Josh Walks America

A little over a month ago, my mom and I were driving down the highway when we noticed two young people pulling a bike cart down the side of the highway. That on its own wouldn't have gotten my attention but the large cross strapped to the young man's back surely did!! Mom says, "Turn around!!!" I was already in route; I had to know what they were doing. Well, it turns out that Josh and Kerri were college students who were walking across America in order to spread the Gospel. Wow...just wow. They introduced themselves with loving smiles and a genuine question of, "Do you know the love of Jesus Christ?"
In a world where I second guess my leaving a comment on someone' Facebook page that might hint towards Christ, these two brave and obedient college students were being modern day Apostles..."And He said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, neither a staff, nor a bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not even have two tunics apiece." Luke 9:3. They had a few supplies w/ them like a tent and sleeping bags, only as much as could fit in their simple cart. They weren't being sponsored, they were relying on God to provide for their needs.
I had to get to know these two a little more so I invited them to lunch at our house...I'm sure they could have used a rest after being in Missouri August heat! They accepted, so mom and I moved some car seats around and made room for their cart and our new friends! I called Ryan and told him that I was bringing some "Christian hippies" home and he was of course a bit confused but knows me all too well. We stopped by our local Amish market to pick up provisions and made our way home.
They stayed for a couple hours as we ate lunch, fellowshiped and listened to their story and got to know these two lovely people who have plans to marry someday. It was so inspiring to meet young people like this these days...unafraid, excited, and willing to follow God's lead.

I invite you to check out their blog and read about their journey: http://blog.joshwalksamerica.com/

My Nutshell Conversion Story

A new Facebook friend who happens to be a Baptist, recently asked me what influenced my conversion from Baptist to Catholic. After I layed the kids down for a nap, I quickly typed out a (long) nutshell version of my conversion (I love rapping). I was more than humbled when my blogger friend, Dale, asked if he could publish it on his blog. So instead of pasting it, follow the link to meet Dale at the The Butter Rum Cartoon...
http://oldelephantwings.blogspot.com/2012/09/one-truth.html

My Early Morning Reflection

After waking up at 5am and tossing and turning for almost an hour, I decided to just get up and go out to the front porch and have some quiet Bible time before the kids woke up. As always, I just opened up my Bible to see what the Lord wanted to show me and I opened up to Psalm 1 and started reading. When I got to Psalm 10, my blood ran cold. His word truly is eternal; His commandments and truth know no century. I'm sure another pro-lifer has done a commentary on the pro-life connection to the following passages and I'm just reinventing the wheel but I just felt like I unearthed a treasure.

Psalm 10:1-11
"Why, Lord do you stand at a distance and pay no heed to these troubled times? Arrogant scoundrels pursue the poor; they trap them by their cunning schemes. The wicked even boast of their greed; these robbers curse and scorn the Lord. In their insolence the wicked boast: "God doesn't care; doesn't even exist." Yet their affairs always succeed; they ignore your judgement on high; they sneer at all who oppose them. They say in their hearts, "We will never fall; never will we see misfortune." Their mouths are full of oaths, violence, and lies; discord and evil are under their tongues. They wait in ambush near towns; their eyes watch for the helpless, to murder the innocent in secret. They lurk in ambush like lions in a thicket, hide there to trap the poor, snare them and close the net. The helpless are crushed, laid low; they fall into the power of the wicked, who say their hearts, "God pays no attention, shows no concern, never bothers to look."

If this isn't a description of Planned Parenthood then I don't know what is. If you drive through most poor, usually urban, areas, you will see 3 things: payday loan buildings, liquor stores, and a Planned Parenthood. Take a drive to 711 North Providence Rd in Columbia, MO to see for yourself how they "wait in ambush near towns; their eyes watch for the helpless, to murder the innocent in secret." These businesses prey on the poor and the helpless and if you ever read any of Planned Parenthood's press releases and quarterly statements, you will see that "the wicked even boast of their greed". If you are familiar with the D&C abortion method (http://www.lifesite.net/abortiontypes/), then you understand exactly how the "helpless are crushed".

If you read further in these psalms you will read that they will be made to account for their crimes. Our God is not at a distance and cares very deeply. He is "the defender of the orphans" and so is every single person who prays and helps the poor and women who feel helpless because of a pregnancy.

Psalm 10:12-15
"Rise up, Lord God! Raise your arm! Do not forget the poor! Why should the wicked scorn God, say in their hearts, "God doesn't care?" But you do see; you do observe the misery and sorrow; you take the matter in hand. To you the helpless can entrust their cause; you are the defender of orphans. Break the arms of the wicked and depraved; make them account for their crimes; let none of them survive."

The Dilemma of a Female President, answered.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/on-faith/michele-bachmann-biblical-submission-and-servant-leadership/2011/07/29/gIQAEAYwgI_story.html

A Black Belt in Scam

Why do karate schools have to be so shady about their pricing? I understand that they want you to truly understand their program and its benefits before they round-house kick you with the cost, but for the love of Bruce Lee, just tell me how much it costs! We really want to sign our son up so I went in the the nearest Dojo and inquired about their program...and prices. She gave me a flier (er, flyer?) and told me about the program and then said that I would need to make an appointment to basically have my lil' dragon warrior "assessed". After the $10 assessment, he'll receive a ninja suit (a Gi) and the cost will be explained...I'm sure with a power point presentation, "Rocky" music, and with quick flashes of Daniel-Son, Kung-fu Panda, and possibly even Chuck Norris...we can only hope.
I read some reviews online on this particular Dojo and patrons said that they require a contract. What? Are you peddling cell phones or something? They're kids!! One day they want to be a Paeleontologists and the next, Superman. So tell me Sensei, can you teach him to leap tall bulidings in a single bound? Use his laser eyes to cut steel? If so, where do I sign? I'm all for trying to encourage my children to stick to their commitments but not when legal contracts are concerned. If I can't find a school that is contract free then I guess he'll just have to stick to getting his training from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (thankful for Netflix!)...turtle power!!!

National Offend a Feminist Week 2011

Being that I'm a "homemaker advocate", this Suzy Q. must do her part in offending feminists around the globe. Will I picket on the roadside with angry eyebrows as they do? No. Will I decoupage my vehicle with hateful bumper sticker propaganda? No. I will simply go about my day as planned and stick to the original mission...fulfilling my purpose on this earth. Allow me to brief you on operation "Trophy Wife":
I'm going to put my apron on, make a delicious dinner (possibly even dessert), fold laundry, take our children to the playground, work out (so that I look good for my man and feel good about myself), serve my husband a cold beer when he gets home from work, and also give him some sweet lovin' when the kiddies go to bed.

The word "trophy" is defined as:

1. Anything taken in war, hunting, competition, etc., especially when preserved as a memento; spoil, prize, or award.
2. Anything serving as a token or evidence of victory, valor, skill, etc.
3. A carving, painting, or other representation of objects associated with or symbolic of victory or achievement.

How can a woman not smile when she is considered a symbol of a man's achievement? His successes are mine and visa-versa; a true companionship. Our daughter is only 2 but when she's old enough she'll be taught that she can do anything that a man can do, but if he wants to do it for her, then let him. Why women wanted to be taken off of their pedestal is beyond my comprehension. My husband serves his family by working hard and bringing home a paycheck and I serve by managing the home, finances, children, and so much more. Each job is equally important and essential to marriage and family life.
When pleading the cause of the stay-at-home mom, you'll often hear women say, "But what about MY career?", or, "I need to have a life of my own". Here's the thing ladies, YOU are not your own. Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 6:20 that, "For you are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." Not only that, if a woman is married and has children, she also belongs to the greatest people on earth...her family. And with that comes the great task of raising children of and for God in a world that seeks to destroy their precious little souls...and of course the diapers, laundry and dishes. By those standards, I have the most fulfilling and draining career in the world.

Matthew 23:11 says, "But the greatest among you shall be your servant". Now I'll be honest, I don't always feel so great when I'm the 1st one to rise and the last one to go to bed and look and feel like Quasimodo from picking up toys all day, just so that the Mr. doesn't have to come home to a mine field...but "great is my reward in heaven", right? There are of course the earthly rewards as well. To realize that, all I have to do is look at my beautiful family and look forward to planning my 50th wedding, because if we continue to follow God's will for our life, there WILL be a 50th wedding anniversary! It's possible that one or both of us could already have passed away but there will be celebrating, nonetheless.

My heart truly goes out to these mislead women because they're missing out on so much...other than just their bras. My prayer is that they will put away their pant suits and picket signs and discover their true femininity and embrace it. I don't think anyone has ever been truly fulfilled by only serving themselves. To the mommas who are super moms who work full-time and still have the energy and time to "do it all", please tell me what vitamins you're on because this lil' lady just couldn't do it....so maybe I'm the weak one. You no doubt serve your family in love but also financially. Your sacrifices are eternal as well. I just sincerely believe in one truth and that an "ideal" in this life still exists. Maybe I'm wrong. There is so much importance in why we were created...to glorify His name and we do that by fulfilling our purpose, "Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man." 1 Corinthians 11:9. 
Now, for your enjoyment, a funny article about today's festivities...
http://theothermccain.com/2011/05/02/national-offend-a-feminist-week-2011/?sms_ss=facebook&at_xt=4dbec6c7947e4072%2C1

P.S. I'm also going to continue NOT using birth control...that should really eat at 'em!

Parenting Styles

I recently came upon a wonderful article written by the sibling of Montserrat Grasses, a candidate for beatification. We're given a glimpse into the life of a family with 9 children with a tight budget. A lot of us would think, "wow, I bet they were so deprived"...that couldn't be further from the truth. The author talks about how having less actually gave them more and help to build strong character. Now, I've never been the spoiling type of parent (ok, maybe a few Christmas's) and I TRY to not busy ourselves to the point of exhaustion...but these are daily temptations in our culture. "More, more, more" is our new anthem and yet we wonder why our youth has such a weak work ethic. It's so easy to cave to the lies of instant gratification, especially when you're outnumbered by 3 kids! Here's the article: http://reflectionsofaparalytic.com/?p=6454

I have a great deal of friends who practice "Attachment Parenting". With this style of parenting gaining so much attention I decided to look into it thinking, "well I breastfeed, co-sleep part time, wear a sling w/ my baby, delay/deny and stagger vaccinations"...the similarities stopped there. After reading the "mission statement" I was horrified over the fact that my kids would be growing up next to kids who were only disciplined with rainbows, hugs, and understanding.   Basically Attachment Parents are trusting the child to make good decisions, no matter what the age and the word "no" is only going to stifle the child and make the child not feel understood.  Well that's all well and good until Jr. runs out into the street or bites another toddler for the 23rd time during a playdate. Now don't get me wrong, I'm all for a nurturing environment with loads of understanding, but sometimes no means no and we're not going to sit down and have a sweet little heart to heart about it. No external rewards, no punishment? Really? How does this prepare children for the world where there are plenty of the both. God designed us to be reward seekers and to expect a punishment...uh hello, heaven and hell! So enough ranting about "peaceful parenting" and raising kids to become adults who say to their boss, "WHAT?! You're firing me?! But you can't do that, that's not peaceful! Why don't you understand?" Troubling.

I was introduced to another style of parenting by the blog Catholic Mothers Online called "Simplicity Parenting". Basically, less is more. Three simple words that I think are most definitely Christ approved. Less of self, less idol time, less greed, less possessions. I am reminded of Madame Blueberry of Veggie Tales. Madame Blueberry lives in a mansion tree house and fills it with every possible possession, thinking it will fulfill her until one day she sees a happy little veggie-girl who is truly fulfilled by love, family, and a simple slice of cake. Madame Blueberry is inspired with the girl's song, "...because a thankful heart is a happy heart" and decides to give up her possessions (both Christ approved and John Lennon approved) but before she can, her heavy house falls under the weight and yet she is thankful. I guess Miss Blueberry didn't know about building a house on a strong foundation. "He is like a man which built a house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock." Luke 6:48. Here's a little snippet of our dear Madame Blueberry: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwVNUBpvxXI&feature=related

I think instinct, prayer, and modeling after how our Heavenly Father parents his children, can be quite effective.  He gives us free will to be obedient or to sin.  With obedience comes reward, and disobedience -discipline.  If we choose to continue to defy him, our punishment is severe.  If we seek forgiveness, his mercy is infinite.  Above all, his love is unconditional, even when we sin, and so is my love for my children...even when they're in the corner, or have a sore backside.  Yes, we occasionally spank...shocking I know.  I will now await the knock on the door from DFS. 

I've taken the "Love and Logic" ( http://www.loveandlogic.com/ ) courses and am a huge fan of Dr. James Dobson's books "The Strong Willed Child" and "Bringing Up Boys". Both have profound insight and wisdom all based on Christian values. Both the courses and the books are wonderful resources for loving parents who understand that setting boundaries and using discipline are actually a huge part of being a responsible parent. Using negative and positive re-enforcement along with natural consequences are all great tools to use, depending on the temperament of your child. Different children require different kinds of attention when addressing behavior...we're still working out the kinks with our children and probably always will be because they are forever changing. I don't see the point in putting a child in a proverbial box...or a literal one...because that kind of discipline probably isn't appropriate, but God knows I've been tempted! (Insert laughter, I promise I'm kidding).

The fact remains though that I could always use a few pointers and tips based on true wisdom and I think "Simplicity Parenting" might be for me...it gets back to basics. But we shall see. Be expecting a book review soon...oh wait, I have 3 kids, nevermind.

Catholic Mothers Online article "Less is More": http://www.catholicmothersonline.com/2011/04/less-is-more/