Think About it Thursday #1

So, I love to read. I mean there are more books in our house than cheerios (or since we don't buy name brands and try to eat organic, toasted oat o's). But that's not the point. The point is we'd rather be reading than doing just about anything, so I'm going to be posting excerpts from books or online articles that really made me think. So, here ya go....

A Masai Warrior Named Joseph

This is an account of a Masai Warrior named Jospeh as told by Michael Card.
"One day Joseph, who was walking along one of these hot, dirty African roads, met someone who shared the gospel of Jesus Christ with him. Then and there he accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior. The power of the Spirit began transforming his life; he was filled with such excitement and joy that the first thing he wanted to do was return to his own village and share that same Good News with the members of his local tribe.
Joseph began going from door-to-door, telling everyone he met about the Cross of Jesus and the salvation it offered, expecting to see their faces light up the way his had. To his amazement the villagers not only didn't care, they became violent. The men of the village seized him and held him to the ground while the women beat him with strands of barbed wire. He was dragged from the village and left to die alone in the bush.
Joseph somehow managed to crawl to a waterhole,  and there, after days of passing in and out of consciousness, found the strength to get up. He wondered about the hostile reception he had received from people he had known all his life. He decided he must have left something out or told the story of Jesus incorrectly. After rehearsing the message he had first heard, he decided to go back and share his faith once more.
Joseph limped into the circle of huts and began to proclaim Jesus. "He died for you, so that you might find forgiveness and come to know the living God," he pleaded. Again he was grabbed by the men of the village and held while the women beat him, reopening wounds that had just begun to heal. Once more they dragged him unconscious from the village and left him to die.
To have survived the first beating was truly remarkable. To live through the second was a miracle. Again, days later, Joseph awoke in the wilderness, bruised, scarred - and determined to go back.
He returned to the small village and this time, they attacked him before he had a chance to open his mouth. As they flogged him for the third and probably the last time, he again spoke to them of Jesus Christ, the Lord. Before he passed out, the last thing he saw was that the women who were beating him began to weep.
This time he awoke in his own bed. The ones who had so severely beaten him were trying to save his life and nurse him back to health. The entire village had come to Christ."


"Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:"-Colossians 1:24


"Christ's afflictions are not lacking in their atoning sufficiency. They are lacking in that they are not known and felt by people who were not at the cross. Paul dedicates himself not only to carry the message of those sufferings to the nations but also to suffer with Christ and for Christ in such a way so that what people see are "Christ's sufferings." In this way he follows the pattern of Christ by laying down his life for the life of the church." -John Piper, "Let the Nations be Glad: The Supremacy of God in Missions"

Making it Monday

 So, sewing, and creating anything in general, has been really slow this winter. Things like multiple bouts of sick kids and husband, holidays, crazy happenstances, and mommy trying to keep the usual going has seriously interrupted the flow of the fun stuff, like sewing.

But, a need for warmer weather clothing for some of the kids, easter outfits, and just a desire to do something different, has me forcing time for sewing. (YAY!)

I currently have two UFOs (unfinished objects) to complete before I can move on, and I have a ton of things around the house that I either want to sew or need to be sewed. And yet, I'm dreaming of pretty things to sew! *sigh* Things completely unnecessary and just plain purty. 

So, for the first Making it Monday I though I might show you some sewing patterns from my collection that I hope to get to make soon. And before you ask, no, they're not all the same size, nor all my size. So, I would have to do some adjusting ;)

First up is Simplicity 1390, a pattern for dickies, cuffs, collars, and hats/caps. I have never used a dickie, but perhaps by next winter I could have some of these sewn up and be prim and proper. I especially like the collar and cuffs with the bows, and the cap and large collar could work for.....Thanksgiving?

Another Simplicity in my collection is 5862. It's obviously from the 70s, and so ridiculous that even the blond in the illustration is laughing. And yet, I really like this pattern. It makes me giggle. I would like to someday sew up the long version in a similar color to the one illustrated. But the question is would I ever be brave enough to wear it anywhere? And who'd have thought you'd need a zipper for an overalls style dress? Only in the 70s...

Simplicity 4756, from the 40s? Ah, the practical bed jacket. Nope, I have no idea why I would need a bed jacket, but they look so pretty, and I'm sure they'd look much more glamorous than usual t-shirt or tank top I often end up wearing to bed. And talk about great for nursing babies! (Sorry, between our two sons, I've been nursing a baby since March 2011, with only a small break while pregnant with second son. Can you tell I'm a little tired of it, and the baby's only 6 months old. *sigh*)

Ok, this is semi practical. I could totally make this for my kids or as a gift for someone else's kid. I've never sewn toys before, but love the idea.

This, I think, must be a late 30s pattern. It's a mail order pattern from Capper's Farmer (?) 2422. And yes, it's a dress for an adult! Maybe it's because I still think like a little girl when it comes to clothing, but I love this. <3 nbsp="" p="">

This next one is from the 80s! Simplicity 9281. I have no idea why I like this. I was born in the 80s, so maybe it reminds me of my mom? Anyway, I like it, and perhaps by next fall, I'll make the separates with long sleeves. It would be nice to wear to church on a cold morning I think.

McCall's 8960: A 50s circle skirt! No, I don't have that perfect waspy waist. No, I cannot imagine doing housework in heels and pearls, but I can imagine twirling A LOT in one of these. I fancy the blue one with vertical stripes, and if I make one I will wear it with my heels and pearls at least once to greet my husband at the door when he comes home....that is if everything else lines up perfectly so I can get a bath while the boys nap and still have time to fix my hair and makeup....well, I could still wear it sometime, somewhere, right?

And here's a sneak peak at one of the UFOs I'm working on. Simplicity 2265 in the 3/4 sleeve length with this plaid. I'm not sure what kind of fabric it is, but it's thick and unravels easily and has a slight sheen to it. (How's that for knowledgeable?) I confess, I cut this out in November, and sewed up the bodice. I could probably finish it now in a few hours, but it's still languishing in pieces. I'd better hurry up and finish it before the weather gets too warm to wear it! Eek! Oh, and I didn't realize that my daughter's doll had an arm in at the top of the picture. ;)

So, what do you make, or would like to make if you had time? Do you daydream about all the pretty things you could work on, or do you only think of the practical? 

Funny Friday

Little babe was 6 months old yesterday.

Funny Fridays: A collection of funny things that were said or done in our home this week, even if they weren't funny at the time...

"It feels strange to live in a taco."- 5 yr. old daughter who obviously has a wonderful imagination.

"I don't have time to train like a ninja." - Sweet Husband (I was trying to get him to exercise with me.)

"Forgot to buy Miterman!!!" (Spiderman) - almost 2 yr. old after leaving the grocery store, when I asked myself out loud if we had remembered everything.

"I can't get my work done for you getting in the way all the time." - 5 yr. daughter after I let her do mommy's work instead of her school for an hour trade off. She did decide that even though she likes mommy's work, mommy is better able to do it, and I think we both feel better about school.

"Are you even a grown-up?" - little girl who started taking violin lessons from me yesterday. I'm taking this as a compliment.

Hope this brought a smile to your face today. What funny things have happened at your house this week?

Euthenasia, Life, and History Repeating

As someone who has a degree in Cardiopulmonary Science and worked as a Respiratory Therapist for a while, I have a unique perspective on socialized medicine, as do others who have been or are working in healthcare. Please take a moment to read this post written by a physician in 2004 about the connections between socialized healthcare, euthanasia, and how it becomes normalized in a society.
I found this through The Common Room, which if you're not familiar with, is a really diverse and interesting blog, so check it out :)

The burgeoning new sciences of psychology, genetics, and medicine provided a glimmer of hope in this darkness. An intense fascination developed with strengthening and improving the nation through Volksgesundheit - public health. Many physicians and scientists promoted "racial hygiene" - better known today as eugenics. The Germans were hardly alone in this interest - 26 states in the U.S. had forced sterilization laws for criminals and the mentally ill during this period; Ohio debated legalized euthanasia in the 20's; and even Oliver Wendall Holmes, in Buck v. Bell, famously upheld forced sterilization with the quote: "Three generations of imbeciles are enough!" But Germany's dire circumstances and its robust scientific and university resources proved a most fertile ground for this philosophy.

These novel ideas percolated rapidly through the social and educational systems steeped in Hegelian deterministic philosophy and social Darwinism. Long lines formed to view exhibits on heredity and genetics, and scientific research, conferences, and publication on topics of race and eugenics were legion. The emphasis was often on the great burden which the chronically ill and mentally and physically deformed placed on a struggling society striving to achieve its historical destiny. In a high school biology textbook - pictured above - a muscular German youth bears two such societal misfits on a barbell, with the exhortation, "You Are Sharing the Load! - a hereditarily-ill person costs 50,000 Reichsmarks by the time they reach 60." Math textbooks tested students on how many new housing units could be built with the money saved by elimination of long-term care needs. Parents often chose euthanasia for their disabled offspring, rather than face the societal scorn and ostracization of raising a mentally or physically impaired child. This widespread public endorsement and pseudo-scientific support for eugenics set the stage for its wholesale adoption - with horrific consequences - when the Nazi party took power.

The Nazis co-opted medicine fully in their pursuit of racial hygiene, even coercing physicians in occupied countries to provide health and racial information on their patients to occupation authorities, and to participate in forced euthanasia. In a remarkably heroic professional stance, the physicians of the Netherlands steadfastly refused to provide this information, forfeiting their medical licenses as a result, and no small number of physicians were deported to concentration camps for their principled stand. As a testimony to their courage and integrity, not a single episode of involuntary euthanasia was performed by Dutch physicians during the Nazi occupation.

Would that it were still so. 

Read the entire post here. 

Is Blogging Like Reality TV?

So not real picture of me. Blessed to have taken my shower
last night and to have dry hair. Coffee cup strategically
placed over blemishes, and empty of coffee. Camera angled
so that you can't see all the clutter in the kitchen and shot
so you can't see my insecurities ;)

Perhaps the title is a bit misleading, but what I mean is do we read blogs for the same reason we watch reality tv? Do they both affect us the same way, for better or worse? Warning: this could easily morph into multiple posts on the topic.

I realize that everyone could give many different reasons as to why they are into reading blogs or watching reality tv, but I think there are some similarities, good and bad.

First, there's the question of is this really reality? I think very few people are convinced anymore that so-called "reality" tv is actually real. At its worst it's likely to be very scripted and one can't trust that any of it is void of scripted antics merely for the sake of sensationalism. And yet at it's best, it can't truly be real either. After all, if there were tv cameras at your house would everything go as normal? Would you still be in your pajamas while you drink your morning coffee? Would your tone change as you correct your children?

The Duggars, although slightly controversial, I think most would agree represent such a positive view in "reality" tv, and yet I am certain there are things not realistic in their portrayal. For example, you never see the older girls just after they wake up before their hair is perfect or their makeup is on. And even the older boys, father, and mother are rarely seen without looking put together. I am not saying this is bad or criticizing them for it, because honestly, I think I would strive to do the same in their situation, merely to point out that even when the intentions are to be completely forthright and honest in reflecting the reality of this family, it's still not truly an accurate portrayal of day to day life, and I wouldn't expect it to be so.

I think the same can be said of blogging. I don't think most people who are writing a blog are actively seeking to be misleading or dishonest, but like reality tv, we either think no one wants to see the ugly side of life (which honestly, we don't for the most part), or we only blog when we think we have something of some relevance to say.

There's a danger I think in both when it comes to the reality of both. The truth is we don't really know people on reality shows, but we don't usually really know the people who write the blogs we follow either. And yet, it's so weird how we feel as though we do. Because both venues seemingly open the lives and homes of total strangers to us as if we were close family or friends, we feel a relationship with them when none exists. Even when I look to blogs as entertaining or for useful information or as a tool for learning more, I can't help but feel a relationship with the person writing it, though they be a total stranger. And worse still, there is not a relationship with anything other than my computer/iphone! And the relationships, or potential relationships, with the real people that I see daily all around me can somehow take a backseat in priority to reading the latest about my beloved blog friends.

I'm not suggesting that watching reality tv or reading blogs are in and of themselves a sin or wrong, merely that I think they have the potential to keep us from our reality. They can keep us from having meaningful relationships with our families and neighbors, and worse as a Christian from witnessing to those around us. I realize that anything can become an idol, and don't even get me started on social networking (fb, I'm talking to you!) and how it's pulled me from those I love, but the potential through our computers and phones to make it so much easier to get lost in a virtual world of unreality no matter how many real people are behind it, is frankly scary.

"All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not."-1 Corinthians 10:23

This isn't a new year's resolution, but I am going to try, by God's grace to get out of this web pulling me  away from those around me. My phone is just going to have to be a phone again, and though I do still plan on blogging, I don't plan on reading blogs as much. I want to see and talk to my kids and my husband and my neighbors, no offense, but God has put me directly into their lives for a reason, and I feel as though I have often neglected them.
This is totally my sin, not to start a ban on blogging/internet ;)
The internet and blogging and fb have all been wonderful tools for me, and I will continue to use them as such, but I don't want to do it, or anything else for that matter, to the neglect of my home or others. I hope my kids see me accessing a tool, but not seeking it over them.

"Rejoice in the Lord alway: [and] again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord [is] at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, [therewith] to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."-Philippians 4:4-13

So, how do you keep your use of technology and social media in check? How do you involve your family in them? Is there anything you would change about your use of them?

"But godliness with contentment is great gain."-1 Timothy 6:6

God make me content to be with those You have given me influence over, and keep me from idolatry of any kind. I pray that you would make me value You above all else, and that I would seek to serve others rather than my selfish desires for a life outside of Your will. I pray that it would be You and not me to influence, and that no matter what You would be most glorified in my life. 

So, Here's the Story...

So, here's the story :)
When our sweet first son was about nine months old (December 2011), we went to my parents house where my dad asked if I was pregnant. I was a little embarrassed and tried to laugh it off by saying I just haven't been running much lately. Then, our daughter asked me how the baby was in my tummy! (She had been praying for another baby since her brother was born in March 2011.)
Now I was starting to think I must be getting fat or maybe I am pregnant. So, to stop everyone from asking any more I decided to increase my exercising, but because of my history of miscarriages, I,  ever the paranoid, decided I should take a test just to be sure. Well.....I was pregnant!!!
How was this possible?
See, I was supposed to have PCOS(polycystic ovarian syndrome). We had to go to a fertility doctor and take metformin to conceive our daughter and then took metformin and clomid to conceive before our miscarriages and our son. We didn't think we could ever even become pregnant without the help of a doctor and at least medication. And the weird thing is that our fertility doctor had retired and the doctor who established the clinic died and the clinic closed, for good. We had been wondering if we needed to find a new doctor or if we just needed to be content with the two blessings of a daughter and a son that God had already so graciously given to us. Now we had become pregnant without a doctor, without medications, and while breastfeeding!
And it gets better, because at our first ultrasound visit, they said there were no long any cysts on my ovaries! I believe God healed me. I don't know why He did. I never even asked Him to heal me of this, but I believe He did, and I am so thankful.
So, after a fairly uneventful pregnancy and a lot of extra fluid, we had our second son on August 21, 2012. He was and is huge still at five months.

Happy family :)

And this is a big part of what I have been up to in the last year. I hope this encouraged you, and that you'll know and be reminded that nothing is impossible for God.
Has God done something amazing in your life over the last few months? Please share here, so we can all praise Him together. Love in Christ!

Hello, again...

Just popping in ;)

Hey y'all!

I know, I haven't written anything here in well over a year, and I bet no one was ever expecting me to again. And yet here I am, writing once again. So much has happened in the space between that I almost don't know where to start, but I said almost, so here goes.
First, I think you should know why I started a hiatus to begin with. My husband and I were in agreement that I needed to stop blogging for a while. Partly because it was very time-consuming and I had little spare time, and because we both felt a conviction that it was increasingly hard to not be two-dimensional here. I mean that it is easy for others to read a blog post and think they know you, and think you have all the answers, or that your life is picture perfect all the time. The truth is that most people who will ever read this will never actually know me apart from the words written here. That may sound cold and indifferent, but it's true. I know that I have to remind myself when reading a favorite blog that I don't actually know this person. (How odd a time we live in when anyone and everyone can write to the world who they want be, whether it be true or not!) And even though my intention was never to mislead anyone, we felt that I needed some time away from writing here to sort it all out. I wasn't sure that I wasn't in sin somehow in blogging here, and no matter how ridiculous that may seem to you, it's the truth and my conscience would not allow me to have peace until I could come back fresh and without a burden or a fear of my being sinful in it.
Then, when my husband and I agreed that I should write again, my laptop's charger cable quit working.  What can I say, I have a macbook and a replacement wasn't a big priority (when you read what we've been up to in the last year and a half, I think you'll understand why).
So, many months later, here I am again. I suppose I could've tried to type one on my phone, but who knows what the infamous iphone spell check would've replaced what I was typing. It might have been much more interesting to read and definitely more entertaining.
Well, there you have it. That's why I've not been blogging lately, and now to tell you what's in store. I hope to post in the next few days about some of the miraculous things God has been doing here. I will warn you that I can't promise that I'll be very regular at posting, as again, it's not a very high priority, and I hope you'll understand that. I also hope to post more about sewing, just because I want to, and I love sewing or creating anything for that matter. I realize that one of the tips for a good blog is to know your audience and limit your blog to specific subject(s). I just can't do that, I'm far too indecisive, and like everyone else my interests and tastes vary greatly.
So, that's it, why did you think I stopped writing? ;)