Shout Out and Silly Conversations

So, to sort of add to the discussion below I have to point you to two new blogs I have recently been introduced to. They are linked on the right. One is called, The Journey and it is the story of a 20 something girl/woman who is radically obedient like few I have seen. Just go read her! The other is called, Calling For Justice, and I want to go read more, but from what I gather it is a SAHM like me who saw injustice and decided to do something about it. She has auctions and stuff on her blog. She may not make the news (yet) but she is being obedient.

These two women are not doing the same thing (ok did the sesame street song just pop into your head too? - I digress) but they are both doing what God has put in front of them.

So my silly conversation goes like this: (It's between me and God by the way - He speaks to me during everyday tasks like this alot - in the summer He is my gardening companion.)

I was mopping the kitchen floor. It was gross. I thought to myself, "why am I doing this, it's just going to get dirty again," as Chance and Daniel both walk right over it.

God: "Maybe you don't mop it to make it clean. Maybe you just mop it cause it's dirty and you own a mop."

You can take that one at face value or extrapolate as far as you want. I just thought it was hilarious, and I love when God makes me smile like that.

Questions On The Journey

I love that the Christian life is such a journey. I know that no matter how much God teaches me here on this planet it will only scratch the surface of His truth. Recently my internal thought processes have focused on the perceived dilemma between "doing" and "grace". There seems to be this rift between the two in the church today. Some are saying we have to do more. It is our responsibility to _________. Fill in the blank with whatever makes you feel most guilty. The other side says there is nothing we can do to add or subtract. We have freedom in Christ. If you feel so led to do________. Go right ahead, but for goodness sakes don't feel guilty. I don't know what the answer is. I do know that ultimately these are two sides of the same coin. We are called AND we are free. So where does freedom end and sin begin? I am free to live in a house with 4 bathrooms while others in the world have no running water. But is it sinful? I am free to have a pantry with food always in it, and put more food in the trash in a week than some people eat in a month. But is it sinful? I am free to send a check to the direct tv people every month so that I can be entertained while mothers sell their children into slavery so that they can feed their families. But is it sinful? Tara recently linked an article on her blog that gave me some chunky food for thought. You know - the soup that eats like a meal kind of thought. You can read it here:http://www.globalcompassion.com/2009/01/05/love-justice-compassion-ego/. So, here I am living in the USA. By some standards I live extravagantly. By others I am pretty frugal. Where does my life become sinful?

Let me sort of switch gears for a minute. I've been praying about something for a while. It's one of those step out sort of things. I can't say that I have gotten the, "Yes, Heather I want you to do this right now!" from God. It is on my heart. That's all. So I asked Jason to be praying about it. So far he says he isn't feeling led. Here's my question. If there is a need, and if you are physically, emotionally, practically able to meet that need is "not feeling led" enough reason to not do it? Don't get me wrong - the ability would come from God. Humanly speaking it would be hard, very hard. And please don't misunderstand. I have the utmost respect for Jason's ability to hear from the Lord. He has proven himself to be an amazing spiritual leader in our family. I'm just throwing out the idea that maybe sometimes, instead of hearing a big ole yes from God, not hearing a no might be enough to move forward. I don't know. Maybe I need to sit tight and keep praying for a big yes. Maybe I need to move forward until a door shuts.

So, back to discussion A. When Jesus says to look after the orphan and widow or to help the poor, what does that look like in real life. Should we all trim our lives down to the absolute essentials. And what would those be? Really. And if you see a need, could fill it, but it would be a huge huge sacrifice should you do it simply and solely on the basis that the need exists? Should you not do it based solely on the fact that you haven't gotten a direct and specific call from the Lord?

Gabe-ism

Last night in the Mc D's drive thru:
"Gabe what do you want"

"Two red cartons of fries." (Translation: two larges)

"Is that all??"

pause...

" And lots of ketchup?"

hilarious

Success!

Sydney's party was so much fun! Here she is blowing out the candles on her cake. Notice the ridiculous blob of blue that used to say, "Happy 10th Birthday Sdyney". I couldn't figure out why it spread so badly until I got home and realized I had bought the cookie decorating icing and not the cake writing icing. Yes, I am a dufus.The whole gang minus Gabe - he was off looking cool and could not possibly get in a picture with all those girls. Daniel's philosophy : bring on the ladies!
Jason saw this hat and said Sydney had to have it. She was so cute skating around with it on! She has always had her own personal sense of "style" and no one can tell her she doesn't look great. Well, you can try, but she won't believe you. I love that about her.

I was a little hesitant to have so many girls stay over - especially ones I had never met. But I was so pleasantly surprised. All the girls were very sweet and respectful. They were goofy and had a blast, but were never rude or flat out disobedient. It was fun to spend time with them and listen to 10 year old girl talk, which thankfully was fairly void of boy stuff - except for the occasional, "ooh, he's gross" or "he is so annoying". I think we are safe for a few more years(:

TWO HANDS!!!

My sweet baby girl is 10 years old as of 10:22 last night. She is amazing, funny, smart, beauitful, and melts me with her sweet blue eyes. Which is why I agreed, in a moment of weakness, to take 7 girls to laser tag and roller skating and then offered for them to come spend the night. I'm preparing for lots of squealing and giggling. I have ear plugs and Excedrin on hand. Pray for me people.

And so it begins

I am saddened to see it in writing, but knew it was coming. Why such urgency to quickly make it possible to kill a child?? Lord, forgive them for they know not what they do.

From Yahoo News:
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama plans to sign an executive order ending the ban on federal funds for international groups that promote or perform abortions, officials told The Associated Press on Friday.
The move, long expected in the Democratic president's first week in office, will be welcomed by liberals and criticized by abortion rights foes.
The policy bans U.S. taxpayer money, usually in the form of U.S. Agency for International Development funds, from going to international family planning groups that either offer abortions or provide information, counseling or referrals about abortion. It is also known as the "global gag rule," because it prohibits taxpayer funding for groups that even talk about abortion if there is an unplanned pregnancy.
Also known as the "Mexico City policy," it has been reinstated and then reversed by Republican and Democratic presidents since GOP President Ronald Reagan established it in 1984. President Bill Clinton ended the ban in 1993, but President George W. Bush re-instituted it in 2001 as one of his first acts in office.

Daniel-Isms

I discovered that D had written on his duvet cover with dry erase marker. I said, "I saw that you wrote on your blanket."

With sheepish grin, "mmm-hmmm"

"You know we only write on paper right?"

'Yeah, but Mom, I had something to say."

Yesterday we were talking about his mama in Haiti. He said he wanted to go see Haiti. I said we could go visit one day.
He said, "OK, but I don't want you to leave me there, cause you my mama."
(Trying not to cry now) I say, "I will never leave you and I will always be your mama."
He says with an impish grin, "But sometimes I'm mean."
"Even when you are mean I will still be your mama!"

Seriously, this child is so in tune with his feelings for a four year old.

God Answers Prayer!

In case you doubted it. I just have to give credit where credit is due. Since we pulled Gabe back home for school it has been a roller coaster ride of good and bad days. I knew sending him back to school was not an option. It stresses him completely out - to the point of incapacitating him. He literally would be in a heap on the floor crying. But, he was not doing well with me either. We do not work well together. He is terrified of messing up or looking dumb in front of me. No matter how many times I would say that I didn't care if he got things wrong as long as he gave it a shot, he would still freeze up at any hint of new material that he could not just fly through. I prayed and prayed and came up with the thought of having someone come to our home to teach him. Immediately a person at our church came to mind, she is licensed as a special education teacher and has worked with all sorts of kids, but she has 3 kids of her own that she homeschools and I just wrote it off thinking she would be too busy. A couple of weeks later at Wednesday night service I raised my hand for prayer. The people who gathered and prayed for me, without knowing the circumstance, were able to pray exactly for what I needed. I felt such peace and comfort walking out of that service. Then on my way down the hall to get D from class I looked up at the bulletin board and saw a flyer for tutoring. Yep, you guessed it. Same lady I had thought of. I actually laughed out loud. God is so good. So I called her and she laughed with me(: It is actually an answer to prayer for them as well since her husband hasn't had much work in this economy. G has been going to her for two weeks now and is doing GREAT! His attitude with her is wonderful and it sort of spills over into his attitude with me. She is an outside source telling him that he is smart. He may be more likely to believe her!

It may seem like a small thing, but it was such an encouragement to me exactly when I needed it. So maybe it will give you hope as well that God does hear us and He does answer, just at the right time.

Political post in response to those I may have offended by being happy today.

I just watched the inauguration with Madeline and Sydney. It was so fun to see all those people. The comraderie was evident. I DO think it is significant that a black man is now in the White House. I am frustrated with those who try to diminish the importance of this moment. I was happy today as I watched Obama sworn in. And I didn't vote for him. I vote pro-life. Always. I WAS an unplanned pregnancy and I am so glad my Mom chose life for me.

BUT

I do not believe that morality can be legislated. I will vote my conscience and always side with life, but for me that also means being pro-gun control. I do not fit the Republican mold. I do not think that because a pro choice president has been elected that our nation instantaneously has become less moral. We were just as immoral yesterday. Morality will only ever come from the only true good - God. My God is bigger than politics and my saviour Jesus is my only true hope. I will choose to be happy in this moment because I know God is in control. I will choose to be happy in this moment because it is historic and evidence of our great nations ability to govern itself peacefully. I will choose to be happy in this moment because my sons of the tannish/brownish persuasion will see a man of color leading our nation. So now, I will pray for him, that he will do so with humility and wisdom. I pray that he is brought to his knees before the almighty creator. I pray that in whatever way God sees fit to accomplish it, our nation will be humbled and turn our eyes to HIM.

Remember

I remember "discovering" MLK as a teen. I was so in awe of him. The first time I heard this speech I cried. Today when I listen to it, I still cry. May we never forget, and may we always strive for more. More freedom. More equality. More companionship and brotherhood. More of what Christ would want us to be.