My Faith, My Vote

In the past weeks and months I have been asked not to discuss my political views in certain circles and felt like I was being “un-Christian” to respond to political and personal accusations, the most hurtful that I am a racist.

I am not black, I am not white, I am a Christian. While many may separate their faith from their vote I can not. Jesus said be hot or cold, but that he hates luke warm. (Revelation 3: 14-16)  In the end it will not matter whether I was Democrat or Republican, only that I am a Christian … And Faith without Works is dead.

In a few days I will vote, and I realize this may not change your vote, but maybe help you understand mine.

I do see that in 40 years, a generation, we have come so far in the fight to end racism. I am so thankful for that. However, the fact that my vote is only considered racist or not based on the black or white candidate I vote for shows that we certainly have a long way to go to truly overcome this evil.
Huntley Brown is  a Christian black musician who felt the need to explain why he would not vote for Obama in an email to his friends:
Many of my friends process their identity through their blackness. I process my identity through Christ. Being a Christian (a Christ follower) means He leads I follow. I can’t dictate the terms He does because He is the leader.

I can’t vote black because I am black; I have to vote Christian because that’s who I am. Christian first, black second. Neither should anyone from the other ethnic groups vote because of ethnicity. 200 years from now I won’t be asked if I was black or white. I will be asked if I knew Jesus and accepted Him as Lord and Savior….In an election there are many issues to consider but when a society gets abortion, same-sex marriage, embryonic stem-cell research, human cloning to name a few, wrong economic concerns will soon not matter.

In his response to “Snopes” he made his case clear as I do mine now:

If Senator Obama wins he can count on my prayer support every day.

I tell my friends it’s like a family where you have different opinions, but you love each other just the same. I love and appreciate Senator Obama but our views are diametrically opposed.

… I don’t want people to think I am against gay people or against people who have had abortions. (I am not) We are all sinners saved by grace but we need to have some absolute laws to govern society or else we will self destruct.

I encourage you to read the entire email and his entire response to Snopes. His points will help you further understand his views (those that I share with him):

Huntley Brown’s letter and explanation at Snopes

Anecdotes From Mom

This morning I went into my seven year old daughter’s room. As I turned on lights to wake her up, I gave her a kiss on the forehead and said in a sweet voice “Emily it’s time to get up sweetie.” She pulled the covers over her head to protect herself from the light and grumbled “I don’t want to get up.” After I explained, still in a sweet voice, “I know darlin’ but you must get up. We have school today!” She began throwing every complaint at me she could think of to prolong the getting up process. “I am tired, I never get to sleep in, I do not like school” and finally “I miss Mary Grace!” (Her best friend last year who did not return to her school this year) I then became frustrated and said in a more stern voice, “O.k. Emily that is enough. It is time to get out of bed and get ready for school. Here are your clothes, I am going to make your breakfast.”

About that time my 3 year old bounded into Emily’s room. She was still adjusting her eyes to the light, silky and baby doll in tow she said in a happy voice “Good Morning mommy”! “GOOD MOOOOOORRRRNNING!!!” I replied with a big smile and arms wide open ready to receive her in my arms and give her a big hug and kiss. As I was kissing Anna and loving on her so, Emily sat up in the bed and with a grumpy attitude said “You don’t ever say good morning to me like that!” Instead of responding to that statement at that moment I told her again to get dressed and I would see her in the kitchen when she was ready.

When daddy came downstairs and into the kitchen where both girls were eating breakfast, a similar scenario presented itself. Emily, grumpy and pouty, and Anna beaming waiting to greet daddy when he walked in. Anna being the first one to receive daddy’s love and hugs, because she hopped out of her seat to run to him, and Emily whining because Daddy did not hug her first.

Now, we all know this is manipulative at worst, and jealousy at best, but I try to address these things so that it does not fester into a long time feeling of “You love her more than me” feelings.

In the car on the way to school, while Emily and I were alone, I began to explain why she does not receive the same greeting as Anna does.

“Mommy wants to talk with you Emily about your attitude this morning. I want you to know that I understand how you felt this morning about how I greet Anna every morning with a big smile on my face, and with excitement in my voice to see her. And I understand that you may feel that I do not greet you with the same excitement, but I would like to explain why this is.”

A) You are 7 and she is 3. You are Emily and she is Anna. You are different ages, and different people so you are going to be treated accordingly. When you were 3, I greeted you the same way I do now. I sing songs about God giving us a brand new day and that it is time to get up. I kiss you on your forehead and tell you Good Morning. The reason for this is simple, you do not like to wake up in the mornings, so I try to wean you into waking up. Anna on the other hand is different. She is out of the bed and greeting me before she even let’s her eyes adjust to the light. She comes to me before I even get a chance to come to her. So she always surprises me, and I respond accordingly.

B) Anna received a greeting equal to the greeting she gave me. When I came into your room, you were poutty, and resistant to me being there waking you up. Anna on the other hand greeted me with excitement and running to love on me.

C) I want you to know that because you are 2 different people and in 2 different stages in your lives, I will probably always respond and act differently to each of you. But always know, and never let the devil tell you anything different; Mommy loves you just as much as I do Anna.

And then it hit me between the forehead like a brick. (At this point I actually hit my forehead with my hand as if to say “DUH!”) God did it again.

He said:

I do not love my children less than anyone of them, but I do have to handle and deal with each child differently according to who they are and where they are in life.

I receive them in the same manner in which they greet me. Some are more resistant to my presence and some are seeking me out. Though I respond differently, I am not angry with the grump. But rather I am patient to let them work through their grumpiness, and am excited to see those who greet me with excitement.

I will pour into each of my children equally according to what they expect to receive.

O.k. I will let you chew on that! 🙂

How Do You Eat An Elephant??

My Pastor used to say “How do you eat an elephant?… One Bite at a time.”(He was from South Africa. 😉 )

“Lessons From the Laundry” Humorously reminded me of the little bites of progress when she wrote:

The laundry basket looks like one gigantic time-leeching entity. I think I even see tentacles. When my clean laundry is piled so high that it begins to creep out of the laundry room, it is time to call forth the wise words of author Anne Lamott. Lamott’s brother needed to write a report on birds and didn’t know where to start, Lamott’s father said, “Just write it bird by bird.” …

Baby steps is what I keep hearing ringing in my ear. Whether it be from eating right and losing weight, to cleaning the house, to getting out of debt. (Some days I feel like I am not even taking the baby steps but rather crawling toward the finish line.)

This is probably the reason we were read stories of the “Tortoise and the Hare” and “The Little Engine That Could” because someone knew the valuable life lesson of keeping on, in the words of Dory the Fish (From Nemo) we have to just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming , swimming, swimming…. (Now you hear her singing in your head don’t you? 😉 hee hee hee!)

Take your babystep and celebrate that step. And if you fall down?? Well what did your kid do when he/she fell down, sometimes they cried a little (and don’t we all need that from time to time) but then ultimately they got up and took another step.

Today I actually crossed off a few things on my to-do list including walking this morning, and will soon tackle the toilet which has been begging my attention for a little too long now. I am eating my elephant and will come back for more as I have room!

Taco Soup

I loved this recipe!!

Ingredients:
1 Large Onion
1 package of taco seasoning
2 cups whole Corn
1 can Fat Free Chicken Broth
1 can Black Beans, undrained
1 can Great Northern Beans
1 can Fat Free Refried Beans
1 can Rotel tomatoes (Mild)

Optional: 1 lb. shrimp, saute’ with the onions.

Directions:
Saute’ the onion until soft in a large pot sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.
Add the other ingredients to the pot and simmer for 30-40 minutes.

Makes 15 cups
(W.W. points 1 cup = 1 point)

Islamic Baby Dolls??

I watched a video, an ABC news piece, about a popular baby doll. “Little Mommy” doll by Fisher Price is supposed to “coo” at you when you pull it’s string. However, though Fisher Price denies the legitimacy, when you pull the doll’s string it says “Islam is the light”.

I had to hear it for myself, so I thought you would want to as well:

My guess is while Fisher Price says they will not be pulling it, they will fix the future dolls. If you have bought one that does or does not say this please let us know, and tell us when you bought it. That may make a difference.

Click here to see the ABC News Story.

How I Got My New Ipod touch, without paying for it!

Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

I have wanted an Ipod for awhile now. Being able to walk or work out to music is so much more fun. So I have been telling my husband that I wanted one for our anniversary. (The one that is coming down in price because the new one (the Ipod touch) has come out.)

As we approached our anniversary, where we had plenty of money the month before, we now were not able to afford the extra expense. I told him, don’t worry about it let’s just go out and enjoy our time, no kids, no gifts.

What he, or I, didn’t know was that one of his friends which Ben was promoting a product for, was offering a new Ipod touch to the first few affiliates to sell ten of his product. On our anniversary, Ben had sold ten! He called the guy, and had it engraved… “To the love of my life, Happy Anniversary 10/5/08”. I received it today.

Just another testimony of how God provides the desires of your heart! Believe today that God wants to bless you, abundantly, exceedingly, above all you can think or ask for! I did not even ask for the latest IPOD version, with internet access, and all kinds of extras, but I got it, because God blesses abundantly, exceedingly, above all we can think or ask.

** Just another note: My sister has also had an IPOD on her wishlist. The week before my anniversary she went to her husbands company picnic. They were giving door prizes, and she prayed that God would let her win something but she would love the IPOD. Guess what, she won it!

Two different stories, same gift, God is no respector of persons only that you ask and you shall receive!

The definition of rich is not about how much money is in the bank account, but having what you need and desire when you need and desire it.

Dijon Chicken

This is just a quick tip to spice up a grilled chicken breast:

I spread Dijon mustard and Garlic Salt on either side of a boneless skinless Chicken Breast and then cook with a tbs. of olive oil. The mustard crusts as it cooks, and it adds a little kick to your chicken with no added calories. This with a salad and some cous-cous, or quick side item like that, gets a great meal on the table in 15 minutes.

You can also try it with a honey mustard or Honey Dijon mustard for a milder, sweeter flavor.

Just a quick mom tip: Saving money on snacks

Right now between now and after Halloween Wal-mart is selling all kinds of candies, etc. In the Holiday section where all the trick-or-treat candies are sold they have Fun size snacks including goldfish, Teddy Grahams, Ritz-Bitz etc.

They are about half the size of the normal snack packs, so you can get 30 snack packs for about $2.50 – $3. While they have fall leaves and such they do not have witches and goblins on them, so last year my sister and I bought several bags and used them all year without them ever going bad.

Most kids, especially toddlers and preschoolers, do not need an entire snack pack. They either won’t eat it all, or they are eating too much. So this is the perfect size paired with a piece of fruit or other small healthy snack, it is even enough for my 7 year old. It gives them a little bit of what they want, and a little of what they need.

Hope this is a useful tip!

** Other places, Kroger, Target, etc. have them as well, but not quite as inexpensive.

Happy Anniversary

Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. Love doesn’t strut, Doesn’t have a swelled head, Doesn’t force itself on others, Isn’t always “me first,” Doesn’t fly off the handle, Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others, Doesn’t revel when others grovel, Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, Puts up with anything, Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end. 1Corinthians 13

Today I celebrate six years with my husband Ben. It is amazing at how much we have been through in such a short time of marriage, and how much we have grown and changed.  I love the Message translation of the love chapter, there is not a characteristic of love listed that Ben has not shown me in our marriage.

I am so thankful to have found someone who has loved me through so many growing years. Seeing my heart even when I haven’t always produced the fruit, he has always seen the strength in me even when I could not see it in myself. He is the eternal optimist, and is always encouraging of anything I see in life, even when I can not see it for myself.  Where others see half a glass, he sees a glass that has room for more!

He has taught me so much. Like how sometimes silence is better than empty words, and actions speak the loudest. He has given me the freedom to be me, and I think that is what I admire the most about him. He has loved me where, and for who, I am. This has only made me want to be the best wife, mother, and friend I could be. It has also been a lesson I have learned to apply in every other relationship in my life.

I have seen him grow as well. I have watched  him go from someone who keeps to himself and hardly prayed in public, to stopping and praying with someone in the middle of his work day no matter how busy, because he doesn’t see the point in promising to do it later when he could do it right then. Ben is one of those you would say is a quiet mystery. A friend of mine says “when Ben talks, you better listen”. He has earned the respect of those who know him, but none more than myself and my girls.  I love you Ben, thank you for the past six years, and for many, many more!

Light Pumpkin Muffins

It is that time of year again. The air is cooler, the sky is bluer; It is FALL! So today I wanted to share a great recipe that I got lots of raves about last year, and is sure to become a fall tradition. Whether you are watching your calories or not this will hit the sweet spot in no time.

Ingredients:
1 – box spice cake mix
1 – 15oz can of pumpkin
1/2 cup – chocolate chips
1/2 cup – water
Directions:

Do not follow the cake recipe for the ingredients, just mix everything
listed above together, fill cupcake liners in a muffin pan, and cook at 350
deg for 20 minutes. Good to add cool whip on the top. If you are doing
weight watchers, they are 2 points each for 24 muffins. For some reason I
only had enough mix for about 20 muffins when I did it.

Tip: Try it with Butterscotch instead of Chocolate Chips.