Guess what??? It's FRIDAY!!!

The Republican VP

So what does everyone think about Sarah Palin? This election is very interesting to me for some reason. I have voted in 2 previous presidential elections but this one seems to stand out. I wonder if it is because my husband has encouraged me to understand what I'm voting for or if it is because I realize that the taxes coming out of my check every week seem to be growing and I'm afraid of what is to come. A week ago today, was the first time I had heard of Sarah Palin but immediately I started doing my research. I am not a big proponent for women in politics basically b/c I know how emotional I can be and do I really want that governing the United States? Anyway...all that to say, I like her. I think she is great. I respect her and what she has done for Alaska. I thought her speech on Wednesday night was phenomenal. Just wanted to see if anyone else has an opinion about her?

Some personal reasons I like Sarah Palin:

1. She is pro-life and proved it...not once, but twice. She was told her son had downs syndrome and in a world where parents are almost always encouraged to abort their baby when this is found out, they did not. And then when it was announced that her 17 year old daughter was pregnant, they did not hide her or keep it a secret or encourage her to have an abortion...they told the world and supported their daughter.

2. She has a big family. You don't see that much these days

It sounds like Alaska is flourishing because of work that she has done on their behalf. I like the idea of drilling for oil in Alaska. I had a suite mate in college who was from Alaska (Hey Kimber!!!) and she was always a proponent for drilling oil. Side note: Did you know that people in Alaska get a dividend every year for living there? You have to be a resident and all those from birth to death get a dividend. How cool is that? Anyone else want to move there? Shane and I are looking into it! Ha ha!

Update:  I read a GREAT post here about Sarah Palin and being the VP.  I'm so thankful for wise counsel on the subject.  

Living Vicariously

Since becoming a "blogger" I have found myself living vicariously through blogs. A lot of times I don't have the time or the money to do things so I'm finding it fun to go on these adventures through the blogworld. Most of these people I have never met, but I feel like I know them. Some I read are a challenge to me, some make me pray for their situation. Does anyone else do that or is it just me? Thought I would share some of my adventures lately:

I experienced a youth lock-in...wow...glad I don't have to go through that again:

This is a balloon launch in Utah that I went to in honor of Christian and Stephanie Neilson:

I have also met a new little one, MJ Bradshaw:

I have made this cute garland to use for decorations for birthdays or parties:

I have been to South Asia and actually ridden (is that a word?) on this elephant:

These are 2 precious families that I am praying for because of knowing them through their blogs: Magdalena and then the family of Asher Chappell:



So where have you been lately?

A lot going on!!!

So this week has been REALLY busy for me but I am SO glad that I am here! It has been a week of emotional highs and lows for me. Nothing major but just mountains and valleys this week. Last night I watched Larry King and the Chapman family discuss their journey since May 21st. I encourage you all to go and listen to the 1 hour long show. You can go here which takes you to Jim's blog (Steven's manager and best friend) and then from there you can link to the You Tube links. I guarantee that you will be blessed and encouraged by their testimony.

Some exciting news from my family here in Birmingham, well church family but they are still my family. We have 2 new baby girls, Pearl and Laila. These are their pictures with their brothers. We are so excited to be growing in these ways at Grace Covenant Baptist Church. The first is Jacob and Laila, the second is Luther and Pearl.

Character Training

Last week my mom mentioned to me that she had character training that afternoon. I thought "What is character training?" She told me it was her physical therapy. In early June my mom fell and did a good number on her knee, which required surgery and after surgery she was prescribed physical therapy. The first few times were very hard on her, and as expected caused a lot of pain. She soon saw the benefits of the therapy though and even though now they are still tough, she considers them necessary for her character. In fact she said "It is teaching me that I can push myself beyond what I want. It is teaching me that I must work through pain to achieve the optimum goal. It is showing me that everything doesn’t happen on my timetable. I must be patient. I’m not saying that I like the character building, but I know it is working."

As we talked about her therapy my mind kept going back to the word character and how we as Christians are to desire the character of God. We are made in His image but His character is what we really desire. A lot of times I am quick to ask God to relieve me from the current "therapy" and I forget that it is building my character. I know that I will not always like the character training but I can see glimpses that it is working and that one day! I don't necessarily fall into the same traps anymore...PRAISE THE LORD!!! May He continue to build my character so that His glory will shine brighter!

Happy 4th of July!!!

Hope you are enjoying your holiday! Remember our troops and their families today and the sacrifices that have been given so that we might be free! I hear some of the bases in Iraq enjoyed the holiday with ribs, corn and red, white and blue cake! How fun and festive is that? How blessed we are to live in a country where we are free to worship our God!

Disappointment Met With Peace

Why is it that when we pray for God to give us a clear answer and He does, we tend to not rejoice about it? Why do we pray for God to shut doors and then we He shuts the one we didn't want shut we complain and say "God are you not listening to us? Do you really love us?" Well I have been "disappointed" in my "mind" but in reality I have been blessed. God has closed a door for us. I'm striving to keep in mind that God does not disappoint.

Shane had a job opportunity present itself near the middle of May at the VA Hospital here in Birmingham. The job would have been right up his alley, he would be perfect for the position. Before this job came up he had signed up to take the LSAT on June 16. We have been waiting for an answer from the VA since he interviewed with them in May. Shane has been proactive in calling his VA contact for the last two weeks, but no reply from them. No letter has come in the mail so we were still waiting. Meanwhile, he took the LSAT last Monday and feels like he did really well. He wants to go to law school, a dream he has had ever since I have known him. We have been praying since last week that God would give us wisdom if we had to choose between the VA and law school. We don't get our LSAT scores until July 7th. Well tonight we found out that the job at the VA was given to someone else and instead of me thanking God at first for answering our prayer (not having to choose between both options) I was sad. I was sad and mad that once again my brilliant husband had been turned down and they couldn't even call us or send a letter saying the position had been filled. Now I realize that this was really an answered prayer. Instead of God making us choose between one or the other, He just took an option away. Thank you Lord for doing this for us, for not making us go through such a hard decision. I pray that next time I will realize sooner that You are still on Your throne and that You go before us every step of this journey! Thank you for loving me so much that you take things away! Teach me to be more willing to lack that which You withhold!