Take 10 Tuesday | Containing Clutter

Hi! Today I'm sharing some of my storage solutions with you. Whether your version of pocket scrapbooking is just cards and photos or includes lots of embellishments, it's easy to all of a sudden bury your workspace. And though a creative mess is usually part of my process, I like to keep my space organized. I like to clear my desktop every week or two. It helps me focus, use my supplies better and have time for other projects!
So here's a few of my solutions for my small scrap space:

I love my Ikea desk and all its cubbies! I have stamps and project life cards and other random box type items on the lower shelves. I keep my albums and other constant use and small stuff up top. I have to remember the little curious fingers in my house. :) I have a variety of small containers for those items and this part of my system is still evolving...

I got this storage tower from my mom when she purged her scrapbooking supplies. It's awesome! It's not fancy out stylish or eye catching on any way but it's very usable. I keep paper and flat embellishments in the drawers. The top has always been small stuff but is mostly washi right now.

This looks like a mess but this is where all the random papers I want to keep go. I have a box for our family and for each of my 3 kids. Every time they have a doctor appointment or we go to the zoo, I save their stats and our tickets, etc in these boxes. So it's very handy to be able to look thru these boxes as I scrap our pictures. They're mostly in order by date and I try to mention what I have in my journal so I know to look for something to include on that page. I have one box from Ikea and the next time we go there I'll get 3 more. The closest Ikea is now about 3 hours away and we've only been once. Our list was so long that by the time I picked out these boxes at the end, I had to cut back to one for now. Gotta save the budget! :) 

I hope this peek into my storage solutions will inspire you to organize your crafting space with what you have on hand. I'll be sharing more of my organization solutions on my blog this month as well. Find out more about Take10 Tuesday here. Have a great Tuesday and find 10 minutes to bring out your creative side!

Walk for Life

The Lincoln Crisis Pregnancy Walk for Life is tomorrow!

I'm so excited to walk this year. In years past, I've wanted to participate but was usually gone or busy on the chosen weekend. So this year I put in on the calendar way early. I am finding that we're still busy this year and as I think ahead to tomorrow, I'm a little overwhelmed by the full day we have planned. But this is a very worthy cause. I think I can sacrifice some sleep. And it should be a beautiful day for a walk around the lake. So I think I might even get some exercise pushing 20+ pounds of stroller and my baby girl a couple miles.

I've always strongly believed in the sanctity of human life but since I've had my own baby girl the feeling has become personal. I absolutely 100% believe that Millie was a person from the moment of conception and it would have been murder for me to terminate my pregnancy at anytime. Each baby is a beautiful gift from God and should be treasured. This reality is something that is especially hard to accept when you're young and facing an unplanned pregnancy. The Center helps young couple make wise, Biblical choices about the future of their family.

If you want to walk or sponsor a walker, check out the details.

Home is where the Heart is

June included a trip home (to my parent's house). I like that it can be home too. I have 2 homes now!! :) This was shortly after we bought our new little cannon so I have lots of pictures. And lots of 'artsy' pictures since we were trying out the features.
Highlight of the trip may have been checking out Dad's barn - more like castle/monstrosity.
Here are some views from the top... This barn has a tower of sorts on the side. You climb a very tall ladder and then climb through a small hole in the ceiling. Then you climb through another small hole to the very top where you can look out and see forever. I love how the corn is all green this time of year. So beautiful!
Here's the fire pit down by the lake (aka puddle) where we had brats for lunch. Don't worry we boiled them first so they were cooked and all that was needed was browning/burning. I love brats.
Here are our artsy photos of the day. I have more but this post was getting full so maybe later. This one is of a knot on the post of the deck. I thought it looked cool!

We also got in some animal time while we were there. Here's brother A with Desmo - Good Puppy! Well Desmo is no longer a puppy but since he's a little hyper dog, I still think of him as a puppy. He's so funny! He thinks he's big so he barks and chases everything. He doesn't like J so he always growls at him. :) Hehe. My parents also have new kitties!! Three left out of five (I think) is pretty good. And they're so cute. They followed us everywhere when we were close by the dog house. Yes they live in the dog house with the dog. He's the papa. :) I tried really hard to convince J to let me take one home with no luck. But I think I'm wearing him down!
Now the absolute best thing about this trip was telling my parents they're going to be grandparents this winter!! :) Sorry no pics of that but when I have a bump to show off I will. Right now it's so small, I would laugh posting pictures!

Summer is Flying By

Yes I am a bad blogger. It's been over a month since my last post. Let's just say I've been busy and not feeling like posting. The last couple months have included...

Weddings - oh weddings!! 2 in a row at the beginning of May. They were a blast. We had so much fun with all our friends and family. We had extra family in town for my sister-in-laws wedding.

Colorado. This month we took a trip to Colorado for a long weekend. It was soo relaxing. J and most of our small group took a snowy hike to the top of Mt. Quandry. I stayed at the cabin and napped. Beautiful day for napping. I really caught up on my sleep this trip. I didn't even realize I need to until I slowed down. We also caught up with the McNairs and their 3 girls and the Berkheims and little David. I love spending time with friends we haven't seen for awhile!

I'm looking forward to the rest of the summer! I'm especially excited that my sister is coming home from France this week so I'll get to see her the next few months. I'm thinking the rest of the summer will consist of more weekend trips, lots of yard work and a few trips to the pool. I love summer - it's my favorite time of the year in spite of the heat. :)

Motivation & Men

This article has me thinking...

Mind The Gap by Lauren F. Winner
Teaser (read the whole thing at the above link):
Gender roles — the concept of how men and women differ (beyond the obvious biology, that is) and, concomitantly, what their roles in church life, the office, and the home should be — have been debated for decades by Christians and non-Christians alike. But when we talk about gender and leadership, we may have been leaving out one crucial fact of contemporary life: Regardless of what we say we think about women and leadership, when it comes to college-aged and 20-somethings, women are leading in all sorts of areas. Let me offer two examples — one anecdotal and one backed up by hard research....
What should the church's response to this be? Well, I hope it's two-fold: First, women should get some applause for the wise way they're stewarding time and all the contributions they make to church and civic life. At the same time, we all need to encourage even young boys to devote more time to civic engagement and less to computer gaming. What we should not do is buy into a discourse that pits men against women, takes competition for granted, and tacitly assumes that only one group — men or women, but never both — can excel in college or take responsibility in church life. All too often, discussions of any kind of "gender gap" polarize conversation. That is, people respond to the news that women outnumber men in college classrooms with panic and decide they need to devote all their attention to helping men out. I'm not sure that any strategies cobbled together in the heat of anxiety, though, will get us very far. Perhaps the church needs to pause and notice the gendered leadership dynamics in colleges and in young adult ministries, and — rather than panic — prayerfully consider how we can affirm and encourage the contributions, leadership and gifts of both men and women. This isn't, after all, a debate about what's good for men versus what's good for women. Instead, it ought to be a conversation about how to create communities, and opportunities for leadership and learning that are life-giving to all of us.

I first ran across this article at the Boundless blog where they are having a discussion about it. Here are some of their thoughts (read the full discussion here):
Ted: ...In all honestly, if you found Winner's article to be offensive, I'd understand why. It tends to make sweeping generalizations about men and about women. The tone is a bit on the cynical side. It offers few legitimate solutions. Why did I publish it, then? Because the facts remain that percentage-wise, women are more involved than men in community leadership roles, at least in university and church. I think that's a real problem. And I'd like to see us discuss this.
Mike speaks a lot about the parent's responsibility: ...As to the solution? The author unfortunately is vague on this point but don't knock her; coming up with viable, concrete solutions is difficult. She criticizes guys spending too much time playing video games, but I don't think video games are the core problem. The core problem is controlling what young men do with their free time. Girls may be naturally more inclined to use it productively, but most boys it seems are not. I believe the most practical and simple solution, at least for the academic realm, is for a parent to exert more of their God-given responsibility to manage their kids' time. That means making rules limiting TV, Internet, video game use, and so on. That also means making rules (e.g., homework done before play) and consequences for not following those rules...

My thoughts: Well, I'm still mulling but I can echo the point of this comment:
Jammy had the following to say on Apr 20 at 5:22 PM:
I don't think Winner is writing about a surprising problem and it isn't new. Movements like Promise Keepers and Muscular Christianity (1900's) have tried to encourage men to purse the ideals of engaged manhood. Honestly though, if I were a man, I would hope that given the resources available to me as a child of God and empowered by His Spirit I'd be able to overcome cultural norms and expectations. I mean, I understand things are tough, but I grew up with out a mother and I refuse to let that keep me from becoming a Godly woman. At what point, will men "man up" and not be conformed to the pattern of this world? Society and the media tell me what I should be everyday, and frankly I fail, but I've another standard for living and being and I know it's more lasting than anything this world has to offer. Shouldn't this be something men are capable of doing too? Collectively and individually?

A couple things that I think I can articulate clearly...
It is hard to live as a godly woman in a world that constantly screams that you are better then men. It's hard to think on 'whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy' (Philippians 4:8) when the world via TV and a million other sources says that men are failures and not worthy of our respect. Our culture does not encourage women to submit to or follow their husbands. It does not teach us to be respectful to our fellow human beings. It is hard to find a balance between being an 'independent woman' and a woman who is dependent on the Lord.
I'm still thinking about what I want to say and how. I'd love to hear your thoughts about this issue - How does it affect you? Do you see this problem in your life? In your church?

Speaking Her Mind

Last night I watched the Miss USA Pageant. Maybe it's the little girl in me but I still enjoy watching these pageants. I love seeing the beautiful hair and stunning dresses. And I can't help but be a little envious of these gorgeous women. I definitely exercised today!
Each year I watch, I hope that Miss Nebraska might make it into the Top 10. But sadly, I've never seen it happen. In fact, the same states get picked almost every year. Even though Nebraska didn't make it, I was pleasantly surprised that the Top 15 was more diverse than previous years. Florida, DC, Hawaii and Oklahoma didn't make it. I predicted that Miss California would win because California is one of the standard winners in years past. But J predicted that North Carolina would win and he was right! I think he was just lucky.

Here are some pictures from NYDaily. Or the main Miss USA site. I wanted to post a picture but didn't want to do it illegally. :)

So here are my two major observations/opinions about the show last night...
1. How in the world do they pick the judges? And do these judges really pick the winner? Last night they had some previous beauty pageant girls, some executives I've never heard of and some random celebrities. The celebrities always seem like silly picks. What do Holly Madison, Perez Hilton or Kenan from SNL know about beauty pageants?! There are always some in the line up every year that don't make sense, especially if they're judging on more than which girl they think is pretty.
2. The final question. The topic of the final questions vary from year to year. Sometimes the questions are equally hard without being on the same topic, and other years they are completely unfair. This year they were all political hot button issue questions. And when I say hot button I mean controversial. Poor Miss California choose judge Perez Hilton to ask his question and he asked her about gay marriage rights.

There was really no way for her to answer this question smoothly. This is where I began to wonder if they would be judged on whether they gave the 'right' answer or based on how (poise, confidence) they answer the question. I applaud Miss Cali for speaking clearly and actually answering the question (unlike Miss Arizona) and stating her personal conviction. She's believes marriage is between one man and one woman. The judge, PH about had a fit on camera and I heard he actually did off stage. Miss Cali also did not win but was rather runner-up.

I do not understand how these pageants work. Oh well. I just watch to enjoy the glamor! Do you watch pageants? Did you watch last night? Any thoughts about the night?

12-year-old speaks out on the issue of abortion

Have you seen this yet?
This issue just breaks my heart.
12-year-old speaks out on the issue of abortion

Regulate Freedom?

I recently read this interesting article from BreakPoint Commentaries.

Degrading Lyrics, Degraded Behavior
By Chuck Colson, 4/7/2009
Music and Kids
Young men, dressed as animals, follow several attractive women down the street. As they close in, the men shoot darts into women’s bodies—as if the women were animals and the men big game hunters. Moments later, all the women are lying on the ground. This scene is from a music video by a band called the Bloodhound Gang. The lyrics include such gems as: “You and me baby ain’t nothin’ but mammals. Let’s do it like they do on the Discovery Channel.” That’s about as explicit as I’m allowed to get—or want to get. The song, like many others, not only contains offensive language; it also describes men treating women in degrading ways. And now there’s evidence that listening to this music leads teens to engage in the same kind of behavior the songs describe. According to published reports, researchers at the University of Pittsburgh evaluated the sexual aggressiveness of popular song lyrics from least degrading to most degrading. And then they asked 771 teenagers about both their taste in music and their sexual behavior. It turned out that 44.6 percent of the teens who listened to the most degrading music had engaged in sex. But of those who had not listened to sexually-degrading music, only 20.6 percent had sex. There’s more bad news, according to Brian Primack, the study’s lead author. He said the lyrics, which “frequently portray aggressive males subduing submissive females . . . may lead adolescents to incorporate this ‘script’ for” sex “into their worldview.” They may make both male and female adolescents “feel compelled to play out” the roles the lyrics assign to them, Primack added. No wonder three-quarters of a million American teenagers get pregnant each year; or that nearly a fourth of all teenage girls contract a sexually-transmitted disease, or that so many women are sexually abused by men. What can parents do about this on their own? Not much, I’m afraid. Sure, you can snap those nasty CDs in two if you catch your kids with them. But as Helen Ward, president of the Kids First Parents Association of Canada told the French news service, modern technology means it’s almost impossible for parents to monitor what their kids are listening to. “Government,” she says, “needs to help parents regulate the industry.” Well, she’s right, and we ought to join with other parents to find ways to do that. It won’t be easy. There are some people who, no matter how much evidence you give them, simply refuse to accept the truth—magical thinking, I believe it’s called. They like degrading music, they don’t think it harms anyone, and therefore—in their minds, it doesn’t harm anyone. Until the day—if it ever comes—degrading music is banished from public life, we need to gently explain to our kids how music can affect them—just as violent video games and television do. We are obliquely warned of this possible damage in Philippians 4:8: We are told to dwell on whatever is true, right, pure, lovely, excellent, and worthy of praise. Once again, modern science is proving the truth of Bible teachings. That Pittsburgh study reveals that if we choose instead to dwell on what is evil, false, and degrading, we end up harming, not only ourselves, but our society as a whole. And that’s not something to sing about.
For Further Reading and Information
"Explicit Lyrics Linked To Sex Among Teens: Scientists," Breitbart.com, 4 March 2009.
"The Kids Are Alright," BreakPoint Commentary, 8 December 2008.
“The Offensive Truth: Relativism and Our Kids,” BreakPoint Commentary, 20 June 2007.
"Beyond the Music (Video)," BreakPoint Commentary, 10 August 2004.
Kevin Twit, "What's In a Song," BreakPoint.org, 10 July 2006.

This article brings up two points of discussion for me...
1. The obvious being how we (definitely I) don't usually pause to realize how music affects us and our thoughts. How many times have I heard or used the excuse that 'it's just a song' or 'it's just a movie'? I know it's not real and I sure wouldn't do that. But in spite of knowing that, if I'm honest, I do come out of a movie feeling affected. I do hear songs and am moved. Can I really enjoy something that is not in line with God's Word and not let it affect me in any way?

2. It’s almost impossible for parents to monitor what their kids are listening to. “Government,” she says, “needs to help parents regulate the industry.”
Really? Should we expect the government to help with this? Why? This is not a theocracy. This isn't a nation of Christians. Why should we expect the government to rule by the rules of the Bible that we follow in our own lives. Do you expect the non-Christians in your life to live by the same standards that you do? The freedom that our government gives us to worship and live however we please also gives others that same freedom. As soon as you start asking the government to make laws in following your personal beliefs and practices, you're also opening the door for others who disagree with you to do the same.
For example, there is a smoking ban in Lincoln. I really like the fact that I don't have to be exposed to cigarette smoke in local establishments. It's nice. It's comfortable - for me. But this is regulating a freedom. How do I know that the next regulation on the table might not be taking away a freedom that I enjoy? I'm just saying this type of regulation could lead down a slippery slope.

Still reading and found this article. My point exactly.
Silencing Free Speech and Religious Liberty
Posted by Jim_Daly on Mar 13, 2009 4:03:24 PM
Picture this.
You operate a family-owned photography business which, among other services, creatively captures weddings on film. Further, imagine that you’re a Christian photographer and due to your religious convictions, decide to turn down certain photo shoots including “commitment ceremonies” for same-sex couples. Now, imagine your shock when a judge orders you to pay $6,637.94 to settle a lawsuit brought by an individual who complained about this alleged act of “discrimination.” That’s what happened last year to Jon and Elaine Huguenin, owners of Elaine Photography LLC when Vanessa Willock filed a complaint with the New Mexico Human Rights Commission. Willock argued that she was discriminated against due to her sexual orientation. The Huguenin’s maintain that they passed on the opportunity to photograph the ceremony because their Christian beliefs were in conflict with Willock’s request. Simply put, Jon and Elaine had no obligation or desire to surrender their religious integrity for a buck. What happened to this husband and wife duo is yet another example of what I mentioned earlier: political activists and so-called “progressives” on the left are using “discrimination” and “hate speech” laws to silence freedom of religious expression. Senior counsel Jordan Lorence, from the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF), is appealing the decision on behalf of the Huguenins. He believes, and I concur, that if these precedents aren’t quickly overturned, “Christians could be forced to advocate for viewpoints with which they disagree or to participate in events that violate their conscience.” There are twenty states with non-discrimination acts on the books. Left unchecked, homosexual activists could strong-arm churches into permitting civil union ceremonies in their sanctuary, force pastors to officiate such unions against their will, and fine photographers, catering services, florists, bakers, wedding planners, musicians or other businesses who, due to their religious convictions, elect not to service certain cliental. Lorence argues that “The government cannot make people choose between their faith and their livelihood. Could the government force a vegetarian videographer to create a commercial for the new butcher shop in town? American business owners do not surrender their constitutional rights at the marketplace gate.” Ironically, as ADF points out, at the time of this judgment the state of New Mexico didn’t recognize either same-sex marriage or homosexual civil unions. Which begs the question: Why, then were the Huguenin’s fined? I submit that this is the tip of the iceberg. The next step by activists on the left is to shut down the exercise of religious speech starting with those who oppose same-sex marriage and the redefinition of a family. That’s what happened when Boston Catholic Charities who, on March 10, 2006, stopped serving as an adoption agency because they couldn’t comply with a Massachusetts law forbidding discrimination against placing children with same-sex couples. I could site dozens of such examples where the message is the same: change your business model, pay a fine, or close your doors. Using the courts to force private businesses into violating their own convictions is nothing short of coercion. I’d say that’s politically correctness gone wild. Such speech control minimizes the free exchange of ideas and, in turn, permits only one side of the debate a voice. If this trend continues, we, as a nation, will take a giant step toward the fascist speech and thought control prevalent in totalitarian nations. Whether in the classroom, in business, or in the public square, using “discrimination” and “hate speech” laws to ban religious thought and expression is wrong. It’s un-American. And it’s why we should stand with ADF as they fight this battle to preserve our religious freedoms.

The Glory of Creation

I love sunsets and sunrises! When I lived in the mountains I was saddened by the way that the mountains interrupted my view of the sunset. They were still often beautiful but they just couldn't compare to the beauty we behold in Nebraska.Atheists Miss the Joy
April 3, 2009 | By: John Piper
If you look at sunsets and sunrises without knowing that God is painting them then and there, you will miss the point. Sunsets and sunrises do not just happen. God does them. You make the going out of the morning and the evening to shout for joy. (Psalms 65:8) What are they so happy about? Psalm 19 gives the answer. They are happy because they are showing the glory of God. “The heavens declare the glory of God” (v. 1). How happy is the rising sun to display the glory of God? Answer: “In them [the heavens] God has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy” (Psalm 19:4-5). A bridegroom beaming, and an Eric Liddell feeling God’s pleasure when he runs. Sunrises and sunsets are like that. They bid us join their joy in putting God on display in the world.
My favorite sunset memory is from high school. Sorry, sunrises and I aren't on the same schedule. One evening I was up on the shop roof at our new place. The corn wasn't up so I could still see for miles and miles. As the sun set, the horizon slowly turned to golden fire (like the picture above). It was so amazing! After a few moments I raced down the ladder and got on my bicycle. I frantically peddled the 1/2 mile home, hoping that I might catch the last of the sunset on my camera before it was too dark. Sadly I didn't make it but I still remember this as being the most amazing sunset ever! 3/4s of the horizon was afire with a deep reddish orange flame.
BEHOLD THE GLORY OF THE LORD. His creation proclaims His name! I can't see a sunset without seeing His hand.

Ooo Friday the 13th

Friday the 13th makes me laugh! Superstitions make me laugh!! People are so silly.
Here's a more serious point from John Piper...

In Christ, There Is No Bad Luck
March 13, 2009 By: John Piper Category: Commentary

Today is Friday the 13th! Bad luck day.
In case this or any other superstition frightens you or, worse, controls you, take the sword of the Spirit and kill it.
Here’s a few sword thrusts that I use.
There is no enchantment against Jacob, no divination against Israel; now it shall be said of Jacob and Israel, “What has God wrought!” (Numbers 23:23)
Does this apply to us Christians? Yes. Because “It is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham” (Galatians 3:7). That’s us. We are Jacob. We are Israel.
And because we are, "all the promises of God find their Yes in him” (2 Corinthians 1:20).
So in Christ we cannot be cursed. There is no jinx or hex that can stick against those who are in Christ Jesus.
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. (Galatians 3:13)
Christ took on himself every curse that is against me. God is for me and no one can successfully be against me.
He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. (1John 4:4)

Stem Cells

This is important information! It breaks my heart to read about the millions of babies that are murdered at the beginning of their lives. I've shared many more articles via Google Reader. Check them out.
This article is from BreakPoint Commentaries written by Chuck Colson.

Miracle Cells

The Real Success Stories

Many who listened to President Obama’s inaugural address believe he means to spend taxpayer money on research that destroys human embryos. Before he does, I hope somebody brings to his attention the story I’m about to tell.

A few years ago, a Texas teenager named Laura Dominguez lost control of her car when she hit an oil spill on the road. The accident left Laura paralyzed from the neck down. “You’ll never walk again,” doctors told her.

Laura refused to accept this prognosis. She and her mother met with experts on spinal cord injuries. They learned about an exciting new treatment being performed in Portugal. The procedure is known as olfactory mucosa transplantation. Surgeons take adult stem cells found in the nasal region and transplant them into the injured area.

Laura underwent this treatment—and her spinal cord began to heal. She gained upper body agility, and, in time, she learned to walk with the use of braces and outside help. Laura is determined to walk unassisted by her 21st birthday.

Miracles like this have been repeated many times as researchers bend their attention to the uses of adult stem cells. Writer Bradley Hughes describes many of them in his article “Real-World Successes of Adult Stem Cell Treatment.”

To date, Hughes writes, these “miracle cells” are providing hope for patients with Crohn’s disease, lupus, heart disease, blindness, Parkinson’s, and sickle-cell anemia. And according to biotech writer James P. Kelly, umbilical cord blood stem cells are already being used to treat 70 forms of blood and bone marrow cancers.

And just a few days ago, there was a report at Northwestern University. Twenty-one patients with multiple sclerosis were stabilized following treatment with adult stem cells removed from each patient’s bone marrow. In some patients, the disease was reversed.

But because much of the mainstream media refuses to report on this, many Americans remain unaware of it. Ignorance about these cures may be driving the public’s demand for embryonic stem-cell research, which kills human beings at the embryonic stage.

Americans also seems unaware that not a single clinical success has resulted from treatments using embryonic stem cells. None!

So why do researchers and the biotech industry push so hard for public funds for embryo-destructive research? Because science wants science for science’s sake and, incidentally, because they stand to make huge profits through potential patents. It’s potentially far more lucrative than research involving adult stem cells.

You and I need to spread the word about the miracle cures being found through the use of adult stem cells. They’re a far superior alternative to embryonic stem cells—and nobody is killed in the process of retrieving them.

As science demands unfettered research in the future, we need to be encouraging ethically challenged reporters, researchers, and politicians to take a look backwards for a grim reminder of what happens when science is divorced from morality—euthanasia, gas chambers, and Nazi experiments on children.

Do we really want to start down that terrible road again?

For Further Reading and Information

“Stem Cells 'Reset' Immune System in MS Patients: Study,” AFP, 29 January 2009.

James P. Kelly, “Stem Cell Politics: Divide and Conquer,” Weekly Standard, 5 September 2006.

Bradley Hughes, “Real-World Successes of Adult Stem Cell Treatment,” Family Research Council, 1 December 2004.

“No God Condones What?: The President and the Innocent,” BreakPoint Commentary, 10 February 2009.

“The Proper Role of Science: Exposing Scientism,” BreakPoint Commentary, 29 January 2009.

“'Your Own Stem Cells Work!': Carron Morrow's Story,” BreakPoint Commentary, 22 August 2007.

Sadness

I’m sad this week. Our good friends are moving away. This might be the first time I’ve really experienced this type of loss as an adult.
The McNairs unexpectedly came into our lives when they moved into our town and joined our flock at church. Justin and I quickly became attached to them and their beautiful baby girl.

Our weekend evenings quickly filled with food-filled bellies, board game playing, and great fellowship. Sam and Justin quickly bonded over their love of board games and video games and the need for some good guy time once in a while. -And biking! I can't believe I almost forgot that one.

Abby and I became fast friends in spite of our different personalities. It has been so encouraging to see her strive to be a godly wife and mother on a daily basis. Abby is one of the most observant people I know and she always knows when I need a hug or someone to challenge me to open up. I have never made a friend so quickly or easily and I will miss her greatly. Ali was such a joy to see grow from tow-headed toddler to beautiful sassy 4-year old.

I love Ali’s spunk!!

After a short time we welcomed Ava – sweet, purple mouthed Ava.

She’s the lover of the family and has always had a sweet wrinkle nosed smile for us.

Just last year we welcomed Aria and she’s such a doll.

I’m sad we won’t get to see her grow but I know we’ll see lots of pictures and hear her screams on the phone.

We have come to love the girls like they were ours and will miss getting regular hugs and kisses. Thankfully we live in a time of easy access to phones and the internet!