What a day!

Things are crazy here today, but in a very good way! And I think I may have a new gas fireplace by the end of the day....hmmmm...... I'll explain later.

Still love me??

OK, time for some levity here. Sorry for the previous rant. But I feel better (cheesy smile). I guess my perfect world would be one where we rejoice with those who rejoice and cry with those who mourn. I have a dream that one day we could be a people who spur one another on with encouragement and acts of kindness, always holding each other up, as the treasured gifts they are. And when one stumbles, we all close ranks to tend to, to help, to heal those who are hurting. And in all that is a celebration of the hope that new life brings. The promise of redemption. The power of love.

After I got that out yesterday, I heard from the Lord. (yes, unfortunately He is sometimes not heard until after I say my peace....hmmm) I was reminded of Ephesians 6:12 that we wrestle not with flesh and blood, but against powers and principalities, and rulers of darkness...

My beef isn't with people. But it is with the powers and principalities of this world we occupy. That principality says that life isn't sacred. That children are a bother, and we should limit our exposure to them. It is a lie. I stipulate- they will grow up! They will become adults, and they will either change this world we live in, or they will assimilate into the culture of this Age.

It is not my intention to condemn, but maybe to provoke..? Please forgive me if you were hurt.
But we (and I mean me, too) need to ask ourselves this.
What spirit are we walking in when we do certain things?
Are we in agreement with the powers of this world?
Or do we choose to walk following the Light of the World (John 8:12)
Are we joining the Spirit of the promise?

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25

Love you more!

Planning

Ok, so, as my friends in Theophostic training would say, I've been "triggered".
I read a sweet post by a friend today who tried answer all of the questions she imagines people would be asking themselves, (and, let's be honest, eventually speaking them out LOUD to her, as well, because they just-can't-stand-it!) about her recent pregnancy announcement. So to avoid repeating herself over-and over, she posted them Q&A style. And, of course, this one made the list.


Q.Was this planned?

REALLY


My A.

What do you think?



First I just want to THANK (facetiously) Margaret Sanger and her eugenics movement that we even have the question to ask someone who is expecting. Because, of course, we can play GOD these days, and choose the number, spacing, sex, and even health of our "chosen" children!
We have control over that which formerly was wholly attributed to a higher authority. There have really been neat advances in science and technology, don't get me wrong. But it feels like the joy of the anticipation is lost now that the wizard is exposed. (apologies to Mr. Baum)


I think what really bothers me, (since I am on this rant) is that we will joke with one another about "putting a stop to it", or "figuring out where that comes from". Really? I didn't know. To be honest, I do have a sense of humor. (really) and I can appreciate banter among friends. But what irks me is those nice little busy-bodies who decide what is best for others, and use this kind of pressure to impose their opinion regarding someone ELSE's family size.

For us it came at the announcement of our third child.

You see we already HAD a BOY child and a GIRL child. And we had heard the praises and comments of "Oh, a perfect family!". I do want to know what determines that ideal too, but I digress.
So there we were. Pregnant again. Blew some fuses, as you might imagine. I believe that I have heard all of the comments, questions and, oh yes, tepid congratulations at the birth. I have often felt a deep sadness when I think what we would have missed by stopping at that "perfect" family. There are so very many that I am now aware of that I would never, ever, have experienced had I stopped at Perfection.

But people seem to understand if a family of all boys or all girls is expecting again, they're trying for the opposite sex. So, while we feel a little edgy about it, we can understand their desires. We will accept that, and cluck our tongues because we feel sorry for them, poor dears. (I have prayed for certain families who really wanted a girl-child to be blessed with their hearts desire- and God has been faithful, but that was their decision.)
See my point?



The very last thing a woman needs when facing an unplanned pregnancy of any kind is the selfish question of "was this planned?". What difference does it make for the asker? I call it selfish, because it is our own curiosity getting the better of us, and if we find out that they didn't PLAN, that it was ACCIDENTAL, then we can enjoy "our" relief. They aren't crazy. But is that the way we should look at it?? Some women, nervously make a point of telling everyone the child was accidental, because they are afraid of the judgement of others. This saddens me. But I understand.

There is a child coming into the world, and the Bible is very specific about what that means. JOY, Blessing, Arrows in the hand of a warrior. Who would want to intentionally limit that? Of course not.

How a couple arrives at the size and spacing of their own family, is totally up to them and the LORD. imho. They are perfectly equipped to make those determinations without the help of all the rest of us. Should they choose to share this info, because they want to or desire to seek encouragement, that is their prerogative. But every child is a blessing. And who wants to saddle a child (who hears in the womb) with that kind of legacy?

So I would just propose. Can we just be happy for people? Does it really matter if they planned all their children? None of mine were planned,( and I know if I had, I would still be childless)--when does it really suit?

How many ways do we limit God in other circumstances? Oh, not now Lord, I don't think..........

So you will never hear me ask someone if they are "done" yet. Or if they "planned" this. And you'll never get the answer out of me, either. So don't ask. (smile)


And yes, you can send a copy of this to your in-laws. (just joking, please!)

Another totally random video!

If you like cats, or not, this is a really funny video! Our entire class enjoyed it!


Thanks Colleen!

Black Friday Cometh

Having worked in retail during college, and while my dear husband was in the Air Force, I despised Black Friday.

What.A.Mess.

BUT, after a decade of de-tox, I stepped back into the fray. IT WAS A BLAST! Now, I will tell you I started out slowly, taking all my ads in to ToysRUs for their price match guarantee, and all I had to do was wait in line there. But I so enjoyed getting into the Christmas mood. I wasn't there for any hard core reasons. I just liked to go to the marketplace, see the people and hear the Christmas Music. If I could get a bargain or two for my dear sweet little ones, all the better! It was a great opportunity to get out an see people I hadn't seen in years, and to talk to complete strangers while waiting in line. It was therapy for this mom who was sequestered away at home with little ones, (before blogs!) and limited access to adult conversation. It was an adventure.

BUT THEN, the children grew up, and TR-Us closed in our town. (Yes, my children panicked, where else was there to go to worship at the shrine of Big Materialism for children.) But, as I told them, it closed because they, like everyone else, actually purchased their toys at Wal-Mart. (groans.."we didn't know"!)

So then I began to invite a friend to go with me, since there were two of us, there was no way to canvass every single place we needed to go, but it was fun doing it together. And we could split up the Wal-Mart grab frenzy. She on one side of the store, me on the other.

AND THEN, I found out that you didn't have to wait until Thanksgiving Day to find out what the sales were! There were ads posted online. Some are real, some fiction, and I recommend always double- checking the real ad when it comes out, but it does help in the planning before hand.

(no, I won't buy that sale online right now, Costco will have it on a BF sale.. at a better price)

So I have again subscribed to the Black Friday Websites. Just do a search for Black Friday ads.

I won't enumerate them here, but I am happy to hear anyone's suggestion of a good one.