the most minimal restrictions on abortion; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we offer our prayers, our love, and our advocacy for women and men who have been abused by abortion and the emotional, spiritual, and physical aftermath of this horrific practice; affirming that the gospel of Jesus Christ grants complete forgiveness for any sin, including that of abortion; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we lament and renounce statements and actions by previous Conventions and previous denominational leadership that offered support to the abortion culture; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we humbly confess that the initial blindness of many in our Convention to the enormity of Roe v. Wade should serve as a warning to contemporary Southern Baptists of the subtlety of the spirit of the age in obscuring a biblical worldview; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we urge our Southern Baptist churches to remain vigilant in the protection of human life by preaching the whole counsel of God on matters of human sexuality and the sanctity of life, by encouraging and empowering Southern Baptists to adopt unwanted children, by providing spiritual, emotional, and financial support for women in crisis pregnancies, and by calling on our government officials to take action to protect the lives of women and children; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we express our appreciation to both houses of Congress for their passage of the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003, and we applaud President Bush for his commitment to sign this bill into law; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we urge Congress to act swiftly to deliver this bill to President Bush for his signature; and be it finally
RESOLVED, That we pray and work for the repeal of the Roe v. Wade decision and for the day when the act of abortion will be not only illegal, but also unthinkable.

(I really like the fact that the Southern Baptist's admitted that they were wrong, and corrected their mistake!)

More to come!

Where Does Your Church Stand on Abortion?

2007-05-24T08:32:00.001-07:00

From RCRC

Episcopal Church, 1988
We regard all abortion as having a tragic dimension,
calling for the concern and compassion of all the Christian
community….
In those cases where an abortion is being considered,
members of this Church are urged to seek the dictates of
their consciences in prayer, to seek the advice and counsel
of members of the Christian community and where
appropriate the sacramental life of this Church….
We believe that legislation concerning abortions will not
address the root of the problem. We therefore express our
deep conviction that any proposed legislation on the part of
national or state governments regarding abortions must
take special care to see that individual conscience is
respected and that the responsibility of individuals to reach
informed decisions in this matter is acknowledged and
honored….

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), From “Problem
Pregnancies and Abortion,” 1992
Problem pregnancies are the result of, and influenced by,
so many complicated and insolvable circumstances that we
have neither the wisdom nor the authority to address or
decide each situation.
We affirm the ability and responsibility of women,
guided by the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit, to make good
moral choices in regard to problem pregnancies.
The considered decision of a woman to terminate a
pregnancy can be a morally acceptable, though certainly
not the only or required, decision. Possible justifying
circumstances would include medical indications of severe
physical or mental deformity, conception as a result of
rape or incest, or conditions under which the physical or
mental health of either woman or child would be gravely
threatened.
We are disturbed by abortions that seem to be elected
only as a convenience or to ease embarrassment. We
affirm that abortion should not be used as a method of
birth control….
We do not wish to see laws enacted that would attach
criminal penalties to those who seek abortions or to
appropriately qualified and licensed persons who perform
abortions in medically approved facilities….
The Christian community must be concerned about and
address the circumstances that bring a woman to consider
abortion as the best available option. Poverty, unjust
societal realities, sexism, racism, and inadequate
supportive relationships may render a woman virtually
powerless to choose freely….
By affirming the ability and responsibility of a woman to
make good moral choices regarding problem pregnancies,
the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) does not advocate
abortion but instead acknowledges circumstances in a
sinful world that may make abortion the least
objectionable of difficult options….

United Methodist Church, 2004

The church's current position on abortion, approved by
the 2004 General Conference, is found in the Book of
Discipline, Social Principles. Text added in 2004 is in bold
face type.
Abortion—“The beginning of life and the ending of life
are the God-given boundaries of human existence. While
individuals have always had some degree of control over
when they would die, they now have the awesome power
to determine when and even whether new individuals will
be born. Our belief in the sanctity of unborn human life
makes us reluctant to approve abortion. But we are equally
bound to respect the sacredness of the life and well-being
of the mother, for whom devastating damage may result
from an unacceptable pregnancy. In continuity with past
Christian teaching, we recognize tragic conflicts of life
with life that may justify abortion, and in such cases, we
support the legal option of abortion under proper medical
procedures. We cannot affirm abortion as an acceptable
means of birth control, and we unconditionally reject it as
a means of gender selection. We oppose the use of late-term
abortion known as dilation and extraction (partial-birth
abortion) and call for the end of this practice except
when the physical life of the mother is in danger and no
other medical procedure is available, or in the case of
severe fetal anomalies incompatible with life. We call all
Christians to a searching and prayerful inquiry into the
sorts of conditions that may warrant abortion. We commit
our Church to continue to provide nurturing ministries to
those who terminate a pregnancy, to those in the midst of a
crisis pregnancy, and to those who give birth. We
particularly encourage the Church, the government,
and social service agencies to support and facilitate the
option of adoption. Governmental laws and regulations
do not provide all the guidance required by the informed
Christian conscience. Therefore, a decision concerning
abortion should be made only after thoughtful and
prayerful consideration by the parties involved, with
medical, pastoral, and other appropriate counsel.”
When an unacceptable pregnancy occurs, a family, and
most of all the pregnant woman, is confronted with the
need to make a difficult decision. We believe that
continuance of a pregnancy which endangers the life or
health of the mother, or poses other serious problems
concerning the life, health, or mental capability of the child
to be, is not a moral necessity. In such a case, we believe
the path of mature Christian judgment may indicate the
advisability of abortion. We support the legal right to
abortion as established by the 1973 Supreme Court
decisions. We encourage women in counsel with husbands,
doctors, and pastors to make their own responsible
decisions concerning the personal or moral questions
surrounding the issue of abortion. – Resolution on
Responsible Parenthood, Readopted, 2004

Unitarian Universalist Association, 1963
(reaffirmed 1968, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1987)
Therefore be it resolved that the 1987 General Assembly
of the Unitarian Universalist Association reaffirms its
historic position, supporting the right to choose
contraception and abortion as legitimate aspects of the
right to privacy; and
Be it further resolved that individual Unitarian
Universalists educate themselves, their congregation, and the public
about the new moral understandings emergent in the
works of feminist theologians and social ethicists; and
oppose any move to deny or restrict the distribution of
government funds as a means of restricting access to
full contraceptive and abortion counseling and/or
services, at home or abroad; and
UnitarianUniversalists actively oppose all legislation,regulations and administrative action, at any level of government intended to undermine or circumvent theRoe v. Wade decision; and
communicate their opposition to such attempts to their legislative representatives and to the electorate; expose and oppose bogus clinics and other tactics that infringe on the free exercise of the right to choose; andpromote legislation funding safe abortions for low-income women.

United Church of Christ, 1987
(Statements regarding freedom of choice were also passed
in 1971, 1973, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1985, 1989, and 1991.)
Whereas, women and men must make decisions about
unplanned or unwanted pregnancies that involve their
physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being; and
…Whereas, abortion is a social justice issue, both for
parents dealing with pregnancy and parenting under highly
stressed circumstances, as well as for our society as a
whole;
…Therefore, be it resolved, that the Sixteenth General
Synod:
affirms the sacredness of all life, and the need to protect and defend human life in particular;
encourages persons facing unplanned pregnancies to consider giving birth and parenting the child, or releasing the child for adoption, before abortion;
upholds the right of men and women to have access to adequately funded family planning services, and to safe, legal abortions as one option among others;
urges the United Church of Christ, at all levels, to provide educational resources and programs to persons, especially young persons, to help reduce the incidence of unplanned and unwanted pregnancies, and to encourage responsible approaches to sexual behavior.

Union for Reform Judaism, 1975 (reaffirmed 1981,
1990)
Affirm our unwavering commitment to the protection and preservation of the reproductive rights of women;
pledge our presence and support wherever, whenever, and for however long our goal may require it at the federal, state and local levels of government; further,
we affirm our commitment to work in coalition with compatible pro-choice groups.
Endorse the 1973 United States Supreme Court decision on Roe v. Wade and deplore all attempts, legislative and judicial, to dismantle it.
Support non-restrictive federal and state funding of reproductive services, including abortion, and non-restrictive private insurer coverage.
Support minors' access to reproductive health services, including contraceptives and abortion, unrestricted byparental notification, parental permission, or other court ordered requirements.
Support the use of public hospitals and clinics, however defined, for the performance of abortions, with unrestricted access and funding for women who need it; affirm the right of health professionals, those publicly employed and those in private practice, to provide reproductive service counseling and advice, including information about family planning, contraception and abortion, and to perform abortions; oppose the criminalization of either the health professionals who perform or assist at abortions or the women who receive them and affirm the obligation of local governments to protect physically the clients, staff, and premises of reproductive care facilities against the actions of anti-choice persons and groups.

United Synagogue for Conservative Judaism, 1975
(reaffirmed 1989)
Jewish tradition cherishes the sanctity of life, even the
potential of life which a pregnant woman carries within
her. Under certain unfortunate circumstances, such as
when the life or health of the mother are in jeopardy,
Judaism sanctions, even mandates, abortion. Judaism does
not, however, condone or permit abortion for contraceptive
purposes; and
Judaism does not believe that personhood and human
rights begin with conception. The premise that personhood
begins with conception is founded on a religious position
which is not identical with Jewish tradition. Therefore,
under special circumstances, Judaism chooses and requires
abortion as an act which affirms and protects the life, well
being and health of the mother. To deny a Jewish woman
and her family the ability to obtain a safe, legal abortion
when so mandated by Jewish tradition, is to deprive Jews
of their fundamental right of religious freedom;
Now, therefore, be it resolved that the United Synagogue
for Conservative Judaism continues to affirm its strong
support for the 1973 Supreme Court decision of Roe v.
Wade. Any weakening, limitation, or withdrawal of the
Roe v. Wade decision is sure to produce tragic
consequences.

Jewish Reconstructionist Federation, 1981
Although the Jewish tradition regards children as a
blessing, a gift of life itself, the tradition permits the
abortion of an unborn child in order to safeguard the life
and physical and mental health of the mother. The rabbis
did not take a consistent stand on the question of whether a
fetus resembles "a person." They did not think it possible
to arrive at a final theoretical answer to the question of
abortion, for that would mean nothing less than to be able
to define convincingly what it means to be human.
We recognize that abortion is a tragic choice. Any
prospective parent must make an agonizing decision
between competing claims—the fetus, health, the need to
support oneself and one's family, the need for time for a
marriage to stabilize, responsibility for other children and
the like. Some of us consider abortion to be immoral
except under the most extraordinary circumstances. Yet we
all empathize with the anguish of those who must make the
decision to abort or not to abort.

American Baptist Churches, USA, 1988
We grieve with all who struggle with the difficult
circumstances that lead them to consider abortion.
Recognizing that each person is ultimately responsible to
God, we encourage women and men in these
circumstances to seek spiritual counsel as they prayerfully
and conscientiously consider their decision…We also
recognize that we are divided as to the proper witness of
the church to the state regarding abortion…Consequently,
we acknowledge the freedom of each individual to
advocate for a public policy on abortion that reflects his or
her beliefs.
…We call upon American Baptist Congregations:
• To challenge members to live in a way that models
responsible sexuality in accordance with biblical
teaching,
•To expend efforts and funds for teaching responsible
sexuality,
•To provide opportunities for intergenerational
dialogue on responsible sexuality and Christian life,
•To provide relevant ministries to adolescents and
parents of adolescents in and out of the church.

American Friends Service Committee, 1970
(reaffirmed 1989)
For two decades the AFSC has taken a consistent
position supporting a woman's right to follow her own
conscience concerning child-bearing, abortion and
sterilization. AFSC is deeply aware that the decision to
terminate a pregnancy is seldom an easy one. That choice
must be made free of coercion, including the coercion of
poverty, racial discrimination and availability of services
to those who cannot pay.

Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 1975
(reaffirmed 1989)
Whereas, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) has
proclaimed that in Christ, God affirms freedom and
responsibility for individuals, and
Whereas, legislation is being introduced into the U.S.
Congress which would embody in law one particular
opinion concerning the morality of abortion…
Therefore be it resolved, that the General Assembly of
the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Affirm the principle of individual liberty, freedom of individual conscience, and sacredness of life
for all persons.
Respect differences in religious beliefs concerning abortion and oppose, in accord with the principle of religious liberty, any attempt to legislate a specific religious opinion or belief concerning abortion upon all Americans.
provide through ministry of the local congregation, pastoral concern and nurture of persons faced with the responsibility and trauma surrounding undesired pregnancy.

Phew! Be sure to add more if you know of other Christian denominations that support abortion.

Still Pregnant

2007-05-23T15:22:00.000-07:00

Just making a quick post to let everyone know I'm still pregnant. My doctor has given up hope (the last results pointed to miscarriage) and has discharged me from care until next week. So I don't know anything other than that I am still physically pregnant. We praise God for that! Keep me and little bee (or Furgus as Jacque so lovingly calls him/her) in your prayers.

We know that God is stronger than any diagnosis, even death. We saw Him work a miracle in Holden's life. We pray for Him to heal this child. We have bound Satan and loosed ourselves from his grasp. We know that we are in God's hands alone.

Praise be to God.

Holden's Birthday Party

2007-05-17T10:42:00.000-07:00

Here's a pic that my BFF Jacque took at Holden's party. I don't think I've ever seen cake disappear that quickly!

For the Glory of God.

2007-05-17T10:16:00.000-07:00

God is good. I don't know where to begin other than to praise God for all He has done.

My doctor has written off this pregnancy and this child. I pray that God can use us to bring Him glory.

I received the worst prognosis yet, but I have peace. Praise God for placing His hand in our lives. I went to church yesterday discouraged and low on faith. God's Holy Spirit blew through me and I am no longer afraid.

Praise Jesus, our Savior.

We have surrendered our child to God's will. We know that He comes to bring life and it more abundantly. We have dedicated this child to God.

I spoke with our good friend Heather who told us that during my doctor visit she was praying for *exactly* what transpired.

God is good.

Please Pray: HcG levels not rising correctly.

2007-05-16T09:29:00.000-07:00

Please pray. My hormones are rising, but not well.

Defending Those who Hide Child Rape.

2007-05-14T06:07:00.000-07:00

Planned Parenthood has made a big mistake. They have been caught over and over again covering for child rapists. Though they deny that they have a "don't ask, don't tell" company policy, such comment were written in the PP training manual. I would hope that even those who are "pro-choice" could recognize this for how horrible it really is. No such luck.

Undercover attack on Planned Parenthood

A hidden camera hit-piece on Planned Parenthood is quickly making the rounds on YouTube. The first of two videos captures a staff member at a Los Angeles Planned Parenthood clinic appearing to obliquely guide a pregnant 15-year-old on how to lie about her age in order to have an abortion without the clinic's being required to report a statutory rape to the police. In the second video, a worker at a different clinic counsels the girl and relates that she'd given birth at the age of 17 and later came to regret it. But, as it turns out, the 15-year-old is actually 18-year-old Lila Rose, a UCLA student doing undercover work for the Advocate, an antiabortion magazine.

There isn't exactly news here -- this is just the latest attempt by antiabortion activists to entrap Planned Parenthood workers by posing as underage girls. In the video, Rose takes on a childish, wavering tone and explains that her 23-year-old boyfriend got her pregnant, then pauses, and asks whether they have to report it. The Planned Parenthood worker leaves the room to double-check the age of consent and returns to tell her, "If you're 15, we have to report it ... If you're not, if you're older than that, then we don't need to." Rose asks, "OK, but if I just say I'm not 15, then it's different?" The worker then says, "You could say 16." Later, the worker says, "Just figure out a birthdate that works. And I don't know anything."

There's no question the Planned Parenthood worker was going against official protocol. I called up Kathy Kneer, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, who said, "It is our absolute policy that we do not counsel patients in that fashion. We regularly train our staff on how to comply and how to report suspected child abuse." She added: "She controlled the situation and that was her goal and intent. Ideally, our staff would have handled it differently." Since then, they've retrained their staff on reporting guidelines.

Link

Notice how they frame the subject as a "anti-choice" attack, instead of the actions of Planned Parenthood. It is quite obvious that Planned Parenthood is NOT helping women in any way through their "protect the rapist" policy. Instead on focusing on this fact, the author blames the pro-life community. There is no thought to the actual girls (like the one in OH who was raped repeatedly by her father after PP ignored the situation). It's hard to imagine that the author cares much for the women she says she defends.

The pro-choice community should be up in arms about this. Instead they say that a relationship between a 15 year old and a 23 year old is "her choice". No, it's not. It's rape. A 15 year old girl is not mature enough to consent to a sexual relationship to an adult. There are reasons statutory rape laws exist. It seems that if some "pro-choice" adults had their way, child rape laws would be a thing of the past.

HcG 35

2007-05-10T10:31:00.000-07:00

Ok. My HcG levels 35. Which is a pretty good rise, not great, but not terrible. It fits perfectly with a 72 hour doubling time, which according to the national pregnancy association is the outer limits of "ok".

My doctor is a bit concerned because the levels are so low, but I'm believing that this is due to a miscalculation of ovulation and not a indication of something wrong with the baby.

Please pray for us during this time.

I'm Pregnant!

2007-05-08T08:10:00.001-07:00

Note: This is not my actual test, just the same brand. My camera batteries were dead, so I improvised. :)

Of course, I didn't trust the trusty stick so I had a blood draw as well. My HcG levels are 21 but we're not exactly sure when I ovulated so we're checking again tomorrow. :)

Big News!

2007-05-08T07:29:00.000-07:00

Coming soon...;)

Abortion is "Wonderful".

2007-05-08T05:52:00.000-07:00

Would you trust this woman to give you advice about parenting?

Because of my abortion, I was able to heal the tattered pieces of my marriage without suffering a conflicted pregnancy at the same time. Because of my abortion, I've had the time, money, ability to follow my dreams and ambitions, to become the person I aspire to be. Because of my abortion, my husband, who has raised children since he was nineteen years old, will someday have an adulthood without kids in the house.

I'm so grateful I had that abortion, that I could have that abortion.

I grew up in a deeply patriotic family of American leftists who believed in the freedom of choices for all people. We fought for civil rights, women's rights, freedom of speech, the freedom to love who we wanted, to marry who we wanted, to live where we wanted, to be who we wanted -- we fought for all people to have the rights and abilities to choose their lives, not have them chosen by economics, politics, race, sexism. The right to have children. The right to not have children. The right to continue a particular pregnancy at a particular time. And when I was twelve years old, the Supreme Court deemed abortion a fundamental right.

I believe fiercely in that right, and my abortion only strengthened my conviction that abortions need to remain legal and available to all women. Abortion is never easy. Nobody wants one. An abortion is a deep emotional wrench and an uncomfortable medical procedure, but it is not a terrible thing. Unpleasant, yes. Wonderful -- absolutely.

Full Article

Thank you Erika Lutz, for showing me what a parent is not. Thankfully your expertise is in traveling with children, and not in instilling a moral compass into the next generation.

Holden is Two!

2007-05-06T14:55:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday!

The Most Hurtful Thing I've Been Told.

2007-05-02T17:49:00.000-07:00

I just saw a picture of the MoD walk of a little white boy in a shirt that said "I'm not a wimpy white boy!". I imagine the reason for this shirt's existence is because, statistically, caucasian males have the lowest survival rates of any demographic when born prematurely.

The second I saw that shirt I was brought back to the days leading up to Holden's birth. My mother, in "girl-power" glee informed me OVER and OVER again that "african american girls have the highest survival rates and white boys have the lowest!" "girl-power".

Great...except for the fact that I was about to give birth to a "scrawny white boy". Even now it hurts that my mom put her enjoyment of feminism over the reality of our situation.

Ouch.

Boo for Expired Tests!

2007-05-02T14:13:00.000-07:00

After hearing the wonderful news that my hormones are a-ok I couldn't help but take a mid-day early pregnancy test.

Then I looked at the package and realized that it expired this month. DOH!

I'm not about to waste my non-expired test on a mid-day sample!

(can you tell I'm excited?)

YAY!

2007-05-02T14:05:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I still don't know if I'm pregnant but...

MY PROGESTERN LEVELS WERE "EXCELENT!"!!!

My luteal phase for the past 6 months has been less than 10 days, so this is SO GOOD!

Praise God!

Not to Get Anyone's Hopes Up, But...

2007-05-02T10:08:00.000-07:00

Alright, it's still too early for me to test this month, but I have been having some crazy nausea today.

I've found that the pretty weird tasting lavender preggopops do wonders!

Update: It looks like a certain nearly two year old is also a fan of the pop!

Pregnancy is Hard.

2007-04-27T11:29:00.000-07:00

I was humbled by reading a comment in my last post by a woman who went through 4 very difficult pregnancies. I realized that my post was not at all sensitive to the fact that so many pregancies are very difficult.

I had a "sidelined" pregnancy that included 13 trips to the ER, 13 weeks of bedrest, and 7 weeks of hospital bed rest. I can not imagine how hard all of that would have been without the loving support of my husband.

My wish is to help all women going through pregnancy, complicated or not. I lost sight of that yesterday when reading the venom twoards children that some advocate. Thank you, Kathleen for helping me to regain sight of that goal.

You're Not an Incubator, but Your Mindset is Deplorable.

2007-04-26T20:46:00.000-07:00

I am so sick of pro-choice women lamenting that mean pro-lifers see them only as walking incubators. I am so sick of the incessant whining about how hard pregnancy is, and how difficult it is to give a child up for adoption. I am sick to death of comments that bemoan the mental anguish that comes with adoption, while pretending that abortion is akin to a church cakewalk.

I am sick of having to justify life to people determined to kill. I am sick of having to sugar coat holding a newborn to those who would rather kill their child and be done with it.

There are so many good women in the world who are misled. I want to help them. I believe that they can be helped.

On the other hand there are so many heartless women who see only ME ME ME ME ME without a thought of anyone else. It is sickening.

Let's just be honest. We pay 300 dollars to have a doctor kill our child. There is nothing noble about that scenario. I am so sick of justifications. Abortion is wrong. It is wrong to kill your child. Wrong.

If you need help carrying your pregnancy to term, I'm ready and willing. If you need help finding housing, I'll do my best to put a roof over your head. If you want to moan and complain about how pregnancy makes your boobs saggy and your belly button poke out, please just leave.

There are good people who are pro-choice (l. I'm looking at you) I just haven't seen many of them out lately.

Walk America, March of Dimes, and Abortion

2007-04-25T18:10:00.000-07:00

Most of the readers of my blog know that I am the mother of a preemie. My son was born with IUGR at 31 weeks. He is now a healthy, happy nearly two year old!

As a mother of a premature child, I naturally supported March of Dimes. They save babies! Right?

Well the answer is yes, and no.

They do amazing work to help give *some* children the chance of life. However, they are huge proponents of amniocentesis and are quick to support "options" when the results are not positive.

Therefore, I can not support the organization. If anyone knows of a pro-life organization that supports prematurity research I would be ecstatic. Until then, I must prayerfully consider where I put my money and my endorsement.

Mat. 21:21

2007-04-24T15:45:00.000-07:00

Please pray in all faith for my husband's grandfather. He is in acute renal failure, and has a host of other problems. His name is Bill. He DOES NOT want to die. Pray without doubt for his healing.

21Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.

22And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

King James Version (KJV)

Pro-lifers Responsible for VT Shootings?

2007-04-18T19:59:00.000-07:00

File this one under "shameless"

From "abortionclinicdays"

As I read the paper and watch my TV, trying to take in the tragedy that has befallen the students, parents and faculty of Virginia Tech, I am feeling sick and in shock. I also feel a huge fear for my children. I know and am reminded that I cannot protect them anywhere.

Maybe I am a conspiracy theorist, but I cannot help but look at the history of this kind of violence and link it directly back to the anti abortion movement.

They were the very first people to speak so hatefully and announce with pride their thoughts of justifiable homicide. They were the first to post doctors' pictures on the Internet advocating killing, admitting who they were, yet there was NO PUBLIC CONDEMNATION. Even so called religious people often beat around the bush refusing to say it was wrong or in fact said nothing at all.
So the anti-abortion faction commited arson, firebombed us, shot us and then one of them got brave enough to go out in broad daylight and shoot at 2 clinics (3?) in Boston. And evade the authorities for how long? One of them blew up a clinic killing a police officer and almost killing but maiming the nurse and what happened? Nothing!

The White House under President Reagan and the first Pres. Bush entertained Joe Scheidler as a guest, and and others I no longer remember who were certainly themselves early terrorists or advocates of terrorism. And still no public outcry.
Finally, after the same bomber planted a bomb in Atlanta during the Summer Olympics, this got some attention.

When the school shootings started, Columbine and the rest, where did people think these kids learned their hate and their skills and the belief that is was ok to kill people. What did anyone with an ounce of sense think would happen to a generation of young people who saw others turn their heads from violence because it was aimed at a select few. And it was controversial after all.

Of course, after 911, Domestic Terrorism was suddenly in the news. But in print or on the news no one mentioned that abortion providers have been living with terrorism for a long time. They pretended it was new. When the members of congress first started getting envelopes with possible anthrax in them, abortion providers already had booklets that the ATF had printed for handling anthrax threats in our clinics. Many of us had gone through that kind of terrorism years earlier. Yesterday's actions may have been by someone who is mentally ill but where did the example, the idea come from?
We are all responsible for putting an end to hate. Just last week some people still thought it was a fuss about nothing when hate talk against women athletes was allowed to continue. Even when the shock jock was eventually fired, there were still a lot of people who thought it was funny. Unless people of leadership and faith announce the connection and call for an end we as a nation are going to see ever more violence.

When a crazy man can stand outside my friend's clinic today and still say these hateful things and call himself a minister, a man of God, why doesn't the public rush to run his ass out of town. If we want to see these shootings end it has to start there, with people like this minister, because they are the ones who started it all.

I am sorry if I am ranting especially because many of you have also lived with this or something equally frightening or painful but I just needed to write it for me. My rage and pain do not feel lessened but somehow I feel stronger.
Thank you for listening to me.

I don't even know how to respond to this. I deplore prolife violence. I see it as wrong. Period.

This article, however, is beyond absurd. To implicate an entire ideology because a handful of people committed a crime is ridiculous. Isn't this the exact same "close-minded" thinking that liberals accuse conservatives of perpetuating when speaking about Muslims?

It is laughable that a mad man's shooting is *DIRECTLY* linked to anti-abortion violence. This is disgraceful and disrespectful to the families of the victims of the Virginia Tech mass murder.

Tethering political mudslinging to tragedy is the epitome of self-serving gain. Shame on this author for sinking to such low a level.

Pray! Virgina Tech Shooting

2007-04-16T09:59:00.000-07:00

Pray! A gunman has killed at least 21 students and injured 21 more at Virginia Tech. The gunman has also died.

Update: The number of dead students has raised to 31.
Story

Please Pray! URGENT

2007-04-13T16:21:00.000-07:00

Please Pray. A tornado touched down at the EXACT location my husband was meeting his boss. I havn't been able to get in touch with either of them. My good friends are also in the direct path of the storm.

PLEASE PRAY.

Edit:

He's safe!
My friends are safe!

Praise God and keep praying, we're not out of the woods yet.

Begging Them Not to Kill.

2007-04-12T16:28:00.000-07:00

It gets so tiring trying to convince people not to kill their own children. How have we become this far gone?

When Evil becomes "Good".

2007-04-11T09:58:00.000-07:00

" Safe. Legal. Rare." This was once the mantra of the pro-choice community. It was, and in many circles still is, a rallying cry of those who claim to be truly pro-choice. These qualifications on abortion acknowledged that though abortion is something "bad" that should be limited, it is necessary and thus should be safe.

It seems some members of the pro-choice community (such as the grandson of Margaret Sanger) have realized that to follow the SLR protocol, one must acknowledge that there is something undesirable about abortion. Thus, a new generation of pro-choice rhetoric was born. Instead of a tragedy comparable to gnawing off ones leg, abortion should be framed as an undisputed "good". Instead of a shameful heartbreak, abortion should be sold as a milestone. Instead of a massacre, it should be framed as humans overcoming evolution.

Don't believe me? Take a look at Alexander Sanger's book "Beyond Choice". Perhaps we should look upon this as a good thing because it breaks apart the ground of moral relativism. Of course, I don't think renaming evil is something to celebrate. I pray that the world is not deceived.

On Uncertainty and Blessing.

2007-04-09T16:43:00.000-07:00

Sorry for my lack of posts of late. I've been dealing with some very strange reproductive issues that I wanted to straighten out before I told the world. It seems that answers may never be known, however, so I decided to post a quick summery.

As my older readers know, we have been trying to conceive for the past year. Up until now I have had no inkling of a pregnancy (though that didn't stop me from testing!). Last week I was 9 days late starting my period and had all the wonderful signs of pregnancy. I never had a positive pregnancy test, and they stopped abruptly when my period started so I thought little of it. Without being too graphic, it was not a normal cycle and I became worried.

Off to the doctor I went, and I was told that it was likely I had a very *very* early miscarriage, but that we would probably never know for sure because my hormones had surely fallen too low to detect.

Before all of this madness began I had made an appointment with an infertility specialist to see about my endometriosis so my doctor and I decided to wait until I saw the specialist to make any conclusive claims.

Today I saw the specialist who decided that an ultrasound would not be advisable at this point in my cycle. We're waiting until after I ovulate to get a general idea of what is going on with me. It seems I will never know for sure exactly what happened this month.

As much as this upsets me, I was amazed to find out just how blessed I was to find this doctor. I was skeptical at first because his office was full of birth control adds. I figured he was just another agnostic, liberal infertility doctor. I could not have been more wrong. He actually prayed with us! I don't know about you, but I've never had a doctor pray for me before. He then asked us about our church and told us about his. It takes some serious guts to evangelize to infertility patients who are NOT at a NFP practitioners office. I can not tell you how blessed I feel to have found a Christian doctor. I know that he is misled about birth control, but I truly believe that he is the right doctor for me. He prayed for God's will in our family which really gave me hope that he will follow God in providing for our care.

If anyone is looking for a new OB/Infertility specialist in the Ft. Worth area I can not recommend Dr. Snead enough. Of course I haven't actually started treatment so that might change ;). Thankfully, he wants to go with very conservative treatment and is not hormone happy. We're going to check my ovulation, hormone levels, tubes ect. and then look to very minimal intervention. He doesn't even want to go to laproscopy until we have a better idea of what is going on and have tried for three more months. I feel very confident that he will not be the type of doctor to shoot me up with all sorts of abortificiant hormones or IVF (not that we would go along with that plan if he were).

So please pray that we can have peace with whatever happened this month and that God will direct our doctor in our care and that His will be done.

Would you go back in time?

2007-04-02T16:55:00.000-07:00

This is a short break from my series, but I was reading my new Above Rubies magazine (www.aboverubies.org) and I found mention of Simpler Times Village

It is

To be Built 2008 in Madison County Indiana

Simpler Times Village is an actual community that will be built in Madison County, Indiana in 2008. Can you imagine a storybook village in old world Europe? Have you ever traveled to Italy or Austria to see a community built before 1800? We are working to recreate such a place...

I can not tell you how many times I've wished that I could do something like this, go back to a simpler time. Of course, when the opportunity actually presents itself I have a few doubts. What do you think? Would you like to live in this type of community?

Movie Magic-Part 5 in a Series on Biblical Womanhood

2007-03-30T16:04:00.000-07:00

Think back to Sunday School. Remember Sarah, Rebekah, Rachael, Leah...Deborah!?

When imagining adjectives for these women, "weak" doesn't come to mind. Cunning perhaps, but doormats never. God used women to build up nations. Have you ever noticed how only through their mothers did men reach their destiny? There used to be a saying "behind every great man is a great woman". This has gone out of vogue of late, but I believe there is great truth to it. Women shape nations. Even without being a direct force in the world, we are the ones behind the curtains.

Before I go further I'd like to acknowledge that there are biblical women front in center! I think this proves very clearly that some are called to this role. However, since those women are more cherished in today's society, I'd like to focus on those of us called to be wives and mothers.

Back to the stage! Imagine a production without anyone running the sound. There is no crew to run the lights, no stage managers to corral actors, and no technical crew to build the set. All you have is a few dim, quiet actors in street clothes. Not exactly a magical experience!

It is obvious to everyone who's ever been in a theatre production that the technical crew is every bit as important as the star. Even a production composed of the most brilliant actors of our time would be lackluster at best if these celebrities were left solely to their own devices.

I'm sure you've picked up by now that in the grand production of life, Biblical Women are the technical crew. We're the ones to avert disaster with a well placed nail or seam, the ones to review lines 47 times to ward of stage fright. We are the clean up crew, and the lighting heads who somehow spotlight all the good while casting shadows on the bad. We're the ones who make everything run smoothly, and with a little luck, magically.

Now of course, this works much better if our star is as good an actor as we are manager. Everyone knows that the best crew in the world cant stop a production from running into the ground if the cast is dead set on it being there.

But with a good cast and good crew our lives are almost certain to be blockbusters.

Godly by Choice-Part 4 in a discussion on Biblical Womanhood

2007-03-28T06:12:00.000-07:00

I think a large part of the feminist critique of Godly living is the idea that no woman would choose such a life. Worse, that those who do choose home are damaging to women everywhere.

First let's talk about the idea that "no intelligent woman would ever make the choice to sacrifice for her family." Well that's just wrong! To begin with, the very image of a biblical woman is one who is strong, yet compassionate. Someone who contributes much to her family, while maintaining harmony within.

Just look at Proverbs 31. No one would consider such a woman a weak little flower. Yet that is precisely the view the world has of women who strive to follow God. We are seen as weak, drifting women who would leave it all behind if given the chance. Perhaps, were we not saved, we would. For I will not deny that being a Godly woman requires a good deal of death to self. As does, of course, being a Godly man.

Remarkably, when we bury ourselves with Christ, entire worldviews change. What was once drudgery is now a blessing. We strive to walk more closely to Christ not because we have to, but because we so earnestly desire to be near Him. We have not stumbled into a role that we feel forced to keep. Rather we know that through Christ who strengthens us we can do all things. Perhaps the greatest of these is being formed into the kind of woman described in Titus 2.

The world looks at us and sees quaint remnants of a forgotten time. What they fail to see is that in this crumbling world, being old fashioned has its benefits. We are not perfect, we all stumble. The one thing that I believes holds us together is a faith in God that prevails over our selfish nature. Once we surrender our expectations, God quickly shows us His way.

Addressing those who belive the choice to stay home is damaging to women, I ask- if not us then who? If we take all Godly women out of America...what then? Am I saying that to follow God a woman musn't work? Of course not, the ideal biblical women owned a field and gave fruit. What I am saying is that we mustn't let ambition cloud principle. The women of the world would be much better off if they went into their carreres embracing their femininity instead of requiring all other women to shed of this quality at the first interview. What would our world be if every woman in America embraced this philosophy?

Urgent Prayer Request!

2007-03-27T14:32:00.000-07:00

My friend jacque over at jacquefromtexas just found out that her mother suffered a heart attack and was diagnosed with pneumonia and is hospitalized.

Jacque talked to her mother (who was awake), still she urgently requests your prayers.

"Being a Mommy in a Me-First! World" (Barbara Curtis)Part 3 in a Discussion on Biblical Womanhood

2007-03-27T14:00:00.000-07:00

After establishing the world's view of Biblical Womanhood and looking at the actual biblical mandate for women, I believe we can now safely say that the discussion can move to how biblical principles are applied in the everyday lives of contemporary women. Discussion is still quite open in the preceding posts, but I fear my intention with this series might have been misunderstood.

My hope for this series is to explain Biblical Womanhood in such a way that those on the outside may glean a better understanding. I see a huge misunderstanding on what being a Godly woman actually means. This series is not about debating if such and such view is a "feminist" view, but rather to show what our view actually is. It is foolish to discuss the merits of an ideology without first understanding (and not by assumption) its basic tenants.

That said I am excited to see where this discussion will lead. This first article was posted originally in Mrs. Curtis' blog, Mommylife It is titled "Being a mommy in a Me- First! world" and is posted with permission of the author.

Motherhood is not easy - I think we're all agreed on that. From the get-go it involves sacrificing your own needs for another. Marriage should do that too, but because marriage involves another adult, it's far less intense and we can get by with just giving in a little.

But that sweet little baby they hand you in the hospital is a bundle of needs with no ability to take into consideration things like your need for sleep. That's where I believe the first chance for changing our attitudes begins, but since we're inexperienced when we go into this motherhood thing (all our learning is on the job); we immediately set a goal of getting the baby's cycle to conform to our own.

Now there's really nothing wrong with that - to a point. But how we go about it - and our attitudes - really matter. I know when I was starting out as a mom it took a long time for me to let go of my sense of entitlement - as though I were somehow entitled to sleep through the night. It took me a long time to surrender to the fact that my life was no longer my own.

But the fact is, my life is not my own and has not been for 36 years. And while I may have spent years resisting the idea that the world did not revolve around me, but - that my world would now revolve around my family - those were not the best years of my motherhood. The best came when I surrendered and realized it wasn't about me at all. This was something I had learned from experience and fully embraced years before Rick Warren made it the first line of The Purpose-Driven Life: "It's not about you."

I find a lot of reassurance in those four little words. They soothe and calm me when I momentarily forget that it's not about me. See, when I forget it's not about me, I'm miserable and unhappy because life is full of reminders that it's not about me. And being a mommy has to be the ultimate challenge in surrendering to the reality that life is nowhere near being about me at all.

Being a mommy is humbling. You are confronted with your mistakes constantly. They haunt you: What if I had known then what I know now? What if I had done this differently? What if my children never realize how much I loved them? And what if no one ever knows how hard things sometimes were?

You have the most challenging task in the universe, and yet the most unaffirmed. No pay raises, bonuses, performance reviews, trophies, medals, or even stickers for doing things well. Growing up in a society that routinely rewards success, it can be hard to make the transition to motherhood. It can be lonely. It can feel like no one cares.

But there is someone who cares - our Heavenly Father. And I don’t mean that as a platitude or in a you’re-not-supposed-to-feel-this-way-so-pull-yourself-together-and-get-over-it kind of way. I mean it in a real way. Because in motherhood sometimes God is absolutely the only thing you have to hold on to.

It involves surrender. Dying to self. Not too popular in this Have It Your Way! age. Nothing we’ve really been trained to do. And something we’ve been taught to resist. How often have you gotten advice like “You have to have time for yourself” or “Be good to yourself” “Think about your needs”?

Gosh, I just don’t know where to find that in the Bible. And though non-believers scoff at using the Bible for advice (I know because I was an unbeliever for 38 years), I have found that following the wisdom there gave my life a turn for the better. I tell my kids it’s like our Owners Manual.

Everything about motherhood is really just the opposite, nudging us to put others ahead of ourselves, and to sacrifice our needs to theirs. Is it really so bad? Not if you know that you choose it willingly. So the key to finding the joy in motherhood is in making that choice.

In Chariots of Fire Eric Liddell, the 1924 Olympic champion, was able to bring his best to each moment of the race because he ran to please the Lord: “When I run, I feel His pleasure.”

Well, that’s how mothering can be. When we are surrendered and thinking more of others than ourselves, we are at our best. We feel God’s pleasure.

Perhaps the most important thing we can grab hold of and hang on to is that motherhood isn't just about us molding our kids to be all we want them to be. It's also about allowing God to mold us into the mothers he wants us to be. So how we go about doing things - and especially our attitudes - is more important than we could have imagined before we found ourselves in the midst of sleepless nights, droopy diapers and markers on our walls.

As for the lack of affirmation – your motherhood is between you and God. When you think about it, the opportunity to raise children is an incredible privilege. I can’t think of another job where you would have the opportunity to sacrifice so much – thereby becoming more conformed to the image of Christ. I picture Mary breaking her alabaster jar to anoint her Savior, and I want my life to be broken like that alabaster jar, so that my days spill out like precious oil.

Do I do it perfectly? No I don’t. But I am constantly trying to do better, constantly learning to depend more on God’s grace and forgiveness. If you are the kind of person who struggles with guilt or the paralysis that comes when you feel you’ve blown it, time to let that go. Acknowledge your faults and move on

Motherhood is a journey and we who are on it are all individuals. All of our journeys are different, but each of us stands poised to take our own next step, whatever that may be. It’s just important that we be willing to grow and to change – rather than trying to mold our motherhood to fit our own desires, it’s more challenging – and ultimately more satisfying to allow God to mold us into the kind of mothers He would want us to be.

While this post is about parenting, I believe it transcends the maternal/child relationship. It is a wonderful example about what real women believe about being a Godly woman.

Commitment to Loveliness

2007-03-27T09:12:00.000-07:00

1. Finish all the post-vacation laundry.
2. Finish setting up my dressing table.
3. Finish painting the sofa table.
4. Figure out some way to deal with my rebellious skin.
5. Learn at least one new recipe.

Scripture-Part 2 in a Discussion of Biblical Womanhood

2007-03-26T13:58:00.000-07:00

This post is simply a few scriptures about Honorable Women. What would a discussion of biblical womanhood be without it? I included both the KJV and the Message to aid in discussion.

Proverbs 31: 10-31

10Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

11The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

12She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

13She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

14She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

15She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

16She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

17She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

18She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

19She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

20She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

21She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

22She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

23Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

24She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

25Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

26She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

27She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

28Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

29Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

30Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

31Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

KJV

A good woman is hard to find,
and worth far more than diamonds. Her husband trusts her without reserve,
and never has reason to regret it. Never spiteful, she treats him generously
all her life long. She shops around for the best yarns and cottons,
and enjoys knitting and sewing. She's like a trading ship that sails to faraway places
and brings back exotic surprises. She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast
for her family and organizing her day. She looks over a field and buys it,
then, with money she's put aside, plants a garden. First thing in the morning, she dresses for work,
rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started. She senses the worth of her work,
is in no hurry to call it quits for the day. She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth,
diligent in homemaking. She's quick to assist anyone in need,
reaches out to help the poor. She doesn't worry about her family when it snows;
their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear. She makes her own clothing,
and dresses in colorful linens and silks. Her husband is greatly respected
when he deliberates with the city fathers. She designs gowns and sells them,
brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops. Her clothes are well-made and elegant,
and she always faces tomorrow with a smile. When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say,
and she always says it kindly. She keeps an eye on everyone in her household,
and keeps them all busy and productive. Her children respect and bless her;
her husband joins in with words of praise: "Many women have done wonderful things,
but you've outclassed them all!" Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.
The woman to be admired and praised
is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God. Give her everything she deserves!
Festoon her life with praises!

The Message Version

Titus 2: 3-5

3The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;

4That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,

5To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

KJV

Guide older women into lives of reverence so they end up as neither gossips nor drunks, but models of goodness. By looking at them, the younger women will know how to love their husbands and children, be virtuous and pure, keep a good house, be good wives. We don't want anyone looking down on God's Message because of their behavior.

The Message Version

How I am viewed-Part 1 in a Discussion of Biblical Womenhood

2007-03-25T15:34:00.000-07:00

First, this is my 200th post. It seems fitting then that this message is about how my words have impacted others, and how I myself am now seen.

Through the wonders of site meter I saw that an incredible influx of visitors were coming to my site through an online community where I used to post. Of course these were in the days of my pro-life infancy, during a time where I trusted people more, and Christ less.

Anyways, these new additions to my online readership came from the "pro-choice" section of the main website. They came in response to a post I made about a year ago (snarkishly) realizing the irony that those who are in the highest ranks of the contemporary women's movement seem to cast aside any sibilance of femininity. Irony...hah. hah. Not my best moment.

Apparently there was an entire thread devoted to this post and why it made me "anti-feminist" Ooops. At least it was better than the influx of traffic I received from a child-free website thats main focus seemed to be calling my ill child "fugly".

Contained in this pro-choice thread was the analyzing of one member of my life and self. This I will share with my readers:(factual inaccuracies will be bolded to avoid confusion_

Broorel? I remembered she used to be in the pro-choice guild. Wearing a nursing suit and long blonde hair for her avatar.

She later joined pro-life guild (probably felt alienated here).In fact I never was a member of the pro-choice guild, though as you know, I was for many years pro-choice)

Joined the feminist guild, but had a hard time reconciling her Christianity religion with fundamental rights of women (which is difficult, if you believe in a literalist, concrete, fundie interpretation of the bible because there's plenty of passages that downgrade the status of women).In fact I did join the feminist guild, and contrary to belief left not because of conflicting moral qualms, but because I left the site altogether

From my short time of knowing her at the boards, I knew her as a nice girl but a confused girl.

She'll probably get mad by hearing what I have to say, but I know that in a few years time she will thank me for being very observant.

She'll tolerate this ideological framework that stands as her personally-imposed hell until it drives her crazy. Her life will feel increasingly empty, her husband would have gone complacent and comfortable being in the patriarchal role that she enabled and encouraged him to be in, she will resent him more and more for not treating her like an equal, and she will resent that her status as mother and the roles imposed on her end up actually objectifying the growing baby.

In fact, her personal dissatisfaction of this lifestyle is already showing signs because she wants all women to become her model. Women that do not conform to her way of life are considered "the other", the "masculine". There is great insecurity in knowing that not everyone is living, acting, and breathing the way yourself does, when deep down inside you never wanted to participate in life in this manner IN THE FIRST PLACE.

All of this, because I'm "sure" God *really* hates girls wearing pants.

The bulk of this really seems to be an affront to biblical womanhood, and not myself personally. It stands heavily on the notion that no woman happily chooses a life of servitude and grace. As scary as those words are to some people, many flourish under such guide.

So I feel now that I am not defending my person, but rather defending biblical womanhood as a whole. It is strange to me those who cry the loudest about our oppression, know little about the strength that comes with living a Godly life.

This begins then a discussion on Biblical Womanhood in a Modern Culture. I hope that any stray gaians will stay around for the ride. It's not much of a conversation if I'm the only one talking. But now I must dash to take the pot-pie out of the oven. :)

Home Decor-Holden's Room

2007-03-23T12:08:00.000-07:00

Another "victory" for safe 'n legal abortions

2007-03-23T10:17:00.003-07:00

From an article about the oh so happy contraceptive and abortion museum

Up until about 1900, abortions were so dangerous that it was safer for women to carry the child to term and then kill it after it was born. Visitors can even listen to recordings of abortion providers discussing how up until 30 years ago it was still a life-threatening procedure.

link

Aren't we happy we've come so far?

Post-Abortion E-cards

2007-03-13T19:53:00.000-07:00

I found a link to these e-cards over at feministe. At first I found them a bit trite (the first announces that you think the abortive mother made the "right choice"). The rest though seemed supportive and loving. Though I world love to see the day when no women would need such a card, I think these are a thoughtful way to reach out to women who are in pain.

If only Exhale could care about the children as well.

5 family meals for under $5 (#5)

2007-03-12T18:16:00.000-07:00

I'm running a series of 5 family meals under $5.00. The first part of this series, with links to the rest can be found (here)

This is a great meal that my reminds my dear husband of his childhood. It should- my mother in law taught me how to make this simple, home cooked wonder.

Breaded Chicken and Buttermilk Biscuits and chickeny rice

Ingredients:

1 boneless skinless chicken breast per adult. Half per child. $1.00 per breast
1 1/2 liter buttermilk (you wont use it all) $1.00
1 1/4 sticks butter $.50
2 1/4 cups flour $.15
1 cup rice $.20
1 bullion cube $.12

Total cost- 4.97
Feeds- 2 adults, 2 children

Preparation:

Biscuit

Preheat Oven to 500.

Put about a tablespoon of butter into skillet or baking dish and heat in oven until melted. When you get it out of the oven make sure butter covers entire bottom of pan or dish.

Put 2 cups all-purpose flour in bowl.

Cut one stick of VERY cold real butter into small pieces.

Add butter to flour in bowel and mix together quickly (just mix it evenly)

Add about one cup of buttermilk to flour/butter mixture and stir it into loose ball (I use a biscuit mixer for this to keep it nice and cold). Add buttermilk if flour mixture is too dry and continue mixing until a loose ball is formed.

Put floured surface and knead just long enough for dough to form a more solid ball.

Roll out dough to about 2 inches think and cut out biscuits (you can use the top of a round glass if you don't have a biscuit cutter) and place in baking skillet or dish close together. Take the remaining dough from the first cuts and form it in and oblong shape that looks like a couple of biscuits. Cut those out w/ the dough cutter and add to buttered pan w/ first biscuits. It is very important to make sure that you place a biscuit in the center of the pan so that the butter absorbs evenly.

Bake about 15 minutes. Then check to see if top of biscuits are brown. When they're brown, they're done!

Chicken-

Lay out two shallow bowls. Fill one with about 1/4 cup of butter milk, and the other with about the same amount of flour.

Take chicken breasts and lather in buttermilk and then bread in milk.

Throw chicken into an oiled pan and cook til cooked through.

Rice-

Cook rice according to instruction on bag, adding a bullion cube to water for flavor.

5 family meals for under $5 (#4)

2007-03-12T17:55:00.000-07:00

I am doing a series of 5 family meals under $5.00. The first in the series, as well as links to the rest, can be found (here).

Here is my super duper cheap 'n easy Lasagna recipe. This too comes from the (Free!) Kraft Food and Family magazine!

In fact, I'm going to cheat on this one and just link to their website!

Here you go (Kraft lasagna recipe)

I'll simply give you a breakdown of costs.

Lasagna noodles- $1.00
Pasta sauce-$.80 (get the cheap kind you open w/ a can opener)
1 bag shredded mozzarella cheese- $1.50
1 container (15oz) ricotta cheese-$2.49
1 egg $.16
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese-$.80
A good hearty sprinkling of parsley- $.40

Total Cost-7.15 (I know, I know this isn't really under 5...but it serves twice as many people which makes it incredibly frugal for a Sunday dinner party or a large family)
Feeds-8 adults.

5 family meals for under $5 (#3)

2007-03-12T17:23:00.000-07:00

I am doing a series on frugal families meals. 5 meals under 5 dollars! The first in the series, as well as the links to the rest can be found (here).

This is one of my favorite meals because I feel so clever that I managed to clean up tacos...at least a bit. This recipe does not call for lettuce because my family doesn't like it on their tacos but feel free to add it if you like. As you'll see, this recipe doesn't call for much at all, but boy is it yummy!

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef or turkey. 85/15 works best because it doesn't get too stringy. Plus, it's cheap! $2.80
1 pkg taco seasoning or a good squirt of taco sauce. $.80
2 oz or so cream cheese (This is my secret ingredient that holds things together) $.40
1/2 a cup or so of salsa. (this can vary depending on you families preference) $.50
10 or so corn tortillas (depending on family size and appetite) $.25
Enough vegetable oil to to fry the tortillas $.10

Final Cost $4.85
Feeds-4 adults

Preparation: (warning, this usually takes two to time well,think of it as a family affair!)

Brown & Drain the meat

Meanwhile, Fry corn tortillas in vegetable oil. This process is a bit complicated to explain, but I'll try. If it seems to difficult just make "tostadas" by placing the corn tortilla in the skillet and hot oil and allow it to crisp on both sides. Or you could just buy "hard tacos" for a bit more.

If you are going for taco's Place the tortilla in hot oil skillet and allow to sizzle for about 40 seconds. Take two spatulas, and gently mold the tortilla into the form of a taco so that the opposite side will be fried. Be careful to position your spatula so that the taco does not close in on itself. after about 70 seconds turn the taco so the remaining side is placed in the oil. Fry the remaining side and place on a paper towel covered plate to allow oil to dry. Repeat until desired number of tacos is reached.

Returning to the meat mix in cream cheese and salsa.

Place meat mixture into each taco and enjoy!

5 family meals for under $5 (#2)

2007-03-12T16:58:00.000-07:00

I am posting my 5 favorite meals for under $5.00 for a family of 4. My first recipe which will link to the all 5 can be found (here)

This recipe is from Rachael Ray's Express Lane Meals and is one of my husband's favorites.

Spaghetti all Ceci (chickpea and tomato pasta)

Ingredients:

1 lb pasta of your choice. $.80
3 tbls olive oil (three turns of the pan) $.30
1/2 tsp red pepper flake or powder $.05
3 or 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped (or 1 tsp garlic powder) $.05 if powder-$.20 if fresh
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme $.05
1/2 cup chicken stock (use the other half of the bullion cube used for pot pie)
1 14oz can crushed tomatoes $.80
1 140z can chickpeas $1.00
Parmesan cheese to top Negligible

Total Cost: $3.20! (including use of fresh garlic!)
Feeds: 4 adults or 2 adults 3 children

Preparation:

Bring big pot of water to Boil for the pasta. Salt it and cook the pasta to al dente.

While the spaghetti cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Evoo, red pepper, and garlic. Place the chickpeas in and pulse to a fine chop. Add the chickpeas to the skillet with the garlic and season them with the thyme, salt and pepper. Saute them for 3 or 4 minutes. Add stock and cook down for 20 seconds and then stir in the tomatoes and adjust the seasoning. Drain the pasta and toss w/ sauce.

5 family meals for under $5 (#1)

2007-03-12T16:20:00.000-07:00

This is probably a Meme somewhere, but I couldn't seem to track it down. The idea occurred to me today that I have several 4 person meals for $5.00 or less. They're far tastier than anything I've made of frugal recipes, and they don't break the bank!

So here are my list of 5 family meals for under $5.00
1- Chicken Pot Pie (in this article)

2- Spaghetti Al Cici

3- Not so messy Tacos

4- Easy Lasagna

5- Chicken, Bisuits and Rice

Chicken Pot Pie. You have no idea just how easy this recipe really is. This is one of those standbys that I cook when I'd really rather just order a pizza. I found this in the FREE Kraft cooking magazine [here] They substitute Neufchatel cheese for cream to cut fat, but I don't.

Ingredients:

1 lb* boneless skinless chicken breast, cut in 1 inch pieces.

*I generally only use two breasts and add in extra veggies. There is plenty of meat and this cuts the meat cost to about $2.00

1/4 cup* Italian dressing. (low fat is fine)

*This is simply used to cook the chicken, so a turn or two around the pan is fine $.20?

1/3 package cream cheese (or neulchatel) $.60
2 tbls. flour $ negligible!
1/2 cup* chicken broth

* I prefer to use bullion cubes. They are cheaper and you don't have to worry about how long that box of broth has been in the fridge. You can cut a bullion in half since it is only half a cup and safe the other half for another time. With this, the cost is $.06

1 10 oz* package frozen mixed veggies

* I generally use only about 6 oz and my pot pies are more than full. $.75

1 refrigerated pie crust*

* These come in packs of two, but I use a single layer pie, and thus need only one. $.75

Total cost-$4.36!
Feeds- 2 adults 2 children

Cooking instructions:

Preheat oven to 375 degree F. Cook chicken in dressing in large skillet on medium heat 2 min. Add cream cheese; cook and stir until melted. Add flour; ,ix well. Add broth and veggies; simmer 5 min

Pour mixture into deep dish 10 inch pie plate. Arrange pie crust over filling; flute edges w/ fork. Cut 4 slits in crust to allow steam to escape.

Bake 30 min. or until crust is golden brown

The Trouble with Viability

2007-03-12T02:53:00.000-07:00

We've all heard ardent defenders of choice claim to respect abortion for any reason... up to the point of viability. This sand drawn line is very telling of the abortive mindset. There are two facets of self preservation when it comes to abortion and viability neatly divides the two.

The first justification of abortion involves the invasion of bodily domain by the unwelcome unborn. The woman, pregnant by apparently miraculous means unbecoming of consent, is thus entitled to remove her progeny at will. Viability is given as a rational point of restriction because at this point the unwelcome unborn can theoretically survive apart from its "host" however unhealthily.

Of course, this dips into a realm of problem when we evaluate what such sentiments seem to imply. Are we to believe that a lack of a "good" option makes killing a moderate one? I can think of no other situation where a lack of escape from a self made situation justifies the killing of an innocent,abet inconvenient bystander. Moreover, I can think of no situation in which a window of opportunity disallows a "harmless" procedure; that where "good" comes, "neutral" is made to "immoral".

Trapped people do desperate things, but are we to allow a self made captive to destroy another simply to escape temporal bonds?

For the bonds of pregnancy are temporary. No one will deny this fact, least of all the "up to viability" folks. For how could they possibly claim abortion as a free pass from motherhood when arbitrary restrictions are placed well before the chains of motherhood are clasped?

The second facet of abortion justification is the "right" to be free from motherhood. This "right" it seems should extend til crowning. For I know of no circumstances in which hypothetical freedom from bodily intrusion simultaneously inflicts the bonds of parenthood. Birth excluded since it is established that this is the act so fought to avoid.

Opposing abortion after viability, but not before, makes little sense. It speaks more to personal morality than logic. This is fine, except that those who support abortion subvert moral thought. It is hard to support abortion when the aborted are capable of life outside the womb, but the situation of the mother is unchanged. To truly support the choice of women, one can take into account nothing of the child.

Though it may be horrifically appalling to the sensibilities to think of 23 week aborted fetus and a child of the same age fighting for life in an isolet, there is nothing logically different about aborting at 23 weeks or 7. If you find the former disturbing, perhaps it is time to examine closely your views of the humanity of the unborn and the reality of abortion.

My choice. His life. Which will you support?

A good distraction-Clothing meme

2007-03-08T13:53:00.000-08:00

I found this over at charming the birds from the trees

A: What accessories do you wear everyday? I used to wear a beautiful necklace my grandmother gave me for my highschool graduation, but it was torn off by my diaper bag one day.

B: What is your beauty routine? Wake up, shower, was face w/ only water (I have very sensitive skin), moisturize with soy moisturizer, put in contacts, put on foundation.

C: What was the last item of clothing (for yourself) that you purchased? For myself? I think a skirt from Banana Republic. My mom bought me a few youthful summer items. I'm trying to decide if they're my style.

D: Do you use a dresser, closet, or both? Both. One is very small for unmentionables. We also have a built in shelving unit in our closet. We're supposed to be getting an antique dresser from my in laws soon.

E: What type of earrings are in your ears right now? None, I'm horribly allergic to ear ring posts. I'm actually considering having all my nice earrings made into some other form of jewelry.

F: What type of figure do you have? A bit taller than average, with a slim but curvy figure.

G: Do you wear glasses? As rarely as possible. I look much better without them, but my vision is 20/800. Only when sick or tired to I wear them.

H: What type of handbag do you carry? I have a Dooney and Burke bag that my mother in law bought me a few years ago. I carry that our Holden's diaper bag depending on the situation. I also have a more formal bag.

I: What is your ideal style? I really modest, yet feminine clothing. I LOVE the shirt dresses from the 40's and 50's and really strive to style myself after that time.

J: What jewelry are you wearing right now? Just my wedding band

K: Do you wear knee-hi stockings? Knee-hi's no. Thigh hi's yes. Is that too risque?

L: Do you *have* to wear matching lingerie? I like to but I rarely do.

M: Do you wear makeup? If yes, what products do you use? Bare Natural powder foundation, Sephora brighting foundation, Benefit Boing undereye concealor, Sephora blush, E.L.F mascara, various eyeshadows to match my fancy.

N: Do you wear nightgowns? No, but I'd love to get some.

O: What outerwear do you put on when going out on a typical winters day? My gorgeous green Brooks Brothers coat Oliver bought me for Christmas, sometimes a scarf, hat or gloves.

P: What is your favorite perfume? I actually don't wear any.

Q: Is your motto "quality over quantity" when it comes to clothing and accessories? Yes. I'd rather have one really well made skirt or shirt over five or six poorly made ones.

R: Do you wear rain boots? Nope, it's pretty dry in Texas

S: Do you wear socks or slippers when your feet get cold? Neither, I just put my cold feet on poor Oliver.

T: Do you have a set of travel luggage? Yes, we received some beautiful luggage for our wedding.

U: What is your daily uniform? In cold months, a knit skirt and turtleneck and in warmer months a linen or cotton skirt and tee.

V: If you are married, did you wear a veil with your wedding dress? If not, how did you do your hair? I had a veil, and my hair was done up with pearls.

W: Do you wear a watch? Yes, but it doesn't work! It's a vintage 50's watch my grandmother gave me and I love it.

X: What item of clothing always makes you feel eXtremely beautiful? There was this versace dress that I didn't buy that made me feel like a star. I'm always hoping I can somehow track it down.

Y: What is your favorite type of yarn? Cashmere

Z: Do you prefer zippers or buttons? Hm, if the buttons are delicate then buttons, otherwise a hidden zipper.

Why is it even a question?

2007-03-07T17:54:00.000-08:00

It seems odd that we need even ask if killing a member of our species is wrong. Of course, we live in a society where we question even if "wrong" exists, so perhaps it is not. I find it difficult to articulate my exact feelings when it comes to abortion. It is somewhere in the range of disgust and horror and sympathy and sadness.

I trick my mind into not focusing on the exact details of the killing. I suppose we all do that to some extent. Horror is more palatable when we think in generalities and do not let our mind wonder into what killing actually entails. When I think daily of abortion, I think of the death of the child in terms of a light switch. Now they live, now they don't. I can't look at the reality. It is too stark, and too grotesque.

Then I look and I pray.

Hating Abortionists

2007-03-07T11:43:00.000-08:00

Abortionists are easy to hate. Even when we pray for them and claim to love them, it is easy for hateful speech to leave the mouths of the pro life community. We hate injustice, but we should not hate people.

A verse I found very telling is 1 John 3:15

Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

Wow. My husband hit in on the head when he said "It seems to me that the pro life community is at much at risk as the abortionists, for spiritually we are judged equally"

Now I know that as a whole the pro life community is very loving. I also know that it is very hard to remain loving when faced with murder and malice. We must. For in order to rise above the killing, we mustn't despise the executioner. For though there are many that will flaunt the death of innocents, even more do they need loving prayer.

So I am asking God to help me not let vile attacks escape my lips. Though trite, the adage of loving the sinner and hating the sin must reign in my life. For it is impossible for me to achieve anything while carrying around hatred for the people who are lost in their sin. It is my job to bring light, not to throw mud.

Prayer Request: What is happening to me?

2007-03-07T08:13:00.000-08:00

It's not often I post a personal prayer request, but today I really need it. For the past few months I've been having a lot of health problems that only seem to be getting worse. It looks like we wont be able to get pregnant and stay pregnant again without medical intervention, and our insurance covers one (1!) cycle of drugs... EVER. So now we're in a really scary place because we know that my luteal phase is too short to sustain a pregnancy, but we don't want to give up hope of another child. This is definitely a God thing, and we would appreciate your prayers.

Last cycle I had an ovarian cyst burst, and I fear that using our one lifetime assisted cycle now would be a very poor decision. Every cycle seems to be worse and less fertile, so we're afraid if we wait too long we may forever miss the chance.

In addition to this (or perhaps they're related?) my gluten intolerance seems to have spread to a general food intolerance and eating anything at all turns my stomach.

I'm just in a really bad place right now.

Blogger's Block?

2007-03-05T16:39:00.000-08:00

I haven't written much lately. Quite honestly, I haven't had much to say. It's not that I don't care enough to write, but more that the absurd horror of abortion has frozen my keys.

I've written volumes on the subject, but at the end of the day the reality seems unimaginable.

Did I really write over 100 posts about women paying to harm themselves in order to kill their children? 100 posts about doctors casting aside the first tenants of medicine? Doctors who kill.

How could this be happening? Regardless of your stance on the legality of abortion, step back and look at the what is really going on. Thousands of women every single day pay to have their children killed. Doctors maintain practices solely to kill their patients. We, the American people, pay for this to happen.

How can I begin to do this justice?

Words I strive to live by.

2007-02-23T12:39:00.000-08:00

From The Message version.

Romans 12

1 -2 So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

3I'm speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it's important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him.

4 -6In this way we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. The body we're talking about is Christ's body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn't amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ's body, let's just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren't.

6 -8If you preach, just preach God's Message, nothing else; if you help, just help, don't take over; if you teach, stick to your teaching; if you give encouraging guidance, be careful that you don't get bossy; if you're put in charge, don't manipulate; if you're called to give aid to people in distress, keep your eyes open and be quick to respond; if you work with the disadvantaged, don't let yourself get irritated with them or depressed by them. Keep a smile on your face.

9 -10Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.

11 -13Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.

14 -16Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down. Get along with each other; don't be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don't be the great somebody.

17 -19Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you've got it in you, get along with everybody. Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. "I'll do the judging," says God. "I'll take care of it."

20 -21Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he's thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don't let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.

"can I give misoprostol to my girlfriend?"

2007-02-20T06:34:00.000-08:00

Yes, folk you heard right. Someone from Pittsburgh stumbled upon my blog after entering in that very search. It seems quite likely that he doesn't like this whole "daddy" thing and his girl friend hasn't made the "right" "choice" to abort.

There's actually a book on this very subject that I haven't read. It's called Misconception by Robert Shapiro. Yes that Robert Shapiro. Again I haven't read the story but apparently it deals with the court fall out of slipping a woman the abortion pill.

Of course It would be prudent for this anti-daddy to consider that at least 7 women have died after taking the pill. Though I have little faith that once fallen down the rabbit hole of murder, one worries himself over fringe casualties.

Does anyone have any information regarding a woman being given RU486 against her will?

Make your own e-candy hearts.

2007-02-09T06:46:00.000-08:00

http://www.cryptogram.com/hearts/

Prayer Request-Ashely Adams

2007-02-07T12:16:00.000-08:00

I follow the story of Ashley at her parents blog Ashley's Journal
Today her mother posted the following-

Already today has proved itself to be stressful. We are putting Ash through more and more testing searching for answers as to why she just can't stop her screaming.

Yesterday's CT scan revealed more to us than the fractured ribs. It also showed us that the nodules we had been treating since Dec. 26th that were suspected to be mold have not responded to treatment and they are actually spreading. One has already become cavitated which tells us that the body has formed a capsule around it trying to keep it from spreading any further. Instead of showing only 2 suspicious areas we now are finding 4. We are on our way to do another CT scan but this one will be of her head. They are looking to see if the infectious nodules have spread from her lungs to her brain. Unreal! This is what I said to them. They told me it is actually the first place it can spread to. They are wondering if this is causing the sudden screaming and altering her personality. OK, I was just joking last night when I though she woke up from anesthesia with a whole new attitude, but these doctors are serious.

The other concern with the nodules in the lung is that they have not identified them yet. Infectious disease came in to talk to me and said that they must rule out the possibility of them being a cancer. Unfortunately this can occur in transplanted patients. They are scheduling a lung biopsy as soon as possible to go in and get samples in order to test them. I can't tell you what I am feeling at this moment. I think I am still a little numb from the direction this has taken. There are obviously large risks associated with the lung biopsy and I would prefer not to think about any of them taking place. They have tried to prepare me that she will be on the ventilator and sedated for a few days after the biopsy. At some point I believe that I will probably break under this pressure but for now I continue to listen to her screaming and pray that He will help.

I want answers and I want relief for my sweet Ashley. She is beyond exhausted. At the conclusion of the CT scan we will go over to radiology to have the skeletal scan done to see if she has suffered from any more fractures.

I will post more later, but for now they are wheeling her out the door. I would truly be grateful for your prayers today. Trish

I'm just spreading the word so more can pray.

Barriers

2007-02-07T11:33:00.000-08:00

We talk about barrier methods primarily in terms of protection. In a world full of promiscuous sexual activity, we are faced with a plethora of sexual infections. Indeed, if your lifestyle choice involves sleeping with many different people, or even one person who has slept with many different people, "protection" should be on the forefront of your mind. I wont go into the shoddy effectiveness condoms offer in this regard, but I did want to point out that I understand that condoms exist to protect against things other than children.

This post is not addressed to the swinging New York crowd, but rather to Christian suburban housewives. Outside the Catholic Church, very few denominations talk about birth control. Those that do focus on potentially abortificient chemical methods. Condoms, it seems, are fair game.

After the birth of our son my husband and I briefly used this method of birth control. It was beyond our scope that doing so could possibly be an affront to God or our own marriage. Only those silly Catholics don't believe in condoms, and we my friend, were not Catholic.

One day, after becoming increasingly active in the pro-life cause, I stumbled upon a discussion of birth control. I flippantly closed the window dismissing any ties that condoms and abortion may share. To prevent is one thing, to kill quite another! Right?

The seed of doubt was planted. I prayerfully asked God for direction on the issue. The answer was quite clear-Condom's "protect" the married couple from blessing.

"But God," I reasoned "you are sovereign, if you want a couple pregnant all condoms in the world wont stop it...your will is supreme"... and then it hit me- By using birth control I was telling God that MY will was superior and more perfect than his. Ouch.

I never intended to set my will above God's. Quite the contrary, I believed that God had given us birth control as Mercy and that we were welcome to use it. Everyone uses condoms! Try as I might, I could not make my act less subordinate. I wasn't going to die if I became pregnant, and though I had a sick child, a pregnancy would neither cure nor kill him. I was trying to control God's blessing- to control God- simply because I did not really want to be pregnant so soon after giving birth. I did not trust God with my life. I put my faith in latex.

The barrier that I thought was placed between my husband and I was really placed between my heart and God. Perhaps those "silly Catholics" were on to something.

Christians, Birth Control, and Abortion

2007-02-06T16:22:00.000-08:00

Have you used birth control in your Christian life to prevent pregnancy?

I have. I'm willing to bet every married women in my "non-denominational" church has as well. We're either the least fertile people on the planet, or we've bought into the worldly view of family planning.

Does your pastor talk about birth control on the pulpit? Has he ever?

Neither has mine, though he does talk about abortion.

What's my point? The body of Christ has accepted birth control. The next post will discuss the reality of contraception within Christianity.

And then she killed her child.

2007-02-05T02:11:00.000-08:00

Over at abortionclinicdays, lou has a post about what students want to know when she gives speeches on her "life's work". She gives case studies to these impressionable young lads to show the reality of the aborting women.

one woman, age 25, already raising two children on her own, barely making it. just recently, her mom, her aunt, her uncle died, pretty much wiping out her support system. what she wanted, longed for, was to give life, but felt that she could not do it and raise her two children, so with tears, she put herself in god's hands and prayed for understanding.

And then she killed her child

a younger woman, whom you would never imagine was over a year in recovery from a very serious heavy drug problem. in order to get clean and stay clean, she had to leave her family and friends behind, because all of them are addicts. that was the only life she has ever known but she wants a different life for herself. for her, as for many, abortion is about just that, hopes and dreams for a better life. this particular young woman still needs to go to daily NA meetings and does not feel strong enough to not use in times of stress. she's proud of her recovery but not assuming that she can yet stay clean and sober. what she wants more than anything in the world, is to someday feel confident in her ability to withstand the stresses of pregnancy and parenting, with a strong enough support system that she can have the children she longs for.

And then she killed her child.

After these stories of hope and wonder, Lou explains sending a girl home with a decision packet after realizing that a boyfriend was pressuring the girl to abort. While it's good to see that not everyone passes through the doorway to kill her child, it is disheartening that this pass is only blocked by coercion and not by the horrific fact of the murder that lies on the other side.

Where's Holden?

2007-02-02T09:00:00.000-08:00

Where's Holden?

There he is!

Fixed keyboard!

2007-01-25T06:51:00.000-08:00

Horray! After far too long not having any way to type, we have a brand new keyboard!

More posts to come!

Broken. keyboard

2007-01-09T10:54:00.000-08:00

keyboard…Broken

Apron Power!

2007-01-02T09:27:00.000-08:00

I didn't realize that my apron power entry had been posted already over at mommylife
I'm so unprepared!

Here's a photo of my entry:

I can't seem to figure out how to post the snazzy tag to the contest. I keep messing up my template when I try. If anyone knows how to add a link I would be so happy.

Let's Talk About Sex ->Baby

2007-01-02T08:11:00.000-08:00

Though the topic makes some a bit squeamish, it is ridiculous for me to blog about abortion without mentioning a bit about how babies appear in the womb.

We all know of the birds and the bees, and the basics of human reproduction, but it seems like more and more society has forgotten what meaningful sex actually entails. While browsing my archives I found the following statement in response to a post about why certain men "heart" birthcontrol.

I am female and love BC. I enjoy having sex with my husband without the worry of pregnancy. I don't mind being a sex object for him, as long as the favor is returned. Thank goodness for tubal ligations!

I think this comment sums up the worldly view of sex. Sex becomes something where we are both taking from each other, and giving nothing. When sex becomes nothing more than an act of self gratification, it is easy to edge responsibility out of the equation.

When sex is viewed as something where each partner is giving of themselves in order to share the pleasures of the act, there is a mindset of cooperation and love. Sex where both partners are using the other as a way to physical satisfaction, however, leads only to emptiness at the end of the act.

Neither party has given any of themselves willingly, but rather allowed themselves to be used as some sort of strange deal in which both parties become willing sex toys. While there is cooperation at some level, there is no love. One does not love, nor respect a Real Doll.

This respectless sex, the norm in extramarital relations, is punctuated by the fact that there is biological giving of self is obstructed by some means. This hollow experience leads people searching for more meaningful sex, but ultimately leads to nothing but more of the same type of emptiness.

Though we try, it is impossible to separate sex from reproduction, and occasionally a man gives more of himself than he intended. The woman, who never respected the man she used, naturally thinks very little of this reproductive predicament. The man, never respecting the woman, feels quite cheated that his sperm betrayed him and impregnated someone he saw as only a tool for his own needs.

A child is never a welcome addition to a union of selfishness. If a man views his wife as only a tool to his own enjoyment, how can see a child as a blessing of their union. In his mind, the child is an unwelcome third party incompatible with the idea that sex is an individual act with a warm body.

A child highlights the truth that sexual union must involve selfless giving. Carrying a child during pregnancy and caring for her later development are acts of selfless love. If we can not show this to our partners, how in the world could we show it to our children?

Prayer Request:Death in Family

2006-12-27T09:19:00.000-08:00

Please pray for my mother's family today. My great uncle passed away yesterday. Pray for his soul, and for the hearts of my family.

Prayer Request

2006-12-23T09:23:00.000-08:00

I have two very urgent prayer requests.

The first is for my great uncle who collapsed last night. The last I've heard they were not sure if he would live, nor were they sure of the cause of the collapse.

Second, I've been following the story of a little girl named Ashley here

Today her father posted the following:

We ask that you would please pray for Ashley today. Her blood pressure is dangerously high. It was to high last night and when we came in this morning it had gone above some of the numbers they had told us yesterday would be dangerous. They tell us the main risk for these BP numbers is stroke.
We ask for your prayers and ask that you would spread the word to those you know who follow Ashley's Story.
DAVE

If you give a mouse a cookie...

2006-12-21T19:00:00.000-08:00

He moves into your house with his family.

Alright, my dear readers. I have a BIG little problem. We have a family of field mice living under our sink. We used no kill traps to trap a couple when we moved in, and now it looks like they've spread the word.

I am horrified with this whole situation. I mean, I have a huge issue with germs, and honestly, I just want to torch the entire house. But, I also can't bear to kill them. I just can't bring myself to lay out kill traps. Poison isn't an option because of Holden.

Our option now seems to be calling our builder (we live in one of those handy dandy communities that remind one of individual home apartments) to pull out all the appliances and patch up any holes. Hopefully it won't be that huge of an issue and our little mouse friends can find a new home.

I must admit though, I feel pretty bad about building a house in their little habitat.

Our House

2006-12-21T17:18:00.000-08:00

So, I know I'm really late to this, but we just put our lights and tree up today. Here are some pictures of our efforts.

Gingerbread House that the Little'ens Made.

2006-12-21T08:18:00.000-08:00

I can't take credit for this one! My niece and nephew (who I watch after school) decorated this lovely gingerbread house. I built it (though it fell apart about 3 seconds after completion) and they decorated the dickens out of it.

It was a real struggle for me not to "help" or "fix", but I think they did a great job!

Abortion and Impaired Future Fertility

2006-12-18T04:03:00.000-08:00

Planned Parenthood seems to believe that abortion doesn't impair future fertility.

Their Claim:

"Safe, uncomplicated abortion should not affect your ability to have a child in the future. In future pregnancies, it does not

* cause birth defects
* cause premature birth or low infant birth weight
* make ectopic (not in the uterus) pregnancy more likely
* make miscarriage more likely
* make the risk of infant death more likely

Having more than one abortion also should not affect future pregnancies."

Oh really?

"Epidemiological findings indicate that the two principal risk factors for EP(ectopic pregnancy) as reproductive rather than contraceptive failure are a history of genital infection or tubal surgery and smoking. Quantitatively, their role in the risk of EP is similar: each explains approximately one-third of EP. They have a causal role in EP risk. The other risk factors are the woman's age and her history of spontaneous or elective abortion. These risk factors together explained 76% of EP"

Fernandez H, Gervaise A. Ectopic pregnancies after infertility treatment: modern diagnosis and therapeutic strategy. Human Reproduction Update 2004;10(6):503-13.

" Women whose pregnancy is terminated by dilatation and evacuation may have an increased risk of subsequent premature delivery and a low birthweight baby. Very little has been published and no conclusions can be made regarding the effects of instillation procedures and repeat abortions on future reproduction."

The effect of pregnancy termination on future reproduction. (eng; includes abstract) By AtrashHK, Baillière's Clinical Obstetrics And Gynaecology [Baillieres Clin Obstet Gynaecol], 1990 Jun; Vol. 4 (2), pp. 391-405; PMID: 2225607

"Birth weight most strongly determined infant mortality"

The Apgar score and its components in the preterm infant.
Thomas Hegyi, Tracy Carbone, Mujahid Anwar, Barbara Ostfeld, Mark Hiatt, Anne Koons, Jennifer Pinto-Martin, Nigel Paneth. Pediatrics. Jan 1998 v101 n1 p77(5).

Now let's look at how man complication's actually occur:

" Three percent (3%) of the women who underwent a dilation-and-evacuation procedure developed complications, compared to 5% of the women who underwent suction curettage. Two percent (2%) of the women who underwent a second trimester abortion developed an infection, the most common complication, compared to 3% of the women who underwent a first trimester abortion."

A five-year experience with second-trimester induced abortions: no increase in complication rate as compared to the first trimester.
Francis R.M. Jacot, Claude Poulin, Alain P. Bilodeau, Martine Morin, Suzie Moreau, Francoise Gendron, Dominique Mercier. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Feb 1993 v168 n2 p633(5).

Ok, so let's look just at abortion rates in America.

"In 2002, a total of 854,122 legal induced abortions were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nearly 90% of these abortions were performed before 13 weeks' gestation. Of these induced abortions, 91% were completed surgically by dilation and evacuation."

John M. Thorp, Jr., MD, Carol J. Rowland Hogue, PhD, MPH
Contemporary OB/GYN

So let's see. 90% of 854,122 is 768,709.8 We'll go with 768,710.
10% of 854,122 is 85412.2 We'll go with 85,412

3% of the 768,710 abortions prior to 13 weeks result in complication. That number is 23,061
5% of the 85,412 abortions after 13 weeks result in complication. That number is 4, 270

Of course, this does not take into account how many of these post 13 week abortions are third trimester abortions that carry much greater risk. We are using conservative estimates.

So 23,061 + 4,270 = 27,331 women a year suffer abortion complications. That is 75 women a day. In the United States.

With complication:

"Reproductive potential after a postabortal infection may be compromised by Asherman's syndrome, pelvic adhesions, or incompetent cervix. Tubal infertility is a concern after postabortal infections caused by N gonorrhoeae or C trachomatis."

Postabortion infections
Mar 1, 2001
By: A. Karen Kreutner, MD
Contemporary OB/GYN

Asherman's Syndrome:Asherman's syndrome is the presence of intrauterine adhesions that typically occur as a result of scar formation after uterine surgery, especially after a dilatation and curettage (D&C). The adhesions may cause amenorrhea (lack of menstrual periods) and/or infertility.

"We believe women contemplating abortion would benefit from this knowledge and that providers of abortion procedures have an autonomy-based obligation to make women aware of the potential future reproductive harm. "

John M. Thorp, Jr., MD

It's obvious that even uneventful abortions may impair future reproduction. When we throw complication into the mix, it's little wonder so many infertile women have a history of induced abortion. Please, spread the word. Don't buy into the lie.

Two Year Anniversary

2006-12-17T17:20:00.000-08:00

Today was Oliver and my two year anniversary. We went to Sherri den's to celebrate. Frozen custard is wonderful, especially when shared with your sweetie!

I love my husband, and the two years we've spent together. I can't wait for many, many more.

Vision Forum

2006-12-16T06:57:00.000-08:00

Have I mentioned that I love Vision Forum? They have everything you wanted as a kid, and wrap it in moral value! I ordered a few things for my niece and nephew, but I think it's my husband who wants to play with the detective kit and sword (not what you're getting by the way M&C).

Here's the link to their site: www.visionforum.com

If you order before the 20th online you'll get a FREE upgrade to expedient shipping via UPS guaranteed to get there by the 23. If you live in Texas(where VF is stationed) standard ground should come in 1 day.

Go take a look!

On respect:

2006-12-14T13:19:00.000-08:00

I apologize to my readers, specifically Thom, that I was disrespectful in response to his debate.

Something that upsets me greatly is snideness in debate. I generally see no reason to be rude to another person, even if that person holds views quite contrary to your own. I strive to stay away from vulgarity or personal attacks.

Because of the nature of the debate, I think it's important for us all to be cognisant to the feelings our words inspire. It is easy to feel personally attacked in this most unusual of debates.

I feel it is important to acknowledge that pregnancy is an unusual circumstance. There is no direct correlative. Fetal development is not unusual when viewed in terms of the continuum of life, however it is quite extraordinary that one cell merged from two is "us". I understand the unique nature of the debate.

I also understand that through misconception and outright lies on the part of people who stood to gain financially, abortion has become a feminist issue. This is not to deny that the physical act of carrying a child within one's womb is a challenging, and often frightening experience.

However, within these concessions, I will not deny the humanity of the unborn, nor will I deny the responsibility of the mother. However, I will strive to remain respectful of the other's views, even as I see them as flawed.

Thom, I apologize for my language in discussion with you. If you agree to be respectful to me in your debate, I would like to continue conversation. If not, I respectfully ask you to leave debate on this blog, as neither of us will gain anything if we can not show courtesy to one another.

My Father-in-Law, A Hero

2006-12-14T10:34:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was my father-in-law, Mark's retirement party. Retirement probably isn't the best word since he "retired" in order to go back to school to become a Chief. Even so, it was the party celebrating his last day as an active lieutenant.

My father-in-law has been a firefighter for 32 years. He started in the dangerous Miami-Dade department, has served in various cities such as Palm Beach and Ft. Worth, and has worked the last 17 years in Colleyville, TX.

If you knew Mark, you'd know how well firefighting fits his personality. He is one of the most generous men I know. He is a man in the old fashioned sense. He is the type of father that supports his family. If you break down on the side of the road, you know he'll be there to help. He is a good, decent man. He doesn't drink, smoke, or swear (Though he has been known to nonchalantly tell you a story that leaves you scratching your head).

He has saved countless lives through his profession, and is always willing to be the first one on scene and the last to leave. You could see the respect held for him by both his employees and his superiors. Mark challenges people to be their best, and to give their all to the community.

I am so proud to call him "dad"(Ok, so actually I call him "Mark" but you know what I mean :) ) Please keep my in-laws in your prayers as they enter this next stage of their lives.

Thank you, Mark for all that you've done. We love you.

To Those Who Are "Personally Prolife, Politcally Pro-Choice"

2006-12-14T09:01:00.000-08:00

It is ludicrous to pretend that our moral values do not influence law. We assert our values on others when we outlaw the killing of any person. I'm sure there are many people who find murder to be morally acceptable, but they are submitted to our moral whims.

How can you personally believe that abortion is tantamount to murder, yet believe that it should be a "woman's choice", It would be ridiculous to say "well I personally believe that rape is wrong, but I don't want to force my beliefs on others so we shouldn't have laws outlawing rape". This is exactly what you're saying by stating that you believe that abortion should remain a legal choice although you consider it murder.

No other situation is handled with the kid gloves of abortion. No other surgery is without physical and emotional risks, and no other ethical issue is so without substance. Pull back the blinders of "choice" and view abortion through the lens of other acts that destroy life. I think you'll be surprised how much "pro-choice" rhetoric has blurred the truth.

Reframing the Debate

2006-12-12T17:32:00.000-08:00

I've given my thoughts on personhood, and though some may not find them sufficient, I defy anyone to more accurately and completely define "person".

In fact, I call on all my non-fetal-personhood readers to explain to me their qualifications for personhood.

In addition, I'd like to know why you believe the killing said "person" is wrong.

This is my blog, and I will not be bullied. If you want to keep open the lines of communication, answer my questions. If not, go away. It is ridiculous to debate when only one side is exposed for scrutiny.

Edit: For all my readers who have been respectful, this isn't intended as an ultimatum for you. I would love to hear your opinions, but you are welcome here even if you're not into "debate".

My big boy!

2006-12-12T07:37:00.000-08:00

Doesn't my baby look like a big boy? I can't believe how grown up he's getting. I love Holden!

A fallen world.

2006-12-10T19:42:00.000-08:00

I wish I were a better artist so I could express my feelings in a median other than writing. I'm a terrible artist, I can barely draw a stick figure. My writing's not much better, but it's all I've got.

I say this because I have an image in my head of Abortion. Not a technical view of the abortion procedure, but more what the reality triggers within me. It's frustrating being unable to express.

I'm musical, but a cacophony of sounds is hardly a viable outlet. Besides, everything I've ever written has been in C major, and abortion is most definitely a minor muse.

Then there's poetry. Mine's laughable at best.

So we're stuck with this. Whatever this may be. I apologize for my awkward sentence structure and overuse of parenthesis. I'm sure editing my posts would help immensely. Of course, that would require reading what I write, something I never do. I rarely revise anything and, consequently, my writing is a bit rough.

Abortion. Termination. Unwanted. Choice.

Defend to the death a woman's right to choose to kill her offspring. Child is too emotional.

I'm too emotional.

It's hard to be stoic about death. Ayn Rand was wrong, it is more than possible to care. To weep. It's not about control. I don't want to control anyone, I just want the killing to end. Society is a mess, bigoted and misguided, but we all know it's wrong. We would jump in front of a dog being slaughtered by a flippant teenager, yet care not when our own children and grandchildren are ripped apart.

Overdramatic. Realistic.

Jesus is coming. I pray that it is soon.

Lantana Lodge. How to say "Welcome Home" to a service man

2006-12-08T07:43:00.000-08:00

This was at the beautiful Lantana Lodge in Pilot Point TX. We were there for our church's marriage retreat.

The lodge was wonderful. It's on Lake Ray Hubbard and has fantastic views. The food was fabulous, the room was cozy, and the company superb!

Now the really great thing about this lodge is they host a "Welcome Home" retreat for service men and their wives. It's to help reconnect the soldiers to their families after being separated by war. Any service man who has been back for less that 15 months is eligible for this FREE two week retreat. The lodge was setting up for the Soldiers Retreat as our group was leaving, and they really go all out.

Here's a link to a page detailing the information:

The Phoenix Project

If you know someone who just came home from Iraq and needs some time to reconnect I highly recommend this project.

Abortion, Delayed Parenting, and Infertility

2006-12-07T13:21:00.000-08:00

I've been wandering about some infertility blogs lately. It's heartbreaking to read of women so desperate for a child. Before I go further, I want to make it clear that I'm not condemning anyone. This post is about society, not any individual's choice.

The overwhelming majority of infertility bloggers are older women(from a reproductive standpoint) who have been sold a bill of goods about modern medicine being able to extend fertility indefinitely.

These women are outraged(and rightfully so) that they were mislead their entire lives with the message that "you can have it all" or "you can have children whenever you want". Now entering their 40's these women are realizing that this was a lie. They were had.

This isn't shocking. It's easy to imagine that someone would be outraged that they were not told that fertility weans. We all agree that the myth of the 40 year old mother is far from an everyday reality. What shocks me is how many of these women have had prior abortions.

They make comments like "I was pregnant before, but I had to terminate for X reason, perhaps God is punishing me now". No! God isn't punishing you, you were lied to! Those same people who told you that having a baby at 40 was as plausible as having one at 20 also told you that having an abortion now would not affect future fertility.

They lied. They are still lying. Please, if you've stumbled upon this site by typing in infertility and you've had a prior abortion, get the word out that abortion is a MAJOR risk factor for later infertility and miscarriage.

Women deserve the truth, even if it is inconvenient.

Justifiable death

2006-12-07T12:10:00.000-08:00

In regards to the issue of "necessary evil" and who decides what is a matter of lifestyle and what is a matter of life:

The easiest parallel in the situation is between mother and child and conjoined twins of unequal health.

A therapeutic abortion(in the truest sense of life and death, not disability or "health") is the equivalent of separating conjoined twins when either one will parish or they both will. Removing the weaker twin to allow the stronger to live, while tragic, is within the physicians responsibility. I say this because in both a pregnancy and a situation regarding conjoined twins, the physician must take into account both patients. Because of his obligation to preserve life, he must then choose to go with the path that preserves the "most" life.

An induced abortion, however, is far more similar to a case involving unequal conjoined twins that, if left together, will both live. While it is understandable that the stronger twin would like to be removed, doing so before the weaker has the capability to survive on his own is simply unjustifiable from a medically ethical standpoint. Separating the two may benefit the stronger greatly, but it will result in the death of the weaker. A physician can not abandon one patient for the good of another unless doing so is the only way to save the life of either.

Thom, as far as abortion being "evil", I believe death is the result of the fall of man and thus arises out of Sin, but I believe that an abortion necessary to save the mother from death is roughly the moral equivalent of a miscarriage. It is a tragic.

Apparently I was pregnant with myself!

2006-12-05T11:34:00.000-08:00

I'm sick to death of hearing that my prenatal children didn't exist. Apparently they were figments of my imagination. They were "potential children". Silly me, I thought that I was pregnant with an individual. How could I have been so foolish to think that the human that is now Holden was once an embryo. Good thing I've been enlightened to the fact that he was actually a part of me, just like my toe nail! c rt

Also revolutionary, I've learned that the child I miscarried never existed. Again, I could have sworn I saw a separate being in the ultrasound, but it looks like I was mistaken.

Silly me, I was under the impression from numerous texts that an individual, continual life began at conception. I guess I'm just an idiot.

Apparently mourning the loss of unborn children is somewhere in the realm of falling in love with a robot.

Please, Please Pray for my Little One.

2006-12-01T08:26:00.000-08:00

I posted a few days ago about the weird lesions on Holden's ears. Well all of his blood work came back normal, and the growths themselves went away so we thought we were in the clear.

Yesterday I thought it looked like they might be coming back, but I didn't want to confuse "coming back" with "going away" so I decided to wait a day to see. This morning the tip of Holden's ear is completely black. It looks alot like frost bite. We have NO idea where these lesions are coming from, and I can find absolutely nothing about spontaneous (apparently painless) narcotization of the pinna.

We have an appointment with his doctor at 11:30 today. Please pray that they can figure out what is wrong with my little man and fix it.