I started watching Glee last spring and enjoyed catching up on season 1 by watching reruns this summer. There were some elements that I didn't like but overall I wasn't offended by the show. I love the music! I've always been a girl who can enjoy a good musical. I loved watching The Sound of Music and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers growing up. So I've been looking forward to Season 2 and all the new music. My ipod has been working overtime as I enjoy the music of season 1.
Season 2 ... what a dissappointment!!
Musically: I always loved the ballads and songs about falling in love or out of love or having a broken heart that we heard a lot of last season. We were really able to enjoy Rachel's voice. I admit I do have a special place in my heart for Britney Spears since I grew up in the 90s but a whole gimmic episode is too much. I just don't think the musical selections have been as good this season.
Plot: So far there's no story. I don't care about any of the characters. Last year I wanted to see Rachel and Finn get together. And I looked forward to finding out how everything worked out with Quinn and her baby.
Morality: Not looking good. Cheesus Christ... As a christian I'm offended. I expect teasing. I expect them not to get it right. But this crossed a line. I felt mocked. Promoting homosexuality... I believe it's a choice and a wrong one. That doesn't mean I hate gay people. I just don't agree with their choices. And I don't have to watch a show that strongly promotes something I don't condone. Sexual promiscuity... It's shown as being ok and even expected and welcomed in high schoolers.
After last week I decided to give Glee one more week to win me back. Didn't happen. I'm offended and disappointed by their message. Perhaps I'll still listen to their musical numbers on itunes but I won't be watching every Tuesday night.
note: I wrote this post earlier than I posted it. Sorry if it sounds funny because I'm talking about the past in the present tense.
These verses have been on my mind. We used them for Grandpa's memorial service.
1 Peter 1:3-9
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.
I'm thankful for friends who send me verses to remind me that they're praying for me and thinking of me. The Word of Truth is the best kind of encouragement!
I have no problem owning up to the fact that I like reading fluffy romantic christian fiction books. I have less time to read them now than I did before Millie and J entered my life. I also find I enjoy them less. But I think that's because I enjoy real life.
Often times romance books are just an escape. They're a way to enjoy someone else's experience of falling in love with the perfect guys. I especially enjoyed these books in high school as I dreamed of my own Prince Charming showing up one day in the not so distant future. I would way to often stay up until 2am reading. Once I started a good romance book, I had to finish it and usually on the same day! My mom and my friends, who also love these books would remind me that they're fiction and not real life. The man you marry will not be as handsome or as romantic as you imagine the hero of these books. Yes I know. And yes I do know in my mind that rationally this was true. But once I found my Knight in Shining Armor, I realized some of these ideas had found a place in my heart. As soon as I find myself reaching for a romance book because I want to escape the lack of romance in my own life, I put down the book or return it to the library. That's not how I want to use a good book. I want to enjoy the reality that God has blessed me with.
I've recently enjoyed reading Karen Kingsbury. Her books are a very easy read. I can usually guess the ending so I don't feel the pressure to stay up late to finish. (or read the ending.) Yes I do that. If I can't stay up late or stand the suspense, I read the ending. I still read the book! That just allows me to read it at a more sane pace. :) So recently I've been disappointed when I get into these books. I just read Even Now and Ever After. Both beautiful, romantic, predictable stories. But what sorely disappoints me is the way romance gets physical in these books. In Ever After Emily meets Justin and it's basically love at first sight. And then she lets him kiss her on the first date! And then it's kissing and tenderly holding each other at every other page from there on. Now I realize that in a world where romance rules and sexual temptation doesn't exist, this is every woman's dream. But that's not this world. I'm thinking of the middle school and high school girls that read these books along with the romantically starved housewife. Is this really the picture of romance they need to aspire to?! NO. I am so disappointed. I think Karen Kingsbury might be off my list of authors to hunt for new releases at the library. Knowing the reality that is this world and how that level of physical closeness actually leads to temptations, I can't read those books and enjoy it. I just can't. I don't want my daughter to think it's ok to kiss on the first date and have that much physical closeness in a dating relationship.
Do you read Karen Kingsbury? Do you love romance books?
I was recently treated to a shopping trip for my birthday in August. I don't go shopping too often anymore so it was quite exciting! Having a baby changes the way you decide what type of clothes you need. Everything needs to be available to be spit up on. And everything fits differently than it did before.
I tried on this sweater dress...
Now I'm not a sweater dress type of girl. I have curves and when I've tried on this type of outfit in the past, it's less than flattering. But I was surprised to find out, it looked great and I loved it! I never seem to start my Christmas list early enough but this year I know one thing is already on my list.
I did come home with a few things including this top and skirt and some cardigans. I love that cardigans are in style this year. It makes me feel like my wardrobe is more versatile since I can put a cardigan over my summer tops.
I got these wedges for my birthday from my lovely siblings! I realize that getting white shoes so close to labor day might be an issue. But I did get to wear them a few times and I'm looking forward to wearing them in spring! It's like knowing I get new shoes when the weather gets warm! :)
On Tuesday mornings, I attend Bible Study. We're doing a Beth Moore study of Esther. I am so excited to go every week! And each week, I wish every woman I know could be there with me!
This week's study was focused on meanness. It was a surprising topic for Esther. I wasn't expecting it but it still rang true. The key points were...
It's tough being a woman in a mean world.
1. meanness always has a history.
2. meanness perceives a threat.
3. meanness catches like a virus.
4. meanness is curable.
I love how every week I am so encouraged and convicted! Each week I also think of all my sisters in Christ that aren't sitting with me and wish they were. I'm so excited about what I'm learning and I wish all my girlfriends were with me!
Where were you on September 11, 2001?
Sadly I often forget the horrible events that happened that year, when 9/11 comes around each year. But today even as I listen to the Nebraska football game, I'm reminded of that day. I'm reminded I need to be thankful for each day here. I need to remember our troops and the sacrifices they're making everyday because of that day.
In 2001 I was in Jackson Hole, Wyoming at Bible college. I wasn't quite awake yet when Jenny came into my room and said we'd better get up. Something happened and we needed to come over to Pastor Don's house and see. I got up and stumbled over in the pajamas. I sat there most of the morning just watching the coverage. I couldn't believe it. I couldn't look away. I was afraid. I wondering what this would do to the world I knew. What would change? I was 13 hours from home and immediately I wished I was with my family. If war ensued could I go home? No, if the fight spread across the nation, I would go home. I cried and prayed for anyone I could think of that was directly affected by this.
Thankfully class was cancelled for that day. I don't think I could've focused even a little.
Even today, as I remember, I can feel the emotion of that day bubble up again. I feel the fear and shock and sadness. And immediately my thoughts turn to prayers. I know that day still haunts the daily thoughts of many people in our nation. I'm looking forward to heaven. I'm looking forward to the day when sin doesn't destroy the world like that.
Well yesterday marked the first Nebraska football game of 2010. We had friends over and enjoyed mexi dip. Mexi dip is standard game food at our house! Millie dressed in red and white for the first time! Eventually I'll get pictures up of her in her 'my first Nebraska tee' and little white skirt.
But I have to admit, I hardly watched the first half and was still distracted during the second half. Crazy! I know. It's so unlike me! I love Nebraska football but, what can I say, I love my baby girl more. :) I spent the first half with her - watching, playing and entertaining. And I loved it! I hardly noticed I was missing the game. I put her to bed at half time and figured I would be able to enjoy the second half. But since we had company, I was still distracted. I kept listening for her because I knew the extra noise might cause some sleep issues but she slept right through our noise. :) She's such a good baby! So I do feel little bad that I paid so little attention to the game, but we played nobody and I had a good excuse. I still plan on enjoying Nebraska football but I now have a new priority during the game. Millie comes before football. I don't think that makes me a bad fan, it just makes me a good mom.
There have been so many things over the past almost 8 months that have changed. O takes priority over many things in my life, including myself a lot of the time. It's sometimes a hard adjustment, especially when it affect other people I love. But I am so thankful to have her. She's a blessing!
OK, I'm stopping. I could write post after post just gushing about her. I think I'm in love.
