A few days ago, my friend posted a link on Facebook. It was a You.Tube clip about Abby Johnson, a former Planned Parenthood director in Texas, and now a member of Coalition for Life. The clip featured Abby telling her story. You can watch the approximately 5 minutes long clip here.
You’ll notice that she wrote a book detailing her story. It’s called Unplanned. I went on Amazon and ordered the book right away {not too expensive, either}. It got here yesterday. Smiley face. But I’m not reading it until my research paper is ready to turn in. Sad face. But that shouldn't take too long, so I may start this book tonight or tomorrow. Smiley face.
I’ll be posting my thoughts about the book as I read it.
**Sept. 26, 2013 Update: Abby Johnson now runs an organization helping abortion-clinic employees safely leave their jobs. You can check out her work here.**
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Gonna Get Political Here…
My school has weekly guest speakers or performers come to campus, and these events are called convocations {convo for short}. Students are required to attend 7 convocations each semester, and today my Understandings of Christianity class was required to attend this convocation.
The speaker was a Jesuit priest, Father John Dear, and his topic was “A Persistent Peace.” His brief bio in the pamphlet said that he has devoted his life to following the peaceful Jesus, and that he lived his life from the Beatitudes.
His whole mantra was “non-violent peace.” He believed that any act of violence against anyone or anything was wrong.
I was trying not to throw up the whole time. He quoted Gandhi more than he quoted Jesus, and he continually referenced “the god of peace.” It was both infuriating and deeply saddening to me.
Several times, when he said we should stop every form of violence against people, I wanted to shout out, what about abortion? I wanted to ask him what he thought about all those millions of lives ended, because as sad as wars are, and as horrific as 60,000 lives lost in 3 months {in the 80s when Israel bombed Lebanon}, 60,000 is nothing compared to the millions of babies killed without a second thought.
My class will be discussing this convo on Tuesday, and I’ll definitely let you know how it goes. I’ll probably need to yell and scream into my pillow, and then I’ll come spill my guts to blog-world. Thanks for being here.
The speaker was a Jesuit priest, Father John Dear, and his topic was “A Persistent Peace.” His brief bio in the pamphlet said that he has devoted his life to following the peaceful Jesus, and that he lived his life from the Beatitudes.
His whole mantra was “non-violent peace.” He believed that any act of violence against anyone or anything was wrong.
I was trying not to throw up the whole time. He quoted Gandhi more than he quoted Jesus, and he continually referenced “the god of peace.” It was both infuriating and deeply saddening to me.
Several times, when he said we should stop every form of violence against people, I wanted to shout out, what about abortion? I wanted to ask him what he thought about all those millions of lives ended, because as sad as wars are, and as horrific as 60,000 lives lost in 3 months {in the 80s when Israel bombed Lebanon}, 60,000 is nothing compared to the millions of babies killed without a second thought.
My class will be discussing this convo on Tuesday, and I’ll definitely let you know how it goes. I’ll probably need to yell and scream into my pillow, and then I’ll come spill my guts to blog-world. Thanks for being here.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Spring Break recap
So, wanna hear about Spring Break? I bet you do!
Friday, I went to my friend’s house and stayed with her fam. I love that family! The 3 kids are pretty much the most amazing things ever, and A and D are pretty cool themselves! On Saturday, A took me, her mom, her sis, and a family friend to “The Mad Potter,” this little place where you pick out a piece of pottery and then paint it yourself, and then they glaze and fire it and you pick it up in a week or so. It’s the second time that the 5 of us have been, and we LOVE it. I did a cute bowl with circles and stripes, and a surprise inside! I’ll post pictures as soon as I get it back {that IS assuming that I’m happy with it… painting is not my forte!}
Sunday was church. It was difficult in some ways, but it was really, really good. One of our gals is having some emotional trouble and she was away getting help, and her parents were at church and her dad led worship, and it was a really emotional, raw time. There wasn't a message, but I totally think we all gained something crucial and key during that time. It was really cool to see how God answers prayers, even in the midst of pain and confusion.
P.S. The gal is attending a 15-month long program a couple hours north, and her parents and our pastor believe that this is God, and so even though we’ll miss her, we know she’s where she’s supposed to be. We covet your prayers!
Sunday night, I got on an airplane and arrived at my grandparents’ house! Well, it wasn't quite that simple, but that’s the gist of it! And my mom was there, which was SO awesome. I think part of how I cope with being so far away from my family is NOT thinking about how far away I am, and so I had almost not realized how much I miss them, until I saw my mom! Then I realized how much I missed (and still miss) her, and I was SOOOOOOO glad to be with her!
Monday was shopping day, and it was fun. I got a SUPER cute dress for Easter…I’m really excited, and it was on sale!!!! I love shopping with Mom and Grammie!
Tuesday I woke up and felt sick…and I was! Sad face… but it was kinda nice to just lie on the couch and doze… except that I wished I was out being with my family, but it was ok; it was just a one day thing.
Wednesday was more fun; Grammie and I went to see The King’s Speech. Oh. My. Word. It is amazing. Go see it. It’s the story of King George IV {known as “Bertie” to the family} and how he overcomes his speech impediment in order to deliver a war time speech when England declared war on Germany at the beginning of World War II. Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush are INCREDIBLE.
Note: the film is rated R because the only times Bertie doesn't stammer is when he’s yelling of cussing, and there’s one intense scene where he marches around the room using all sorts of “colorful” language. But the film is incredible. Go. See. It.
Thursday, Mom and Grammie and I went to this big bridge and walked across it in the wind. It was fun.
Friday, I came back to school. My friends and I were going to go contra-dancing, which is something that’s really hard to explain, but if you know what it is, you know it’s fun. The problem was, most people weren't back from break yet, so the only males there were either over 50 or under 18. Sad face. So my friends and I danced one dance in an hour, and then we left and came back to the dorm and watched a movie. It was fun.
Saturday was Homework-Be-Destroyed Day. It was successful. Smiley face. And it was Conquer-the-Laundry-Basket Day, which was also a success.
On Sunday, I went to church with some friends. It was a house-church, and it was the first one I ever attended. It was very fun. Everyone was very warm and welcoming, and I felt so at home. Afterwards, my friends and I went to Little Caesar’s and got a $5 pizza and went to a park and enjoyed pizza and sunshine. It was especially fun because two of these friends just got engaged to each other on Friday, so it was really fun to see them together and watch them admire the “sparkley!” Hehe!
Today, back to class. Bleh. BUT the good news is, there are 5 more Mondays, 6 more Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, and FOUR more Fridays of classes… PRAISE JESUS!!!! Almost done…..
Well, that was break. Now I've got a handout to make and work to go to, and an Ale-8 to drink! Big grin!
Peace to the out!
Friday, I went to my friend’s house and stayed with her fam. I love that family! The 3 kids are pretty much the most amazing things ever, and A and D are pretty cool themselves! On Saturday, A took me, her mom, her sis, and a family friend to “The Mad Potter,” this little place where you pick out a piece of pottery and then paint it yourself, and then they glaze and fire it and you pick it up in a week or so. It’s the second time that the 5 of us have been, and we LOVE it. I did a cute bowl with circles and stripes, and a surprise inside! I’ll post pictures as soon as I get it back {that IS assuming that I’m happy with it… painting is not my forte!}
Sunday was church. It was difficult in some ways, but it was really, really good. One of our gals is having some emotional trouble and she was away getting help, and her parents were at church and her dad led worship, and it was a really emotional, raw time. There wasn't a message, but I totally think we all gained something crucial and key during that time. It was really cool to see how God answers prayers, even in the midst of pain and confusion.
P.S. The gal is attending a 15-month long program a couple hours north, and her parents and our pastor believe that this is God, and so even though we’ll miss her, we know she’s where she’s supposed to be. We covet your prayers!
Sunday night, I got on an airplane and arrived at my grandparents’ house! Well, it wasn't quite that simple, but that’s the gist of it! And my mom was there, which was SO awesome. I think part of how I cope with being so far away from my family is NOT thinking about how far away I am, and so I had almost not realized how much I miss them, until I saw my mom! Then I realized how much I missed (and still miss) her, and I was SOOOOOOO glad to be with her!
Monday was shopping day, and it was fun. I got a SUPER cute dress for Easter…I’m really excited, and it was on sale!!!! I love shopping with Mom and Grammie!
Tuesday I woke up and felt sick…and I was! Sad face… but it was kinda nice to just lie on the couch and doze… except that I wished I was out being with my family, but it was ok; it was just a one day thing.
Wednesday was more fun; Grammie and I went to see The King’s Speech. Oh. My. Word. It is amazing. Go see it. It’s the story of King George IV {known as “Bertie” to the family} and how he overcomes his speech impediment in order to deliver a war time speech when England declared war on Germany at the beginning of World War II. Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush are INCREDIBLE.
Note: the film is rated R because the only times Bertie doesn't stammer is when he’s yelling of cussing, and there’s one intense scene where he marches around the room using all sorts of “colorful” language. But the film is incredible. Go. See. It.
Thursday, Mom and Grammie and I went to this big bridge and walked across it in the wind. It was fun.
Friday, I came back to school. My friends and I were going to go contra-dancing, which is something that’s really hard to explain, but if you know what it is, you know it’s fun. The problem was, most people weren't back from break yet, so the only males there were either over 50 or under 18. Sad face. So my friends and I danced one dance in an hour, and then we left and came back to the dorm and watched a movie. It was fun.
Saturday was Homework-Be-Destroyed Day. It was successful. Smiley face. And it was Conquer-the-Laundry-Basket Day, which was also a success.
On Sunday, I went to church with some friends. It was a house-church, and it was the first one I ever attended. It was very fun. Everyone was very warm and welcoming, and I felt so at home. Afterwards, my friends and I went to Little Caesar’s and got a $5 pizza and went to a park and enjoyed pizza and sunshine. It was especially fun because two of these friends just got engaged to each other on Friday, so it was really fun to see them together and watch them admire the “sparkley!” Hehe!
Today, back to class. Bleh. BUT the good news is, there are 5 more Mondays, 6 more Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, and FOUR more Fridays of classes… PRAISE JESUS!!!! Almost done…..
Well, that was break. Now I've got a handout to make and work to go to, and an Ale-8 to drink! Big grin!
Peace to the out!
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Update!
Here’s what’s new:
Hope you've enjoyed this quick update… I’ll definitely share more later!
- Back from break; classes start again tomorrow… for 6 more weeks! Woot!
- My laundry basket is empty! SO glad to have it done!
- I’m watching A Midsummer Night’s Dream with some friends right now, and it’s hysterical. I can’t recommend it, because there is some nudity and almost-nudity, but past that it’s humorous, mainly because the play within the movie is SUCH bad acting…
- My masseuse told me last Friday that she’s going to ask my doctor for another month’s prescription of massages… HOLLA!!!!!
- Two of my friends just got engaged… yay for springtime love!
- I GET TO GO HOME IN 6.5 WEEKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hope you've enjoyed this quick update… I’ll definitely share more later!
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Addicted? Probably!
Soooooooo I think I’m addicted to this new band Kye Kye. My BFF introduced me to them over Christmas break, and then a couple weeks ago she sent me two of their songs. I think I’m addicted, because I seriously can’t go more than like a day without listening to their songs multiple times. They have a Facebook page that you can access just by searching “Kye Kye.” {I wish I could include the link, but I think it’s different when you “like” it or not. But go “like” them!}
On another note, I get to see my mom in 4 days! It’s almost Spring Break here at school, and I am so grateful for a break! Honestly, I could probably plug away at stuff and get it done and be alive at the end of the semester, but it’s soooo nice to have a week to just sleep and see my mom and grandparents and catch up on stuff… actually, not that much needs catching up on. I need to work on my presentation about Jewish dancing {haven’t found many resources- any suggestions?}, and I’ll probably have my mom help me revise my research paper, but other than that, I don’t think I’ll have that much to do {knock on wood- it’s only Wednesday!}.
Anyway, I need to work on a project for my Marketing Research class. Oh, speaking of that class, my teacher gave me money to give to my mom after she buys and brings me some San Juan Island sea salt chocolate!!! Take a look here! I have the coolest teacher ever, and my sister has amazing taste in chocolate! Try some… it’s amazing. Thanks, sis!
On another note, I get to see my mom in 4 days! It’s almost Spring Break here at school, and I am so grateful for a break! Honestly, I could probably plug away at stuff and get it done and be alive at the end of the semester, but it’s soooo nice to have a week to just sleep and see my mom and grandparents and catch up on stuff… actually, not that much needs catching up on. I need to work on my presentation about Jewish dancing {haven’t found many resources- any suggestions?}, and I’ll probably have my mom help me revise my research paper, but other than that, I don’t think I’ll have that much to do {knock on wood- it’s only Wednesday!}.
Anyway, I need to work on a project for my Marketing Research class. Oh, speaking of that class, my teacher gave me money to give to my mom after she buys and brings me some San Juan Island sea salt chocolate!!! Take a look here! I have the coolest teacher ever, and my sister has amazing taste in chocolate! Try some… it’s amazing. Thanks, sis!
Sunday, March 6, 2011
London Summer 2011!!!!!
Folks, I’m going to London… augh! I’m sooooo excited… I don’t remember if I already told you about it, but I think you should hear it again… I’M GOING TO LONDON!!!! And Scotland!!!! Sigh. Of. Happiness!
So I've already begun emailing a girl who’s going with the program, and we’ll meet in New York when we join the group flight to Heathrow {which, by the way, has many pleasant memories for me already}, and I’m excited to meet her.
The cool thing about the group flight is that you can indicate a different return date, and they’ll take care of it. So my friends and I {or I can go by myself!} can go gallivanting across the Island and know that we will have a flight home! Ah. I cannot wait!
Last night I got to talk to my youngest sister. She cracks me up! And we realized that I will be home for her Ambassadors’ Ball at school, which is awesome, because my sisters will be all dressed up and fancy, and I’ll get to help with at least one sister’s hair {she already asked me, oh sister-who-reads-blogs} and make-up and zip up spiffy dresses and take pictures. What’s really fun is now that my first sister is out of high school, we could go do something really fun by ourselves, which we haven’t done in a while since we haven’t lived together for almost 2 years. So I’m excited.
School will be done in less than 2 months! Augh! I’m actually feeling ok about it… two of the big projects will be done at the end of this month, which will be really nice to cross of my list. Actually, I just turned in the rough draft to my research paper today, and I’m going to work on the other project as soon as I’m done with this post.
This project isn't actually that big; it’s a short PowerPoint presentation, which I've already started, and then a 5 page paper about it. I plan on writing the paper first and then doing the PowerPoint, even though I've already started the PowerPoint. It’s more just a mental thing, you know, to have started something, even just a little bit, before you dive into the bulk of the work. It makes it seem like a little bit less work, which is nice.
The class is World Dance, and I’m researching and presenting on Jewish dance. It’s going to be really awesome, and I’m hoping to interview one of my Messianic Jewish friends about dances at weddings, since she got married last summer. Well, writing about this project makes me excited to work on it {hey, I should try this more often!} so off I go!
So I've already begun emailing a girl who’s going with the program, and we’ll meet in New York when we join the group flight to Heathrow {which, by the way, has many pleasant memories for me already}, and I’m excited to meet her.
The cool thing about the group flight is that you can indicate a different return date, and they’ll take care of it. So my friends and I {or I can go by myself!} can go gallivanting across the Island and know that we will have a flight home! Ah. I cannot wait!
Last night I got to talk to my youngest sister. She cracks me up! And we realized that I will be home for her Ambassadors’ Ball at school, which is awesome, because my sisters will be all dressed up and fancy, and I’ll get to help with at least one sister’s hair {she already asked me, oh sister-who-reads-blogs} and make-up and zip up spiffy dresses and take pictures. What’s really fun is now that my first sister is out of high school, we could go do something really fun by ourselves, which we haven’t done in a while since we haven’t lived together for almost 2 years. So I’m excited.
School will be done in less than 2 months! Augh! I’m actually feeling ok about it… two of the big projects will be done at the end of this month, which will be really nice to cross of my list. Actually, I just turned in the rough draft to my research paper today, and I’m going to work on the other project as soon as I’m done with this post.
This project isn't actually that big; it’s a short PowerPoint presentation, which I've already started, and then a 5 page paper about it. I plan on writing the paper first and then doing the PowerPoint, even though I've already started the PowerPoint. It’s more just a mental thing, you know, to have started something, even just a little bit, before you dive into the bulk of the work. It makes it seem like a little bit less work, which is nice.
The class is World Dance, and I’m researching and presenting on Jewish dance. It’s going to be really awesome, and I’m hoping to interview one of my Messianic Jewish friends about dances at weddings, since she got married last summer. Well, writing about this project makes me excited to work on it {hey, I should try this more often!} so off I go!
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
So, so grateful
I just finished re-reading Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge, and I love it. I love how God speaks to me through this couple. They are amazing writers and God followers, and I so value the revelation that they have. God was totally speaking to me from this book, and I think I've gained the most out of it this time around, although hopefully each time I read it, I’ll learn more… but you get the idea.
Anyway, Stasi’s testimony is truly amazing, and reading it has made me SO grateful for my parents and grandparents who have loved me and prayed me into a relationship with Jesus. I’m so grateful that my mom and I have a wonderful relationship, and I’m so grateful that my dad protects and holds my heart. I’m grateful that my sisters and I have amazing relationships, and that because of them, I know that relationships require work but they are WORTH IT! Thanks, sisses!
Well, it is time for bed here in this dorm room. Good night, world!
Anyway, Stasi’s testimony is truly amazing, and reading it has made me SO grateful for my parents and grandparents who have loved me and prayed me into a relationship with Jesus. I’m so grateful that my mom and I have a wonderful relationship, and I’m so grateful that my dad protects and holds my heart. I’m grateful that my sisters and I have amazing relationships, and that because of them, I know that relationships require work but they are WORTH IT! Thanks, sisses!
Well, it is time for bed here in this dorm room. Good night, world!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)